New Releases This Week

Club members Juliet Rosetti and Daisy Jerico both have new books out this week! 

Rosetti's latest installment of her "Life and Love on the Lam" series, The Sexist Man Alive, is getting rave reviews!

Daisy Jerico's newest title, Sparks Fly, is a sizzling romance - great for the beach!

Green Lake Christian Writers Conference

Don't miss the Green Lake Christian Writers Conference, Aug. 17-22, 2014, where you’ll meet experienced and new writers, published authors and those hoping to publish, those writing for Christian- only markets and those who write for many different types of publications. 

Workshop leaders include Karl Steward, Mary Pierce, Wilda Morris, Sue Engebrecht, Marshall J. Paul, Cynthia Ruchti, Jan White Moon and others. 

Come for the day; stay for the week. For more information, click here.

Meeting Reminder - July 5

Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 5, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Free Program! Writing For Anthologies

Writing for Anthologies: The Good, The Bad and The Weird 
7 p.m. Monday, June 23 
Lower Level Meeting Room
Oshkosh Public Library
      
Anthologies are a great way for writers to get their short stories published but they can be intimidating for beginning writers. Joyce will go through the good, the bad and the weird of getting published in anthologies, including how to determine which ones are scams, how to deal with late publication, and the difference between republication for anthologies as opposed to magazines and on-line publications. There will be a Q and A session at the end, followed by refreshments.

Oshkosh author Joyce Frohn began her writing career after college in 1995. She has been in over 200 publications, including four anthologies and more coming out soon. She has been writing since childhood and would like to thank her imaginary friends for sticking around long enough her to write their stories down.

Chuck Foote Memorial Service

There will be a memorial service for Charles Foote at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at The Gathering Space, 8494 State Road 21, Omro. Chuck was a member of the writers club for many years. 

The service will include memories of Chuck, music and readings from his memoir. Everyone is encouraged to share stories and memories. An open house will be held prior to the event, from 2 to 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted to defray the cost of publishing Chuck's memoir.

Author Spotlight: Joyce Frohn

Writing for Anthologies: The Good, The Bad and The Weird 
7 p.m. Monday, June 23 
Lower Level Meeting Room
Oshkosh Public Library
      
Anthologies are a great way for writers to get their short stories published but they can be intimidating for beginning writers. Joyce will go through the good, the bad and the weird of getting published in anthologies, including how to determine which ones are scams, how to deal with late publication, and the difference between republication for anthologies as opposed to magazines and on-line publications. There will be a Q and A session at the end, followed by refreshments.

Oshkosh author Joyce Frohn began her writing career after college in 1995. She has been in over 200 publications, including four anthologies and more coming out soon. She has been writing since childhood and would like to thank her imaginary friends for sticking around long enough her to write their stories down.

Free Scrivener Software Demo!

Writers: Get Organized! A demonstration of Scrivener software for writers
Wednesday, June 25 6:30 p.m.
Oshkosh Public Library
Lower level meeting room

See a demonstration of Scrivener—a new word processing and organizational software for writers.

Learn about software features that can help you organize notes and research, start writing and revise your work. Useful for fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, scriptwriting, business writing and more.

Learn how you can use Scrivener in the library’s Technology Lab, at no cost.
Funded by a grant from the Library Services & Technology Act.

Meeting Reminder - June 7

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. The downtown Farmer's Market begins that day so crossing Main St. may be a challenge, as well as finding parking.

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

Writing Prompt for June 7

For those who enjoy a small challenge, the writing prompt for our June 7 meeting is: Just hearing from you....

Use it in a story, poem, character sketch...whatever. The only rule is to have fun! 

Summer Writing Class

Lakefly Lit 2014 conference speaker Judy Bridges is offering a summer class based on her book, SHUT UP & WRITE! in Milwaukee.  Class starts August 4th, runs on four consecutive Mondays, price is $245. For more information: RedbirdStudio.com

Lakefly Literary Conference

What a terrific writers conference last weekend! Thanks to everyone who volunteered or attended - I hope you had as great a time as I did. If you would like to serve on the planning committee for the 2015 conference, please let Ruth know. We will resume meetings in June; meeting on the third Saturday of each month.

