Friday, December 23, 2005

Author John Saul

In the early 1970s, John Saul lived in Oshkosh, where he worked on his first horror novel, "Suffer the Children." Here's what he had to say:

When you're as suggestible as I am, it's probably smarter to sit in a
closed and locked room with bright lights and no windows, than in an airy room on Bayshore overlooking a broad expanse of lawn and the shores of Lake Winnebago. I can say this from bitter experience, given that I was happily writing one of the more frightening scenes of "Suffer The Children" in that airy room, and doing my best to convince myself that the dire events of which I was writing existed only in my imagination, when suddenly a very real and terrifying animal leaped at the window, sending me out of the room and into the safety of the hall in less than a second.

When I finally regained my wits and courage (both often sadly lacking in me) I realized that the fearsome beast that had nearly caused me to go into cardiac arrest was nothing more than a squirrel looking for his daily handout of peanuts. Feeling utterly foolish, I found his rations, returned to my desk, opened the window, and offered the little fellow the treat for which he'd come.

He took it.

Then he bit me.

I should have stayed in the hall, but of course if I had, "Suffer The
Children" would never have been finished....


Saul writes like Stephen King, minus the first 100 pages. His official web site is here and he published two books this year: Black Creek Crossing and Perfect Nightmare. Enjoy!

City Editor

Former Oshkosh Northwestern Editorial Editor Larry Peterson has written a novel rumored to be based on his work experience in Oshkosh.

“City Editor” revolves around Mike Donahue, a South Carolina city editor who sends his staff out to investigate a possible cover-up regarding the construction of a prison unit for sexual offenders. Peterson was on the Northwestern staff about the time a similar facility was added to the Oshkosh Correctional Institute.

Published in 2003 by PublishAmerica, the book is also available at the Oshkosh Public Library.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Apple Blossom news

Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh, is now accepting book reviews for their newsletter and website. To read current reviews, click here.

Also, starting January 2nd, 2006, Apple Blossom Books will offer a new program called “Bookseeds”. The Bookseeds program allows patrons to sell their books for cash and trade credit at the bookshop and is intended to expand the selection of quality used books available at the bookshop. For more information, visit the store at 513 North Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901 or phone 920.230.3395

Humor Contest

The Wisconsin Regional Writers Association has announced the Florence Lindemann Humor Contest. The contest opens Jan. 15, 2006. Submissions must be original, unpublished work; 800-word limit. Participants must be a member of WRWA ($25/yr. and a good value!). Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. For more information, click here.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Author Jeannette Walls

Author and MSNBC correspondent Jeannette Walls will speak at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 28th at the Neenah Public Library, 240 E. Wisconsin Avenue.

Walls is the author of "The Glass Castle: A Memoir," that recounts her youth meandering around the U.S. with her parents and siblings living in cars and abandoned homes, often on the run from the authorities, until the family ends up living in abject poverty in a shack in West Virginia. A side of homelessness and child neglect that’s never been told so explicitly, the book is impossible to put down.

"The Glass Castle" has been chosed as the book selection for Neenah Reads!.

For more information about Wall's appearance or Neenah Reads!, please call the library at (920) 886-6315.

Next Meeting

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

The meeting is free and open to anyone age 17 or older.

For more information, please call 231-6182.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Discount Magazines

Anyone considering a subscription to "Writer's Digest" may want to order from Discount Magazines. They offer a one-year subscription for $14 - that's $10 off the normal rate.

In addition, Discount Magazines offers many popular women's, men's and entertainment magazines for only $5.95/year - no catches or gimmicks! Titles include Reader's Digest, Glamour, Rolling Stone, Shape, House and Garden, Self, Utne, Women's Day, Field and Stream, Golf Digest and many others.

Subscriptions are renewable and your personal information is not sold to others.

(Thanks to Chris K. at Berlin Public Library for passing along this information.)

Saturday, December 03, 2005

POV

Are you telling your story through the right character? What are the advantages to writing in first person? Third person?


"Point of View" will be the discussion topic at the 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 meeting of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club. Meetings are held in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. The event is free and open to anyone age 17 or older. For more information, please call 231-6182.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Word Nerd

A new blog, Word Nerd, by bkwriter, offers interesting insight into the world of reading and writing. A professional writer, the local author believes that “being a reader helps train a writer's eye to techniques that work well...or not so well.”

