2024 Lakefly Writing Contests

The Lakefly Writers Conference is accepting submissions for the 2024 Lakefly Writing Contests. 

Cash prizes; no entry free. Deadline is March 4. Sorry, open to Wisconsin residents only!

 For details and submission guidelines, please click here.

Author Visit - Tammy Borden

Menasha Public Library is hosting Tammy Borden, author of Waltraud: A True Story of Growing Up in Nazi Germany at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28. 

 

 

Tammy Borden is a professional copywriter turned novelist. Her latest World War II historical fiction novel shares the compelling true story of her mother growing up under Nazi rule. An engaging and evocative novel, Waltraud: A True Story of Growing Up in Nazi Germany, represents a missing piece of World War II history—an average German girl's perspective. 

 

The event is free and open to the public. 

Wisconsin Writers Clubs

Writing is hard work, but you don't have to struggle alone. Joining a writers club is one of the best decisions you can make to hone your craft. A good writers group should provide support/encouragement and give meaningful feedback on your work. 

If you're interested in joining a club but don't live in the Oshkosh area, The Wisconsin Writers Association has a wonderful list of writing clubs through the state.

 Don't see one in your area? Here's ten tips to help you start a writing group.

Meeting reminder - Jan. 20

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Also, we're sad to announce the passing of member Eric Nienass (Haunted Barracks); his obit can be found at Konrad-Behlman.

Calling Young Oshkosh Authors

Is there a young budding writer in your life?
 
The Oshkosh Public Library is accepting submissions from kids ages kindergarten through high school through Feb. 1 for inclusion in a published anthology as part of their Young Authors program.  Help kids explore their imaginations, develop their writing skills and build self-confidence through the art of storytelling!
 
For details and submission guidelines, please click here.
 

 

 

Oshkosh Area Writers Club FAQs

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

Is there a membership fee?

 
No. But it would be appreciated if you like us on Facebook! 

 

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.

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 (5 minutes or less; time yourself at home if necessary), followed by a group critique. Not everyone reads at every meeting, so it's okay to attend, but not share your writing. If you do plan to read, please bring six copies of your work to share.

We also 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 and in the community - including open mics, author visits and writing workshops. We also co-sponsor the Lakefly Writers Conference each May at the Oshkosh Convention Center.
 
The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. 

 

Join us!

Meeting reminder - Dec. 16

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

In lieu of our regular meeting, we will be doing a White Elephant gift exchange. For those unfamiliar with our tradition, you are to bring something you already own that is in new or excellent condition; do not spend any money but please wrap/bag the gift. 

After the random gift exchange, the gift you go home with is to be used as a writing prompt. Write about the gift in any form you choose - poem, sketch, memoir, story, etc.

For those unable to attend, have a happy holiday season and we will see you in 2024!

Congrats Bailey!

Bailey Hansen and Laura Rye have released the final book of the Monster By Any Other Name paranormal romance trilogy, Freedom. 

You can check out of Freak Camp, but can you ever leave?

Jake and Tobias hit the open road together, where Tobias must confront their deepest fears, fighting not only for their love but for their freedom. As shadows close in, their love becomes a beacon of hope in the heart of the abyss.

Meeting reminder - Dec. 2

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

 

Meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Meeting reminder - Nov. 18

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

 

Meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older. 

 

All writers are welcome, regardless of genre and skill level.

Upcoming events

Oshkosh is a great community for writers; check out these events happening this week!

 

Celebrate NaNoWriMo - Meet Local Authors and a Developmental Editor
Caramel Crisp Corner
5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16

Poetry/Prose Open Mic
New Moon Cafe
7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17
 
Oshkosh Area Writers Club
Oshkosh Public Library
10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18

All events are free and open to the public.

Meeting reminder and more!

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. New members welcomed!

Also, open mics will continue at the New Moon Cafe! Oshkosh Poet Laureate Tom Cannon hosts these events which are held at 7 p.m. the third Friday of the month. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet other area writers and share your work with a supportive audience.

