Fox Cities Book Festival

The Fox Cities Book Festival kicks off April 11. There are over 90 presentations at over a dozen locations, you are sure to find something that interests you!


Authors include inspirational author Beverly Lewis; mystery writer Carol Higgins Clark, young adult novelist John Coy, as well as numerous state writers and poets.


For a complete schedule of events, please click here.

Upcoming Events

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Pat K. is the Author Spotlight.


Also, on Wednesday, March 21, we're going to tape members reading their works to be potentially posted on our youtube page. If you would like to participate, join us from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Lower Level Meetings Room A/B at the library. Feel free to bring props -- and it's okay to attend even if you don't want to be taped!


As always, both the meeting and the podcast event are free and open to the public.

Contest Deadline Extended!

The deadline for the Wisconsin Writer's Association "Jessica Nelson Poetry Book Contest" has been extended.


Qualifying Topic: Poetry presented in a book-length collection of a single author’s work. Entries must be an unpublished manuscript of a single author’s original poetry. It is acceptable for some of the poetry to have been published before, so long as the author retains the copyright and gives credit where the items have been previously published, but the manuscript should include a substantial number of poems that have not been previously published. The first prize winner will be given strong consideration for publication by the WRWA Press if the author meets our requirements for participating energetically in book promotion.


For more information or the enter online, click here.

Join our Podcast Project!

Tom has set up a YouTube account for the club and we’d like to film people reading their work and put it up on the internet. There is no monetary reward but this a great opportunity to practice real-life readings, review the video and perhaps see where you need improvement. Nothing will go on the internet without your approval.

If you would like to participate, please wear clothes that are a single color - stripes and patterns don’t film well. You’re welcome to read from a notebook, etc. but please rehearse a few times before the event so you can get down the pace / tone you want to convey.

Much thanks to Tom for leading us on this new project! Like everything else we’ve ever done, I imagine this will be a learning experience but if Tom is involved, we know it will be fun!

Wisconsin Writers Newsletter

Don't miss all the great contests offered by Wisconsin Writers Association. Submissions due dates are coming up!

Christmas novella submissions

Pelican Book Group is looking for 15000-25000 word novella with a Christian Christmas theme. Submissions due May 1, 2012.

"Power of the Pen"

The 8th annual "Power of the Pen" will be held Saturdays, March 10 and 17, at a new location: Oshkosh Riverside Campus.

Sessions include Adventures with a Short Story, Character Development, Unearthing the Poem, Writing for Kids, Microfiction, and others. Classes are $16.29 each or $5.20 for those 62 and over.

For more information, or to register, visit Fox Valley Technical College or e-mail thull@fvtc.edu for a brochure.

Free Poetry Workshop in Oshkosh

Wisconsin's former Poet Laureate Bruce Dethlefsen is conducting a FREE poetry workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the Oshkosh Public Library. There is a limit of 12 people so register now by call the Oshkosh Public Library Reference Desk at 236-5205.

Can't attend the workshop? Bruce will also be hosting a Poetry Reading and then Open Mic, begins at 6:30pm the evening of the 28th. It will also be held at the library and is free and open to the public.

We're Now on Youtube

Much thanks to Tom Cannon for setting up a YouTube channel for the Oshkosh Area Writers Club as venue for club members to practice their presentation skills (public author readings can be scary!) and to share their work with others. Tom started off the channel with own of his poems, you can view it here.

If you would like to participate in either presenting your work or helping with the production of a a video cast, please let Tom know.

Louis Clark - Poetry Reading

Club member and PostNative American poet/story teller Louis Clark will appear Tuesday, January 24, 6:30 p.m. at Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh. You won't want to miss this entertaining presentation!

Born and raised on the Oneida reservation in northeastern Wisconsin, Louis V. Clark III turned to poetry to continue the oral tradition of his people, The People of the Standing Stone. A member of the Iroquois Confederacy, his family is of the Bear clan. His first chapbook, titled "Two Shoes," was published in the spring of 2011 by the Sequoyah National Research Center at the University of Arkansas. He has just received a Fellowship Award for his work from the Oneida Nation Arts Program and The Wisconsin Arts Board. He and his wife live in Omro where their home is filled with love from six children and the anticipation of a ninth grandchild.

Create-A-Book Judging

One again, The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will be judging the city-wide "Create-a-Book" contest for Oshkosh students in grades three through five. We will judge entries in lieu of our regular meeting on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Refreshments will be provided.

