September’s Writing from a Prompt
Wednesday, September 3 at 6 pm in Room B at Southwest Library in Kenosha
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 20 minutes to spontaneously write whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment. Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
Heads Up!
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Northside Library is unavailable. We’ve had to change the time of our meeting to 6:45 and the place to Room B at Southwest Library (7979 38th Ave., Kenosha.) Bring a short piece to share or just come hang out with other word lovers! Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
August 20 Open Meeting
6 pm at Northside Library in Kenosha.
Join us for our monthly read & critique meeting and share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
Writing from a Prompt
Wednesday, August 6, 6 pm in room A at Southwest Library in Kenosha
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 20 minutes to spontaneously write whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment. Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
July Open Meeting
Wednesday, July 16, 6 pm at Southwest Library, Kenosha
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
July 2 – Writing from a Prompt
Southwest Library, Room A, 6-7:30 pm
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 20 minutes to spontaneously write whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment. Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
June Open Meeting
Wednesday, June 18, 6 pm, Community Room A at Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave. Kenosha
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
June 4: Writing from a Prompt
Southwest Library, Room A, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 20 minutes to spontaneously write whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment. Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
May Open Meeting
Wednesday, May 21, 6 pm in the Conference Room at Southwest Library in Kenosha
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
Writing from a Prompt
Wednesday, May 7, Room A at Southwest Library. Please note time change (for this meeting only) 6:15 – 8:00 pm.
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 20 minutes to spontaneously write whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment. Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
April Open Meeting
Wednesday, April 16, 6 pm, Room A of Southwest Library, Kenosha
Writers are welcome to share a short piece–maximum of 4 double spaced pages, any form, any genre–and have their work critiqued. Bring 6-8 copies, if possible, so that we may read as well as hear your words. Observers are always welcome.
April 2: Writing from a Prompt
Wednesday April 2 at 6 pm in room A of Southwest Library, Kenosha
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 20 minutes to spontaneously write whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
March Open Meeting
Wednesday, March 19, 6 pm in Room A of Southwest Library, Kenosha.
Let your words out to play! Share them with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
Writing from a Prompt
Join us on Wednesday, March 5 at 6 pm, at Southwest Library in Kenosha.
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 15-20 minutes to write spontaneously whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
We’re free and open to anyone interested in writing.
February Open Meeting
Wednesday, February 19, 6 pm in community room B at Southwest Library, Kenosha
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
We are free and open to anyone interested in writing.
Writing from a Prompt
Wednesday, February 5, 6 pm at Southwest Library, Room A, Kenosha, WI
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 15 minutes to write spontaneously whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
Submission Opportunity
Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters Annual Poetry & Fiction Contests
Submissions Open: JANUARY 15 — March 15, 2025
Entry fee: $10 Academy members / $15 non-members
Judges: Denise Sweet, Poetry & Maggie Ginsberg, Fiction
Since 1994, Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine has sponsored the premiere annual fiction and poetry contests for Wisconsin writers. The contests are open to all Wisconsin residents and students age 18 and older. We encourage emerging and established writers to send in their best works of fiction and poetry for a chance to win up to $500 and other prizes along with publication in Wisconsin People & Ideas, a reading at the Wisconsin Book Festival in Madison, and a one-week residency at the lovely Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts in Mineral Point.
Full details and a link to submit are available at https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/content/writing-contest
January Open Meeting
Join us Wednesday, January 15, at 6 pm in the conference room at Southwest Library in Kenosha.
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
Thursday, January 2: Writing from a Prompt
Please note the change of day due to the holiday.
We’re going to try something new at January’s prompt meeting. Please bring a “skeleton” story (thanks, Cathy Hernandez, for coming up with that term) with you to the meeting.
This can be as long as a paragraph or as short as a couple of sentences. Use nouns and verbs, and few, if any, adjectives or adverbs. Write or print your skeleton out on a piece of paper and bring it to the meeting. We’ll trade papers and use our writing time to add flesh to whatever skeleton we get.
