Lakefly News & Updates

Discover Your Writer’s Voice

This workshop is designed to help people find their unique writing style (“writer’s voice”) by using storytelling, journaling, and observation. Participants will be guided by Victoria Reeves to write/share personal stories and receive creative tips and prompts to help unearth memorable moments. We will also practice descriptive writing to help define/refine our personal writing styles.

Writing Through the Pain of Loss

Pain is a part of life whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a job, a friendship, or even a pet. Authors Patricia Skalka and John DeDakis will share their personal grief experiences and discuss what they learned from their losses and how they use those lessons to add depth to their stories and characters. Even though grief is a part of life, it need not be crippling or debilitating. In this session, we’ll look at strategies that will help you mine the emotions of your personal experience and apply them to your writing. The workshop includes short writing exercises.

The Lakefly Writers Conference is May 2-3 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. For more information or to register, please visit lakeflywriters.org

The Lakefly Writers Conference and Book Fair are sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Area Writers Club.

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. 

Registration is now open for the 2025 Lakefly Writers Conference, May 2 and 3, at the Oshkosh Convention Center.

After the success of last year’s event, we’re excited to announce expanded features, including engaging panel discussions and a larger book fair. We are thrilled to welcome Wisconsin copywriter-turned-novelist Tammy Borden as our keynote speaker. Attendees can look forward to a diverse range of workshops tailored for beginning and mid-level writers. Additionally, experts will be available for one-on-one consultations, providing valuable feedback and guidance.

Join us for an inspiring weekend full of creativity, learning, and connections within the writing community! Early-bird price of $90 ends March 10; $75 for students and seniors.

But that’s not all!

Registration Is Open for the 2025 Lakefly Book Fair
This vibrant event will take place on Saturday, May 3, alongside the Lakefly Writers Conference which draws over 120 regional writers.

 

Event Details:
Date: May 3, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Oshkosh Convention Center
Admission: Free and open to the public

Table Information:
Table Size: 96” by 30”
Included: Linen skirt, two chairs (if sharing a table, more chairs are available upon request).  
Price: $40

Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your work, connect with fellow authors, and engage with readers. Secure your table today and be part of this exciting event! 

For more information and to register for either of these events, click here.

We look forward to seeing you!

The Lakefly Writers Conference and Book Fair are sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Area Writers Club.

by G. Anthony

May 2024, I walked into the Lakefly Writers Conference last year with no expectations. None. At 51 years old, I hadn’t accomplished anything that felt worth sharing, certainly nothing I could be proud of. My dream of becoming a writer—born in a creative writing class 33 years ago—had cooled, chilled, and eventually fossilized, buried beneath the clutter of life’s obstacles. Still, I signed up, determined to give my dream one more chance.

Walking down the hotel’s skywalk, I felt my nerves twist, but the energy of the conference quickly took hold of me. Authors lined the halls, their tables alive with conversation and camaraderie. They weren’t just selling books—they were embodying something I longed to feel: accomplishment.

I observed more than I spoke. I sat in workshops and took notes, connecting dots in my mind that I thought would forever remain loose ends. It wasn’t just the strategies or techniques that made writing make sense to me again; it was the people. The writers around me had forged ahead despite decades of challenges, writing because they loved it. They weren’t so different from me. I wasn’t alone. For the first time, I realized I had been holding myself back.

By the end of the day, I stood at a microphone to give my first public reading. My palms were sweating, my voice shaking, but I read my poem. The room was silent, and I lost myself in the words. When I finished, they applauded. They congratulated me. They felt my poem. And for the first time, I believed it wasn’t just polite encouragement—I believed them. I walked out of that conference with a spark I hadn’t felt in years.

That spark ignited dimming embers I thought might smolder. In the autumn of 2023, I challenged myself to write 500 words a day for 90 days. I had no outline, no roadmap—just raw emotions and the determination to sit down and write, no matter how painful it was. Some days felt torturous, forcing me to face truths I had buried. But I kept showing up. Who was I if I didn’t? A writer doesn’t just talk about writing—they write.

By the end of those 90 days, I had over 90,000 words of truth. What began as chaos transformed into clarity. Over the next year, I refined those words, shaping them into what would become Nobody’s Words, A Poetic Memoir. In that process, I discovered a newer version of myself—fearless, resilient, and free of the whispers that once told me I wasn’t enough.

When I return to the Lakefly Writers Conference this year, I’ll carry with me not just a book I doubted would ever exist, but proof that words hold power and every story can be rewritten. I’ll walk into those halls with a heart full of gratitude for the kind souls who made me feel welcome and accepted, even when I hadn’t accomplished anything yet. They didn’t judge me; they gave me space to dream again.

