Lakefly 2023: Focus on Friday

The Lakefly Writers Conference is just a month away and we are so excited! You will be too once you read the following preview of just some of the wonderful things planned for Friday, May 5:

Malinda Andrews: 2023 presenter at the Lakefly Writers Conference located in the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, WisconsinTime Management For Writers
Malinda Andrews

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! 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.

Malinda Andrews holds a BA in Creative Writing from UW-Milwaukee and is a multi-genre author of over a dozen published works. She balances writing and publishing while caring for her two young children.

Dr. Jordan Karsten: 2023 presenter at the Lakefly Writers Conference located in the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Bone Identification
Dr. Jordan Karsten

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.

Dr. Jordan Karsten is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at the UW–Oshkosh. He specializes in forensic anthropology and consults on death investigations for law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation, and Wisconsin State Crime Lab. He also co-hosts Cold Case: Frozen Tundra, a True Crime podcast focused on cases in Northeast Wisconsin.

John DeDakis: 2023 presenter at the Lakefly Writers Conference located in the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, WisconsinThe Spooky Power of the Subconscious: Planning vs. Seat-of-the-Pantsing
John Dedakis

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.

John DeDakis is a former editor on CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.” DeDakis is the author of five mystery-suspense novels. He is also the host of the video podcast “One-to-One with John DeDakis” on YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Originally from La Crosse, WI, DeDakis now lives in Baltimore, Maryland with Cindy, his wife of 44 years.

James Lawrence: 2023 presenter at the Lakefly Writers Conference located in the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, WisconsinBeginning to Bookstands
James R. Lawrence

James 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.

James R. Lawrence is an award-winning writer who is a sucker for a great twist. James writes historical fiction, the Mr. REE book series, stage plays, and thrilling novellas. He loves to travel and lives with his wife and two adorable dogs in Appleton, WI.

Lisa Lickel: 2023 presenter at the Lakefly Writers Conference located in the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, WisconsinWWA Press offers Practical Advice on Submitting for Publication
Lisa Lickel

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.

Lisa Lickel is a Wisconsin author of inspiring fiction who loves books, collects dragons, and travels. Lisa is a member of the Wisconsin Writers Association, the Chicago Writers Association, and Assistant Director and book coach for Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp and Writing Retreat, Inc

Lakefly Writers Conference Open Mic night at the Oshkosh Public LibraryAfter Hours Open Mic, Oshkosh Public Library

7-9 p.m. Under the Dome (Enter through the Washington Avenue doors.)

It’s your turn to take the stage! At After Hours Open Mic, you’ll have five minutes to read your work in front of an audience. Join other writers for a night of fun!

The Lakefly Writers Conference will be held May 5-6 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. $75 advance registration; includes lunch on Saturday. $85.00 walk-in; does not include lunch. Students save $10 through April 30; use code WRITENOW

For more information or to register, please visit https://www.lakeflywriters.org/

The conference is sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Area Writers Club and Wisconsin Writers Association.

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