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. The writing prompt is to write an obituary.

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

Sad News...

It's with sadness that I post the passing of member Chuck Foote. He was a lovely man and a great storyteller...Saturday mornings will not the same without him!

Free program! How to Be Your Own Agent, Editor, Publicist and Publisher

Tom Cannon will present How to Be Your Own Agent, Editor, Publicist and Publisher at 7 p.m. Monday, April 28, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Authors today often must be their own agent, editor, publicist and publisher. Tom will present an overview of several tools available to writers, with demonstrations on word-processing, finding markets for your work, promotion and self-publishing.  

Tom Cannon's story about his son is the lead story in the anthology Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Autism. He also has published dozens of poems and short stories. His self-published book is The Tao of Apathy.

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

This is a new monthly series sponsored by the Oshkosh Area Writer’s Club on the fourth Monday of the month.

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Just a reminder - there's only about two weeks left to register for the Lakefly Literary Conference. We've got some great speakers - children's author Carolyn Lesser, young adult author Shelley Tougas, fantasy author Scott Lynch, romance writer Ruthie Knox, mystery writer Jon Loomis and others. For more information or to register, please go to www.lakeflylit.org

For those with Time Warner Cable, Pat Kilday and I will be promoting the conference on Oshkosh Today, the public access channel, that airs at 7 p.m. tonight (April 16) but will repeated throughout the week. Pat did a fabulous job! Me? Not so much :)

Free Program - Plotting Your Novel

You have an idea for that great American novel, but how do you begin plotting it out? Published author Dixie Jarchow steps into the Local Author Spotlight on Monday, March 24, at the Oshkosh Public Library with her program, Plotting Your Novel. The event, presented by the Oshkosh Area Writer's Club, begins at 7 p.m.  Monday, March 24, in the library's lower level meeting room.

Jarchow (who writes as Daisy Jerico) is the award-winning author of The Love Thief and Burning Love. She will share three different methods for plotting a book...

Read more....

Meeting - Judging Children's Writing Contest

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15 in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. 

We will be joined by some UW-Oshkosh students for judging entries for the city-wide Create-a-Book contest for students in grades 3 through 5. Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!

Free Program - Plotting Your Novel

You've got a great idea for a novel! Now what? Whether you are writing a romance, mystery or sci fi thriller, Dixie Jarchow will show you several different methods for plotting your book, including the Snowflake Method, Mind Mapping and 250 Questions.  

Jarchow (writes as Daisy Jerico) is the award-winning author of The Love Thief and Burning Love. Her presentation is part of series sponsored by the Oshkosh Area Writer’s Club where local authors talk about their books and offer tips for getting work published.

The free event is 7 p.m. Monday, March 24 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Ruth Percey at the Oshkosh Public Library, 920-236-5203.

Meeting Reminder - March 1

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club would normally meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 1st at the Oshkosh Public Library but all the meeting spaces will be taken over for the Library's celebration of Dr. Suess' birthday. Rather than cancel the meeting, we're going to gather for a social breakfast at McDonald's on Jackson Street (Across from Pick 'n Save) . Same time - 10 a.m. Hope you can make it!

Meeting Reminder

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

Also, registration for the Lakefly Literary Conference, May 9-10, is now open. Hallie Ephron and John Dedakis are the keynote speakers; other authors include Jon Loomis, Ruthie Knox, Kelli Dunham, and Scott Lynch. Save $15 if you register before March 31! For more info or to register, please visit www.lakeflylit.org or visit our Facebook page. 

Free Program: Would You Turn the Page?

Mark your calendar for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 when Pat Kilday will do a presentation at the Oshkosh Public Library: 

Would You Turn the Page? A book buyer only spends about thirty seconds skimming a book’s first page before deciding whether to read on. How do you create a first sentence that catches the jaded eye of an agent? How do you write a first page that makes a reader ask: What’s going on and why should I care? Pat will answer these questions and more. 

The program is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served.

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. The library will be holding a book sale that day, beginning at 10 a.m., so you may want to arrive a little early to get a good parking spot.

Meeting Reminder

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.

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

2014 Lakefly Literary Conference, Oshkosh WI

Registration is now open for the 2014 Lakefly Literary Conference, May 9 and 10, at the Oshkosh Convention Center. 