Lastly, for those participating in National Novel Writing Month, Caramel Crisp Corner in downtown Oshkosh is offering quiet writing space and NaNoWriMo events. More info at https://www.caramelcrispcorner.com/events

Meeting reminder - Oct. 21

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

New members welcome!

Call for Proposals - Lakefly Writers Conference

The Lakefly Planning Committee is accepting proposals for the 2024 Lakefly Writers Conference, May 3 and 4, at the Oshkosh Convention Center.

The committee is especially interested in speakers who can teach a particular writing technique to beginning and mid-level authors, regardless of genre. Topics could include foreshadowing, character development, or building tension.

Programs are 50 minutes long with an expected attendance of 25-35 participants.

Proposals should include a short bio (what makes you qualified to talk on the proposed subject); program title and description; and two take-aways (what will a writer learn from your presentation). More than one pitch can be submitted together. Please include links to your blog, website and/or other online content that can be reviewed by the committee.

Speakers receive a small stipend and an exhibitor table. Speakers traveling more than 50 miles are eligible for a hotel room; other travel expenses are not covered.

For a sample of the types of programs held in the past, please review the 2023 schedule at https://lakeflywriters.org/2023-conference-schedule/

Proposals may be submitted electronically to: lakeflywriters at gmail dot com.

The Lakefly Writers Conference is sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Wisconsin Arts Board, the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, Oshkosh Area Writers Club, and Wisconsin Writers Association.

Free mini-writers conference on Saturday, Oct. 7

Friday - open mic and book launch!

Friday night! 7 p.m. at the New Moon Cafe, downtown Oshkosh.

 

Authors from the Oshkosh Area Writers Club's newest anthology, Fragments of Ourselves, will be reading from the book, which will be available for purchase. Only $5!

 

 

Meeting reminder: Sept. 16

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

New members welcome!

New books!

Check out these new books available from the Oshkosh Public Library:

Out of Silence, Sound. Out of Nothing, Something: A Writer's Guide
Susan Griffin

In an elegant but contemporary voice, award-winning author Susan Griffin breaks down the creative process step-by-step, guiding the reader through a practical course in how to begin and end a work of literature, whether fiction or nonfiction, poetry, or prose.

The Book Bible: How to Sell Your Nanuscript - No Matter What Genre - Without Going Broke or Insane

Susan Shapiro

In The Book Bible, New York Times bestseller and wildly popular Manhattan writing professor Susan Shapiro reveals the best and fastest ways to break into a mainstream publishing house. Unlike most writing manuals that stick to only one genre, Shapiro maps out the rules of all the sought-after, sellable categories: novels, memoirs, biography, how-to, essay collections, anthologies, humor, mystery, crime, poetry, picture books, young adult and middle grade, fiction and nonfiction.

Yours Truly: An Obituary Writer's Guide to Telling Your Story


James R. Hagerty 

In a surprisingly upbeat, heartfelt book about a serious subject, The Wall Street  Journal's veteran obituary writer, award-winning journalist James R. Hagerty, shares his unique skills with those who want to have the last word with flourish, honesty, and even humor.

Whether in-brief for future newspapers and websites, or as a more complete mini-memoir for friends and family, Yours Truly is a guide to making sure your story is told the way you want - and how the process of preparing your own life story can help you live a better life.

Author Visit - Ed Bentley

Caramel Crisp Corner is hosting author Ed Bentley at 5:30 p.m., Sept. 14th.

Bentley will discuss his book “What a Way to Go! Death in Oshkosh in the 1880s."

Before photography was commonplace, newspaper writers used a unique, graphic style of writing to allow readers to visualize the sometimes horrific and tragic events that occurred in their cities and neighborhoods. This book showcases such articles and obituaries from the 1880's in Oshkosh and is a fascinating read for residents, researchers and history buffs.

Meeting reminder - Aug. 19

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

 

Meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.