Max Garland workshop April 26

From the desk of Kathie Giorgio, Director, AllWriters' Workplace & Workshop LLC:

 CELEBRITY SATURDAY: MAX GARLAND

 

WAUKESHA – Have you ever wondered where you truly belong in the vastness of the universe? Then we have the celebrity lecturer for you! AllWriters’ Workplace & Workshop welcomes special guest lecturer Max Garland with his workshop, POETRY & PLACE.

 

Whether you dream of realms beyond imaging or like to stay right here at home, you’ll love looking at the concept of place through the medium of poetry. Great works both classic and modern will guide you to a more meaningful understanding of your location in the world. Inspired by this journey, you’ll be encouraged to create new poetic works, on which you will receive real time comments and reactions.

 

MAX GARLAND is author of The Postal Confessions, winner of the Juniper Prize for Poetry, and Hunger Wide as Heaven, which won the Cleveland State Poetry Center Open Competition in 2006, as well as a chapbook Apparition. His work has appeared in Poetry, New England Review, Gettysburg Review, Georgia Review, Best American Short Stories, and many other journals and anthologies. He has received a NEA Fellowship for Poetry, Michener Fiction Fellowship, a Bush Literary Fellowship, the Tara Short Fiction Prize, and fellowships from the Wisconsin Arts Board in both poetry and fiction. He lives and teaches in Eau Claire, and is the current Poet Laureate of Wisconsin.

Celebrity Saturdays are a great chance to broaden your knowledge of what it takes to be successful and to learn from writers who are already knee deep in an author’s life.

 

Max Garland’s workshop will be held on

Saturday, April 26^th, 2014

This event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

cost $85, which includes a lunch catered by

Waukesha’s own Café de Art

 

AllWriters’ Workplace and Workshop offers on-site and online writing courses in all genres and abilities of creative writing, as well as coaching, editing, and marketing services. A schedule of classes and registration is available online at http://www.allwritersworkshop.com/ or you can call 262-446-0284. AllWriters’ is located at 234 Brook Street, Unit 2, in historic downtown Waukesha.

Summer Hanford

AllWriters' Assistant

234 Brook St., Unit 2
Waukesha WI 53188
Phone: (262) 446-0284
www.allwritersworkshop.com

Awesome Dayhikers Companion

Headin’ to the Cabin, Day Hiking Trails of Northwest Wisconsin

by Rob Bignell

Atiswinic Press

April 2013

ISBN: 978 0985873967

9.95 pbook

1.99 ebook

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

About the Book:

Whether you own a cottage that you visit on weekends or rent one for a week-long vacation, “headin’ to the cabin” is more than a time-honored tradition among Midwesterners. Simply put, it’s part of who we are. And what better way to experience all that “up north” has to offer than through a day hike? Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northwestern Wisconsin, is an indispensable guide to anyone who owns or rents a cabin on or near the St. Croix River, Lake Superior and all points between, describing trails in Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, St. Croix, Sawyer and Washburn counties.

My review: 

Headin’ to the Cabin is one of several day hiking guides the author has published, not only in Wisconsin. This is a great guide especially for unexperienced hiker, or for those who are used to hiking with small children. The first few chapters are relegated to what to expect and how to prepare. Bignell explains why he has no maps in his books, and he’s absolutely right. Hikers need to do some preparing on their own, and printing out the most current and up to date maps from either his site or an official site dedicated to the trail or portion of the trail you intend to take is the best. The rest of the book gives great information about trails, trailheads, directions and what hikers might experience on the trails. Included are a few nearby trails as well. I’ve been on a few of the hikes he’s mentioned, and plan to do more especially on the Gandy Dancer, after reading this guide. Look for more of them by this author as well, from Grand Canyon to specific local Wisconsin trails to special trips and activities to do with youngsters.

About the author:

ROB BIGNELL is an avid hiker, long-time editor, and Wisconsin native who’s been day hiking with his son for more than five years. Together they’ve scaled summits almost two miles high, crossed America’s driest deserts, and walked beneath trees soaring 15 stories over their heads.

He is the owner and chief editor at Inventing Reality Editing Service, which meets the editing and proofreading needs of writers both new and published. He is author of the nonfiction Hikes with Tykes guidebooks as well as a collection of poetry, Love Letters to Sophie's Mom. Several of his short stories in the literary and science fiction genres also have been published. For more than two decades, he worked as an award-winning journalist, with half of those years spent as an editor. In addition, for seven years he worked as an English teacher or a community college journalism instructor. He holds a Masters degree in English and a Bachelors in journalism and English.

WWA Author Showcase, May, La Crosse

Wisconsin Writers Association
A Writer Resource since 1948

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2014

LA CROSSE – Writers from Wisconsin, Minnesota and across the northern Midwest will promote their books during the first annual Authors Showcase book fair and signing hosted by the Wisconsin Writers Association on Saturday, May 3, at the Days Inn Conference Center, French Island, in La Crosse, Wis., from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Open to the public, the Authors Showcase is the tent pole event of the WWA’s two-day Spring Conference that starts Friday afternoon, May 2. Public admission is free to the Showcase only. Registration is required for additional conference activities.