Scheduled speakers include best-selling author Hallie Ephron, Wisconsin poet Bruce Dethlefsen, mystery writer Ruthie Knox, local author D.B. Rouse, humorist Kelli Dunham, romance writer Juliet Rosetti, fantasy writer Scott Lynch and others! 

Register before March 31st and save $15!
http://www.lakeflylit.org/

Lakefly Lit Writing Contests

The Lakefly Literary Conference is pleased to announce the following 2014 Writing Contest Categories:

Short story fiction: 2500 words or less; any genre.

Flash fiction: 500 words or less; any genre.

Great Beginnings novel: A maximum of the first 15 pages of an original novel; any genre. The novel does not need to be completed at the time of submission.

Jean Nelson essay: 2500 words or less. The topic is: A Book That Changed Your Life.

No entry fee; cash prizes. Deadline: March 31. Sorry - open to Wisconsin residents only! Details: http://www.lakeflylit.org/contests

Meeting Reminder: Jan. 4

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Per tradition, we will be asking for your 2014 writing goals and for those who attended the Christmas Party, don't forget to bring a piece of writing about your white elephant gift.

Book Release: The Love Thief

Congrats to member Daisy Jerico on her novel The Love Thief, published by Prism Book Group.

Summary: When the jewelry gallery she works at is robbed, Sandra is not just the prime suspect; she is the only suspect. Desperate to clear her name, she reluctantly agrees to work with sexy former jewel thief, Alex Daniels, to recover the jewelry and catch a thief. 

Holiday Party

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 in the lower level conference room at the Oshkosh Public Library. 

Per tradition, we will be doing a white elephant gift exchange so everyone is asked to bring a gift-wrapped new or gently used item that you currently have laying around the house - something you never use or don't need anymore. 

You are also welcome to bring a snack to share.

The event is free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Meeting Reminder

 Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Dixie is the Spotlight Author.

Don't forget that our annual White Elephant Gift Exchange will be held during our Dec. 21 meeting. All you need to do is find an item around your house that is in good condition and never used - wrap it up and bring it!

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

Whether or not you're participating in National Novel Writing Month, you're welcome to join us for a Sugar Rush writing session at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20th. Donuts and orange juice will be available. For more information, click here.

Bill Ramsey's Blog

Love politics? Interested in history? Be sure to check out member Bill Ramsey's blog "Connect the Dots."

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 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.

Night of Writing Dangerously

Please join us for a Night of Writing Dangerously from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Oshkosh Public Library. Whether writing for NaNoWriMo or working on a different writing project, all area writers are welcome to participate in the after-hours lock-in. Refreshments will be served. 

The library will be closed to the public but a volunteer will be at the public entrance to let writers in. Sorry,  library computers are not available for use!

Questions? Email oawc@aol.com or call the library at 236-5203.

Laurie Malliett - Book Release Party

Congrats to Laurie Malliett on the publication of her inspirational book, "Tamar's Closet, A Journey Of Healing." The book about domestic violence offers guidance and encouragement to abused women.

A book release party for Laurie will be held Saturday Nov. 30th, from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Paper Valley Hotel, 333 West College Ave., Appleton, WI 

2013 National Novel Writing Month

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club is thrilled to be hosting NaNoWriMo write-ins at the Oshkosh Public Library:

Pre-Plan Your Novel
We’re going to pump you up with great advice on how to plan your upcoming masterpiece, and tricks to avoid writer’s block.
1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, Lower Level Conference Room

Kick-Off Party
Come prepared to write! We want you to get a great start on your commitment to write 50,000 words. Refreshments will be served.
6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Note: Library will be closed to the public. Use north entrance, adjacent to parking lot.

Night of Writing Dangerously

Need some words? Let us help you with plot ninjas, word sprints and other support in a quiet setting designed to get you to your word count goal.
6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Nov. 9
Note: Library will be closed to the public. Use north entrance, adjacent to parking lot.

