Meeting reminder - Jan. 2nd

Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Hopefully, we'll hear some writing prompts generated by our gift exchange at our last meeting.

Also, be prepared to bring your personal writing goal for 2016!

Since the winter season is finally upon us, it's appropriate to remind members our meetings will take place as scheduled unless the Library closes for inclement weather. While it's rare for the Library to close, you can check if they're open by visiting the home page of their website: http://www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org

Christmas Party - Dec. 19th

Our next meeting is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Per tradition, we will be holding a White Elephant gift exchange. To participate, bring a gift-wrapped item from your home that is new or in good condition that you don't need/use. Do NOT go out and buy something - but make it interesting - the gifts will be used as writing prompts for our January meeting. 

Donuts will be provided (others are invited to bring something to pass as well) and we'll be taking a group photo under the Library dome.

Please come even if you forget a gift - we always have some spares on hand!

Hope to see you on Saturday!

National Novel Writing Month Finale

Congrats to Linda for writing over 52,000 words in November as part of NaNoWriMo (and finishing days early, to boot!). For her efforts, she won free admittance to the 2016 Lakefly Writers Conference, May 13-14, in Oshkosh. 

Way to go, Linda!

Meeting reminder - Dec. 5

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 in the lower level meeting room.

Our annual White Elephant gift exchange will be at the following meeting, 10 a.m Saturday, Dec. 19. Please bring a wrapped item in excellent/good condition that you no longer need/want (do NOT go out and buy something; the idea is to get rid of something you already own). Once gifts have been exchanged, you're asked to use your gift as a writing prompt to be read at our January meeting.

Meeting Reminder - Nov. 21

A quick reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. 

Also, you are welcome to us join us for a Sugar Rush write-in at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 in the library's first floor Reading Room as part of National Novel Writing Month. Donuts and juice will be available.

As always, our events are free and open to the public.

New Area Writing Group!

The UW-Oshkosh English Club has teamed up with New Moon Cafe to offer free, community-based writing workshops. Read all about it here.

NaNoWriMo: Halfway Home Nov. 15th

Nov. 15 is almost here! Will be you be over 25,000 words at that point? Whether you are or not, stop in and write with friends at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. Remember it's about quantity, not quality. We'll help you silence your inner editor so you can get closer to your goal.

Meet us in the First Floor Reading Room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Light snacks will be served. 

The program is free and open to the public.

A Night of Writing Dangerously

Join us for A Night of Writing Dangerously, from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Oshkosh Public Library. 


This event is one in a series the club is sponsoring for National Novel Writing Month. Tonight’s goal is to write 1000 words. Maybe you’ll only write 200. The point is, you don’t have to write alone. Join us for light snacks and heavy whining – then it’s time to start writing! 

The event is free and open to the pubic.

Note: The Library will be closed to the general public; use the main entrance adjacent to the parking lot and someone will be at the door to let you in. 

Meeting reminder: Nov. 7

Just a reminder the Oshkosh Area Writers Club meets at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 in the lower level meeting of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. 

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

NaNoWriMo Kick-Off Party

Over a dozen people attended our National Novel Writing Month Kick-Off!

NaNoWriMo Kick-off Party - Nov. 1

You’ve committed to writing a novel this month – members of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will see that you get off to a great start. Come with paper or laptop and be ready to write! Located in the First Floor Reading Room. As with all our programs, the event is free and  open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The Oshkosh Public Library is an official destination for National Novel Writing Month. Writers are invited to hunker down anywhere in the library throughout November, but be sure to visit the First Floor Reading Room, where you will find plot ninjas, handouts and other materials to keep you inspired. 

NaNoWriMo events are sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Area Writers Club, with generous funding from the Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library.

No meeting this month but please join us...

There's five Saturdays in October so we won't be meeting again until Saturday, Nov. 7. That said, please join us to kick-off National Novel Writing Month at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 in the first floor reading room. You're welcome to join us for the writing session even if you're writing for something other than NaNoWriMo. Snacks will be served.

