The University of Wisconsin-Madison Skip navigation
UW-Madison Continuing Studies > Liberal Studies & the Arts > Writing programs  

AWI Navigation

Home
Contact us
Schedule/Workshops
Instructors
Writing contest
Critique services
Pitch sessions
General Information
Tell-a-friend
Register Today
Brochure button

 

Comments from past participants

 

"A welcome, supportive environment for novice and well-seasoned writers." - Mary L. Grow, Mineral Point, Wis.

 

“What a positive, enthusiastic environment. I felt so supported as a newly acclaimed writer and welcomed into a world that previously felt untouchable. Thank you. I have a roadmap now for the next steps.” –Kesha Engel, Madison, Wis.

 

"The whole conference was great. I'm new to creative writing this was a great first place to start. Thanks." - Deb Groskreutz, Oregon, Wis.

 

More comments


Announcing the 20th Annual Writers' Institute:
A yearly writing conference for fiction and nonfiction writers.

Polish your craft, pitch your project, promote your writing. Meet a different agent every hour. Photograph of the Mendota Lakeshore including Memorial Union Terrace and the Pyle Center.

Join us March 27-29, 2009. We'll have more information in late fall about the spring conference.

If you're a presenter, we welcome your emailed workshop proposal now, including workshop titles, description, your bio, and a sample handout of no more than five pages in a Word attachment sent to Christine DeSmet, director, cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu.

Please check out the 2008 conference in these pages to get a taste of what we offer each year, then mark your calendar for 2009.

Congratulations to the winners of our Writers' Institute 2008 "Poem or a Page" Writing Contest!

Join our mailing list to receive information about the 2008 program. Be the first to hear about all writing programs by subscribing to The writing news.

Who is this conference for? The new, aspiring writer—as well as the advanced writer. Take a look at the workshops and services; we’ve indicated special workshops for advanced writers this year. If you have questions about what workshop best fits you, email or call the conference director at anytime.

 

About Writers' Institute:

Fiction and nonfiction writers meet in an inspirational setting by the lake each spring to learn about publishing trends and improve their craft. Get insider tips on new ways to market your writing. Meet an agent. Discover ways to juggle the day job and follow your dream finally. Publish your book. Learn poetry or playwriting. Start a column, a Web site and more. You discover professional, practical ways to meet your writing goals. And they work!

The institute covers a variety of topics, from the basics of how to write and sell novels and articles, to children's writing and adult genres. It covers the business of freelancing and nonfiction books. The conference also features one-on-one pitch meetings with agents, manuscript critique sessions, a writing contest, book sales, and take home materials--even for those session you don't attend.

You can also push your writing forward fast by entering the contest or by taking advantage of the written critique service.

Beginner or advanced, fiction or nonfiction, you have almost three days to mingle with other writers and agents and to talk about what matters - your writing and the writing life.

We look forward to seeing you in Madison.

Cover

 

Any questions you may have about the Writers' Institute can be answered by Christine DeSmet, director, 608-262-3447, e-mail: cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu.

 

What they said about previous editions of this conference—

“My first writer’s conference—I loved it! Came away inspired, enthused and armed with solid advice.” –Patricia Skalka, Chicago, Ill.
 
“Wow! Do I have work to do now! Very entertaining [Marshall J. Cook].” –Mary Eagan, West Des Moines, Iowa

“Very caring. [Lauren Abramo, agent].” –Judith Bergan, Austin, Minn.

“All of the speakers provide lots of encouragement and great tips. Exhausting, yet incredibly inspiring.” –Vicky L. Daniels Bardell, Fort Atkinson, Wis.

“What a positive, enthusiastic environment. I felt so supported as a newly acclaimed writer and welcomed into a world that previously felt untouchable. Thank you. I have a road map now for the next steps.” —Kesha Engel, Madison, Wis.

“A wealth of information. I cannot list the number of times I found myself nodding in agreement to what was said. It was a joy to know I am not alone in this crazy world called a writer’s life.” —Kristopher Kaun, Madison, Wis.

“…jam-packed with useful information and inspiration. The speakers were full of expertise, enthusiasm and a willingness to share their knowledge with us.” —Becky Post, La Crosse, Wis.

 

Review additional comments made by past conference participants.

 

  • Enter the "Poem or Page" contest
Congratulations to the winners of our Writers Institute 2008 Poem or a Page Contest!

 

The Writers Institute received the National University Continuing Education Association's 2002 Phillip E. Frandson Award for Sustained Excellence “for programs exemplifying outstanding quality in the humanities, arts, or sciences and long-term success.”

Freelance writer and book author Kelly James-Enger in The Writer magazine, April 2003, ranked this conference among her top 3 in the country.


Check out more continuing education for writers at http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/writing!


Department of Liberal Studies & the Arts
610 Langdon Street, Rm. 715.....Madison WI 53703
Phone: 608-263-6320 or .....877-336-7836
Fax: 608-265-2475.....E-mail: liberalarts@dcs.wisc.edu


Liberal Studies & the Arts | UW Madison Continuing Studies