Printable 2023 Conference Booklet (printed booklet provided at conference)
Printable 2023 Schedule at a Glance (included in conference booklet)
| Friday, May 5, 2023 | ||
| Time: | Activity: | Location: |
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Noon – 4 p.m. |
Registration |
Lobby |
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Noon – 4 p.m. |
Vendor set-up |
West Paul L. |
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Sign-up until full |
Individual sessions available:
|
Ask at the registration table |
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1 – 2 p.m. |
Bone Identification Forensic anthropologists utilize their knowledge of the human skeleton to assist law enforcement agencies in death investigations. This work includes estimating the sex, age, ancestry, and stature from skeletal remains, searching for clandestine burials, and examining trauma. In this presentation, Dr. Jordan Karsten will introduce attendees to the scientific methods employed by forensic anthropologists through a series of case studies from around the state of Wisconsin. |
Henrietta |
|
1 – 2 p.m. |
Time Management For Writers Whether working full-time, being a parent full-time, or any combination thereof, how do you find time to write? You don’t find it, you make it! This session focuses on discovering how to prioritize your schedule based on your writing goals and finding what works for you. In this workshop, you will learn to prioritize, set achievable goals, and get practical, real-world, tips and tricks. |
Thistle |
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1 – 2 p.m. |
Make a Great Author Website Your website is the beating heart of your online writer’s platform. Learn how to maximize its effectiveness and understand how easily it can be an active tool that connects all your marketing efforts via integration with your social media, emails, events and book sales. We will cover the most common mistakes that authors make on their website and how to avoid them. Celeste will also provide strategies to ensure a successful online platform that attracts visitors and looks professional. |
Hutchinson |
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2:10 – 3 p.m.
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Seven Touchstones to Writing an Award-Winning Crime-Thriller A ‘touchstone’ is a fundamental or quintessential part or feature of a thing. In this workshop, Nickolas will explain the touchstones of writing a crime thriller, but with a bit of adjusting, he will explain how the touchstones can be applied to other genres as well. Touchstones include point of view, characters, and keeping your promise to the reader. You will also learn the essential features of a perfect ending. |
Henrietta |
|
2:10 – 3 p.m. |
The good news is it’s never been easier to self-publish a book. But that’s also the bad news. From rookie mistakes to overlooked opportunities, indie author and publisher David Michael Williams walks you through the perilous landscape of digital and print-on-demand publishing while sharing lessons he learned on his own path — often the hard way. |
Thistle |
|
2:10 – 3 p.m. |
This interactive workshop will have attendees diving into how to write for younger readers. That means learning how to edit out your adult voice in order to express the worldview of children. We’ll bring fun and playfulness to the page as we step back into our own pasts recalling how we once navigated from dependence to independence. Come ready to laugh, talk, and write. Takeaways for attendees will include how to develop a character aged 8-12 as well as questions to ask during revisions. This workshop is geared for writers of all levels of kid lit, though an emphasis is placed on middle grade. |
Hutchinson |
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3-3:30 p.m. |
Break | |
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3:30 – 4:30 p.m. |
Are you a meticulous planner, or do you just wing it? In this session we’ll explore writing strategies designed to add variety to your palette of writing techniques. If you’re a planner, we’ll explore how seat-of-the-pants writing can help you connect the dots. If your style is more free form, we’ll look at how peeking at the road ahead can inspire your writing in the here-and-now. |
Henrietta |
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3:30 – 4:30 p.m. |
Lawrence will demonstrate ways to make anybody (of any writing ability or age) write a novel from beginning to end, including where to publish it. He will share strategies for writing daily and completing a novel within months, as well as creating unique characters and plotting out your novel. Two takeaways: you don’t have to be perfect to be amazing, and there is a formula for being a successful writer that anyone can follow. |
Thistle |
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3:30 – 4:30 p.m. |
Managing director and editor Lisa Lickel will offer practical guidance on submitting for publication in general and specifically for Wisconsin Writers Association. Authors who have been published by the WWA Press either in book format or with our magazine, Creative Wisconsin, will talk about their publication process. Time for sharing experience along with Question and Answer period will follow. WWA offers many opportunities for skill development. Brochures and handouts will be available. |
Hutchinson |
|
5- 6:30 p.m. |
Dinner (on your own or Dutch treat group options available by signing up in lobby) |
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7 – 9 p.m. |
After Hours Open Mic, Oshkosh Public Library It’s your turn to take the stage under the library’s Dome! You’ll have five minutes to read your work in front of an audience. Join other writers for an entertaining night of listening and sharing. Refreshments provided. Enter between the lions on Washington Ave. |
Oshkosh Public Library |
Pitfalls of Self-Publishing 
Nailing the Middle Grade Voice
The Spooky Power of the Subconscious: Planning vs. Seat-of-the-Pantsing 
Beginning to Bookstands
WWA Press Offers Practical Advice on Submitting for Publication Please Note: On Saturday, vendors are asked to set up between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.