A complete schedule of NaNoWriMo events is at: http://www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/nationalnovelwritingmonthevents

Oshkosh Area Writers Club: FAQs

Who can join?
Meetings are open to anyone 17 and older. We get a mix of people writing in various genres at different skill levels. 

Is there a membership fee?
No. But it would be appreciated if you like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

When/where does the club meet? 
We meet at 10 a.m. the first and third Saturday of each month in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

How many members are there?
There are about 12 core people, others come and go as life allows. Meetings can have as few as 10 and as many as 22 people. Some are beginning writers, others have been published and a few have agents/book contracts.

How do the meetings work?
Meetings start with short introductions and general announcements. Then we begin critiques - a person reads their work aloud (usually 5 pages or less, 8 copies are appreciated but not required) and we critique it. We have a critique form we use so we can be sure the author gets both positive feedback and constructive criticism. Not everyone reads at every meeting; the order of readers is determined by arrival times - first person to come is the first to read. Meetings end at noon, even if there are still waiting people to read.

We do make special arrangements for people with completed manuscripts or compilations - anything that is too long to read during a meeting.

What else does the club do?
During the year, we host free programs at the library - including author visits and National Novel Writing Month write-ins every November. We also co-sponsor the Lakefly Writers Conference each May at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Coming in 2016: a public access television show called Author Showcase created by two of our members.

Still not sure if we're right for you? You best bet is to come to a meeting and see how we fit!

Murder and Mayhem in Milwaukee

There is still time to register for Murder and Mayhem in Milwaukee Crime Fiction Festival on Nov. 7th. Price in only $40; speakers include Wendy Corsi Staub, Rob Hart, Andrew Grant, Laura Benedict and many more!

Meeting Reminder: Oct. 17

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Beginners Guide to #NaNoWriMo2015

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will host a "beginner's guide" to National Novel Writing Month. The event is free and open to all ages!

What is NaNoWriMo? 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 Lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

What is National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo)? The largest writing project on the planet! What’s that? You have little or no writing experience? No problem! We’ll give you tips and tricks to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. Think you can’t do it? Oh yes you can!

Oshkosh Goes #NaNoWriMo2015

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club is hosting the following special events at the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. All events are free and open to the public.

What is NaNoWriMo? 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 Lower level meeting room

What is National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo)? The largest writing project on the planet! What’s that? You have little or no writing experience? No problem! We’ll give you tips and tricks to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. Think you can’t do it? Oh yes you can!

Kick-off Party 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 First Floor Reading Room

You’ve committed to writing a novel this month – we’ll see that you get off to a great start. Come with paper or laptop and be ready to write! Refreshments will be served.

A Night of Writing Dangerously 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 First Floor Reading 

Room Tonight’s goal is to write 1000 words. Maybe you’ll only write 200. The point is, you don’t have to write alone. Join us for light snacks and heavy whining – then it’s time to start writing! Note: The Library will be closed to the general public; use main entrance adjacent to parking lot.

Halfway Home 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 First Floor Reading Room

Are you over 25,000 words at this point? Whether you are or not, stop in and write with friends. Remember: it’s about quantity, not quality. We’ll help you silence your inner editor so you can add words and get closer to your goal.

Sugar Rush 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 First Floor Reading Room 

So many donuts…so few words. Fuel your writing with juice and bakery items. The goal this morning: Get your word count higher than your blood sugar level!

“Thank Goodness It’s Over” Party 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30 First Floor Reading Room 

Join your fellow authors in a celebration of your effort, win or lose. Refreshments will be provided.

Events are sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Area Writers Club and would not be possible without funding from the Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Meeting Reminder: Oct. 3

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m,. Saturday, Oct. 3 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Author Visit: Susan Johnson Hadler

Oshkosh author, Susan Johnson Hadler, will discuss her memoir, "The Beauty of What Remains" 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 29 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Parts of Susan Hadler’s family tree was shrouded in darkness. When she was only a few months old, her father died in a World War II mine explosion. The event so shattered her mother that she refused to talk to her children about him, instead marrying again and starting a new life. 

