Open Mic - Nov. 17

Meeting Reminder - Nov. 6

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 6 via Zoom. To get the meeting link, please email Ruth at: oawc at aol dot com - the link will be mailed to you by 9:30 a.m. the day of the meeting.

New members welcomed!

Oshkosh Poet Laureate - Tom Cannon

There is still time to register for the Oshkosh Poet Laureate reception for Thomas Cannon at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov 4th. Speakers include Oshkosh Mayor Lori Palmeri and Wisconsin Poet Laureate Kelly Dasha Hamilton.

 

The event will be virtual; you can register here >

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvcumorTgiHtxHAsU9B5KV2Ax9iORd0WX6

Seeking Speaker Proposals for 2022 Lakefly Writers Conference

The planning committee is accepting speaker proposals for the 2022 Lakefly Writers Conference, May 6 and 7 at the Oshkosh Convention Center.

Length of workshops are 50 minutes long and must be in the areas of writing, publishing and marketing; no author talks please. The conference theme is "Into The Unknown."

Proposals may be emailed to lakeflywriters at gmail dot com. Please include links to your blog, website and other online content that can be reviewed by the committee.

Speakers receive a small stipend and free admittance to the conference. 

Meeting Reminder - Oct. 16

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 via Zoom.

 

Email oawc at aol dot com for the link; it will be sent to you about 30 minutes prior to the meeting.

New members welcome!

Oshkosh Poet Laureate Reception - Nov. 4

Meeting reminder - Oct. 2

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2nd via Zoom. The link is below in the Comments section.

If you have something to read for critique at the meeting, please upload it to Basecamp or email it to Ruth at oawc at aol dot com by 9 a.m. the day of our meeting. 

New members welcome!

Meeting reminder - Sept. 18

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 via Zoom. The link is below in the comments section.

If you have something to share for a critique, please upload it to Basecamp or email it to Ruth at oawc at aol dot come by 9 a.m. the day of our meeting.

Hope to see you Saturday!

Oshkosh Poet Laureate

Congratulation to Thomas Cannon, a founding member of the Oshkosh Area Writers Club, for becoming Oshkosh’s first poet laureate.

Tom has been “instrumental in developing a writing community” in Oshkosh, said Oshkosh Public Library Director Jeff Gilderson-Duwe at the Sept. 14 Common Council meeting.

The Oshkosh Poet Laureate will serve as the leading voice for poetry in the Oshkosh community promoting poetry through publication, performance, education, workshops, and digital and social media. The term is for two-years and includes a small stipend.

The goal of the new initiative, spurred by Oshkosh Mayor Lori Palmeri, is to highlight the importance of literacy, share the values of poetry, spark creativity, and foster artistic expression.  

One of Tom’s first step towards that goal is the creation of Facebook group Oshkosh Poet Laureate.

Meeting reminder - Aug. 21

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, in the 2nd floor Waters Building (under the dome) of the Oshkosh Public Library. If you have something to share, please bring 6 copies OR upload it to Basecamp by 9 a.m. the day of our meeting.

Wisconsin Writers Association launches publishing venture

In May of 2021, the Wisconsin Writers Association board of directors agreed to pilot a traditional, royalty-paying book publishing program: Wisconsin Writers Association Press.

Following WWA’s organization goals to help writers learn, grow, and publish in the literary field, the Wisconsin Writers Association Press will provide a prestigious place for Wisconsin writers who tell Wisconsin stories. For the first year of operation, manuscripts submitted by member authors of WWA will be considered for publication. There is no geographical requirement for WWA membership. 

The initial publications will be one full-length novel, and one full-length non-fiction book. Debut as well as seasoned authors who are members in good standing with Wisconsin Writers Association are encouraged to submit a cover letter and the first fifty pages of a completed manuscript according to the guidelines found on the organization website, noted below. For the pilot program, manuscripts that are well-polished will receive higher consideration for potential publication in late 2022. There are no fees associated with submissions or publication; however, for the initial publication pilot program, WWA authors will be considered for publication. Previously published material, except as short pieces in blog or journal format, is not eligible. The Press is looking for manuscripts that prominently feature Wisconsin in setting, culture, theme, history, contemporary, or future. 

 The search is on! Submissions for manuscripts opened July 1 and closes December 1, 2021. Submission guidelines, contact information, and pertinent FAQs can be found on the website page: www.wiwrite.org/WWA-Press.

Meeting reminder - July 17

We're meeting in person!

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 17 in the 2nd floor Waters Building of the Oshkosh Public Library.

If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to wear a mask.

Per pre-pandemic guidelines, please bring 5 copies of any work you plan to share for a critique.

As we move from a virtual platform to in person, those who have been using Basecamp to upload/share their writing can continue to do so. Everyone is welcome to bring a laptop or other device to connect to Basecamp. If you don't know what Basecamp is, that's okay too - we'll talk about it at our meeting.

Free Gale Courses For Writers

Summer school is in session with these quality Gale courses, accessible for free with your Oshkosh Public Library card.

