Situated along the southern shore of Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin offers a charming, close-knit literary community anchored by dedicated arts centers, writing circles, and community bookshops. Whether you are looking to take the stage at an open mic, participate in writing workshops, or browse secondhand poetry volumes, Fond du Lac provides a welcoming space for writers across Central and East-Central Wisconsin.
🎙️ Recurring Poetry Events & Open Mics
Lake Lit Out Loud: Poetry and Prose Open Mic (Lake Literary Center) Lake Lit Out Loud is Fond du Lac's premier monthly open mic for original verse, flash fiction, and spoken word, held from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on the third Wednesday of every month at the Lake Literary Center (104 S Main St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935). Hosted by community organizers at Lake Lit, sign-ups begin at 6:30pm with readings starting at 6:45pm, offering each writer up to 8 minutes to perform. Admission is free, with optional donations accepted to support local community literary programming. Contact the center by phone at (920) 266-8800 or via email at info@lakeliterary.org. View monthly themes and schedule announcements on the official Lake Literary Center Events Page, follow updates on the Lake Literary Center Facebook Page, and read local press coverage on The Reporter.
THELMA Literary Reading Series & Open Stage (Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts) Hosted periodically at the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts (51 Sheboygan St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935), the Literary Arts of THELMA series presents evening poetry readings, author spotlights, and interdisciplinary open stages in its historic Great Hall or outdoor plaza. Sessions run from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on select Thursdays, bringing together local poets, published authors, and performance artists. Direct venue inquiries by phone at (920) 921-5410 or via email at info@thelmaarts.org. Explore upcoming schedules on the Thelma Sadoff Center Literary Arts Page, stay connected on the THELMA Arts Facebook Page, and view regional profiles on Destination Lake Winnebago.
🎪 Literary Festivals, Conferences & Fairs
Lake Winnebago Regional Book & Arts Showcases Held seasonally in Downtown Fond du Lac across partnering venues like the Lake Literary Center and THELMA, these community arts fairs connect regional Midwestern poets, self-published authors, and independent presses. Featuring author signing tables, chapbook sales, and local poet showcases, these events highlight the literary culture of Fond du Lac and surrounding counties. Stay updated on upcoming festival dates via Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership.
📚 Independent Bookshops, Libraries & Visual Art Galleries
Bookie’s Used Books Located at 43 S Main St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, Bookie’s Used Books is a long-standing downtown bookshop offering a deep selection of secondhand paperbacks, rare regional Wisconsin history titles, and vintage poetry volumes. The shop serves as a quiet refuge for local poets seeking out-of-print literature and creative inspiration. Reach out by phone at (920) 921-8222.
Chapter 52 Bookstore (Fond du Lac Public Library Partnership) Situated at 52 Sheboygan St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 (directly across from the main library), Chapter 52 is a community bookstore operated by the Friends of the Fond du Lac Public Library. Featuring used poetry collections, fiction bestsellers, and children's literature, proceeds directly support public library literacy projects and author visits. Phone: (920) 929-7080. View hours and sale dates on the Fond du Lac Public Library Chapter 52 Page.
Fond du Lac Public Library Located at 32 Sheboygan St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, the Fond du Lac Public Library offers free meeting spaces, adult writing workshops, and community write-ins. The library's lower-level Idea Studio provides recording equipment and digital tools for poets interested in producing audio recordings or self-publishing zines. Contact staff by phone at (920) 929-7080. Search the calendar on the Fond du Lac Public Library Events Page, follow updates on the Fond du Lac Public Library Facebook Page, and read news features on KFIZ News.
✍️ Writers Groups & Literary Organizations
Lake Literary Center Situated at 104 S Main St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, the Lake Literary Center is a non-profit community sanctuary dedicated to supporting local writers through poetry open mics, critique circles, quiet write-ins, and craft workshops. Reach the center via email at info@lakeliterary.org. Connect on the Lake Literary Center Website, join community discussions on the Lake Literary Center Instagram, and read local profiles on Civic Media / KFIZ.
Fond du Lac Writers Club A community guild connecting writers across Fond du Lac County, this informal club brings together poets, essayists, and memoirists for peer critique, manuscript feedback, and publishing advice. Learn more through regional listings on the Wisconsin Writers Association Guild Directory.
🎓 University & College Creative Writing Programs
Marian University Writing Program & Department of English Located at 45 S National Ave, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, Marian University offers a Minor in Writing alongside English coursework covering poetry composition, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction. The university hosts student literary readings and community writing events throughout the academic year. Contact the department by phone at (920) 923-7600 or email admissions@marianuniversity.edu. Explore program details on the Marian University Minor in Writing Page, follow academic developments on the Marian University Facebook Page, and read university press releases on Marian University News.
UW-Oshkosh at Fond du Lac Continuing Education Workshops Located at 400 University Dr, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, the campus periodically offers adult community education classes in personal essay writing, memoir writing, and poetry fundamentals. Search current offerings on the UW-Oshkosh Continuing Education Directory.
📰 Publishers, Literary Magazines & Small Presses
The Fioretti (Marian University) Published through the Department of English at Marian University (45 S National Ave, Fond du Lac, WI 54935), The Fioretti is the university’s student literary and arts magazine, printing original poetry, short fiction, essays, and visual art submitted by undergraduate students and campus creators. View submission details through the Marian University Department of English.
Lake Literary Center Press & Small-Press Chapbooks An emerging local publishing project based out of 104 S Main St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, offering small-run print chapbooks, zines, and community anthologies featuring poets from Fond du Lac and the Lake Winnebago region. Contact press editors via email at info@lakeliterary.org or visit Lake Literary Center.
