Lakefly 2020 Writing Contests

The Lakefly Writers Conference is accepting contest entries through March 13. The categories are flash fiction, short story, poetry; and for teen writers, a short story category.

No entry fee! Cash prizes are $100 for first place; $75 for second; and $50 for third.

Winners must be able to attend the awards ceremony on Saturday, May 9, at the Oshkosh (WI) Convention Center.

For details and submission guidelines, please click here.

The contests are supported by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with  the Oshkosh Community Foundation and the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Meeting reminder - Feb. 1

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Also, the Lakefly Writing Contests is taking submissions - no entry fee, cash prizes! Details and submission guidelines are here. 

A Weekend for Writing with Nick Butler

Nickolas Butler

Spend a special weekend by the lake being inspired to write that story, book, memoir, or whatever else! The event is Feb. 21-23 at Paradise Shores 4 resort in picturesque Chippewa County, WI.

Weekend package includes:

• Two-night stay at Paradise Shores 4
• All meals
• Ticket to "Confessions of a New York Accompanist" Friday evening - see Paradises Shores 4 Facebook Events for more details
• Full day workshop with Nickolas Butler, internationally best-selling and award-winning author of Little Faith.
• Actor-lead readings of works on Sunday

Package cost: $500 / person


Nickolas Butler was raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop. He is the recipient of many literary prizes and commendations and has published articles, reviews, short stories, and poetry in publications such as: Ploughshares, Narrative, and The New York Times Book Review, to name a few.

He is married, and lives with his wife and two children on 16 acres of land adjacent to a buffalo farm in rural Wisconsin.

To sign up, please email me at generalmanager (at) paradiseshores4 (dot) com, or visit  www.paradiseshores4.com

Meeting Reminder - Jan. 18

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

Meetings are free, and open to anyone 17 and older.

Lakefly Writing Contests Open For Submissions

The Lakefly Writing Contests open on Monday, Jan. 6th.

Categories include flash fiction, short story, and poetry. There is also a short story contest for teens.

No entry fee; cash prizes. 

Winners must be able to attend the awards ceremony on Saturday, May 9, in Oshkosh WI.

For complete rules and submission guidelines, please click here.

The writing contests are sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Meeting Reminder - Jan. 4th

Our first meeting of the New Year is 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan, 4th in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

As always, meetings are free and open to the public.

Oshkosh Area Writers Club FAQs

Oshkosh Area Writers Club FAQs

New year, new goals! If creative writing is one of them, the Oshkosh Area Writers Club can help!

Who can attend?
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 14 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.

Tom and Dixie

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 activities in November. We also co-sponsor the Lakefly Writers Conference each May at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Also, the Oshkosh public access television show, Author Showcase, was created and is hosted 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!