Recent postings tackle the diffcult but necessary process of revision and what makes Janet Evanovich’s novels so compelling.

“No pocket protectors here; just don't break the spines on books.”

Gift of Reading

The Oshkosh Public Library is sponsoring the "Give the Gift of Reading" book drive from Nov. 14 - Dec. 14, 2005.

Donate a new children's book to a needy child in the Oshkosh area. Shiny, new books for children age newborn through teen years will be delivered to the Salvation Army for Oshkosh area children. The library is looking for board books, lift-the-flap books, picture books, easy readers, junior novels and non-fiction. The "Gift Box" is located in the Library's Children's Room (lower level). For more information, please call 236-5208.

December meeting schedule

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club meeting schedule for December is below:

10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, writing critiques and Author Spotlight.

6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, writing workshop led by Stacie P.

10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, Christmas party and Author Spotlight.

Meetings are held in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. Meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older. For more information, please call 231-6182

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

WFOP Poetry Contest

The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets “Muse Prize for Excellence in Poetry” opens on Dec. 1, 2005. While membership in WFOP is not a contest requirement, dues are $25/year and include a subscription to The Museletter.

Contest rules taken directly from their web site (http://www.wfop.org):

1. Contestant must be a Wisconsin resident 18 years of age or older.

2. The entry form must be completed in full, included with the submission and postmarked by the contest deadline date listed on the entry form.

3. Only one original unpublished poem not under consideration elsewhere may be entered in the WFOP Muse Prize contest. 75 line maximum. Plagiarism disqualifies the contestant.

4. Manuscript must be typed on 8 _” x 11” white paper, one side only. Writer’s name should not appear on the page with the poem.

5. An entry fee of $3.00 for WFOP members and $6.00 for non-members must accompany the submission. Checks are to be made out to WFOP Literary Fund and mailed to WFOP/Rafal, P O Box 340, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202.

6. Prizes are: 1st place - $200.00 and trophy; 2nd - $100.00; 3rd - $75.00.

7. Only the winners will be notified prior to the WFOP Spring Conference held on April 22, 2006 in Egg Harbor. The first place winner is invited to attend the award presentation luncheon as a guest of WFOP. The list of winners will be published in the WFOP Museletter and posted on the web site, www.wfop.org,
after the conference.

8. Prizes will be awarded only if there are sufficient entries and the contest judge determines that an entry warrants a prize award.

9. The first place winner of the WFOP Muse Prize will be ineligible to enter that contest again for three years.

10. WFOP is not responsible for lost manuscripts. Do not send a SASE. Entries will not be returned and there will be no notification if an entry is disqualified for failure to follow any of the above rules.

11. Author retains all rights to his/her work.

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Lunch Hour Stories

LUNCH HOUR STORIES is seeking submissions for its premier 2007 season. The new literary magazine publishes only short stories and distributes them only to paid subscribers. Lunch Hour Stories are thin, easy to carry booklets that contain ONE short story each.

Subscriptions to Lunch Hour Stories will become available July 1, 2006. Free sample issues will become available early spring 2006. To add your name to our mailing list, please send complete contact information to mail@lunchhourbooks.com.

Submissions

Stories should be previously unpublished, literary in nature (no genre pieces, please), 4000-8000 words, copy-edited, and formatted in common manuscript style.

Send printed manuscripts in duplicate (manuscripts will not be returned), along with complete contact information, a short synopsis of the story (100 words or less), a short writing and publishing history, and a SASE with adequate postage for response to:

Submissions
Lunch Hour Stories
22833 Bothell-Everett Hwy
STE 102 - PMB 1117
Bothell, WA 98021

Submissions will be accepted at any time; however, the deadline for publication during the 2007 season is June 30, 2006. Authors who submit their work prior to the deadline and who are selected for publication will be contacted and asked to sign a publications agreement and to submit an electronic version of their story (in WORD) no less than three months prior to scheduled publication.

