WISCONSIN WRITERS ASSOCIATION TO HOST WRITING AND PUBLISHING WISDOM AT HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY

Middleton, Wisconsin - Wisconsin Writers Association invites writers of all genres to Writing and Publishing Wisdom on Saturday, October 5^th, 2019 at the beautiful Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton.

Featuring Wisconsin Poet Laureate Peggy Rozga, Chicago historical mystery writer Susanna Calkins, award-winning mystery/suspense author Nick Chiarkas, and Wisconsin authors Kim Suhr and Elizabeth Jorgensen. Three well-known Wisconsin publishers, HenschelHAUS, OrangeHat, and Cornerstone Publishing will engage in a panel discussion - Pathway to Publication.

The program will also include an awards presentation recognizing the winners of 2019 WWA Jade Ring and High School writing contests, as well as readings by select award winners.

Writing and Publishing Wisdom will take place from 8:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, October 5^th, 2019 in the Garden Room at Holy Wisdom Monastery Retreat Center at 4200 Co Hwy M in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Registration is required and includes morning refreshments and buffet lunch.

To register, or for more information, visit https://wiwrite.org/

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About Wisconsin Writers Association

Founded in 1948, the Wisconsin Writers Association is a creative community dedicated to the support of writers and authors. WWA sponsors and hosts year-round workshops and events throughout Wisconsin, offering discounts and exclusive resources. We aim to share experiences and knowledge while encouraging our members in their pursuit of this most noble art. Develop your craft. Discover resources. Expand your network. Build your audience. Visit https://wiwrite.org/

ST. CROIX WRITERS AND WISCONSIN WRITERS ASSOCIATION TO HOST NORTHLANDS FALL WRITERS CONFERENCE

Solon Springs, Wisconsin - St. Croix Writers and Wisconsin Writers Association invite writers and fans of all genres to their upcoming Northlands Fall Writers Conference on Saturday, September 28, 2019.

Designed for writers and readers, this event offers the opportunity to explore several genres of writing, examine various aspects of the writing process, and discuss and learn about the benefits of professional manuscript editing. This full-day conference also offers opportunities to purchase books by regional authors.

This conference will feature a Keynote Address by bestselling thriller author Brian Freeman. Freeman, whose psychological thrillers have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages, has been named by Putnam and the Robert Ludlum estate as the official author to continue the Jason Bourne franchise. His novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Award, while his Audible Original THE DEEP, DEEP SNOW was a #1 Audible and Amazon Audio bestseller. His first book in the Jason Bourne franchise, THE BOURNE CONSPIRACY, will be released in 2020.

The conference will also feature presentations by Wisconsin Poet Laureate 2017-2018, Karla Huston, and Wisconsin Writers Association President, Barry Wightman. Other presenters include Gary Banker, Thomas Wayne King, Naomi Musch, Abby Frucht, and Marty Russo.

The Northlands Fall Writers Conference will take place from 8:30am to 4:00pm on Saturday, September 28^th, 2019 at the Solon Springs Community Center located at 11523 S Business Hwy 53 in Solon Springs, Wisconsin.

Registration is required and includes a catered lunch and afternoon refreshments.

To register, or for more information, visit https://wiwrite.org/

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About Wisconsin Writers Association

Founded in 1948, the Wisconsin Writers Association is a creative community dedicated to the support of writers and authors. WWA sponsors and hosts year-round workshops and events throughout Wisconsin, offering discounts and exclusive resources. We aim to share experiences and knowledge while encouraging our members in their pursuit of this most noble art. Develop your craft. Discover resources. Expand your network. Build your audience. Visit https://wiwrite.org/

Winners Announced in WWA 2019 Jade Ring Contest

Annual writing contest recognizes authors in four genre categories

Milwaukee, Wis., July 14, 2019 – The Wisconsin Writers Association is pleased to announce the results from its annual Jade Ring Contest, offering opportunities for writers to submit their work in four genre categories. Pamela J.A. Fullerton, Janice Wilberg, Julia Gimbel and Kayla Knaack won the contest in the categories of fiction, humor, nonfiction and poetry, respectively. They will each receive the traditional award of a jade ring, or cash substitute. All finalists will be honored at the annual WWA fall conference on Saturday, October 5 at the Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wis.