| Saturday, May 6, 2023 | ||
| Time: | Activity: | Location: |
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7:30-8:30 a.m. |
Vendor Set-up |
West Paul L. |
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7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Registration |
Lobby |
|
Sign-up until full |
Individual sessions available:
|
Ask at the registration table |
|
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Lakefly Marketplace |
West Paul L. |
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9 – 10 a.m.
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Two Steps Forward, One Step Back is a humorous trip through a writing career that has spanned thirty years and had many highs and lows. Beth Amos, currently writing as Annelise Ryan, will share some of the successes and failures she has experienced, and how she has managed to pick herself up, dust herself off, and get back in the game after each career low using determination, a sense of humor, and a pseudonym or two. Beth has 25 traditionally published novels from HarperCollins, Kensington Books, and Berkley Books. |
East Paul L. |
|
10 – 10:30 a.m. |
Coffee, Tea & Time to Visit the Lakefly Marketplace |
Paul L. |
|
10:30 – 11:20 a.m. |
In this workshop, we’ll look at successful short story openings from a variety of genres to discover how to craft an opening so that a reader or editor will want to continue reading after the first page, which is our goal, after all! |
Henrietta |
|
10:30 – 11:20 a.m. |
Worldbuilding is essential for any story, regardless of genre. Whether your story setting is simply ordinary, extremely uncommon, or remarkably bizarre, you must build your book world in a clear and consistent manner. In this workshop, Valerie will give you tips and tricks to help you build a world to make your characters come alive in any environment. She’ll also share ideas on how to organize and keep track of your characters and the rules of your world, as well as a few ideas on how to write through roadblocks. |
Thistle |
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10:30 – 11:20 a.m. |
Writing From the Middle of Nowhere Those of us who live far from “the Coasts” often feel as if we are writing from the middle of nowhere in every sense. Using humor, photos and stories, New York Times bestselling author, playwright, musician and rural Wisconsin resident Michael Perry will discuss his “accidental” writing career, how to survive the freelance life, and how “the middle of nowhere” can be the most powerful writing element of all. |
Hutchinson |
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11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
Lunch |
East Paul L. |
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12:30 – 1 p.m. |
Dessert & author meet and greet |
Paul L. |
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1 – 1:50 p.m.
