• The Department of Literacy is excited to announce the 2025 Local Authors Panel launch! 

    Panel-at-a-Glance

    The Department of Literacy hosts the Local Authors' Panel each spring as an opportunity for local authors to share their craft in DPSCD's classroom libraries. Each year, the department:

    • Collects applications from local authors who wish to have their work featured in DPSCD classroom libraries
    • Assembles a panel of teachers to review the submitted titles for craft, relevance, and quality 
    • Provides principals with a list of approved titles and purchasing instructions should they wish to supplement classroom libraries using their school-based budgets

    How to Get Involved

    Are you an author? Do you have a friend or family member who'd love an opportunity to have their work featured in classroom libraries?  

    One way to get involved is to share this opportunity with local authors in your network, or to apply yourself if you have a published book available for purchase. Stay tuned for the next application cycle promoted on this page. Three physical copies of each title must be submitted to the Office of Literacy, 9th Floor, Fisher Building, 3011 E. Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202, by that date. Each author can submit up to three different titles.

    Are you a teacher passionate about classroom libraries? Do you want to help recommend texts to schools interested in purchasing supplemental library books? 

    District teachers can get involved by reviewing books for possible inclusion in a catalog of texts that principals can purchase from their budget this school year by joining a selection group. If you would like to review and recommend texts, stay tuned for the next opportunity to be part of our review panel.

    Teachers selected to participate will attend a 60-minute, virtual, after-school session on January 28, 2025, to review submitted texts. Teachers will also have a period to solicit further input from students following the convening. The total time commitment will be less than five hours.

    To avoid a conflict of interest, only teachers who are not submitting texts for review are eligible to participate in a selection group. 


    2024 Selected Local Author Texts

    Title Author
    Art School Blues Clint Chico
    Black Business Book Anthony Brogdon
    Candy Girl Mentality Lisa Howze
    I Come From: Pharaohs, Kings, and Queens Curtis Lewis
    I Love DPSCD Shaun Maloy
    I Love You God: The Spiritual Enlightenment of Baby Tesla Hugh Phillips
    Issac Can Do It Alicia Jenkins
    My Name is Marcia Clint Chico
    Preschool Pals Claricha Foster
    Quantum and The Empath: Court of Confusion Dr. Erica Robertson
    Soli the Dancer: A Book About Confidence Jordan Nicole
    Super Cities! Detroit Daralynn Walker
    The Adventures of a Little Black Detroit Girl Dr. Erica Robertson
    The Adventures of Roscoe the Rottweiler: Roscoe Gets a New Home Susan Wade
    The Magical Shell Endeah Canty
    The Rebel Factory: The Ascension Germaine Pentsil
    Tyrone’s Choice Kelli Felder
    Why Am I Here? A child’s book about purpose Naomi Dunsen-White

     
author standing by book table outside

  • Interested in Being a Featured DPSCD Local Author?

    The Local Author’s Panel is currently accepting applications! To be considered for this opportunity, stay tuned here for the next application cycle!

    Panel Key Dates

    • August 30–November 8: Local authors complete the online interest form.
    • November 11–January 17: Local authors will be notified to complete the online application form and provide physical samples of texts to the Department of Literacy, 9th floor, Fisher Building, 2011 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202.
    • January 17: Deadline for teachers to apply to review books on the selection committee
    • January 28: Teacher selection committee convenes for training
    • January 31: Teacher selection committee picks up books from the Office of Literacy
    • February 3–27: The selection committee reviews books and solicits student input.
    • February 28: All final feedback collected from the selection committee
    • March 28: Book Title Winners are announced


    Local Author Catalog

    Building administrators can use the Local Authors Catalog found on the Curriculum & Instruction Hub to follow the same purchasing process for any other school goods or services. Visit it to learn more about book descriptions, genres, target grades, cost, etc.

    Questions?

    Please contact Emily Pettey in the Office of Literacy.