February 8, 2025

Here are a few of the breakout sessions we have planned for Friday, May 2!

15 Steps from First Draft to Contract (with Mistakes to Avoid Along the Way)

Start here, right now, to begin, and commit to, your writing journey. To guide you, Nick will share his 15-step process, not a timetable, but rather a “What comes first?” or “What comes next?” for beginning writers.

He will break down the process, inspired by the imagery of a 15-mile road trip. There are no tricks or short cuts, but there is a best 15-mile highway map. Each step represents a mile marker on your journey, keeping you focused and intentional in your writing endeavors, and avoiding temptations, interruptions and distractions along the way.

Nick Chiarkas grew up in the Al Smith housing projects on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. When he was in the fourth grade, his mother was told by the principal of PS-1 that “Nick was unlikely ever to complete high school, so you must steer him toward a simple and secure vocation.”

Instead, he became a writer, with a few stops along the way: a US Army Paratrooper, a New York City Police   Officer; the Deputy Chief Counsel for the President’s Commission on Organized Crime; and the Director of the Wisconsin State Public Defender Agency. On the way, he picked up a Doctorate from Columbia University, a Law Degree from Temple University; and was a Pickett Fellow at Harvard. His website is https://nickchiarkas.com

Panel Discussion: Connecting with Libraries

Join us for an informative and engaging discussion designed for authors seeking to enhance their book’s visibility by connecting with libraries. Our panel of experienced librarians will share valuable insights on how to get your book onto library shelves and arrange memorable author visits that resonate with readers.

Panelists: Vanessa Taylir, Director, Jack Russell Memorial Library (Hartford); Michelle Carter, Director, Aram Public Library (Delavan); Natalie Beacom, Director, New Berlin Public Library: Elizabeth Timmins, Director, Muehl Public Library (Seymour).

Financial Record Keeping for Writers with Valerie J. Clarizio

Do you scramble to prepare your writing business revenue and expenses for your tax preparer? Does the thought of it make you cringe? No worries. Valerie has got you!

Financial record keeping is important for any business, including your business as a writer. Accurate financial information is needed not only for you to assess the sustainability of your writing business, but for your tax preparer as well.

In this workshop, you’ll learn tips and tricks on how to organize your business records and record them for yourself and your tax preparer.  (Tips will include using both spreadsheets and manual processes.)

Valerie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting a Master’s Degree in Business and has worked in finance and accounting for over 30 years. She began her publishing career in 2012 with Melange Books, LCC, then wrote for two other small publishers before venturing into the world of self-publishing. You can find the USA Today best-selling author’s website here.

The Lakefly Writers Conference is sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Area Writers Club. Click here to register.