Halfway Hell
Are you over 25,000 words at this point? Whether you are or not, stop in to spend an hour or two writing with friends.
1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, Waters Building (Under the Dome)

Sugar Rush
Fuel your writing with donuts and juice. Stop in and celebrate or commiserate with fellow authors. While you're here, add a few thousand words to your word count.
10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, Waters Building (Under the Dome)

Thank God It’s Over Party
Join your fellow authors in a celebration of your effort, win or lose.
1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30^th
Waters Building (Under the Dome)
Refreshments will be served

The events are funded by the Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library.

For more information on these and other area NaNoWriMo events, please email oawc@aol.com

 

New Arrivals

A selection of new books at Oshkosh Public Library:  

Astrology For Writers : Spark Your Creativity Using The Zodiac by Corrine Kenner

To Show And To Tell : The Craft Of Literary Nonfiction by Phillip Lopate

Write Your Novel In A Month: How To Complete A First Draft In 30 Days And What To Do Next by Jeff Gerke

Find Your Story, Write Your Memoir by Lynn C. Miller

How To Blog A Book: Write, Publish And Promote Your Work One Post At A Time by Nina Amir




Writing 21st Century Fiction: High-impact Techniques For Exceptional Storytelling by Donald Maass

Sell Your Book Like Wildfire: The Writer's Guide To Marketing & Publicity by Rob Eager

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Chuck and Bill are sharing the Author Spotlight, since both their pieces are relatively short.

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

Attention DoeHEADS!*

Local author Jim Metz has a new book out, "Lizzie McCourt: Baby Doe's Legend Begins Here," available on e-book. Members may recall reviewing a draft of the book a few years ago. The book is about Lizzie's formative years in Oshkosh as the daughter of clothier Peter McCourt, before she married Harvey Doe in 1877 and moved to Colorado.

*A DoeHEAD is a fan of Oshkosh native "Baby Doe" Tabor; babydoe.org is their homepage.

Meeting Reminder - Oct. 5

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

Chuck is the Author Spotlight.

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

Local Author Visit - Jack Kile

Oshkosh author Jack Kile will talk about his book, Hospice, Humor, Music and More: A Volunteer's Prospective  at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Jack E. Kile, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. For 35 years, he was a teacher and clinical audiologist serving hearing-impaired individuals. Dr. Kile received a number of professional awards for his teaching and clinical work, including the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Distinguished Teaching Award, Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), ASHA's Outstanding Clinical Achievement Award for Wisconsin and the Honors of the the Wisconsin Speech-Language-Hearing Association. For the past six years, Dr. Kile has been a hospice volunteer with the role of providing emotional support for patients and their families. In addition to professional experience serving people with illness and disability, he brings a sense of humor and love of music and song to his hospice work. He frequently gives presentations to church, health care, retirement, service and volunteer groups.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Library at 236-5205.

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. 

There is no Author Spotlight.

Meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older. For more information, email oawc@aol.com

Local Author Visit - Leslie Raddatz

Local author Leslie Raddatz, a survivor of childhood abuse, recounts her journey from victim to survivor and shows how recognizing and treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can lead to healing and hope. Her book, Flashbacks in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, deals with PTSD not only among military veterans, but anyone who has experienced a traumatic event.

Her program, "Help, Hope & Healing," will be held Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the Library at 920-236-5205.

You can follow Leslie on twitter: @lraddatz1

Meeting Reminder - Aug. 17

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library 106 Washington Ave. Janet is the Spotlight Author.

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

Meeting Reminder

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

Upcoming Spotlights are Janet on Aug. 17 and Pat on Sept. 7.

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

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, which is read prior to the meeting. Advance registation is required.

Author Spotlight Schedule:

Saturday, July 20 - Judi S.

Saturday, Aug. 3 - Tom

Saturday, Aug. 17 - Dixie

Saturday, Sept. 7- Pat 

Meeting Reminder - July 20

Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Judi is the Spotlight Author.

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

Jess Riley's Release Party, July 16th

Oshkosh author and speaker at the 2013 Lakefly Literary Conference, Jess Riley will read from her newest novel, "Mandatory Release," and discuss summer reading picks. 

The event is 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2013  at Becket's Restaurant in Oshkosh. Tickets are $25 and includes hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar available. For more information or to register online, please click here.

The event is sponsored by the UW-Oshkosh Alumni Association with proceeds benefitting the Winnebago County Literacy Council.