Hadler’s search for her father as an adult was a journey in his final footsteps and a prelude to her quest to discover what happened to her mother’s estranged sisters. What she discovers is a legacy of loss and mental illness, with repercussions for the generations that followed. Hadler's years as a psychotherapist are evident in this meditative memoir - an exploration of loss, a celebration of discovering connections and a moving account of one woman’s efforts to make her family whole.  (Excerpt from a Booklist Review)

Author Spotlight: Janet Church

Oshkosh Author Janet Church (writing as J.S. McCormick) will talk about her novel, Trojan Horses, a fictionalized account of her real-life experience rescuing horses and dogs from slaughterhouses and dog fighting in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The free program will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Church is an animal activist with interests in consumer safety issues, holistic medicine and public speaking. She is a member of Oshkosh Area Writers Club, Mystery Writers of America, Wisconsin Sisters in Crime and Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators.

Local Author Spotlight is presented by the Oshkosh Area Writer’s Club, with support from the Oshkosh Public Library and the Friends of the Library.

Meeting Reminder - Sept. 5

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Please note Mt. Vernon Street is closed for repairs so you'll need to enter the library parking lot via Jefferson Street.

Author Spotlight Series

Our Local Author Spotlight series kicks off 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2,  with Jim Landwehr, author of "Written Life" and Dirty Shirt: A Boundary Waters Memoir." 

Children's author K.W. Penndorf will talk about how to get published on Sept. 9 and on Sept. 16, Janet Church will talk about her new book "Trojan Horses," her fictionalized account of rescuing dogs and horses from dog fighting and slaughter houses in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 

All programs begin at 6:30 p.m. in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library and are sponsored by the Oshkosh Area Writers Club with refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library.

WWA 2015 Fall Conference

Registration is now open for the Wisconsin Writers Association Fall Conference, Oct. 2-4, in Wisconsin Rapids. In addition to a great line-up of speakers, they're also offering a “First Five Pages: Critique/One-on-One” with writing coach Kim Suhr (separate registration is required).

Please note: If you're a member of WWA and the Oshkosh Area Writers Club, you can qualify for the Charter Club discount.

Local Author Spotlight: Jim Landwehr

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club kicks off its Local Author Spotlight series with Jim Landwehr, author of "Dirty Shirt: A Boundary Waters Memoir" and "Written Life." 

The free program starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Upcoming authors include K.W. Penndorf and Janet Church (writing as J.S. McCormick). Details on all programs can be found on the Oshkosh Public website.

Michael Perry

Michael Perry, author of  The Jesus Cow, is out and about in Wisconsin the next few months. His schedule is post here - be sure to check him out!

Meeting reminder - Aug. 15

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older. 

Bonus: The library is now selling coffee for $1.50 - three blends to choose from!

Meeting reminder - Aug. 1

A short reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to the public.

Please note meeting notices, as well as other announcements, are posted on our Facebook page and Twitter account.

Resources for Writers

Write By Night has created a resource page for Wisconsin writers. It's still in its infancy but there are already some good resources listed. Click here and check it out. 

Write now!

Don't just plan to write - write. It is only by writing, not dreaming about it, that we develop our own style. ~ P.D. James

Meeting Reminder - July 18

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Mark your calendars!

The Wisconsin Writers Association is holding its fall conference Oct. 2-4 in Wisconsin Rapids. Keynote speaker is Michael Perry! Click here for details.

Next meeting - July 18

Due to the holiday, the Oshkosh Area Writers Club meeting  for July 4th is canceled. We'll next meet on July 18th. Hope to see you there!

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

Cure for Writers Block?

"A person's creative output increased by an average of 60 percent when walking," according to a Stanford study. 

Summer reading programs

Registration is now open for the children, teen and adult reading programs at the Oshkosh Public Library. Register online or in person.