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Write Wisconsinably: The Power of Place “Come for the cheese; stay because your car won’t start.” Wisconsinites love making fun of our bubblers-sheepshead-upNort-stop’n’go lights culture, but this weirdness also can provide a unique atmosphere for a story. A strong sense of place intensifies the plot, sets the mood, and allows readers to leap into another world. In this workshop, we’ll explore ways to enrich writing through a sense of place, whether it’s rural Wisconsin, a bustling city, or a gator-infested swamp. Our goal is to transport readers into a world that feels so real, they’ll look up from the last page blinking, surprised to find themselves in their favorite armchair. Bring your current work in progress and best Badger-isms. Cheeseheads optional. |
Henrietta |
|
1 – 1:50 p.m. |
If you’re having trouble with the middle of your story and it’s starting to feel like a slog, the problem is probably with your antagonist. A great antagonist challenges the protagonist on every level — emotional, physical, psychological — and thus sparks the tension and conflict that delivers a riveting read. But how do you create an opponent (human or inhuman) that will propel your story forward and force your protagonist to change — all while fascinating the reader? In this workshop, we will discuss how the antagonist drives the plot; the different types of “Big Bads” and the qualities they tend to share; and overused tropes, motivations, and maneuvers. We will also do a series of writing exercises that will help you discover and design the antagonist who will best challenge your protagonist to their personal breaking point. |
Thistle |
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1 – 1:50 p.m. |
Marketing a published book is hard because most of us are uncomfortable with and unaccustomed to the whole process of self-promotion. There’s no one-size-fits-all list of marketing ideas that will guarantee success, but there are countless ways that can help you find your future readers that will work within your budget, lifestyle, and interests. This interactive workshop will focus on creating a marketing plan filled with realistic, achievable goals without doing the stuff you hate. |
Hutchinson |
| 2 – 2:50 p.m. Breakout Session Option 1 |
Ask the Editor: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Literary Magazines and Writing Contests Learn all about literary magazines and writing contests from an experienced editor and writing contest administrator and judge. This session is geared for beginning and intermediate writers as well as published writers looking to increase their chances of publishing in literary magazines and wining writing contests. Get specific, practical advice on publishing fiction, poetry, and nonfiction in print and online publications, and honest answers to your questions about publishing. |
Henrietta |
| 2 – 2:50 p.m. Breakout Session Option 2 |
Without sufficient conflict, stories fail to sustain reader interest. In this session, we’ll explore the differences between internal and external conflicts and how to use them together to enrich your novel. We’ll also discuss common conflict pitfalls that undermine tension and result in a less satisfying read. Attendees will come away with concrete examples of internal and external conflict. You will also have a list of elements required to establish and sustain conflict to use as you troubleshoot your manuscripts. |
Thistle |
| 2 – 2:50 p.m. Breakout Session Option 3 |
Many writers focus their creative energy on fiction projects, but paid nonfiction writing opportunities abound — if you know where to look. The challenge, and the scary and sometimes frustrating part, is finding those opportunities and proving you’re the right person for the job. This session will present six strategies to help you move beyond that long-term work-in-progress by leveraging existing contacts to find new writing opportunities. Doing so will boost your name recognition in different markets, allow you to work with a variety of editors and/or clients, navigate deadlines, and write in multiple styles and voices. |
Hutchinson |
|
2:50 – 3:10 p.m. |
Break | |
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3:10 – 4 p.m. |
The two poet laureates will also discuss how poetry promotes creativity and fosters fellowship, and how you can make your own poetry stand out. Tom and Jeffrey will explore specific strategies they found helpful in telling their stories through poetry. The great thing is that these techniques can also be used in all genres, not just poetry. This session is designed to spark creativity and inspire attendees; expect to leave with an original poem or two in hand! |
Henrietta |
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3:10 – 4 p.m. |
Every novel unfolds over time. But how much time should pass between the beginning and the end? Days, weeks, months, or decades? And why does it matter? We’ll look at the ways time affects the structure and pace of your work and how you can use this device to move your plot along. We’ll review books that use time as an obvious skeleton upon which the story is built and those that take a subtler approach. Finally, we’ll examine five different ways time is manifested and how these can be used to develop your storyline. |
Thistle |
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3:10 – 4 p.m. |
Imposter Syndrome Imposter Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their skills, knowledge, and achievements, believing they are not deserving of their success and fearing being exposed as a fraud. Imposter Syndrome is prevalent among creative individuals who constantly face criticism and subjective evaluations of their work. This program will highlight signs and symptoms of imposter syndrome, its impact on creative individuals, and strategies for overcoming it. |
Hutchinson |
|
4 – 4:30 p.m. |
Door prizes & farewell – Save the date: May 3 & 4, 2024 | East Paul L. |
Keynote Presentation: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Well Begun is Half Done: Successful Story Openings
Worldbuilding & Organizing Data 
The Big Bad: Does your Protagonist Have a Worthy Antagonist?
Successful Book Marketing (Without Doing the Stuff You Hate) 
Colliding Conflict: Using Conflict to Add Depth and Tension 
Six Strategies for Launching a Productive Freelance Writing Gig
Crafting Your Own Poetic Voice: Tips and Strategies from the Poet Laureates
Time Ticks Away – Using the Clock or Calendar to Structure Your 