Publishing Rights

By submitting a story to Lunch Hour Stories, the author gives Lunch Hour Book Publications the right to print and distribute it to our list of paid subscribers and to be the first publisher of the story anywhere in the world. All rights will revert back to the author after publication, with certain limitations for the first year thereafter. Prior to publication, the author will be sent a publications agreement to sign with full details.

Compensation

Lunch Hour Book Publications will compensate the author $50 for the right to publish their story. We will also provide him/her with ten (10) printed copies of their story (additional copies may be purchased for $2 each), a free one-year subscription to Lunch Hour Stories (a $22 value), and a short personal interview on the Lunch Hour Stories web-site.

For more information, please contact the Lunch Hour Stories editor at editor@lunchhourbooks.com.

Writing Workshop Nov. 10

The writing workshop "Creating Dialogue," will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

BRING pen and paper as this will be a hands-on workshop.

The meeting is free and open to anyone age 17 or older.

Also at the meeting: we will take some time to critique an article for a member who is working on deadline.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

NaNoWriMo local forum

Several people have said they are not able to find the local online forum for National Novel Writing Month so I'm posting the link below:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=92

The forum allows people to meet other local participants, plan online chats, share ideas, etc.

....Wishing continued good luck to those who are undertaking the tremendous feat of writing a novel in one month!

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Local Author Visit - Kroenwetter

Local author Michael Kroenwetter will speak about writing his latest mystery "First Kill" at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4 at the Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh. He will also be available for book signing.

For more information, please call Apple Blossom Books at (920) 230-3395.

November Meeting Schedule

The November meeting schedule of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club is as follows:

Writing Critiques, 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
"Creating Dialogue" workshop, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10
Writing Critiques, 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

All meetings are free and open to anyone 17 years or older.

Meetings are held in the lover level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

For more information, please call 231-6182.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Local Contact - NaNoWriMo

This year, Stacie P. of the OAWC has volunteered to be the local contact for Wisconsin (excluding Madison and Milwaukee). Stacie participated in the event last year (and completed it!) and is the local "expert" on where to go for writing tips, strategies, etc.

So far, people have registered from Oshkosh, Appleton, Seymour, New London, Beloit, Wausau and Wisconsin Dells.

A kick-off party is planned for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 at the Barnes and Noble in Appleton.

Stacie is currently working on setting up an online chat schedule where participants can meet and share ideas, frustrations, etc.

For more information on local happenings or to network with fellow Wisconsinites, go to National Novel Writing Month, click on "forums" and type in "oshkosh" as your search word.

To contact Stacie directly, please e-mail her at: oshkosh_wi@nanowrimo.org or visit her website, Raspberry Latte.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

Registration for NaNoWriMo has begun! The program is best described on their website:.

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.
Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.

As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and -- when the thing is done -- the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.

In 2004, we had over 42,000 participants. Nearly 6000 of them crossed the 50k finish line by the midnight deadline, entering into the annals of NaNoWriMo superstardom forever. They started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work actors, and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists.

So, to recap:

What: Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month's time.

Who: You! We can't do this unless we have some other people trying it as well. Let's write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together.

Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era's most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from your novel at parties. To be able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on, taking far longer than 30 days to produce their work.

When: Sign-ups begin October 1, 2005. Writing begins November 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach the 50,000-word mark by November 30 at midnight. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Morgan Spurlock "Super Size Me"

Award-winning writer/director Morgan Spurlock will speak at 8 p.m. Wed., Nov. 16 in the Reeve Ballroom, UW-Oshkosh. Fee is $2 for general public; free for students with Titancard.

As the subject of the documentary film, “Super Size Me,” which he also directed and produced, Spurlock subjected himself to a grueling 30-day “McDonald’s Only” diet to document its impact on his health. His latest project, the reality show “30 Days,” airs on Fox.

For more information, please click Reeve Union Happenings.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Open Mic Night

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will host “Poetry Under the Dome,” open mic night at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

Enjoy the classic architecture of the century-old William Water’s building with area poets and poetry lovers. Readers can bring original material or choose selections from their favorite poet. Specialty coffee and snacks will be served.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 920-231-6182

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Guest Author Don Brown

Meet author and illustrator Don Brown at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Book sales and signing will follow. Brown's appearance at the Library is part of Bookfest 2005.