The WWA’s Authors Showcase is a timely opportunity for local writers to meet the book-buying public. Individual display space can be reserved, and authors can sign up for time on our open microphone schedule.

The WWA is a non-profit volunteer organization that has provided services to individuals interested in the literary craft since 1948. This Authors Showcase is one of many service programs offered to our members and other writers including our three-day Fall Conference in October held in Wisconsin Rapids, writing contests, Creative Wisconsin literary magazine, members newsletter, and the Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp.
Display space during the Showcase costs a modest $20, which includes lunch. If you are a WWA member, a $35 includes lunch, display table space, and full access to all conference activities Friday and Saturday (nonmember full registration is $65). Requests by two or more authors to share a table will be honored.
To register, go to the WWA website, www.wiwrite.org and click on Conferences in the menu, then Spring Conference. Displace space is limited.

Questions? Contact Dave Rank, WWA president, pres@wiwrite.org.

Author Appearance March 26 Angela Sorby, anthology of children's poetry

A notice of an author appearance:

Angela Sorby, will be at Boswell's Book Company, 2559 N. Downer, 7:00pm Wednesday March 26
She has co-edited "Over the River and Through the Woods: An Anthology of Nineteenth-Century American Children's Poetry" and will be talking about that book.  

Sorby is an associate professor of English at Marquette University. Her newest book "The Sleeve Waves" (University of Wisconsin Press) is this year's winner of the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry  and contains many Wisconsin locales and musical references. 


Karin Schmidt
WWA SE Region Coordinator
sereg@wiwrite.org

Novel in Progress Bookcamp - Looking For You! - limited registration

Novel in Progress Book Camp

WHEN: May 18 to 24, 2014.

WHERE: the Cedar Valley Center & Spa is 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee, near West Bend, Wisconsin.

It's about 2 hours from Chicago.

WHO: We expect the 2014 camp to accept 15–25 participants.

WHAT: One registration fee covers all Bookcamp expenses, including room & board, classes, handouts, group critique and one-on-one mentoring sessions, guest speakers, and special activities.

HOW: It costs nothing to apply. Simply submit the requested information about your work-in-progress and your writing goals (we screen applicants to ensure that each is a good fit for the program).

Then, a refundable $100 deposit will reserve your spot as a 2014 Bookcamp writer.

WHY: This is a remarkable chance to work closely with the Bookcamp's staff of experienced professionals with broad experience in the publishing world – as authors, editors, publishers, screenwriters. and literary coaches – to discuss what your novel needs to succeed and to help you plan its best path to publication.

The Novel-in-Progress Bookcamp is an intense, 6-day, 6-night, full-immersion workshop-retreat for writers in all genres working on a novel or creative nonfiction book. Whether you are working on your first novel, an Indie author, or an established writer looking for someone to bounce ideas off of, the Bookcamp will help you advance your manuscript and provide timely advice to get your work published.

Space is limited, and there is a discount to register early. Only the first 13 registrants are guaranteed a single room. Additional, double rooms are available.

The Bookcamp’s schedule offers instruction, critique sessions, discussions on the current publishing industry, one-on-one meetings about your project, and pitch sessions with literary agents.

The Bookcamp will be held May 18 to 24, 2014, at the Cedar Valley Center & Spa (www.cedarvalleycenter.org), which is 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee and near West Bend, Wisconsin, and about 2 hours from Chicago. It can easily be reached from State Highway 41.

The single registration fee covers all expenses: room, board, instructional classes and materials, one-on-one sessions, and all the customized advice from published professionals you can handle on your project. However, all spa services are optional on your own dime and time.

The Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp is sponsored by the Wisconsin Writers Association (WWA), co-sponsored by the Chicago Writers Association (CWA), and receives additional support from our Creative Co-Sponsors.

This Bookcamp is open to anyone seriously interested in advancing their writing skills and producing a quality book, both WWA members and nonmembers. WWA members have first-choice privileges and receive a registration fee discount, as do members of CWA.

We can accommodate about 30 registrants at Cedar Valley. Because of the space limit and to ensure all participants will benefit from the Bookcamp’s information-packed schedule, we have established an application screening process. There is no cost to apply. Once an applicant is accepted into the Bookcamp, a fee payment schedule comfortable for the registrant will be worked out, starting with a $100 deposit to reserve a room.

