Ruth Percey

Below is a preview of some great workshops we have planned:

Me Talk Good For Money

Actions speak louder than words, but it’s the great one-liners we all remember. Novel and comic book writer Shaun Harris, will take you through the 10 Ironclad Rules of Dialogue and why they should be broken. Expect some group participation and on the spot work-shopping.

Developing and Revealing Three-Dimensional Characters

To ring true to readers, characters need to be as unique as the people around us. If filling out pages of character interviews to flesh out a hero or heroine sounds daunting, join this session. From using photos to inspire unique physical descriptions to consulting personality types, attendees will come away with a variety of strategies for creating well-thought-out characters readers can root for. We’ll also discuss how to reveal layered characters in a way that intrigues readers into turning pages. Led by Emily Conrad.

Self-Publishing on a Shoestring

What are the must-haves of self-publishing? What things aren’t worth your time early on and what
are essential? What does it mean to go wide and when do you get paid? Learn the basics and more in this session led by Bailey Hansen about launching your writing career on a shoestring.

Back by popular demand, forensic anthropologist Dr. Jordan Karsten is one of three subject specialists. Co-host of Cold Case: Frozen Tundra, the UW-Oshkosh professor consults on death investigations for law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin, including the FBI and Wisconsin State Crime Lab.

Bram Stoker Award winner Sarah Read will present The Art of Anxiety: How to introduce tension into your writing and keep the reader turning pages. She will address story structures, character development, dialogue, and sentence-level techniques that contribute to raising the stakes on the page. Each technique includes a mini writing exercise that builds throughout the lesson, so the students have a completed scene written by the end. The desired outcome is that students will have learned techniques that they can intentionally employ in order to make their writing more engaging and exciting.

The Lakefly Writers Conference is May 3-4 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Register before March 10 and save $15.

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

The good news? Registration for the 2024 Lakefly Writers Conference is open!

The bad news? You’ll notice a price increase. The registration fee was last raised in 2018 and maintaining financial sustainability will ensure the event’s continuation – something we all want.

The “new” news? In response to a demand for a local book fair and to expand the customer base of our vendors, we’re introducing a stand-alone Lakefly Book Fair. Same location but separated from the conference.

The book fair will be free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. Plans include scheduled book signings and specialized “author alleys.” Please note: The number of vendor tables is limited to 50.

What’s the same?

• Free pitch sessions
• An opportunity to have a professional photo taken for use on social media, book jackets, etc.
• One-on-one sessions with writing and marketing coaches
• Lakefly After Hours Open Mic

… and another wonderful line-up of speakers whom we will begin to announce shortly!

You can register for the conference, the conference and a vendor’s table, or just a vendor’s table. The early-bird rate ends March 10.

I can’t wait to see you!

~ Ruth

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