Don Brown is a professional illustrator/author. His first children's book, “Ruth Law Thrills a Nation,” was a Reading Rainbow feature selection and an NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. His second book, “Alice Ramsey’s Grand Adventure,” received starred reviews in Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal.

School Library Journal has called him "a current pacesetter who has put the finishing touches on the standards for storyographies." His most recent book, “Rare Treasure,” was selected as a NCSS-CBC Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies.

Books Written and Illustrated by Don Brown:

  • Ruth Law Thrills a Nation. Ticknor & Fields, 1993

  • Alice Ramsey's Grand Adventure. Houghton, 1997

  • One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong. Houghton, 1998

  • Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries. Houghton, 1999

  • Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley in Africa. Houghton, 2000


  • For more information, visit his official website.

    Wednesday, September 28, 2005

    Meeting Reminder

    The Oshkosh Area Writers Club meets at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

    General critiques will be held the first hour; the second hour will focus on member Frank F. as part of the "Author Spotlight" series.

    Thursday, September 22, 2005

    Michael Perry Recap

    It was standing room only at Michael Perry’s reading Sept. 22 at the Oshkosh Public Library. A wonderful storyteller, Mike entertained over 135 attendees with readings from “Population 485” and “Off Main Street,” as well as a few side stories. Intimate, warm, and often hilarious, Mike’s 75-minute presentation was frequently interrupted by alternating applause and laughter. And, it's not too late to get an autographed copy of either book - limited copies are available for sale at the Paper Tiger, downtown Oshkosh.

    Prior to his appearance at the Library, Mike met with a dozen members of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club for dinner at the Roxy. We were able to ask questions about the writing process, tips on how to get published, the importance of an agent, etc. Mike shared a few stories “behind the stories” and was able to tell us what happened to the people he wrote about in his previous books.

    My heartfelt thanks to Stacie, Bethany, Tom and Bob for serving as Mike’s escort, helping set up additional chairs, and assisting with book sales. I'd also like to thank Friends of the Library and Library staff Vicki, Joan, Laurie and Sharon. Thank you all for making the night a huge success!

    ~ Ruth

    Monday, September 19, 2005

    Guest Author Michael Perry

    Wisconsin author Michael Perry will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Oshkosh Public Library; a book signing will be held at the end of the evening. The lecture is free and open to the public.

    Perry is the author of "Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time" and has published in magazines including Newsweek, Salon, Utne and Esquire. His essays can be heard on Wisconsin and Minnesota public radio. When he's not writing, Perry contributes humor to the local fire department by being the first volunteer fireman in village history to miss the monthly meeting because of a poetry reading.

    His newest title, "Off Main Street: Barnstormers, Prophets & Gatemouth's Gator," contains essays about life in small towns, on the road, and around the world.

    Perry's book are available for purchase at The Paper Tiger or from his website: sneezingcow.com. And of course, you can check them out for free from the Oshkosh Public Library.

    Friday, September 16, 2005

    Oshkosh Lifestories

    The Oshkosh Public Library is seeking submissions for its online “Oshkosh Stories and Snapshots,” anecdotes of everyday experiences (past and present) of Oshkosh residents. Previous subjects include crab fishing at South Park; a woman’s recollections of the two years she lived at Sunnyview Sanitarium as a tuberculous patient; and the tornado of 1974.

    Prose or poetry will be accepted; submissions can be as short as you like but please, nothing more than 1000 words. Written, typed and electronic submissions accepted. Multiple submissions are encouraged.

    To read current stories or obtain complete submission guidelines, please visit Oshkosh Stories and Snapshots.

    A new kind of book club

    Check out Booksfree.com, a new kind of book club similar to Netflix. Paperbacks are delivered right to your home. When you’re done, return the books in a prepaid envelope. Free round-trip shipping; no due dates or late fees; over 40,000 titles to choose from. And the best part is, if you really like the book you can purchase it at a discount!

    Monday, September 12, 2005

    Next Meeting

    The next meeting of the OAWC is 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Items on the agenda include final preparations for Michael Perry's visit and signing up for the new Saturday "Author Spotlight."