2013 Oshkosh Writers Conference

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club is holding an organizational meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library for the purpose of planning a 2013 writers conference in Oshkosh

Partnerships include the Oshkosh Public Library, The Wisconsin Writers Association and Wisconsin Press Women. In addition, we will be approaching others in the community for their participation.

With monies secured for the event, we are currently working to select a date and begin booking speakers. If you would like to volunteer in the planning of this event, please attend this Saturday's meeting.

Future planning meetings will be held on the 2nd Saturday of every month, beginning at 10 a.m. Regular club meetings will continue to be held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month.

For more information, email oawc@aol.com

Congrats Tom!

Congrats to Tom who recently published a story in the literary journal "Midwestern Gothic." Issues are available via print, pdf or electronic formats through their website; prices vary.

Vote for Joyce!

Joyce has a qualifying entry, "Dawn in the Everglades" posted at pixelhose.com as part of their writing contest where readers select the final winners.

Help her win a monetary prize by commenting on her story which you can read here.

Introduce Yourself!

Janet C. has been asked to provide an introduction of our members for publication in the Wisconsin Writers Association magazine as part of our new status as a charter club.

If you would like to participate, please write a brief synopsis of your writing accomplishments (in the third person) and submit to Janet by Jan. 31 by emailing oawc@aol.com

If your not sure how much to include, error on the side of too much information, as Janet can always edit for length. In addition, Dixie is interested in keeping a running log of members' publishing credits and this will be a great start for her!

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Tom C. is the Author Spotlight.

Upcoming Spotlights include:

Dorothy on Jan. 21

Chuck on Feb 4

Janet on Feb. 18

Bob B. on March 3

Pat on March 17

Call for Submissions

Here is a call for submissions. Young adult and otherwise

http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/submission-guidelines.html

Joyful Holidays

I hope everyone has a joyful holiday season full of wonderful surprises and miracles.

Critique Circle

CritiqueCircle.com is awesome. Someone asked me to repost this at our last meeting. You earn points by reviewing others' writing and then use the points to get yours reviewed.

Annual 100 best websites for writers

http://www.writersdigest.com/101-best-websites-for-writers

Guest Speaker Dave Rank

At our Dec. 3 meeting, Dave Rank of the Wisconsin Writers Association was the guest speaker. Dave congratulated us on becoming the organization's 14 Charter Club and explained the benefits of membership, including reduced fees on attending the WWA's fall conference and contest entry fees.

Dave also announced the organization has started their own book imprint. Upon acceptance, WWA will publish your book at no cost to the author, instead recouping their costs through a percentage of sales which reduce in proportion to increased sales. In addition, they publish a literary magazine, Creative Wisconsin.

Guest Author - Jim Zitzelsberger

Jim Zitzelsberger, local author, has graciously agreed to read from his latest book, Clancy's Christmas Stampede and Other Christmas Story-Poems, from 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm in the Library Dome on December 7th. At 7:00 pm the Oshkosh Youth Choir will be performing.

Mr. Zitselsberger is a retired teacher/librarian and is currently writing and farming in Wisconsin. He has a quiet sense of humor and a gift for finding beauty in every Christmas.

Contest for nonfiction

Deadline is Dec. 31, 2011. No Entry Fee. $1000 for first place. Submit a short original previously unpublished written response for this topic: create a list of your 10 favorite books and what they have taught you. Must not exceed 250 words. See Firstwriter.com for details.

New blog to check out

Club member Bill Ramsey has just started a new blog: ConnectTheDots2011.wordpress.com

His blog features present-day analytical and historical political opinion. Check it out!

Louis Clark III at Apple Blossom in Oshkosh

January 24, 2012, our own Louis V. Clark III will be reading his awesome Native American poetry 6:30 to 7 pm at Apple Blossom Books in Oshkosh.

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. I will be out of town that day so the first person to arrive gets to run the meeting. Woot woot!

Judi is the Spotlight Author.

Upcoming Spotlights include Dixie on Dec. 3 and Janet on Dec. 17.

Free Query Letter Help

Need help with that query letter? Continuing Studies at UW-Madison will comment for free on one-page query letters and answer questions. Contact Christine DeSmet at cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu or 608-262-3447

Nov 15 deadline for contest

12th annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition. Prize $3000 and a trip to the WRtier's Digest Conference. 1500 words or less. Enter online at writersdigest.com/short

NaNoWriMo Month!

This is a Write A Novel In a Month contest. November is the month. You must submit 60,000 words to complete your novel. Any genre is acceptable. You may prepare mentally, but do not begin writing until November 1st. Several of OAWC members have entered and won personal fame and glory. Speak to one of us and give it a try!

