Nestled along the shores of Lake Winnebago and the Fox River, Oshkosh, Wisconsin boasts a rich, historic arts tradition combined with the energy of a major university town. From long-running writers' clubs and student-led open mics to premier small-press literary journals and regional book festivals, Oshkosh provides an inspiring riverfront environment for poets and prose writers alike.
🎙️ Recurring Poetry Events & Open Mics
Oshkosh Area Writers Club Critique & Open Share The Oshkosh Area Writers Club hosts bi-weekly gatherings from 10:00am to 12:00pm on the first and third Saturday of every month in the lower-level meeting room at the Oshkosh Public Library (106 Washington Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901). Organized by club leadership for community writers ages 17 and up, these free sessions invite poets, essayists, and fiction writers to share recent work, receive constructive feedback, and practice reading aloud in a supportive environment. Contact the organizers via email at oshkoshwriters@gmail.com. View meeting updates and prompt guidelines on the official Oshkosh Area Writers Club Blog, follow announcements on the Oshkosh Area Writers Club Facebook Group, and read local media coverage of the club's regional community activities on The Northwestern.
Lakefly After Dark Open Mic Held as part of the annual Lakefly Writers Conference, the Lakefly After Dark Open Mic takes place under the historic dome at the Oshkosh Public Library (106 Washington Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901) from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Hosted by conference organizers and community partners, this free evening event welcomes poets, storytellers, and acoustic musicians to take the stage and share original verse in a striking architectural venue. Contact event staff by phone at (920) 236-5200 or via email at lakefly@oshkoshlibrary.org. For registration details and schedule announcements, visit the official Lakefly Writers Conference News Page, stay connected on the Oshkosh Public Library Facebook Page, and view press features on Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin.
Apothecary After Dark: Poetry Edition (Author Apothecary & Bookstore) Hosted by Oshkosh Poet Laureate Thomas Cannon, Apothecary After Dark: Poetry Edition meets from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on the first Tuesday of every month at Author Apothecary & Bookstore (576 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901). Open sign-ups begin at 6:30pm, giving poets and spoken word artists across Oshkosh and the Fox Cities an inclusive platform to read original verse. Originally hosted at NAMI Oshkosh, the event continues to accept optional community donations supporting local mental health programs. Contact the shop by phone at (920) 740-8685 or via email at authorapothecarybookstore@gmail.com. View upcoming dates and event details on the Visit Oshkosh Event Page, explore the official Author Apothecary & Bookstore Website, and check coverage on The Oshkosh Herald.
New Moon Café Open Mic Nights & Poetry Readings Located at 401 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901, the New Moon Café hosts weekly Tuesday open mic nights starting at 6:30pm, alongside periodic weekend poetry readings and live original music performances. A long-standing fixture of Downtown Oshkosh’s arts scene, the café offers a relaxed third space for poets, singer-songwriters, and storytellers to take the stage in front of a supportive local audience. Reach the venue by phone at (920) 232-0888 or via booking email at bookingnewmoon@yahoo.com. Check weekly hours and menu details on the New Moon Café Website, follow event announcements on the New Moon Café Facebook Page, and read local press spotlights on The Northwestern.
🎪 Literary Festivals, Conferences & Fairs
Lakefly Writers Conference Sponsored by the Oshkosh Public Library in partnership with the Oshkosh Community Foundation, OrangeHat Publishing, and the Oshkosh Area Writers Club, the Lakefly Writers Conference takes place annually in early May at the Oshkosh Convention Center (2 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901). This multi-day regional conference features keynote addresses, craft workshops on poetry and narrative prose, one-on-one writing coaching, pitch sessions with publishers, and vendor expos. Early registration fees start around $125. For inquiries, phone (920) 236-5200 or email lakefly@oshkoshlibrary.org. Check event schedules and speaker lineups on the Lakefly Writers Conference Website, follow updates on the Lakefly Writers Conference Facebook Page, and explore earned press coverage on Fox 11 News WLUK.