    Author Spotlights are a new feature of the Saturday morning critique sessions, where the last hour of the meeting is devoted to the work of a single author. Author Spotlights are designed for those who are working on a novel or a compilation of shorter pieces.

    Dinner with Michael Perry

    I need a count of those interested in attending an author dinner with Michael Perry on Sept. 22. If you would like to attend, please call me by Friday, Sept. 16 at 231-6182 or 236-5205 so I can get your name and provide you with the when and the where.

    ~ Ruth

    We got a winner!

    Bethany K. Warner won the first place prize in adult fiction at the Aestival Festival, held Sept. 10 at Menasha Public Library for her story, "Iron Clad." Those who attended the Sept. 3 OAWC meeting got to hear the story, which is about a witness to the execution of a Florida killer.

    Bethany took home the same award last year.

    Congrats Bethany!

    Friday, August 26, 2005

    What do you want to talk about?

    The Thursday Technique Workshops have been great and I would like to continue our round table discussions, but need your help. As I plan additional workshops for 2006, I'd love to know what topics interest you most.

    Is there a topic or problem that you've been wanting to discuss with your fellow writers? I'm willing to research and bring handouts, but need to know what will best meet your needs.

    Thanks for your ideas! You can either post your comments by clicking "Comments" at the bottom of this entry or e-mail your ideas to the Oshkosh Area Writers Club.

    The discussion topics for the remainder of this year are:

    October 13: Grammar Tips
    November 10: Creating Dialogue
    December 8: Changing Point of View

    Stacie P.

    Wednesday, August 24, 2005

    Wanted: Volunteer Reporter

    We are currently in need of a member to submit quarterly briefs to the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association newsletter regarding club activities. The WRWA promotes the Oshkosh Area Writers Club on their web site and in their newsletter.

    If you are interested in this writing assignment, please e-mail the Oshkosh Area Writers Club or call (920) 231-6182.

    In addition to publishing a quarterly newsletter, the WRWA sponsors contests, conferences and more! Membership is $25/year.

    "Bare Books"

    Treetop Publishing offers “bare books,” books with blank pages bound like a “real” book. The books come in various sizes and there are several bindings to choose from. Make a prototype of your children’s book or create a diary, sketch book or notepad specific to your personal needs. Prices start at $.85 each.

    Browse the catalog online at www.barebooks.com or or order a free catalog by calling 1-800-255-9228.

    Celebrating Two Years!

    The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will celebrate its second anniversary at the 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 meeting. Members are asked to bring a snack to pass; door prizes will be awarded.

    We will take this time to re-introduce ourselves, discuss how our writing is going, what stumbling blocks or successes we have encountered, and how the club can better serve the needs of its members. If you've been thinking about attending a meeting, this would be an ideal time!

    The writers club started in September 2003 for those interested in creative writing. The purpose of the club is to inspire and motivate members to write; share information regarding writing and publishing; and to provide a supportive forum for constructive feedback. Membership is free and open to anyone 17 years or older.

    Critique sessions are held at 10 a.m. the first and third Saturday of each month; writing workshops are held at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. All meetings are held in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. From time to time, we hold open mic poetry readings, have guest speakers and carpool to area writing conferences.

    Monday, August 22, 2005

    Amazon Shorts

    Amazon Shorts, an entirely new way for customers to enjoy their favorite authors, was unveiled today. For 49 cents, readers can enjoy short stories from established and new authors. The stories are delivered electronically and can be saved or printed for the reader’s convenience.

    Customers will find a variety of titles from accomplished authors in a diverse array of genres and formats, including alternate chapters and scenes to well-known stories, personal memoirs about everything from food poisoning to contact lenses to potty training, one-act plays, and, of course, classic short stories.

    For more information on how to purchase a story or submit one for sale, please visit Amazon.com.

    Aestival Festival deadline

    The deadline to attend the Aestival Festival is August 31. The writers conference, held at Menasha Public Library on Sept. 10, is open to writers of high school age and older. For more information, please visit the Menasha Public Library website.

    Club members who want to carpool to the event will meet at the edge of the parking lot of Festival Foods by 8 a.m.

    Friday, August 19, 2005

    A Cup of Comfort

    A Cup of Comfort is calling for submissions for two new titles: A Cup of Comfort for Expectant Mothers and A Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Autism.