To anyone reading this, standing where I once stood: I promise you, the answers you seek are within. You don’t need a map. You don’t need to know how it will end. All you need is the courage to start and the stubbornness that all true writers are blessed with to not give up. The journey is messy, uncomfortable, and terrifying—but it’s also transformational. I’m living proof that you can do it. And when you do, you’ll look back with gratitude for every step of the way.

_{Registration for the 2025 Lakefly Writers Conference opens on Monday, Feb. 3.}

We’re accepting submissions for the 2025 Lakefly Writing Contests! There are four categories: youth, short story, flash prose, and poetry. The theme for all the contests is: A Spark of Inspiration.

Cash prizes; no entry fee. Deadline is Feb. 23. Sorry, open to Wisconsin residents only!

For details and submission guidelines, please click here > https://lakeflywriters.org/writing-contests/

The Lakefly Writers Conference, writing contests and book fair are sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Area Writers Club.

The Lakefly Planning Committee is accepting proposals for the 2025 Lakefly Writers Conference, May 2 and 3, at the Oshkosh Convention Center.

 We are especially looking for speakers addressing the needs of beginning and mid-level authors. Topics could include but are not limited to writing techniques, contracts and other legalities, emerging technologies, and publishing trends.

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

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 we’ve held in the past, please review the 2024 schedule.

Proposals may be submitted using this form: Lakefly Call for Speakers 2025 Conference 

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

Registration is now open for the Lakefly 2024 one-on-one sessions! Pre-registration for the conference is required sign up for any/all of the five sessions offered:

Friday

Website Coaching with Celeste Anton

Meet with Dandelion Web Marketing and Consulting owner Celeste Anton to discuss options for enhancing your existing author website or how to begin creating a website. Ask questions about the other pieces of an online writer’s platform such as social media marketing, email lists and google analytics. Each session will be 15 minutes.

Headshots by Shaena Friedman & Andrea Holmgreen

A professional photographer and makeup artist will be on-site to create a quality headshot for use on your book jackets, website and marketing materials. Learn about them at https://www.shaenaragnaphotography.com/ Note: There is not included in your conference fee; cost is $85 for five digital images.

Saturday

Free Pitch Sessions

Dan Cramer, founder/agent of Page Turner Literary Agency, will accept pitches for children’s literature – picture through YA, and graphic novels. Each pitch session will be 10 minutes.

Prior to opening his own agency, Dan was an associate agent at Flannery Literary, working directly with Jennifer Flannery, agent to the late Gary Paulsen.

Writing Coaching Sessions

Kate Penndorf of Much Ado About Writing will offer 15-minute, individual writing coaching sessions.

Option 1: Submit 300 words and get a critique

Submit 300 words in advance and come ready to tackle questions about the premise, writing, characters, POV, and direction of your story. Deadline for submitting a sample is Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Option 2: Sit, chat, and ask questions

Don’t have words to page yet, but have questions about an idea or plotting? Get answers for all genres of both fiction and non-fiction.

Social Media For Beginners

A presence on social media is vital to launching your writing career. Meet one-on-one with Kaila Mielke to get a social media account started or learn how to better use the one you have. Sessions are 20 minutes long; social media options include Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Please come with your own device and some potential passwords at least 8 characters long that include an upper case letter, a number and special character.

Writing Poems Helps You Write Everything Else

In this fun and interactive workshop led by UW-Oshkosh Professor William Gillard, we’ll dive into the elements of poetry that are shared by other literary forms, including metaphor, imagery, rhythm, voice, and sound. If you write fiction, nonfiction, song lyrics, or anything else, this session is for you. Bring pen and paper, because we’ll all be writing!

Between The Lines: Poetry and Imagination

During this engaging workshop, Tom Cannon (Poet Laureate of Oshkosh) and Jeffrey McAndrew (Poet Laureate of North Fond du Lac) will delve into how poetry can assist in navigating challenging times. Writing poetry aids in understanding our emotions and pinpointing issues that may seem overwhelming. Expressing our feelings through writing can bring relief. Furthermore, revising our poems helps us refine and structure a strategy to cope with life’s challenges. The speakers will share a few of their poems they wrote during difficult times and lead the attendees through creating a poem.

Lakefly After Hours Open Mic

It’s your turn to take the stage! At Lakefly After Hours Open Mic, you’ll have five minutes to read your work in front of an audience. Join other writers for a fun night of listening and sharing. Held under the Dome at the Oshkosh Public Library, just a few blocks from the Oshkosh Convention Center.

It’s often said that you should “write what you know.” When writing about something you don’t know, research is crucial in creating accurate and authentic scenes/settings. This year, we’re offering three subject specialists who will talk about their professions and answer questions to help you nail down the details that will make your writing realistic and believable.

