Wisconsin Writing Groups, Workshops, and Creative Writing Classes
Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Wisconsin, from conferences to local critique groups, workshops, and creative writing classes. If you’re looking for writing groups near you, a workshop or class, a place to connect with other writers, or somewhere to submit your work, these Wisconsin writing resources are worth checking out.
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Writing Organizations & Groups
Madison’s independent literary arts center offers writing classes and workshops in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and other forms, along with write-ins, readings, a small-press library, and the annual Wisconsin Writers Awards. (Madison)
A literary organization serving writers in and around Eau Claire through craft talks, readings, workshops, community events, and two recurring retreats, including the annual Oxbow Writers Retreat. (Eau Claire / Chippewa Valley)
A Milwaukee-based literary magazine and writing community centering women and nonbinary writers, with critique groups, workshops, contests, editing resources, and other programs alongside its quarterly publication. (Milwaukee)
Founded in 2013, Madison Writers’ Studio offers workshops, coaching, manuscript reviews, and other support for fiction and creative nonfiction writers, with programs designed to provide rigorous craft instruction and close feedback outside a traditional MFA program. (Madison)
Founded in 2003, the Oshkosh Area Writers Club welcomes writers of all experience levels for free meetings, critique sessions, author talks, and other local literary events. (Oshkosh)
A writing community offering critique groups, craft and publishing workshops, manuscript support, author readings, and creative writing camps for young people. (Milwaukee)
Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
Offers year-round creative writing workshops, readings, and literary programs alongside its broader arts programming, including workshops for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. (Mineral Point / Driftless Area)
A longstanding Madison writing group for writers across genres and experience levels, meeting regularly for critique, discussion, and support both in person and online. (Madison)
Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters
Founded in 1870, the Wisconsin Academy offers writing classes and literary events while sponsoring the annual Wisconsin People & Ideas fiction and poetry contests, which include publication, cash prizes, and residencies for Wisconsin writers. (Statewide)
A statewide organization supporting poets through conferences, contests, readings, regional groups, publications, and the annual Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. (Statewide)
A statewide nonprofit supporting writers through workshops, conferences, contests, networking, publishing opportunities, and its literary magazine, Creative Wisconsin. (Statewide)
A poet- and artist-run nonprofit book center presenting hundreds of literary and arts programs each year, including readings, writing workshops, community groups, youth programs, and poetry events. (Milwaukee)
A nonprofit writing center offering classes, workshops, readings, youth programs, residencies, and other literary events for writers of all ages and experience levels throughout Door County. (Fish Creek / Door County)
Conferences, Retreats & Residencies
A free annual festival at Lakeland University featuring visiting authors, readings, master classes, and opportunities for writers to learn from and connect with established literary professionals. (Plymouth)
An annual Milwaukee book fair celebrating African American authors, with author presentations, audience Q&As, and opportunities for readers and writers to connect with participating authors. (Milwaukee)
A weeklong intensive for writers of book-length projects offering separate workshop, retreat, and coaching tracks, with professional instruction, individual guidance, visiting agents and editors, and substantial writing time. (Racine)
Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books
An annual literary festival featuring dozens of authors, panel discussions, book signings, writing workshops, contests, and a writers’ marketplace for authors and publishers. (Waukesha)
Wisconsin’s largest literary festival presents year-round author events and an annual fall celebration featuring readings, conversations, book signings, and other free public programming. (Madison)
Literary Magazines & Publishers
Published by the Black Earth Institute, About Place Journal is a biannual literary and arts publication exploring the connections among art, spirit, society, and the natural world. Each themed issue features poetry, fiction, essays, creative nonfiction, visual art, photography, video, and other work. (Dane County / Online)
A student-staffed publishing house at UW–Stevens Point publishing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by authors from Wisconsin and beyond. The press accepts book-length manuscripts directly from writers in any genre. (Stevens Point)
Published at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee since 1975, Cream City Review features fiction, poetry, nonfiction, visual art, and other literary work and maintains regular open submission periods and annual prizes. (Milwaukee)
A women-owned and -operated traditional publisher based in Two Rivers that publishes fiction and nonfiction without charging authors. Fresh Water Press accepts unsolicited manuscripts on a rolling basis and pays royalties on book sales. (Two Rivers)
Published through the University of Wisconsin–Madison Creative Writing Department, The Madison Review is a semiannual literary journal featuring fiction, poetry, art, and interviews with established writers. It accepts submissions on a rolling basis during its reading periods. (Madison)
An annual literary magazine published through UW–Stevens Point featuring fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual art by writers and artists with ties to the Midwest. (Stevens Point)
An independent nonprofit literary press publishing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and works in translation. New American Press publishes several full-length books each year and runs annual fiction and poetry prizes that include publication, cash awards, and promotional support. (Grafton)
The biannual journal of literature and arts at UW–Green Bay publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction, visual art, and other creative work by writers and artists at a wide range of experience levels. (Green Bay)
Help us add to this list, Wisconsin writers! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or a Wisconsin literary journal or publisher we should be aware of? Let us know here. We periodically review these listings for broken links and outdated information.