Courses require a 24-hour commitment over a six-week period. Don't have a library card? Apply here.

The next semester begins on July 14 - register now!

Here’s a sample of just some of the class offerings that may be useful to writers:

Writeriffic: Creativity Training for Writers. Who doesn't know the fear of the blank page? How can you transform your visions into the written word? Is it really possible to become a terrific writer? You'll find the answer to these and more of your questions in Writeriffic.

In this high-energy course, you will learn a number of invaluable tricks from the published writer's toolbox. Whether you're at work now or hoping to write a novel, a nonfiction book, a memoir, short stories or articles, Writeriffic liberates the imaginative, inventive bolts of genius that are inside everyone. If you've ever dreamed of hearing your writer's voice and writing what's in your heart and head, this course will make it happen!

Creating WordPress Websites
In these lessons, you'll get hands-on experience with this powerful tool as you create your own WordPress.org site and blog. You'll find out how to use WordPress to create pages and posts, add images and videos, change a site's look and feel, and include user-friendly features. You'll discover the ease of using WordPress design themes to express your creativity, and you'll see how much fun it is to be part of the vibrant WordPress online community.

Write Your Life Story
Have you thought about writing your story, sharing life-altering events? Does your family really know about their heritage? If you've ever thought about writing your life story, now is the time!

In this course, you will have the satisfaction of telling history your way. You will learn how to bring characters to life, recall vivid memories, engage readers, and even manage your creative time. You may even find a lucrative market for your story, just like the authors of the bestselling Rocket Boys and Angela's Ashes. This course walks you step-by-step through the process of writing your life story. It's fun. It's exciting. It's a story only you can tell!

Introduction to Journaling
If you have ever wanted to try journaling, this course will provide answers to your every question. You will discover the different types of journaling and many journaling techniques, exercises, tools and resources. You will explore a seven-step process that will ease you into writing a journal. You will get detailed instructions on developing, decorating, and customizing your journal, and you will learn exciting new ways to express yourself and develop your creativity.

Meeting reminder - June 19

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet via Zoom at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 19th. The meeting link is below in the comments section.

If you have something to share for a critique, please upload it to Basecamp or email to Ruth at oawc at aol dot com by 9 a.m. the day of our meeting.

Note: There will not a meeting on July 3. We will resume in-person meetings on July 17 - location to be determined. 

Meeting reminder - June 6

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 5, via Zoom. The link is in the comments section.

If you have something you plan to read for a critique, please upload it to Basecamp or email it to Ruth at oawc at aol dot com by 9 a.m. the day of our meeting.

New members welcome!

Upcoming Writing Events

The Woodland Pattern Book Center is hosting a free virtual poetry reading featuring outgoing Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Margaret Rozga, and incoming state Laureate, Dasha Kelly Hamilton, with Juan Felipe Herrera, who served as Poet Laureate of the United States from 2015-2016.

The online event will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27.

No registration required. Click here to link to the presentation.

Write On, Door County is offering a 3-week workshop on shorty story writing, beginning June 3 with Jennifer Morales and David Haynes. 

Jennifer Morales is a poet, fiction writer, and performance artist based in rural
Wisconsin. She is a graduate of Beloit College  and Antioch University-Los Angeles (MFA, Creative Writing, Fiction). 

David Haynes is professor emeritus of English at Southern Methodist University, where he directed the creative writing program for ten years.  For the past twenty-three years he has also been on the faculty of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.

Cost is $150 for three sessions. For more information or to register, click here.

Registration closes at the end of May! 

Meeting Reminder - May 15

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 15, via Zoom. The link is below in the 'comments' section.

If you have something to read for critique, please upload it to Basecamp or email to oawc at aol dot com by 9 a.m. the day of the meeting.

New members are welcome to attend!

Lakefly Writing Contests Awards Ceremony

Join us at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8,  when we recognize the winners of the 2021 Lakefly Writing Contests. 

To register for the Lakefly Writing Contest Awards Ceremony on Zoom, click here.

Unable to attend? An awards booklet of winning entries will be published on the Lakefly website after the event.

And be sure to mark your calendar for the 2022 Lakefly Writers Conference, May 6 and 7, at the Oshkosh Convention Center. It is sure to be special!

The Lakefly Writing Contests are supported by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Foundation, Wisconsin Arts Board, Oshkosh Area Writers Club and Wisconsin Writers Association.

New! Oshkosh Poet Laureate

Oshkosh is looking for its own poet laureate!

The Oshkosh Poet Laureate will serve as the leading voice for poetry in the Oshkosh community promoting poetry through publication, performance, education, workshops, and digital and social media. 

The goal of the new initiative is to enrich the lives of the Oshkosh community by highlighting literacy, sharing the values of poetry, sparking creativity, and fostering artistic expression.  

The City of Oshkosh's first poet laureate position is open to all creators who live within the boundaries of the Oshkosh Area School District and are 18 and older. Applications will be accepted until June 7, 2021.

The chosen poet laureate for the City of Oshkosh will begin their two-year term in September, 2021, and receive a $2000 yearly stipend.

