First Draft Detroit News – September 7, 2026

Ahoy, Drafters!

Be ye ready for Game Day? ‘Tis happening upon Saturday, September 19, the very same day as International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Batten the hatches and let the sails fly and get ready for some games!

Game Day Fundraiser

(Okay, I’m tired of trying to do that pirate speak.)

Our third annual Game Day fundraiser is coming up! You can register online at our website. All the details are at the following link: GAME DAY – First Draft Detroit

But what IS the Game Day Fundraiser?

• Who: All of you! Your mom! Your dad! Your neighbor! Your co-workers!
• What: A game day extravaganza, complete with bake sale and nerd auction.
• When: Saturday, September 19th, 12:30-5:30pm
• Where: Eternal Games, 26051 Hoover Rd, Warren, MI 48089
• How: You make a donation, which will help us fund the 2026 First Draft Frenzy, and then spend the afternoon playing a fun game!
• Why: Because we’re a proudly nerdy bunch, and there’s nothing better than a day of snacks and slinging dice.

Tell me more!

Okay! We’ve got a wonderful array of six different gaming systems (if you count Dungeons and Dragons 5e and 5.5e as different, which you should) with a huge array of gaming levels! We’ve got a Honey Heist pirate reskin! We’ve got a Masks pirate reskin! We’ve got Call of Cthulhu, but with fish-men! We’ve even got a 5e game intended for kids, if you have some! (That’s likely where my kids will end up. They’re good kids and if they try not to be I will give them The Stare and then They Will Be.)

We’ll also have Board Game Bay if you just want to play a card game or other tabletop game. There will be options a-plenty!

There’s also going to be a pirate costume contest. I can’t wait to see what ye scalawags come up with!

Don’t you usually have a bake sale?

We sure heckin’ do! And will! We’ll also have a silent auction with tons of cool stuff. We can’t wait for you to see what delicious treats (and not so delicious yet very cool things) we’ll have available for you!

Okay, so how do I register?

We’ve got details on the website link I shared above, but basically, you pick the games you’re interested in via a Google form, send a donation, and then you’re in, baby! Just show up around 12:15 to make sure you can get some of our sweet, sweet swag (we have stickers!!) before the games start.

First Draft Frenzy!

This November is our third annual First Draft Frenzy! I know it’s still pretty far away, but it’s still a great idea to get it on your calendar and in your heads.

But Erin, what’s that?

So glad you asked! The First Draft Frenzy is our annual create-a-thon, happening every November. The goal is to create something new, from start to finish (or whatever you get done, because progress is success here) from November 1 to November 30. If you recall, First Draft Detroit grew out of the former Detroit region of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), so this is naturally an extension of the events and support we provided under that name.

We want to encourage creativity, no matter what form that takes. Writing a novel? Great! Drafting a comic book or graphic novel? That’s awesome (please show us your art)! Painting a series of portraits? Please also show us your art. Crocheting a bunch of little bits and bobs? We want to see that too! All that matters is that you begin that project on November 1 and work on it until November 30 (or beyond). Have any more specific questions? Please do not hesitate to reach out! You can either reply to this email, or touch base on Bluesky, Instagram, or Discord (all linked at the bottom).

Upcoming Events

Game Day Fundraiser

Saturday, September 19th, 12:30-5:30pm
Eternal Games
26051 Hoover Rd, Warren, MI 48089

I already gave all the details up top!

We’ll also have November events coming up soon, so keep an eye out for that newsletter!

Scribbles

Scribbles are our more low-key creative get-togethers. We have 5 every month (except December please we just want to sleep)!

• First and Third Wednesdays: Dessert Oasis (Ferndale) with Chesnaye, 4:30 to 7:30 PM
• Every Thursday: Panera Bread (Taylor) with Raine, 5:30 to 7:30 PM
• Second Thursdays: Road Less Traveled Books (Farmington) with Erin, 4:30 to 6:30 PM
• Final Friday: The Fern (Ferndale) with Owen, 5 PM to 7 PM

If you want to host a scribble then feel free to let one of us know! You can absolutely host an online-only one, or you can host an in-person one. Be the scribble you want to see in the world!

Donations

As a reminder, we are a 501c3 nonprofit, which means any donations you make to us are tax-deductible! We have several avenues available for you to donate to, if you’re interested:

1. Kroger Community Rewards (search for First Draft Detroit)
2. Paypal: firstdraftdetroit@gmail.com
3. Cashapp: $firstdraftdetroit

If you desire the shiny gold donor role in our Discord sever, do any of the above (including signing up for Kroger Community Rewards) and let one of Da Board know! (Remember the NaNo halos? This is our version! It turns your name gold and everything.)

Find us online!

As always, you can reach us via this email and in several social media-type places!

• Discord: http://discord.gg/GZxdWjs
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstdraftdetroit/
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/firstdraftdetroit.bsky.social

Creatively Yours,
Erin
Director of Community Engagement
First Draft Detroit