Writer's Institute April 3-6 Madison WI

UW- Madison continuing education Writer's Institute

April 3-6, 2014

Madison, WI

http://continuingstudies.wisc.edu/conferences/writers-institute/agenda.html

Times, lunch, and break information
On Friday, April 4th, and Saturday, April 5th, registration starts at 8:00am. Refreshments are available at 8:00am both days, included in the fee. Please pre-register for Friday lunch, agent/editor Q & A sessions, contest entries, advanced manuscript critiques, critique groups, written critiques, agent and editor pitches, practice pitch sessions, fireside chats, and one-on-one meetings with instructors.
All instructor sessions are open and you do not have to pre-register for them.
Rooms will be posted on the 2nd floor of the Madison Concourse Hotel and listed on the schedule in your packet.
The fee for the special Friday April 4th Networking Lunch and Success Panel is $15.00. You may attend the lunch without partaking in the buffet. Please note however that no outside food is allowed at the Madison Concourse Hotel.
Lunch on Saturday, April 5th, is on your own.

In the center of town, lots of things to do. Want to bring the family? www.visitmadison.com»
This year's event is at the Madison Concourse Hotel, concoursehotel.com. It's at One West Dayton, 1 block from the State Capital and our downtown square, just steps away from the UW-Madison campus, and a block away from colorful State Street with many restaurants and stores, the Overture Center for the Arts, and much more along the way. You can even rent bikes on Capital Square. For the family, the free Henry Vilas Park Zoo has perennially been named a "Best Free Place For Families."

Your fee includes goodies
Registration is $180 for Friday or Saturday/Sunday, or a $280 combo fee.
Fee includes instruction, handout materials, morning continental breakfast Friday and Saturday, afternoon refreshments, and Sunday coffee/tea. Pitches, practice pitch sessions, all critiques, the contest, Friday luncheon, fireside chats, and one-on-one meetings are extra; please see the registration form. (You must be enrolled for Friday or Saturday/Sunday in order to pitch or enter the contest.)

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Participants earn 0.6 CEU Friday and/or Saturday, 0.3 on Sunday (potential total 1.5). A CEU is a nationally recognized way of recording your participation in noncredit professional development. If you are a teacher and interested in earning credits, please contact conference director Laurie Scheer.

Teachers
The University of Wisconsin–Madison programs are approved toward re-licensure by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

What to wear
“Dressy casual” clothes and good walking shoes are the norm. Outside, early April in Wisconsin can be anything from winter to spring, the 30s to the 70s, with sun, rain, or late-season snow, so please check weather forecasts before packing.

Parking
You receive parking information with your enrollment confirmation. The Madison Concourse hotel offers an indoor parking garage. The rate is $10 per night if you are an overnight guest. If attending the conference on a daily basis, the rate is $1.50 per hour up to a maximum of $17 per day. Additional parking is available across the street at the State Street Capitol ramp» (214 N. Carroll Street).
Or call (608) 262-1122 for advice and maps. UW parking permits cost $13 per day. Some hotels offer free parking; some offer free shuttles to campus.

Childcare
Call the Office of Campus Child Care, (608) 262-9715.

Overnight accommodations—make your reservation NOW!
Lodging is on your own. We have reserved a block of rooms in 2 hotels:
Concourse Hotel» One West Dayton Street, (608) 257-6000, (parking-see above), $134.00 for Concourse Level or $179.00 for Governor’s Club until March 6, 2014.
Guest room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes in effect at the time of check-in. Current tax rate is 14.5%. Please call the hotel directly at the number above or (800) 356-8293 to make reservations. Please identify yourself as part of the UW 2014 Writers’ Institute to receive special rates.
Lowell Center» 610 Langdon St., (608) 256-2621, (free parking, breakfast, pool), $89.00-105.00.
Group Code is WRITER. Please make your reservation before March 5, 2014. The Lowell Center’s reservation page can be found at http://bit.ly/writer03apr»

For more information
Contact director Laurie Scheer, (608) 265-3972 / lscheer@dcs.wisc.edu or Laura Kahl, (608) 262-3982 / lkahl@dcs.wisc.edu.

Dessert First with Gail Sweet

My newest book, Dessert First is published! As with all my books, sales benefit the charity I founded in 1982, HOPE Network for Single Mothers.

Dessert First is a book full of short pieces - a perfect companion for "la toilette."

In its pages you’ll travel from city streets to haylofts. You’ll encounter mice wearing clothes, a bad guy stopped by a smile, a St. Francis in need of recapitation, and two old ladies whose racy conversation leads them to calamity. You’ll find leaves to kick, spring peepers, chickens, fruit flies, deer, drought, and frost. There are earthly delights like a blue Fiestaware dish – and bummers like walking to the gym shower wearing socks.

Inside you’ll find seventy-seven glimpses of Wisconsin life, to be read in any order. This book has your name on it if you like short true stories – if you laugh at everyday comedy – if you’ve lived through highs and lows – and if you believe good trumps evil.

From more than three decades of writing for the public, a message comes through: Life is short and often hard – but it’s full of desserts. In this book, I share those desserts – tastier than Wisconsin frozen custard.

You may order Dessert First from me directly or as an e-book or paperback from Amazon.com.

Through March 31, I have a book give-away contest on my blog (drawing will be done from names of people who leave comments).


Gail Grenier Sweet
Calling All Horses
Dog Woman
Don't Worry Baby 
Dessert First - all available from Amazon.com under author name Gail Grenier