For more information, please click here. 

Meeting reminder - May 1

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 1, via Zoom. The link is below in the comments section.

If you have something to read for a critique, please upload it to Basecamp or email to Ruth at oawc @ aol . com by 9 a.m.the day of our meeting.

New members welcomed!

Lakefly Writing Contest Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2021 Lakefly Writing Contests!

◦ Teen Short Story

First Place: Sofia Santamaria-Micher

Second Place: Alydia Hug- Hafer

Third Place: Cristi Isaula-Reyes

◦ Short Story

First Place: Terry Steele

Second Place: Larry Scheckel

Third Place: Sherri Hoffman

◦ Poetry

First Place: Nnadi Samuel

Second Place: Kayla Schwalbe

Third Place:  Emma Vogel

◦ Short Short Story

First Place: Gail Sosinsky

Second Place: Valeria Biel

Third Place: Emma Vogel

 

Join us at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8,  where the above writers will be recognized for their achievements via Zoom.

To register for the Lakefly Writing Contest Awards Ceremony, click here.

Unable to attend? An awards booklet of winning entries will be published on our website after the event.

And be sure to mark your calendar for the 2022 Lakefly Writers Conference, May 6 and 7, at the Oshkosh Convention Center. It is sure to be special!

The Lakefly Writing Contests are supported by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Foundation, Wisconsin Arts Board, Oshkosh Area Writers Club and Wisconsin Writers Association.

Meeting reminder - April 17

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17 via Zoom. The link is in the "comments" section of this post.

If you would like to read, please upload your document to Basecamp or email it to Ruth at: oawc at aol dot com by 9 a.m. the day of our meeting.

New members welcome!

What Members Have Been Up To...

Juliet Rosetti has a new book out, Night of the Burning Tents,  "A vivid account of one of the most shameful events in American labor history, told by the children who lived through it."

 

Joyce Frohn had a short story published in the horror anthology, Nothing Ever
Happens in Fox Hollow - Volume 1 (Dec 2020). The residents will claim nothing ever happens in Fox Hollow, but this collection of short stories proves otherwise!

Meeting reminder - March 20

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20 via Zoom. 

New members welcome! If you would like to check us out, please email Ruth at oawc at aol dot com and a link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed to you at 9 a.m. the day of our meeting.

WWA Jade Ring Contests

The Wisconsin Writers Association is accepting submissions for the Jade Ring Writing Contest. 

Categories are fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Deadline is June 5th. Cash prizes and publication for the winning entries;  click here for more information.

Meeting reminder - March 6

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 6 via Zoom. Meeting link is below in the Comments section.

If you have something you'd like to read for critique, please upload the document to Basecamp or email it to Ruth at oawc at aol dot com by 9 a.m. the day of our meeting.

New writers welcome!

Magazines!

If you’re a libary card holder in the Winnefox Library System, you can now access to over 3,000 digital magazines, including the most recent issue, free with your library card!

Writers might enjoy Poets and Writers Magazine, Writers Digest and The Writer, but there are plenty of titles to browse on a variety of subjects including food and cooking, home and garden, health and fitness, cars and cycles, rafts and hobbies, fashion, news and politics, and family and parenting. 

You can access the collectiont through Digital Overdrive or by downloading the Libby app.

Meeting reminder - Feb. 20

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m Saturday, Feb. 20, via Zoom. The link is below. 

New members welcome!

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85698308715?pwd=bVRvOGNDWjB0a1p0MmROcTk1SW9wUT09

Lakefly Writing Contests

Although the 2021 conference has been canceled, submissions are now being accepted for the Lakefly Writing Contests. Four categories: Poetry, Short Short Fiction, Short Story and Teen Short Story.

No entry fee; cash prizes. Sorry - open to Wisconsin residents only!

For more information and submission guidelines, please click here.

Deadline is Feb. 26.

Meeting reminder - Jan. 16

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 via Zoom. If you have something you want to read for a critique, please upload it to Basecamp or email Ruth at oawc at aol dot com by 9 a.m. the day of our meeting.

New faces welcome - just email the address above for the link and it will be sent to you the morning of our meeting.

2021 Lakefly Writers Conference + Writing Contests

We are sad to announce the cancellation of the 2021 Lakefly Writers Conference due to Covid-19. While the Planning Committee considered a virtual conference, many elements of the conference would be missing, such as door prizes, Marketplace, group luncheon, open mic night and contest awards ceremony.  Simply put, the limitations of a virtual conference will not allow us to create the quality conference for which we have become known.

While the decision is deeply disappointing, we are committed to resuming the conference with support from the Oshkosh Public Library. Mark for your calendar for May 6 and 7, 2022, at the Oshkosh Convention Center - it’s sure to be a special event!

In the meantime, please consider submitting to the 2021 Lakefly Writing Contests. Categories are Short Short Fiction, Short Story, Poetry, and Teen Short Story. No entry fee; cash prizes! Must reside in Wisconsin, sorry! Deadline is Feb. 26th. For more information and submission guidelines, please click here.