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 > 

The WWA Marketing Support Group will meet the third Wednesday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  through Zoom and will be free to WWA members. Kristin Oakley and Maggie Smith will guide the meetings which will tackle marketing subjects (i.e. book launches, in-person events, Facebook and Amazon ads, etc.) decided upon by the members. Members will share information, best practices, and resources. 

The Marketing Support Group will provide members with the resources they need when marketing their books and give members support when tackling the difficulties of marketing. This will be open to all genres and levels of writing.

Zoom link > https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87007552942?pwd=eIZ75sZMnLyvbHtYUXqIO1p5E7oRHX.1

Every other Wednesday morning from 10am to Noon, CST

• Jan 8 & 15
• Feb 5 & 19* (One or both of these dates may need to be adjusted)
• Mar 5 & 19

Lisa Lickel, author/editor, book coach, and outgoing manager of WWA Press, is leading a six-session series for novel writers who have a manuscript in progress and have some experience working with others in critique groups. Besides questions that naturally come up during our sessions, Lisa will also focus on aspects that are genre and craft specific as they arise. Lisa will provide critiques of the work and facilitate discussions. Lisa will read up to 200 pp of your manuscript in progress and provide analysis. 

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

Lisa Lickel, author/editor, book coach, and outgoing manager of WWA Press, is leading a six-session series for novel writers who have a manuscript in progress and have some experience working with others in critique groups. Besides questions that naturally come up during our sessions, Lisa will also focus on aspects that are genre and craft specific as they arise. Lisa will provide critiques of the work and facilitate discussions. Lisa will read up to 200 pp of your manuscript in progress and provide analysis. Requirements: Before signing up, writers should prepare or be able to prepare a minimum one-page synopsis (a complete overview of your work, with ideas of progress if the manuscript is incomplete), and have at least 6 sessions of material available, per your genre (generally five-twelve pages for each of the six sessions).

From Lisa:

"By working together, writers have the opportunity to gather the insights of their peers and learn to distill advice and opinions in a small group environment. Sharing feedback is a great way for us to learn and grow in our craft, to ask those questions that might feel awkward elsewhere, and to support and encourage each other. WWA wants to be part of your journey to success."

The way it works: Participants will email their pages to the other group members at least one week prior to the session so that each participant may review and prepare critiques for their fellow writers and be ready to discuss on meeting day. During the session each writer will read from their submission and hear constructive advice from peers and facilitator Lisa Lickel. Participants will provide their feedback to their peers following the session.

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://us06web.zoom.us/j/86270175071?pwd=PXmYM2joqlzaBStOjs8AaEGalPMyBJ.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://us06web.zoom.us/j/82016027272?pwd=I98V8ghd09Cs2AHzk93yrgBnooUk2b.1

Poetic Strategies: Listing, Repetition, 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

BUTTS IN CHAIRS with Laurie Scheer

A Wisconsin Writers Association Seminar, January 21, 2025

It is January. It is a new year. This is often the time of year that we commit to resolutions such as losing weight, smoke/drink less or eat less sugar, pay attention to elements of our lives that need attention.

So we join gyms, hire nutritionists and/or start a new routine…

…that lasts for about two or three weeks and then it is right back to our old patterns.

Our writing practice is often neglected, just like these other well-intentioned items, so, what can we do to assure that this year, January 2025, our writing practice is strong and stays strong?

Attend our BUTTS IN CHAIRS seminar. Writing Mentor & Coach Laurie Scheer addresses these questions and invites attendees to discuss: 

• As a writer, what is your greatest fear?
• Do you have doubts about your writing ability?
• What keeps you from your writing routine?
• Have you ever hit a dry patch/writing block where writing stopped completely and why?
• Suggestions about how to keep the flow going are offered.
• Wisdom and advice about writing forward are shared.

Join us for a lively presentation and discussion. You ’ll be inspired to keep writing forward at the start of 2025 and throughout the new year.

Zoom LINK

Why Did This Happen is available on Amazon beginning February 8, 2025

The Next Generation Short Story Awards, currently in its second year, is a not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories. The Short Story Awards is now accepting entries, i.e. short stories and poems in English (5000 words or less) for the 2025 awards program in 30+ categories. The entry deadline for the 2025 year is Thursday, February 27, 2025. Winners are given cash prizes, gold medals, complimentary digital promotional stickers, social media coverage, literary exposure with their stories published in an Anthology of Winners, and a complimentary copy of the Anthology of Winners. The Short Story Awards is brought to you by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, an international book awards program for independent and self-published authors.

Publication date for debut Picture Book: PUSH RESTART > LINK

The second annual Wisconsin Screenwriters’ Symposium, hosted by UW-Madison's Department of Communication Arts, with support from the International Screenwriters’ Association, will take place on the UW-Madison campus, April 4-6, 2025. Events include workshops and panels with professional screenwriters and other film/TV industry professionals.

More information can be found at https://screenwriters.commarts.wisc.edu

The new YA Filipino superhero novel, "The Legend of Sensei Tsinelas," by Filipino-American author, Jason Tanamor, releases everywhere books are sold. Synopsis and buy links here: https://www.tanamor.com/books/the-legend-of-sensei-tsinelas.html

12th Annual 2025 Novel Bookcamp June 22-28 Siena Retreat Center, Racine 3 Programs/2 Tracks: Workshop, Writing Retreat, Book Coach www.novelbookcamp.org