Here’s an example of a minimalistic skeleton story: Upon entering the airport, a man looked up at the arrivals board and headed for the concourse at the far end of the terminal, dragging a bag behind him. He’d take a few steps and then stop and look around. When he reached the bench nearest the concourse, he sat and opened the bag.
The form you use—story, poem, song lyrics, play—is up to you. We’ll write for 20 minutes and then share our work. Remember, sharing is always optional. This is a writing exercise and not a critique meeting. Hope to see you there.
- Thursday, January 2
- 6-7:30 pm
- Southwest Library conference room
Writing from a Prompt
Exercise your writing chops at the Southwest Library in Kenosha on Wednesday, December, 6-7:30 pm. We’ll be in the conference room warming up. Hope to see you there–it’s no fun to exercise alone.
November Meeting
Wednesday, November 20, 6 pm in community room B at Southwest Library in Kenosha.
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome! Meetings are free and open to anyone interested in writing.
October Open Meeting
We’ll meet on Wednesday, October 16, at 6 pm in the conference room at Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave., Kenosha. Our meetings are free and open to anyone interested in writing. Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
OUTLOUD Open Mic
for Poetry, Spoken Word, and Storytelling on Sunday, September 29 from 5-8 pm at Kenosha Creative Space.
Performers get 10 minutes on stage to speak their words OUTLOUD.
Our Monthly Open Meeting
Wednesday, September 18, 6 pm.
We’ll meet in the conference room at Southwest Library in Kenosha.
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
Writing from a Prompt
Wednesday, September 4, from 6-7:30 pm, at Southwest Library, in community room B.
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 15 minutes to write spontaneously whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
Open Mic for Poetry, Spoken Word, and Storytelling
Sunday, August 25, at Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St., downtown Kenosha.
It’s hard to put yourself out there. The open mic hosted by the Guild is a safe, supportive space to speak your words–your truth–OUTLOUD.
Performers have 10 minutes on stage. We’re still building this event, so there will not be a crowd, and all the people there will be totally encouraging and supportive. Come check it out!
August Open Meeting
Wednesday, August 21, 6 pm, at Southwest Library, Kenosha, in Community Room A.
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
Writing From a Prompt
Wednesday, August 7, 6:00-7:30 pm, community room B at Southwest Library, Kenosha.
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 15 minutes to write spontaneously whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment. Free and open to anyone interested in writing.
A Special OUTLOUD Open Mic
Sunday, July 28, our monthly open mic will be preceded by a tribute to poet Marshall Smith (1955-2023) featuring readings from his newly published book. An open mic for poetry, spoken word, and storytelling will follow. Doors open at 5, the readings begin at 6.
The event is free and open to the public.
July Writing from a Prompt Meeting
Wednesday, July 3, 6-7:30 pm, at Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave., Community Room A.
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 15 minutes to write spontaneously whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
Exercise Your Writing Muscles
Wednesday, April 3 in the conference room at Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave, Kenosha, 5-6:30 pm.
After introductions, the facilitator will offer a writing prompt and attendees will have 10 minutes to write spontaneously whatever they like–in whatever form they choose. After a short break, writers will have the option to share what they wrote and receive feedback and encouragement from others. This is not a critique, but an opportunity to experiment and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
Come share your words at our February 14 open meeting, 5pm at Southwest Library in Kenosha. Observers are always welcome!
Winter of 2024 Update
Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave., Kenosha
January through March Open Meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at SW library from 5-8 pm.
Stay tuned for a Spring Update!
November Open Meeting
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Wednesday, November 15, 6:30 pm at Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave., Kenosha.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. We’re a free group and anyone interested in writing is welcome to attend. No pressure to share your work–just come observe if you like.
Monthly Open Meeting
Join us for our monthly gathering of writers on Wednesday, October 18th and share your words with a supportive community.