    Like the Chicken Soup series, A Cup of Comfort is an analogy of "compelling true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. These engaging personal essays — written by people from all walks of life — are carefully selected for inclusion in A Cup of Comfort based on originality, creativity, emotional impact, and substance."

    For submission guidelines and other uncoming titles, please click here.

    UW Press poetry contests

    University of Wisconsin Press's Brittingham Prize in Poetry and Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry open on Sept. 1. Deadline for both contests: Oct. 1.

    From their web site: These prizes, each consisting of a $1,000 cash award and publication by the Press, are awarded annually to the two best book-length manuscripts of original poetry submitted in an open competition. Each manuscript submitted will be considered for both prizes. There are no restrictions on the kind of poetry or subject matter, although translations are not acceptable. The winners will be announced and the prizes awarded in February of each calendar year, with publishing contracts to follow soon thereafter.

    Click here for submission guidelines.

    Reminisce

    Attention life story writers: Reminisce, the national magazine "that brings back more good times," is looking for contributors! Share personal memories and photos of days gone by.

    For sample stories and submission guidelines, go to Reminisce and click on "Contributor Guidelines."

    BTW - This is a great magazine to read if you're writing a period piece or simply interested in the details of everyday life of past generations.

    Monday, August 15, 2005

    Meeting Reminder

    The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Items on the agenda include the Aestival Festival on Sept. 10; author visit Michael Perry on Sept. 22; and the Wisconsin Book Festival in October.

    Reminder: If you would like a writing critique, please bring 8 copies of your work.

    As usual, the meeting is free and open to anyone age 17 or older. For more information, please call Ruth at 231-6182.

    Thursday, August 11, 2005

    Recommended Book

    Writer's block? Out of ideas? Try The Official Movie Plot Generator by Jason and Justin Heimburg (2004). The pages consist of three vertical panels which can be randomly flipped to create over 27,000 plot combinations. The top panel describes a setting and protagonist; the second panel describes an action or conflict, and the third panel adds a little spice.

    Some blockbuster movies of the future may include:
    1. A flamboyantly gay hairdresser travels through time in order to pay off a gambling debt.

    2. A burned-out hippie hits the karaoke circuit with a wise-cracking robot.

    3. An ancient and powerfull wizard becomes a nanny for a conservative aristocratic family in 1954 Baltimore (based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel).


    To "sample" the book, go to www.movieplotgenerator.com

    Enjoy!

    Wednesday, August 10, 2005

    Book Review: "Off Main Street"

    The August 2005 issue of The Valley Scene features a book review of Michael Perry's "Off Main Street." Pick up a copy of The Scene or read the review here.

    Perry will speak and sign books at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Oshkosh Public Library.

    Thursday, August 04, 2005

    Michael Perry coming to Oshkosh

    It's official! Wisconsin author Michael Perry will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Oshkosh Public Library; a book signing will be held at the end of the evening. The lecture is free and open to the public.

    Better still, Perry has agreed to dine with members of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club prior to his talk. (More details to follow!)

    Perry is the author of "Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time" and has published in magazines including Newsweek, Salon, Utne and Esquire. His essays can be heard on Wisconsin and Minnesota public radio. When he's not writing, Perry contributes humor to the local fire department by being the first volunteer fireman in village history to miss the monthly meeting because of a poetry reading.

    His newest title, "Off Main Street: Barnstormers, Prophets & Gatemouth's Gator," contains essays about life in small towns, on the road, and around the world. Topics include:

  • A traveling butcher whose daughter is in desperate need of a kidney

  • A heartwarming and breaking Christmas story set on a fleet of country music tour buses

  • The kidnapping of a giant Big Boy statue in Toledo

  • The goofy cultural significance of America’s water towers

  • Bunking beside a prostitute in Central America

  • Gearjammers” essays on hitching with truckers in a convoy and life on the road


  • Perry's book are available for purchase at The Paper Tiger or from his website: sneezingcow.com. And of course, you can check them for free from the Oshkosh Public Library.