“WWA has been serving Wisconsin writers with resources like the Jade Ring Contest for seventy-one years,” said Barry Wightman, WWA President. “Since its inception in 1948, WWA has worked to encourage, educate, support and promote writers, and the Jade Ring Contest is one of our most prestigious programs that allows us to uphold that mission.”

Entrants in each of the Jade Ring Contest’s genre categories had the opportunity to be awarded first, second, or third place. Three honorable mention finishes were also awarded in each category. Nearly 200 entries were received in the categories of fiction (short story, flash, novel excerpt written for adults), nonfiction (article, memoir, essay, nostalgia), humor (fiction or non-fiction), and poetry (all forms).

First place entries will appear in Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine summer issue, a quarterly publication of contemporary Wisconsin thought and culture highlighting new works from authors, artists and photographers from across the state. All WWA members will receive a one-time complimentary copy of the magazine’s summer issue.

All Jade Ring Contest finalists will receive cash awards and/or certificates, be published in WWA’s annual Creative Wisconsinliterary journal, and receive a complimentary copy of the journal. WWA wishes to thank its partners, Creative Wisconsin, and Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine, for their generous contributions to foster WWA’s mission pillar to promote member writers.

The first Jade Ring contest was launched in 1948 as the Wisconsin Rural Writers Association. This year’s contest entrants had the option to request a critique for a nominal reading fee by these accomplished judges:

The Jade Ring Contest will open again in spring of 2020. WWA membership is not required to enter the contest, however, submission fees are reduced for WWA members and the organization offers a discounted membership rate for those who sign up when they enter the contest. WWA members and non-members can register in advance for the organization’s annual fall conference at: https://wiwrite.org/event-3408967  

Exciting News!!

Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine and the Wisconsin Writers Association are pleased to announce a new pilot partnership to provide opportunity and encouragement for Wisconsin writers.

Published since 1954 by the Wisconsin Academy, Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine celebrates Wisconsin ideas through thoughtful essays about our people and culture, original creative writing and artwork, and informative articles about innovation across the disciplines.

A nonprofit that encourages, educates, supports, and promotes its member writers, the Wisconsin Writers Association, founded in 1948, hosts the annual Jade Ring Contest, which is open to all Wisconsin writers.

Beginning in July 2019, the two organizations will pilot a partnership to bring the works of the WWA’s Jade Ring Contest award winners to a broader audience through publication in Wisconsin People & Ideas and support each other through potential collaborative events.

St. Croix Writers and Wisconsin Writers Association are pleased to announce their Northland Fall Writers Conference, September 28, 2019.  Registration begins at 8:30 am, Solon Springs Community Center, 11523 S. Business Highway 53, Solon Springs, WI.  Conference fee of $49.00 (WWA members $39.00) includes a catered lunch, morning, and afternoon refreshments. 

The conference is designed for you, writers and readers. During this exciting and eclectic day, you will explore and learn about several genres of writing, plus examine the benefits of professional editing for your manuscripts. This full-day conference includes opportunities for you to purchase books by regional authors in a vendor area. 

Brian Freeman, international best-selling psychological thriller author, will present "Thrill Seeker: A Writer's Life in the Northland."  Freeman, keynote presenter, is well known for his strong, complex characters including Jonathan Stride, Frost Easton and Cab Bolton, with the Stride detective series set in Duluth, MN. Brian's books are sold in 46 countries and translated into 22 languages. He lives and writes in St. Paul, MN. 

During his fifteen years as a Midwestern writer, Brian Freeman has seen the publishing world turn upside down and reinvent itself. But one thing hasn’t changed: the love that readers have for a great story. 

Brian will take you through the evolution of his career, from writing award-winning Northland thrillers to recently taking over Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne franchise, with the next book in the series, The Bourne Conspiracy, planned for 2020 release. 

Brian will also speak about how he develops characters and stories for different settings, platforms, and audiences. He will answer your questions about thriving in today’s publishing industry. 

Please find additional info at Brian's website:  www.bfreemanbooks.com

Additional guest presenters during the day will include Karla Huston, WI Poet Laureate 2017-2018;  Abby Frucht, novelist;  and Barry Whiteman, author, editor and president of WWA.  

Regional authors featured will include, Gary Banker, Thomas Wayne King, Naomi Musch, and Marty Russo.  

Book tables and sales by authors and vendors will be available all day until 4 pm. 