• 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. Karsten is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-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. His work includes developing biological profiles for unknown human skeletons, excavating burials, and conducting trauma analyses. He also co-hosts Cold Case: Frozen Tundra, a True Crime podcast focused on cases in Northeast Wisconsin.

• There is a lot of talk about nurses these days, but most don’t really know what nurses really do. Media portrayal is mostly inaccurate. What is it like to be responsible for the lives and safety of others? Work in a difficult environment? Work long hours in situations that take a toll on your physical and emotional health? And why would I never do anything else?

Karen L. Leavitt has been a Registered Nurse for the past 37 years. She worked in pediatrics at two nationally renowned children’s hospitals: Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City (6 years) and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (25 years). In her capacity as a pediatric nurse, she worked in medical/surgical units including neurosurgery, hematology/oncology, diabetes education, neonatal ICU, infectious disease, cardiology and vascular access. She also
served as a House Supervisor at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Karen grew up in Yuma, AZ and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arizona. She is married to Andrew Leavitt and they have three grown children and two grandchildren, all living in Atlanta, GA. In 2015, Karen moved to Oshkosh, WI and joined Aurora Medical Center as a nurse in the Infusion Clinic. She is an avid reader, gardener, and any other activity where she is outdoors.

• Almost all genres of books attempt to describe the use of some sort of weapon. Often, writers don’t get it right. The difference between a novice “shooter” and an expert in violence is profound. Jeff Miller will demonstrate the way a 25-year military and law enforcement trained and presented their firearm in lethal and non-lethal situations. He will explore the use of weapons as they relate to movement, proxemics, balance, distance, and timing.

Jeff Miller grew up in Marseilles, IL. He attended Illinois State University and graduated in 1993 with a history and legal studies degree. In 2009 he earned a Masters degree in Law Enforcement Administration from the University of Wisconsin Platteville. He joined the US Army in 1994 where he trained as a Military Police officer. He spent time on deployment to Korea and Bosnia.

He transitioned to the Appleton police department in 1999. Jeff served in a variety of assignments at APD over a 21-year career. He was the SWAT team leader for five years, a member of the police Honor Guard, bike patrol, and community resource unit where he served in the drug and gang unit as a detective and supervisor. He retired in 2000 and worked as a corporate trainer in healthcare.

In 2024 he transitioned again as the Director of Campus Safety at Lawrence University.

Jeff has been married for 28 years to Julie, who he met in college. They have two daughters. In his off-time, Jeff is addicted to road cycling, logging over 100 miles a week. He’s an avid board and fantasy miniature gaming player. He loves many book genres but leans towards science fiction and historical fiction novels.

Memoir is having a moment in the publishing industry. Fifty percent of nonfiction books on the bestseller list are in the Biography & Memoir genres. You too have a story, that deserves to be told! In the session Writing a Memoir that People Want to Read, Tara Meissner Huck will teach techniques of memoir writing through exercises and prompts. She will also show how to use fiction-writing techniques to develop scenes that bring your personal story to life!

Setting are a vital part of any story. Kate Pendorf will examine how the setting can ground a reader in genre, time, and place, as well as the importance of interacting with setting. Two takeways of her workshop, Setting the Scene, are determining a character’s dominant impression and how that affects their interiority, actions, and dialogue, as well as discovering how setting can affect mood, reveal cast of characters, motivation, back story, hint at foreshadowing, act as an obstacle and/or display symbolisms. 

A 10-Step Plan for Self-editing. Nicholas Chiarkas advises that you never self-edit all at once. As you begin the rewriting process, you also start the editing process. This is the art and the heart of it; this is when you begin to build castles and rewrites you can share with your writing group or your initial reader. A poorly edited manuscript is certain death for any legitimate agent or publisher. And it is one of the things within your control along the journey to publication. Learning how to edit your manuscript will reduce costs and improve your writing skills at his presentation,

Have a manuscript ready for publication? Dan Cramer of Page Turner Literary Agency will present a special two-hour presentation on Perfecting Your Pitch Friday afternoon. In this workshop, Dan will go over the components of a great pitch, conduct multiple exercises on pitches, and have a Q&A session at the end. At the end of the workshop, you will know what a pitch is and how it is part of a query letter, understand the impact of word choice, and how to create your own pitch that highlights the main character(s), the hook, and the stakes. For the exercises you should familiarize yourself with the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. Please bring something to write with or type on for the exercises.

During the conference, Kate Penndorf of Much Ado About Writing will be offering free individual writing coaching sessions. Also, Dan Cramer will be accepting free individual pitches sessions on behalf of Page Turner Literacy Agency, Chicago. Advance registration required for both ; watch for details the first week in April!

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.