The Wispresso Cafe—is where books, writing, coffee, and conversation brew together for Wisconsin authors. Hosted by TK Sheffield and starring a rotating cast of your favorite Wisconsin Writers Association (WWA) personalities, this is your chance to find your voice, share your story, and be inspired by other creatives.

Zoom > https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82086054922?pwd=hirYSvOLwHOlc8pslQzXxtPZIeC7FD.1

My next collection of short stories, These Are My People, publishes December 16, 2025. Chapter2Books in Hudson will host a launch party starting 5:30 pm. Reading, book talk, treats. The book is available now direct from Cornerstone Press at 20% off at https://tinyurl.com/these-are-my-people or by by following the link at stevefoxwrites.com.

Signing my newly released poetry chapbook, Without a Prayer, Saturday, Jan. 3, 11:00am to 1:00pm, at WordHaven BookHouse, 923 N 8th St., Sheboygan, WI 53081

Poetic Strategies: Imagery, Lineation, Syntax, Digression and Moving Forward    

Poems often begin for us as writers after we have an experience that seems charged with meaning. A first draft may get us started on the way to the poem we feel is somehow in this experience. Then what next to bring forth the lyrical quality of that experience? 

Published poems offer examples of poetic strategies that can enhance that lyrical quality of our poems. Among the strategies that we'll pay particular attention to are listing, repetition, digression and moving forward. 

Zoom > https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84716028912

During the two hour Zoom sessions you’ll receive feedback regarding your work from colleagues and a complete critique from instructor Laurie Scheer. This is a safe and supportive space that provides insight and encouragement from like-minded writers. There will be a limit of 8 participants to the group so that everyone receives time and feedback every session. The group is designed for all levels of literary and genre fiction writers. Laurie welcomes ANY fiction (except erotica) from novelists, short story writers, and flash fiction writers.

Zoom >  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88178908247?pwd=xvpu2D9hH47StoauuU5zGbSRG7Q85N.1

Lisa Lickel, author/editor, book coach, and editor of Creative Wisconsin magazine is leading five-week intensive critique groups for novel or other full-length book writers who have a drafted (completed or nearly completed) manuscript and experience working with others in critique groups. PLEASE NOTE: these are five sessions in a row. Maximum 4 and minimum 3 participants. Each participant will submit 25 pages of their own work for critique each week. In turn, they will read and critique pages submitted by the other 2 or 3 participants (maximum 50-75 pages each week). These sessions are for authors who want specific feedback on their novel or other book-length work

Zoom > https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84923853341?pwd=KzJ1Yyt3L0x3TndjNktBOVNMUGQxUT09

Lisa Lickel, author/editor, book coach, and editor of Creative Wisconsin magazine is leading five-week intensive critique groups for novel or other full-length book writers who have a drafted (completed or nearly completed) manuscript and experience working with others in critique groups. PLEASE NOTE: these are five sessions in a row. Maximum 4 and minimum 3 participants. Each participant will submit 25 pages of their own work for critique each week. In turn, they will read and critique pages submitted by the other 2 or 3 participants (maximum 50-75 pages each week). These sessions are for authors who want specific feedback on their novel or other book-length work

Zoom > https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84923853341?pwd=KzJ1Yyt3L0x3TndjNktBOVNMUGQxUT09

During the two hour Zoom sessions you’ll receive feedback regarding your work from colleagues and a complete critique from instructor Laurie Scheer. This is a safe and supportive space that provides insight and encouragement from like-minded writers. There will be a limit of 8 participants to the group so that everyone receives time and feedback every session. The group is designed for all levels of fiction, non-fiction, and memoir writers in either short or long form.

Zoom >  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88178908247?pwd=xvpu2D9hH47StoauuU5zGbSRG7Q85N.1

During the two hour Zoom sessions you’ll receive feedback regarding your work from colleagues and a complete critique from instructor Laurie Scheer. This is a safe and supportive space that provides insight and encouragement from like-minded writers. There will be a limit of 8 participants to the group so that everyone receives time and feedback every session. The group is designed for all levels of literary and genre fiction writers. Laurie welcomes ANY fiction (except erotica) from novelists, short story writers, and flash fiction writers.

Zoom >  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88178908247?pwd=xvpu2D9hH47StoauuU5zGbSRG7Q85N.1

Author K.M. Waldvogel will be included in the Local Author Fair at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore located at 4014 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Four Seasons Poetry Open Mic - Winter Edition

Poets Cristina Norcross, Sara Sarna, and Jim Landwehr are hosting a seasonal poetry open mic series at Books & Company in Oconomowoc! Come join us for an evening of poetry and connection for our next installation of Four Seasons Poetry Readings.

All are welcome. Time: 6:30-8:00 PM

2 poem max per poet + bring an extra poem, in case we have time for a second round. (*Please include a content warning for potentially triggering material.)

Optional theme for winter: GIVING (or bring any poems you’ve been working on). Please bring 3-5 non-perishable food items or a small cash donation for the local food pantry.

*PLEASE NOTE: There are two, free registration options. If you plan to participate in the Open Mic Poetry Reading, select that option.

REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/four-seasons-poetry-open-mic-winter-2026-tickets-1977409890212?aff=oddtdtcreator

Books and Company 1039 Summit Avenue Oconomowoc WI, 53066

Peggy Joque Williams' new historical fiction Braving the Dawn: A Novel of New France will be released on January 15, 2026 by Black Rose Writing.

Peggy Joque Williams will be celebrating the Launch of Braving the Dawn: A Novel of New France at Mystery to Me Bookstore in Madison with conversation partner Christine DeSmet. Date: January 28, 2026. Time: 6pm. Address: 1863 Monroe St., Madison, WI. Peggy's website:https://peggywilliamsauthor.com/. Mystery to Me website:https://www.mysterytomebooks.com/

TK Sheffield signs "The Valentine Lines," a small-town Wisconsin romcom at Literatus & Co. bookstore, 401 E. Main Street, Watertown, Wis.

April 10-12, UW-Madison campus: The Wisconsin Screenwriters Symposium, hosted by the UW-Madison Department of Communication Arts, with support from the International Screenwriters’ Association, is holding its contest, pitch event, and panel discussions on the UW-Madison campus.

See the website for complete details and to register for this event: https://screenwriters.commarts.wisc.edu