By Nikki Kallio | Photo by Washington Island Literary Festival
Writing is a solitary (and sometimes lonely) venture that is often equal parts exhilarating and frustrating.
But the good news is there are plenty of opportunities to connect with others who know what it’s like. Writing conferences in Wisconsin offer the chance to get to know other writers from around the state, meet and learn from published authors, and to build the skills needed to be successful. Here are a few:
WASHINGTON ISLAND LITERARY FESTIVAL, DOOR COUNTY
Get inspired by spending the weekend with writers and readers at Write On, Door County’s Washington Island Literary Festival, a breathtaking ferry ride across Death’s Door from Ellison Bay. The festival features a Creative Lab on Thursday, a comprehensive mix of craft workshops on Friday, and a Saturday packed with panel discussions and presentations. Pre-registration is encouraged to secure a place in Friday workshops, but attendees can register onsite for the Saturday portion of the festival. The conference is Thursday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Sept. 20.
What’s special: A Friday open mic allows attending writers to share their work with the public. The island is home to lavender farms and the Fair Isle bookshop.
WISCONSIN WRITERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, STEVENS POINT
This annual gathering of the Wisconsin Writers Association brings writers from around the state for a full slate of speakers, panels, workshops, a master class and abundant networking opportunities. The conference is held every fall in a different location, this year at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point, blocks from the University of Wisconsin campus and home to Cornerstone Press, one of the conference sponsors. The hotel is also steps from the 31-mile Green Circle State Trail. The event features a special dinner and reading by Wisconsin Poet Laureate Brenda Cárdenas and announcement of the Jade Ring Contest winners. The conference is on Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct. 4. The deadline to register is Sept. 19.
What’s special: Writers can sign up to pitch literary agents about their completed manuscripts, or for a manuscript evaluation and critique with a Wisconsin author.
WRITING ON THE DOOR, STURGEON BAY
Another offering from Write on, Door County, the Writing on the Door conference gathers in the shipbuilding capital of the Midwest on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center. Each year, the conference focuses on a different theme. The 2026 theme will be “Your Writing Life,” with the lineup to be announced. In 2025, the weekend featured a focus on writing about nature and the environment, with authors leading cross-genre breakout sessions. The weekend features more than a dozen presenters, workshops, keynotes and other scheduled events.
What’s special: The chance to hear directly from and ask questions of authors who have spent time specializing in their chosen areas of emphasis.
WISCONSIN FELLOWSHIP OF POETS CONFERENCE, STURGEON BAY
The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, which annually publishes a popular calendar packed with verse from Wisconsin writers, will host its annual conference Friday May 1 through Sunday, May 3, 2026. The event, also planned for the Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sturgeon Bay, includes an evening reading and generative workshop by acclaimed poet Michael Torres. Poets will have the chance to share their poetry during an open mic event and can display their books during the conference book fair. In conjunction with the event, the Writing Center at Write On Door County will host mini-workshops.
What’s special: The conference will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Wisconsin Poet Laureate program.
LAKEFLY WRITERS CONFERENCE, OSHKOSH
The two-day Lakefly Writers Conference, held along the winding Fox River at the Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in the city’s downtown, includes a keynote speaker, panel discussions and breakout sessions, as well as industry experts who will offer one-on- one consultations. The event, sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library with the Oshkosh Area Writers Club, includes a Saturday book fair that is free and open to the public. The conference is Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, 2026.
What’s special: Wisconsin residents can enter the Lakefly Writing Contest, opening in January. Categories include poetry, short story, flash fiction, and a youth contest, with winners announced at the conference. There is no entry fee and writers can win cash prizes.
SCBWI-WI’S THE ARTISTRY OF CRAFT, WISCONSIN DELLS
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators of Wisconsin hosts this fall conference to enhance skills needed for writing books for the youngest to almost-adult readers. This year’s gathering is planned for Wisconsin Dells, a popular destination for families as the Waterpark Capital of the World. Attendees can attend a variety of workshops targeted toward taking the craft of storytelling to the next level. The event is Sept. 27.
What’s special: The chance to network with other writers and illustrators from around the state and to explore iconic natural areas in the region, like Witches Gulch and Devil’s Lake State Park.
Attend a Writing Retreat
Looking for some quiet writing time on your own to get a manuscript completed? Or are you seeking a week of intensive workshopping with a seasoned instructor to build your skills? There are plenty of great options around Wisconsin for writing residencies or group writing workshops and retreats.
ALLWRITERS ANNUAL RETREAT, WAUWATOSA
For the past 19 years, AllWriters has hosted a long weekend workshop at Mount Mary University in the summer to allow writers to immerse themselves in their writing and to connect with others who are honing their craft.
THE CLEARING FOLK SCHOOL, ELLISON BAY
The Clearing’s annual workshop catalog is packed with craft and traditional arts workshops, including writer’s workshops as well as personal retreats, where you can direct time to completing your writing projects (or to daydreaming). The school’s historic stone buildings overlook Lake Michigan, with access to stony beaches.
RED CLOVER RANCH, SOLDIERS GROVE
This generative workshop is led by memoirist Sarah McColl and novelist Amy Shearn, and is for women and gender-expansive writers of any genre, any experience level. Enjoy hiking trails and the rustic surroundings of the ranch, which is located in the special Driftless region of Wisconsin.
WILD RICE RETREAT, BAYFIELD
Design a self-created writing retreat for yourself in this 100-acre wooded getaway along Lake Superior, featuring Scandinavian-style housing designed to incorporate views of nature. Also available are gourmet meals, a yoga studio and sauna. In the past, author Pam Houston has hosted a guided winter workshop here.
SHAKE RAG ALLEY, MINERAL POINT
Writers can apply for the Scherbarth Residency Program at the Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts in historic Mineral Point for an opportunity to live and work on campus, or they can attend a writing retreat with other writers held annually the third weekend in May.
WRITE ON DOOR COUNTY, FISH CREEK
Write On offers an on-site residency in its three-bedroom house for emerging and established writers on its campus and hosts independently designed retreats for book clubs and writers groups in March, September or November. Enjoy the solitude of the campus, situated on 59 acres between Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
MADELINE ISLAND SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, LA POINTE
Madeline Island School of the Arts hosts numerous writing workshops along with its catalog of visual art, quilting and photography programs at its rural and barn-themed campus, offering onsite housing in cottages. Stop by the unforgettable Tom’s Burned Down Café in La Pointe.
MADISON WRITERS’ STUDIO, MADISON
While most of the MWS writing events are online, it is planning two in-person gatherings in 2026. One is a Book-in-a-Year class that meets monthly starting in January, and its Fourth Lake Writing Weekend, which will be a small-group craft- and mindset- focused, three-day program.