Situated along the shores of Lake Michigan in East-Central Wisconsin, Sheboygan and its surrounding towns — Plymouth, Sheboygan Falls, and Kohler — host an interconnected literary and artistic ecosystem. Anchored by liberal arts writing programs, independent bookshops that double as writing centers, and community arts institutions, the Sheboygan area offers diverse opportunities to compose, perform, and publish.
🎙️ Recurring Poetry Events & Open Mics
Great Lakes Writers Festival Open Mic (Sheboygan / Plymouth) Held annually as part of the Great Lakes Writers Festival presented by Lakeland University, this free open mic takes place from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at Jake's, A Lakeland Community (529 Ontario Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081). Hosted by festival coordinators and Lakeland writing faculty, the evening features open stage slots for regional poets, festival guest authors, and student writers following afternoon masterclasses. For event schedules and information, phone Lakeland University at (920) 565-1000 or email glwf@lakeland.edu. View schedule details on the official Great Lakes Writers Festival Website, stay updated on the Lakeland University Facebook Page, and read press features on Sheboygan Press.
WordHaven BookHouse Community Readings & Open Mic Nights (Sheboygan) Hosted at WordHaven BookHouse (923 N 8th St, Sheboygan, WI 53081), an independent bookstore and writing center in Downtown Sheboygan, these community gatherings take place on select weekday and weekend evenings from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Led by owner CJ Arthur, the open mic nights invite poets, memoirists, and storytellers to share original work in an inclusive atmosphere. Contact WordHaven by phone at (920) 395-2375 or via email at words@wordhaven-bookhouse.com. Explore upcoming event dates on the WordHaven BookHouse Website, connect on the WordHaven BookHouse Facebook Page, and read local media profiles on Visit Sheboygan.
🎪 Literary Festivals, Conferences & Fairs
Great Lakes Writers Festival (Plymouth / Sheboygan) The Great Lakes Writers Festival is an annual multi-day literary conference presented by Lakeland University (W3718 South Drive, Plymouth, WI 53073) and held across its Plymouth campus and downtown Sheboygan venues. The festival features keynote poetry readings, Q&A sessions, book signings, and interactive masterclasses led by national authors and regional poets. Festival participants are also invited to submit work to the annual Great Lakes Writers Festival Writing Contest, which awards cash prizes for poetry and prose. Direct inquiries to festival organizers by phone at (920) 565-1000 or email glwf@lakeland.edu. View event schedules on the Great Lakes Writers Festival Website, follow announcements on the Lakeland University Instagram, and read coverage on Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin.
📚 Independent Bookshops, Libraries & Visual Art Galleries
WordHaven BookHouse & Writing Center Located at 923 N 8th St, Sheboygan, WI 53081, WordHaven BookHouse is a queer-owned independent bookstore, writing center, and literary community hub in Downtown Sheboygan. Recognized as the 2025 Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIBA) Bookseller of the Year, the shop offers curated contemporary poetry collections alongside writing workshops, author signings, and critique groups. Phone: (920) 395-2375. Email: words@wordhaven-bookhouse.com. Browse the catalog and event calendar on the WordHaven BookHouse Website, follow updates on the WordHaven BookHouse Instagram, and read features on Sheboygan Press.
Mead Public Library Situated at 710 N 8th St, Sheboygan, WI 53081, Mead Public Library serves as a civic center for Sheboygan County literacy, hosting adult writing workshops, community book discussions, and National Poetry Month events. The library provides free quiet study rooms, public computer access, and local author archiving. Reach library staff by phone at (920) 459-3400. Search upcoming events on the Mead Public Library Calendar, connect via the Mead Public Library Facebook Page, and read municipal news coverage on Civic Media / WHBL.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) Located at 608 New York Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center is a museum and performing arts complex that frequently integrates poetry, literature, and performance art into its gallery programming. JMKAC hosts artist talks, interdisciplinary workshops, and public poetry readings inspired by visual art exhibitions. Contact JMKAC staff by phone at (920) 458-6144 or via email at info@jmkac.org. Explore current exhibitions on the John Michael Kohler Arts Center Website, follow event announcements on the JMKAC Instagram, and view regional profiles on Wisconsin Public Radio.
✍️ Writers Groups & Literary Organizations
Sheboygan County Writers Club Formed to connect regional authors across Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, and Plymouth, the Sheboygan County Writers Club brings together poets, fiction writers, and historians for regular critique sessions, craft discussions, and peer sharing. The club provides a collaborative space for writers to revise manuscripts and discuss small-press publishing avenues. Connect with the group on the official Sheboygan County Writers Club Blog, stay informed via regional listings on the Wisconsin Writers Association Guild Directory, and search community features in the Sheboygan Press Archive.
🎓 University & College Creative Writing Programs
Lakeland University Department of Creative Writing & English Located at W3718 South Drive, Plymouth, WI 53073 (approx. 12 miles west of Sheboygan), Lakeland University offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Creative Writing. Students engage in multi-tiered writing workshops covering poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting, alongside hands-on editing experience with campus literary publications. Contact the department by phone at (920) 565-1000 or via email at admissions@lakeland.edu. Explore degree requirements on the Lakeland University Creative Writing Page, follow academic developments on the Lakeland University Facebook Page, and read university news releases on Lakeland News.
📰 Publishers, Literary Magazines & Small Presses
Seems & Zasshi Literary Journals (Lakeland University) Published through the Creative Writing program at Lakeland University (W3718 South Drive, Plymouth, WI 53073), Seems is a print literary journal publishing poetry and prose from national and international contributors, while Zasshi serves as the university's digital literary and visual arts outlet. Managed by student assistant editors and writing faculty, these journals offer hands-on publication experience in poetry curation and layout design. Contact the editorial staff by phone at (920) 565-1000 or via email at glwf@lakeland.edu. Read submission guidelines and view past issues on the Lakeland University Creative Writing Department Page, follow updates on the Lakeland University Instagram, and read writer profiles on Poets & Writers.
Stoneboat Literary Journal Historically founded and edited in Sheboygan, Stoneboat Literary Journal is an independent small-press publication printing poetry, flash fiction, short essays, and visual art. The journal features work from emerging Midwestern writers and international creators across its print and digital issues. Submit manuscripts and explore past catalog releases through the Stoneboat Literary Journal Website, follow announcements on the Stoneboat Literary Journal Facebook Page, and read local press coverage on Sheboygan Press.