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Louis is the Spotlight Author.

Important! This is the last day I will be collecting NEW memberships for the Wisconsin Writers Association; join for $20. The price will be $35 in 2012 so take advantage of this opportunity!

Open Mic

We had a wonderful open mic on Tuesday, Oct 25, with over 20 people in attendance. There was a nice mix of personal essays, short stories and poetry. Afterward, we enjoyed coffee from the New Moon, a cheese and sausage tray, and other snacks.

It was great to meet members of the newly formed Oshkosh poetry club and future collaborations are likely!

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Kristen is the Author Spotlight; her piece is titled "Dark Avenger."

Note: I will be sending in a group membership for the Wisconsin Writers Association (the word 'regional' has been dropped). If you want to join or renew on Saturday, you will get a $5 discount. If interested, please bring a check for $20 payable to the Wisconsin Writers Association.

A weekend with your Novel

Continuing Studies at UW Madison is hosting a Weekend with your Novel on Nov. 11-13, 2011. This includes workshops and critique groups as well as guest speakers. Get more information online at 222.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing/weekend.htm.

Are You a Real Writer?

A provocative essay: "Are you a real writer or a pretend writer?" by Corey Mandell http://bit.ly/RealWriter

Why You Should Join WRWA

A great article on the benefits of joining the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association by Greg Peck that appeared in the Green Bay Press Gazette. Click here to read it.

Sheboygan Book Festival

2nd Annual Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival

http://sheboyganchildrensbookfestival.org

October 14-16, 2011. The theme for this year’s Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival is Memory. Our memories are an intrinsic part of who we are and how we view the world. Ever wonder how a writer or artist uses the rich universe of memory? Be a part of the Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival and listen to authors and illustrators talk about their work and the role memory plays in their craft.

2011 Authors and Illustrators:

• Jerry Pinkney

• Candace Fleming

• M.T. Anderson

• Liz Garton Scanlon

• Tom Lichtenheld

• Catherine Gilbert Murdock

• Francisco X. Mora

• Stacey Williams-Ng

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Chuck and Joyce are sharing the Author Spotlight.

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

New Poetry Club!

Apple Blossom Books, downtown Oshkosh, has started a local a Poetry Club. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of every month. For more information, call the store at 230-3396 or visit their website at http://www.appleblossombooks.com

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Janet is the Author Spotlight.

In honor of our 9th anniversary this month, everyone is invited to bring a snack to share!

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

Spotlight Schedule

Upcoming Author Spotlights:

Oct. 1 - Chuck
Oct. 15 - Kristen
Nov. 5 - Louis
Nov. 19 - Judi
Dec. 3 - Dixie
Dec. 17 - Janet

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Pat K. is the Spotlight Author, her piece is titled "The Cougar Chronicles."

Also, a reminder that member John Bauernfeind is doing an Author Talk on his new book, "The Road to Mindo," at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31st, at the library. Please attend and show your support!

Short Story Magic

Fox Valley Technical College is offering "Short Story Magic."

Description: Discover effective techniques for portraying a lot, quickly, in a short story! The short story is experiencing renewed popularity, and its techniques are also excellent for novels, screenplays and biographies. Learn to engage readers; use dialogue, action, and emotional “turnovers,” have settings mirror them; and build scenes that lead to a memorable climax.

Class meets from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Neenah Regional Center. Cost is $21.88 or $5.10 if you 62 or older.

To register, go to www.fvtc.edu

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. We will be meeting at the chapel of Riverside Cemetery on Algoma Blvd. for some free writing. Bring writing tools, maybe a towel or blanket to sit on, water and wear sunscreen if it's hot/sunny. In case of rain, the event will be canceled. Should be an interesting time, hope to see you there!

"Writing from the Heart"

The Oshkosh Seniors Center has a "newcomer" writing workshop, "Writing from the Heart," on Tuesdays, Aug. 23 to Sept. 27, from 1:30 to 3:30. Fee is $1.00 - yes, one dollar!

The facilitator is Roger LeBouton, who taught literature and writing for over 40 years. For more information, call the Center at 232-5300.

Author Visit - New Date

The John Bauernfeind author visit has been rescheduled to Wed., Aug. 31 at the author's request. The event will begin at 6:30 at the Oshkosh Public Library. John is a member of the Writer's Club so please show your support and attend!

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday Aug. 6 at the Oshkosh Public Library. Dixie is the Author Spotlight.