    Wednesday, August 03, 2005

    Write for Letterman

    Late Night offers a weekly "Top Ten" comedy writing contest, where would-be comedians like yourself add a line to a Top Ten topic. Although CBS retains all rights, winners get a weekly prize and bragging rights. For the current topic, past contest winners, and an online submission form, visit David Letterman's "Late Show Top Ten" Contest.

    Friday, July 29, 2005

    August Meeting Schedule

    The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 for a writing critique session and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 for a discussion on "Character Development." Another critique session will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20.

    Meetings are held in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. They are free and open to anyone age 17 or older.

    Sunday, July 24, 2005

    Wisconsin Book Festival

    The Wisconsin Book Festival will be held Oct. 13 - 17th, 2005, in downtown Madison. Designed to delight booklovers of all walks, tastes, and ages, the Festival features readings, lectures, book discussions, writing workshops, live interviews, children's events, and more. For more information, visit The Wisconsin Book Festival.

    Fiction Writing Class

    Fox Valley Technical College is offering a fiction writing class from 9 a.m to noon, Saturdays, Sept. 17 through Nov. 19 at the Valley Fair Mall. The instructor is Timothy Meier; class number is 24269. To register, phone 920-720-6800; toll-free 1-877-515-5151 or visit their website at Fox Valley Technical College.

    Saturday, July 16, 2005

    John Saul

    In the early 1970s, John Saul lived in Oshkosh, where he worked on his first horror novel, "Suffer the Children." Here's what he had to say:

    When you're as suggestible as I am, it's probably smarter to sit in a
    closed and locked room with bright lights and no windows, than in an airy room on Bayshore overlooking a broad expanse of lawn and the shores of Lake Winnebago. I can say this from bitter experience, given that I was happily writing one of the more frightening scenes of "Suffer The Children" in that airy room, and doing my best to convince myself that the dire events of which I was writing existed only in my imagination, when suddenly a very real and terrifying animal leaped at the window, sending me out of the room and into the safety of the hall in less than a second.

    When I finally regained my wits and courage (both often sadly lacking in me) I realized that the fearsome beast that had nearly caused me to go into cardiac arrest was nothing more than a squirrel looking for his daily handout of peanuts. Feeling utterly foolish, I found his rations, returned to my desk, opened the window, and offered the little fellow the treat for which he'd come.

    He took it.

    Then he bit me.

    I should have stayed in the hall, but of course if I had, "Suffer The
    Children" would never have been finished....


    Saul writes like Stephen King, minus the first 100 pages. His official web site is here and he has two books out this year: Black Creek Crossing (June) and Perfect Nightmare (Sept.) Enjoy!

    The Clearing

    The Clearing, a "folk school" in Ellison Bay (WI), offers a variety of creative workshops throughout the year. Upcoming workshops of interest to writers are:

  • Writing from Your Life
    August 14 - 20
    Instructor Jerry Apps


  • Making Good Writing Great
    August 28 - September 3
    Instructor: John Lehman


  • Writers' Wellspring
    September 11 - September 17
    Instructor: Judy Bridges


  • For course descriptions, fees and other information, please visit their website at The Clearing, http://theclearing.org.

    Saturday, July 09, 2005

    July 05 Meeting Schedule

    OAWC meetings for July are:

  • “Writing Research,” discussion workshop, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14.

  • Writing Critique, 10 a.m. Saturday, July 16.

  • Meetings are held in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. Meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 or older.

    Friday, July 08, 2005

    Carl Sandburg lived in Oshkosh

    Yep. American poet Carl Sandburg lived on Wisconsin Street in 1908 while working as a labor organizer. The house has since been razed but it was said to be located near the present day location of Kelly's Bar.

    Sandburg wrote of Oshkosh in a letter dated 1908,
    “Once in my callow days I thot Oshkosh was like Heaven, Nirvana, Sheol, The North Pole; mythical, imaginary, fictive and hopeless of attainment – but here it is!”

    Source: Sandburg, Carl. The Letters of Carl Sandburg. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1968, pp. 58-59.

    Workshop Calendar

    The Oshkosh Area Writers Club sponsors discussion workshops at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. The meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 or older.