We meet at 6:30 pm at Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. (NE corner of 7th & 57th, downtown Kenosha.) Meetings are free and open to anyone interested in writing.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
Kenosha Poet Laureate 2023-2024 Project
MISSION STATEMENT:
The project was created to use poetry to celebrate the relationship between the people of Kenosha County and Lake Michigan. The lake is a wonder of the natural world and is a fundamental presence and inspiration to those of us living on or near her shores. Poetry is a wonderful medium to express experiences and memories we might have in relation to the lake, as well as those ineffable feelings and longings such an amazing natural wonder evokes in many of us. With this project we will discover the
power of poetry to connect us to our world, enriching our lives in the process.
THE PROJECT:
The public, as well as professional and amateur Wisconsin poets are encouraged to submit to the KRPoets Program poems that are about Lake Michigan or contain a reference to the Lake. The poems should be no longer than 32 lines, give or take. Permission must be given to use the poems in public context, either as signage, on printed material, or in public readings.
POEM SUBMISSIONS:
The Kenosha/Racine Poets Laureate Program invites all Wisconsin poets to submit poems for the 2023/24 Poet Laureate Project, The Lake is Mother to Us All. Poems should be no more than 32 lines and should feature, or make reference to, Lake Michigan, though not necessarily by name. Poems will be displayed around Kenosha in the summer season 2024, either in shop windows, yard signs, murals, or other public displays. A chapbook is planned to accompany the project. Poems will be featured on our website. No renumeration is possible, although the poems and the poets will receive significant exposure.
Interested in submitting your poem?
Email kplproject2324@gmail.com
August Open Meeting
Wednesday, August 16, 6:30 pm at Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. (NE corner of 7th & 57th, downtown Kenosha.)
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
July Open Meeting
Share your words with a supportive community of writers.
We’ll meet at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, July 19, at Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. (NE corner of 7th & 57th, downtown Kenosha.)
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. No pressure to share your work until you’re ready. Observers are always welcome!
What’s Happening in June?
Night of Unity & Hope at Kenosha Creative Space
Monday, June 12, at the Space, 624 57th St (NE corner of 7th & 57th, downtown Kenosha.
In lieu of our June in-depth critique, KWG will take part in this event as the community gathers together to share music and performances on the themes of unity and hope. The event includes an open mic and curated performances. Several KWG poets will read from their work.
June Open Meeting
Wednesday, June 21, 6:30 pm, we will hold our monthly open meeting at SW Library, 7979 38th Ave., in Activities/Community Room B.
Share your words with a supportive community of writers. ALL writers and wannabe writers, ALL genres, are welcome. We’re kind of a mixed bag with one thing in common: we love words!
Feel free to share a short piece (no more than 4 double-spaced pages) with the group, listen to and comment on the work of others, or just come hang out with us. If possible, bring 6-8 copies so that others may see as well as hear your work. Observers are always welcome!
Also on June 21
KWG will have a presence at the Kenosha Creative Space’s MAKE MUSIC BLOCK PARTY, noon till midnight. This FREE event features local bands, singer/songwriters, creative clinics, music and journaling, local food, drink, and product vendors, plus an open mic/open jam to close out the night.
Listed below are past events
KWG’s Big Read Poetry Workshop
Where I’m From Poetry Workshop 
Marshall Smith 
Carol Lee Saffioti-Hughes 
The workshop, part of the Big Read 2023, focused on creating poems about where we’re from and what home means to us. After of the workshop, several writers opted to read their poems and have them recorded in the library’s digital media studio, the Hub. The video featuring their work is forthcoming.
Christopher Kolon, Kenosha’s New Poet Laureate
The Kenosha Racine Poets Laureate Program celebrated both Kenosha and Racine’s 2022-23 Poets Laureate Friday, March 10, at Blue House Books, downtown Kenosha. Nick Ramsey hosted the event and read from his own work before introducing Christopher Kolon, Kenosha’s laureate and Betty Harmatys Park, Racine’s poet laureate.
For information on the Kenosha Racine Poets Laureate Program, click on the following link: https://krpoets.weebly.com/
Novel Bookcamp This Summer
Racine New Home for Novel Bookcamp Weeks
RACINE, WIS. (February 5, 2023) – Celebrating its 10th anniversary providing quality, instructional programs for long-form writers, the not-for-profit Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp & Writing Retreat is moving its two, week-long residential workshops to Racine this summer.