And a heads-up that the library will closed Aug. 20 so we will be meeting at 10 a.m. at the chapel at Riverside Cemetery, Algoma Blvd. for a free writing session.

Quote of the Day

“Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted.” Jules Renard

Author Visit - John Bauernfeind

Oshkosh author (and club member) John Bauernfeind, will speak at the Oshkosh Public Library, 6:30, Aug. 30th. His book titled The Road to Mindo will be available for sale. Congrats John!

Sheboygan Children's Book Festival

The 2nd Annual Sheboygan Children’s Book Festival will be held October 14-16, 2011.

This year's authors include M.T. Anderson, Liz Garton Scanlon and Tom Lichtenheld will be appearing along with Jerry Pinkney, Candace Fleming, and Henry Cole.

More authors and illustrator announcements will be coming soon!

Sign up for e-mail updates to receive the latest author announcements and festival news, and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

8 Good Writing Practices

1. Write.

2. Put one word after another. Find the right word, put it down.

Click here for the rest of Neil Gaiman's 8 Good Writing Practices.

Camp NoNoWriMo

Camp NaNoWriMo has opened! It is the latest creative adventure from the Office of Letters and Light, the same folks who bring you National Novel Writing Month (@NaNoWriMo). Join at

http://campnanowrimo.org or follow on Twitter at @CampNaNoWriMo

They just posted a new camp video: http://t.co/8daYepB This should help you prepare for the adventure ahead!

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 2, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Chuck is the Spotlight Author.

As always, meetings are free and open to the public. Note that parking may be limited due to traffic for the Farmer's Market.

Congrats Louis!

Lewis Clark has received copies of his book of Native America poetry, "Two Shoes." A copy will be available for preview at the next meeting.

Meeting Reminder

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

Please note that due to the Farmer's Market, you may want to leave home a littler earlier than usual.

Also, the Buckstaff group will meet at 9:15, prior to the club meeting.

Author Spotlight Schedule

“Author Spotlight” allows writers to bring in pieces of work that are eight or more pages, or a compilation of pieces that are best read/reviewed together. The last hour of each Saturday meeting is devoted to discussing the works of the featured author; advance registation is required and authors must bring ten copies of their work prior to their turn in the “Spotlight.” Those who accept a copy of the author’s work must commit to reading it and showing for the review.

Upcoming Author Spotlights:

June 18 - Janet

July 2 - Chuck

July 16 - Tom

Aug. 6 - Dixie

Announcements

At our June 4th, meeting, Pat K. announced that Random House has made on offer on her novel about a female fugitive. The deal would require a sequel and with one offer on the table, Pat's agent is shopping for a competing bid.

Dixie and Joyce reported on the WisCon feminist science fiction writer's conference held recently in Madison.

Upcoming Releases

The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Your Novel Up For Success by Jeff Gerke (Nov 25, 2011)

Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (And Live to Tell About It) by Rochelle Melander (Oct 18, 2011)

The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master by Martha Alderson (Oct 15, 2011)

Ready, Set, Novel!: A Workbook by Lindsey Grant, Tavia Stewart-Streit and Chris Baty (Sep 21, 2011)

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4th, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Please being your favorite book(s) on the craft of writing to pass around and share. One of my faves? "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott.

There will be no Author Spotlight.

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

Quote of the Moment

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. ~ MAYA ANGELOU

Writing From the Heart

The Oshkosh Seniors Center is a writers workshop, "Writing from the Heart," on Wednesdays, June 1 to June 22. Fee is $1.00 - yes, one dollar!

The facilitator is Roger LeBouton, who taught literature and writing for over 40 years. For more information, call the Center at 232-5300

Quote of the Moment

Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.

~ E. L. DOCTOROW

Jade Ring Writing Contest

The Wisconsin Regional Writer's Association is now accepting entries for their Jade Ring Contest.

Jade Ring Entries must be postmarked no later than June 15th.

PRIZES for all contest categories:

First Place: $150

Second Place: $100

Third Place: $80

Honorable Mention: $15 (two maximum)

JADE RING CONTEST CATEGORIES:

Nonfiction: essay, nostalgia

Fiction: Adult short story, juvenile short story

Poetry: Serious, Humorous

First Chapters: First chapter from a completed first draft of a book- length manuscript

Download complete contest rules. For more information contact WRWA Contests Workgroup Coordinator Sarah White at 608-347-7329 or ctwg@wrwa.net.

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. Janet is the Author Spotlight.

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

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. We will spend the entire meeting judging entries for the children's Create-a-Book Contest. Snacks will be provided.