By Joel Grimsley, Arts Editor
Complimentary coffee and snacks in the stores Greenhouse – Photo by Joel Grimsley
The Aquinas College Writers Guild held its latest event on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with a field trip to Orchard Books and Cafe. The event, part of the Guild’s efforts to rebuild its presence on campus after years of dormancy, featured discussions on contemporary writing challenges and a chance to connect with fellow writers over a free coffee whilst supporting an independent local bookstore.
Guild President Laura Standel spoke about the committee’s mission to revitalize the club which dates back more than a decade. The goal of the Writers Guild is to provide a space where writers can come together, not just to meet deadlines, but to rediscover the joy of writing.
The group left campus and arrived at Orchard Books and Cafe, an independent bookstore 5 minutes away from campus on Michigan Street Northeast. The bookstore, which opened this June, provided an ideal backdrop for the event. Members when arrived browsed a fine curated selection of books and enjoyed a welcoming atmosphere, as the space puts together literature and coffee in a classic and inviting way. The bookstore provides seating for customers to read including a greenhouse, filled with natural light, which the Guild had booked in order to offer a private space for discussions.
Members browsing books -Photo by Joel Grimsley
“This area really benefits from a store like this,” one employee shared. “We’ve been busy since opening, and it’s been wonderful to see the community embrace us.”
The store may not have the largest collection of books but the limitation allows a more specific curation and recommendation of books, arranged in displays. The space complemented the evening’s theme of creativity and connection.
The event drew “about the amount of people we expected,” according to Vice President Sophia Lentine. Attendees gathered in the bookstore’s greenhouse, enjoying complimentary coffee and snacks as they talked with a backdrop of sunset visible through the glass walls.
Discussions at the event spanned a range of issues relevant to today’s writers. The rise of artificial intelligence in writing took center stage, with members discussing its responsible use in academic and creative writing. While AI tools used by students like Grammarly offer convenience, the group expressed concerns about plagiarism risks and the importance of proper training in AI usage to ensure a good quality of writing is maintained.
Another topic discussed was the recent switch from Turnitin to a new plagiarism-checking software at Aquinas College, a change that has caused frustration among students as they cannot view past comments on assignments submitted to the platform.
As the Writers Guild continues to host events like these they offer a reminder of the importance of fostering community and conversation among writers, meeting biweekly to challenge each other with writing prompts on Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m.
Orchard books and Cafe’s Greenhouse – Photo by Joel Grimsley
The Saint 