Your cost to attend will be $49.00 (WWA members $39.00) including program, catered lunch, snacks, and artisanal coffees. Authors and other literary vendors can reserve a vendor table for an additional $15.00. 

Full information and details will be available soon at WiWrite.org. 

Save the date!  Plan to attend!  Saturday. September 28, 2019.  Solon Springs, WI.

If you love to read and write, this day is for you.  Don't miss it! 

Brian Freeman, international best-selling author of the Jonathan Stride, Frost Easton, and Cab Bolton thriller series will be keynote presenter at the Northland Fall Writers Conference, September 28, in Solon Springs, Wisconsin.   Freeman has recently taken on Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne franchise, and is writing the next book in that series, The Bourne Conspiracy, to be released in 2020.  To register and for more information check www.WI.Write.org   This conference is sponsored by St. Croix Writers and Wisconsin Writers Association. Everyone is welcome, writers and readers

Madison, WI, May 8, 2019: The Wisconsin Writers Association (WWA) announced the winners of its annual Wisconsin Public High School Writing Contest. Emily Elfner, from Arrowhead Union High School of Hartland, WI, and Justice Wells of Black Hawk High School in South Wayne, WI, shared first place honors in this year’s competition.

Emily Elfner won first prize for her piece, “Welcome to Spain”, a vivid description of the Spanish tortilla that fully captures the cultural experience.

Justice Wells was also named a first prize winner for his essay, “Auschwitz”, a haunting and dramatic commentary on the Nazi death camp.

Arrowhead Union High School dominated the rest of the competition, taking second and third place prizes. Nicole Larson and Rachel Kriehn were named co-winners of second prize. Joanna Wahmhoff and Jordon Gravelle shared third place honors.

Jackie Granger, WWA Member and Program Chair of the Youth Committee Member, said, “Student writing is so important. Any time a young person creates a story or an essay, whatever it is, she or he reaches deep inside, going somewhere new and unexpected. It’s a kind of creative magic that occurs in the mind. Such a lovely thing. We’re so pleased to encourage our young writers.”

In 2020, WWA will again hold its annual statewide writing contest for Wisconsin public high school students, grades 9 through 12. Designed to encourage and nurture students’ creative writing, the contest opens December 1, 2019, closes March 1, 2020.

Founded in 1948, the Wisconsin Writers Association is a creative community dedicated to the support of writers and authors. WWA sponsors and hosts year-round conferences and events throughout Wisconsin, offering discounts and exclusive resources. The Association aims to share experiences and knowledge while encouraging its members in their pursuit of this most noble art—Develop your craft. Discover resources. Expand your network. Build your audience.  Visit https://wiwrite.org/

 

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Brookfield, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Writers Association welcomed a new president, vice president, and secretary/treasurer to its executive team during its annual conference in Brookfield on Friday, September 21, 2018.

The incoming secretary/treasurer is Kim Suhr. Ms. Suhr is the Director of Red Oak Writing and author of Nothing to Lose (Cornerstone Press, 2018). Her work has appeared in various publications, including Pink Panther Magazine, Midwest Review, Stonecoast Review, The Other Stories (podcast) and Family Stories from the Attic (Hidden Timber Books, 2017). Suhr holds an MFA from the Solstice program at Pine Manor College in Boston, where she was the Dennis Lehane Fellow.

Kymberley Pekrul will serve as the new vice president. Ms. Pekrul is a food and lifestyle blogger and founder of the website G-Free Deliciously. A self-described solopreneur, writer, storyteller, gardener, cook, and history lover, she is devoted to developing and sharing recipes with people seeking to vary, expand, or improve their gluten-free options.

Barry Wightman will serve as the new president. Mr. Wightman is a novelist, voiceover talent, and award-winning essayist whose work has been featured on WUWM Milwaukee NPR. His first novel, Pepperland (Running Meter Press, 2013), earned a starred review on Booklist and a Silver IPPY from the Independent Publishers Association in 2013. He is Program Chair for the 2018 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha’s Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books. A long-time reviewer for the Washington Independent Review of Books and past fiction editor of the literary journal, Hunger Mountain, Wightman holds an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the Wisconsin Writers Association is a nonprofit organization that encourages, educates, supports, and promotes its member writers. For more information about WWA, its members, activities, and publications, visit wiwrite.org.

 

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