Meeting Reminder - June 6

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to the public.

This Saturday kicks off the downtown Farmers Market so you may have trouble crossing Main Street and/or finding close parking; plan accordingly!

Meeting reminder - May 16

Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Meeting Reminder - May 2

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 2, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Create-a-Book Awards Ceremony

The Create-a-Book city wide children's writing contest will hold their awards ceremony at 6:30 Tuesday, April 21 at the Oshkosh Public Library (under the dome). This is the contest we judged a few weeks ago and we're welcome to attend the ceremony.

Meeting reminder - April 18

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Fox Cities Book Festival 2015

The Fox Cities Book Festival, April 20-26, has announced their schedule of authors, including Sara Laux Akin, Sarah Gilbert, Jerry Apps, Steven Hazell and Harvey J. Kaye. The entire list and the date/times of appearances can be found at Fox Cities Book Festival. 

Paul Christy

Paul Christy

We're saddened to learn of the death of Paul Christy, who passed away April 8 after recently being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Paul has been with the Oshkosh Area Writer's Club since our first meeting in 2003 and we will miss him greatly.

Here's Paul reading one of his poems at our Feb 18, 2012 club meeting: Paul Christy, Feb. 18 Thanks to Tom Cannon for filming the reading!

Lakefly Writers Conference

The Lakefly Writers Conference early-bird registration fee of $45 ENDS TODAY at midnight. Includes lunch on Saturday; Michael Perry is the keynote speaker. 

Other speakers include Robert Thomas, Scott Lynch, John Walser and Wisconsin Poet Laureate  Kimberly Blaeser. Seriously, you won't find a better value for your money! 

Meeting reminder - April 4

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. 

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Judging Contest Entries March 21st

At our Saturday, March 21st meeting, we will be judging the city-wide Create-a-Book contest for Oshkosh students in grades 3 through 5. It's fun, easy...and snacks will be served!

Meeting Reminder - March 21

A quick reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Also, March 31 is the end of the early bird registration fee and the deadline to submit contest entries (cash prizes, no entry fee). For more info, visit The Lakefly Writers Conference website.

Meeting Reminder - March 7

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library on Saturday, March 7th.

Also, a quick reminder that the early bird registration fee of $45 for the Lakefly Writers Conference ends March 31. Speakers include Michael Perry, Scott Lynch, John Walser, Wisconsin Poet Laureate Kim Blaeser, Frankie Mengeling and Richard Thomas. New this year: The Wisconsin Writers Association will be sponsoring the book fair! Details at http://lakeflywriters.org

Meeting Reminder - Feb. 21

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb.21 in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older. 

Meeting Reminder - Feb. 7

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Meeting Reminder - Jan. 17

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older. 

WWA Author Showcase

The Wisconsin Writers Association will sponsor their second annual Author Showcase in conjunction with the Lakefly Writers Conference, May 9, 2015 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Enjoy a variety of books for sale by Wisconsin publishers and authors at this free event.

If you would like to reserve table space, please contact Phillip Gaithright at fcfmgr@wiwrite.org; cost is $20. 

Lakefly Writing Contests

The Lakefly Writers Conference (May 8-9) has announced their 2015 writing contests:

Short story fiction:  2500 words or less. Any genre that includes the theme: Temptation

Flash fiction:  500 words or less; any genre.

First Five Pages:  A maximum of the first five pages of an original, unpublished novel; any genre. It must be accompanied by a two-paragraph synopsis. The novel does not need to be completed at the time of submission.


The Jean Nelson Essay: 2500 words or less. Theme: Literary character I would most like to meet.

There's no fee to enter; cash prizes. Deadline is March 15, 2015.

For complete rules and submission guidelines, visit the Lakefly Writers Conference contest page.

Word-a-Day

Expand your vocabulary, exercise your brain and improve your writing by learning one new word every day. Sign up at Word of the Day to have a word emailed to you daily.