    Each workshop has a discussion topic. The calendar of topics are below:

    1. July 14: How to Do Research

    2. August 11: Character Development

    3. September 8: Plot Development

    4. October 13: Grammar Tips

    5. November 10: Creating Dialogue

    6. December 8: Changing Point of View

    2005 Aestival Festival

    Last year, about a dozen club members attended the Aestival Festival at Menasha Public Library. The event is sponsored by the Menasha Senior Center and Menasha Public Library, and is open to any high school student or adult interested in the craft of writing.

    Everyone agreed the event was worth a whole Saturday. The workshop choices were varied and interesting, the catered lunch was delicious, and one of our members won first place in the fiction contest.

    For those who are interested in attending this year, the 2005 Aestival Festival will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Menasha Public Library.

    Keynote speaker is James Campbell, author of “The Final Frontiersman: Heimo Korth and His Family, Alone in Alaska’s Arctic Wilderness.” Other speakers include Fred Gaines, Director of Theater at Lawrence University, Appleton; Grace Lim, a professional journalist (and member of the OAWC); Mike Cowling, associate professor in journalism at UW-Oshkosh; Randy Hanson, a Six Traits of Writing Trainer; Eden Foord, author of spiritual books for young adults; Karla Huston, published poet; and R.L Edinger, mystery writer and winner of the Independent Publisher’s Association award of merit.

    Through August 17, the registration fee is $30 per participant and $20 for senior citizens; after August 17, the fees increase to $35 and $25 respectively. The fee includes conference, continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments. Door prizes will be awarded as well as the announcement of contest winners. No walk-ins will be admitted.

    There is no extra fee to enter the writing contest, which has three categories, nonfiction, fiction and poetry, and two divisions: high school student and adult. The deadline to submit contest entries is July 30.

    To register for the conference and/or get contest rules, please call Joanne Flemming at (920) 427-2241 or Sylvia Bull, phone (920) 967-5173; or e-mail Sylvia Bull.

    Thursday, July 07, 2005

    Local Author Visit

    Todd Misler, a native of Antigo, Wis., will promote his latest book, "Baseball in Beertown: America's Pastime in Milwaukee," from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 16 at The Paper Tiger bookstore, located at the City Center, downtown Oshkosh.

    Misler graduated from UW-Oshkosh and currently lives with his family in Janesville. A former feature writer for a daily newspaper, his previous books include "Great Moments in Wisconsin Sports" (2004) and "Cold Wars-Revised: 40+ Years of Packer-Viking Rivalry" (2002).

    Phone The Paper Tiger at (920) 231-0800 for more information.

    Welcome to the Oshkosh Area Writers Club!

    In 2003, after weeks struggling to write a novel, I realized I needed help. I needed someone who understood how frustrating writing is; a place where I felt safe and free to express myself creatively. Specifically, I needed to be with other writers.

    So I announced an organizational meeting for a local writers club. From my research, I knew that most clubs only have six to 12 members. I was hoping for at least eight but I set up chairs for 25, feeling optimistic. Image my surprise when 44 people showed up!

    Some were professional writers; one gentleman said his only experience was "writing a check." We had poets and playwrights, children's writers and columnists. Some people were writing their memoirs, others were into fiction; many were not writing at all. Different ages, interests and life experiences - a great mix that blended very nicely into what is now the Oshkosh Area Writers Club.

    Of course, nothing good happens without the help of others and I would like to publicly thank Bethany Warner, my club co-pilot, and Stacie Penney, author of the blog Raspberry Latte, who organizes the workshops.

    So what do we do?

    Critique sessions are held at 10 a.m. the first and third Saturday of each month; writing workshops are held at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month. All meetings are held in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. From time to time, we hold open mic poetry readings, have guest speakers and carpool to area writing conferences.

    Meetings are free and open to anyone 17 years old or older.

    If you would like something critiqued, please bring eight copies of your work and limit yourself to five pages at a time. If you have a longer piece, bring copies and ask for volunteers to review it at home at their leisure.

    Each writing workshop has a theme that serves as the topic of discussion. They will be posted ahead of time in case there is a handout, article or something else you want to share on that particular topic.

    For more information about the club or its activities, please e-mail Oshkosh Area Writers Club.

    Thank you for your interest!

    - Ruth Percey