The Siena Retreat Center in Racine will host the 2023 All-Genre and Speculative Fiction Novel Bookcamps in June and August, respectively.
The move was made because the Siena Retreat Center offers larger facilities with an increase in overnight accommodations for the Novel Bookcamp’s growing roster of writers, Founder and Director Dave Rank explained.
Novel Bookcamp programs offer instruction and individual guidance for writers with book-length fiction and creative nonfiction works-in-progress. The week-long residential programs were held at Cedar Valley UCCI, a 100-acre rural retreat center northwest of Milwaukee.
“We’re thrilled that the Novel-In-Progress organization chose the Siena Retreat Center for its new home,” Siena’s Arrangements Coordinator Nikki Madisen said. “We look forward to working with the writers. Siena’s website is https://www.sienaretreatcenter.org.
“While we remain in Southeast Wisconsin, our new location in Racine County centers our programs between the Novel Bookcamp’s primary markets, the metro areas of Milwaukee and Chicago,” Rank said. “It’s also closer to both the Milwaukee and Chicago international airports, which are linked to Racine County by Amtrak’s Hiawatha commuter train line. This makes our Bookcamp Weeks even more convenient for writers to join us. While a majority of our registrants come from Wisconsin and Illinois, we do have writers coming from across the country and even Canada.”
The All-Genre Bookcamp Week will be held June 18-24 while the Speculative Fiction Bookcamp is scheduled for August 13-19. Both weeks offer three programs tracks to choose.
Bookcamp Workshops are limited to 15 writers and require an application process. The Workshop offers classes, a Working Writer Clinic, one-on one consultations with each of three instructors, presentations, and pitch sessions.
The Writing Retreats provide a week of personal writing time with a Retreat Mentor to consult and brainstorm with if desired. The Retreats are open to any writer working in any genre, regardless of genre or format.
“New this year is our Book Coach program,” Rank said. “Imagine getting an in-depth, written analysis of your manuscript, then spend a week working one-on-one with a professional Book Coach, experienced in writing, teaching, and publishing, with access to group presentations and pitch sessions. That’s what this new program offers.”
The Book Coach program is limited to 4 writers per week, Rank said.
“Cedar Valley served us well for the past nine years,” Rank said. “But our enrollment is growing as our reputation spreads. Siena is large enough to accommodate that growth.”
Siena Retreat Center offers private bedrooms with private bath facilities on its two upper floors with elevator access, Madisen explained.
“A large meeting space on the first floor will house most of our educational activities with direct access to a full kitchen for those registrants who may need to prepare their own meals,” Rank said.
Catered continental breakfasts, lunches, and dinners will be provided all week. One fee includes programming, room, and board, Rank said.
Free use of a washing machine and dryer, and Creativity Room with art supplies are available. A screened porch and large, outdoor patio can be used by guests. Siena’s landscaped grounds invite long walks with access to the Lake Michigan shore, prairie, and woods.
“Our Bookcamp instructors are all experienced, published novelists, publishers, or agents with backgrounds in writing instruction. Each week, we also bring in literary agents and acquisition editors to add to our core instruction in novel writing and discussions on the publishing business. Guest agents and editors listen to book pitches, join panel discussions, and lead presentations,” Rank said.
Registration is open soon for both Bookcamps, although space is limited for the All-Genre Writing Retreat. For more information, contact Director Dave Rank, director@novelbookcamp.org.
The website, www.novelbookcamp.org.
The Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp & Writing Retreat, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation assisted by Supportive Friends the Chicago Writers Association; Off Campus Writers Workshop, Winnetka, Ill.; Wisconsin Writers Association, HerStry Writing Community, Milwaukee, Wis., and The Howl Society, Denver, Colo. Members of those organizations can enroll in Bookcamp programs at a reduced rate.
Kenosha Writers Guild 