📚 Independent Bookshops & Libraries
Author Apothecary Small-Press & Self-Publishing Showcase Located at Author Apothecary & Bookstore (576 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901), this independent downtown hub actively supports regional poets seeking publishing avenues. In addition to carrying self-published chapbooks and small-press collections on consignment, shop owner and author Felicia Clark works directly with local writers to host book launch parties, chapbook release readings, and self-publishing workshops. Contact the store at (920) 740-8685 or via email at authorapothecarybookstore@gmail.com. Browse guidelines on the Author Apothecary & Bookstore Website, connect on the Author Apothecary Facebook Page, and read local press coverage on Civic Media / WOSH.
Caramel Crisp Bookstore Located at 200 City Center, Oshkosh, WI 54901, Caramel Crisp Bookstore is Oshkosh's primary independent downtown bookseller. Alongside gourmet cookies and popcorn, this family-owned shop features an extensive collection of local authors, bestsellers, and regional poetry volumes. The shop frequently hosts local author signings, poetry book releases, and community discussions. Reach the bookstore staff by phone at (920) 231-4540. Learn more on the Caramel Crisp Bookstore Page, follow inventory spotlights on the Caramel Crisp Bookstore Instagram, and read regional profiles on Oshkosh Herald.
Oshkosh Public Library Situated at 106 Washington Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901, the Oshkosh Public Library serves as a primary civic host for literary programming, creative writing workshops, and poetry month exhibits. Open Monday through Saturday, the library provides free meeting rooms, writer write-in sessions, and public reading spaces. Contact library staff by phone at (920) 236-5200 or via email at library@oshkoshlibrary.org. Search upcoming events on the Oshkosh Public Library Events Calendar, connect via the Oshkosh Public Library Instagram, and read news coverage regarding community literacy grants on Civic Media / WOSH.
✍️ Writers Groups & Literary Organizations
Oshkosh Area Writers Club Formed in 2003, the Oshkosh Area Writers Club is an active, non-profit community guild that brings together poets, fiction writers, and memoirists from across Winnebago County. Meeting twice monthly at the public library, the group fosters regional literary talent through critique circles, writing prompt challenges, and co-sponsorship of the annual Lakefly Conference. Reach the club via email at oshkoshwriters@gmail.com. Visit the official Oshkosh Area Writers Club Website, join their public community discussions on the Oshkosh Area Writers Club Facebook Page, and read local press features in the Oshkosh Northwestern.
Apothecary After Dark: Writing Group (Author Apothecary & Bookstore) Led by author Felicia Clark of Measure Life in Bookmarks, this monthly writing group meets from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on the third Wednesday of every month at Author Apothecary & Bookstore (576 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901). Free and open to all skill levels, the workshop uses the Pomodoro Technique—featuring 20-minute silent writing blocks followed by brief breaks and optional peer sharing—allowing poets, novelists, and essayists to build momentum on current projects. Contact the organizers at (920) 740-8685 or via email at authorapothecarybookstore@gmail.com. Read more details on the Visit Oshkosh Community Calendar, follow the shop's social updates on the Author Apothecary & Bookstore Facebook Page, and explore local press coverage on Civic Media / WOSH.
🎓 University & College Creative Writing Programs
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Department of English Located at Radford Hall, 800 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901, the Department of English at UW-Oshkosh offers undergraduate majors and minors in Creative Writing with specialized tracks in poetry composition, poetics, and literary editing. The department hosts visiting poet readings, student workshops, and annual undergraduate creative writing awards. Reach the department office by phone at (920) 424-2232 or via email at english@uwosh.edu. Explore degree requirements on the UW-Oshkosh English Department Website, follow academic updates on the UW-Oshkosh Facebook Page, and view university press releases on UW-Oshkosh Today.
📰 Publishers, Literary Magazines & Small Presses
Wisconsin Review Founded in 1966 at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (800 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901), Wisconsin Review is a nationally recognized, student-edited literary journal published continuously for six decades. Printing two issues per year, the journal publishes contemporary poetry, flash fiction, short stories, and visual art from emerging and established writers worldwide. Contact the editorial team by phone at (920) 424-2232 or via email at wisreview@uwosh.edu. Read submission guidelines and order print issues on the Wisconsin Review Website, follow literary announcements on the Wisconsin Review Facebook Page, and view historical press profiles on Poets & Writers.
