Nestled in the rolling hills of Walworth County, Elkhorn, Wisconsin—along with surrounding communities, such as Lake Geneva, Delavan, East Troy, Williams Bay, Fontana, and Whitewater—offers a welcoming and connected creative arts community. Supported by active public library programs, county historical centers, independent bookstores, and nearby liberal arts and technical college writing departments, Elkhorn provides an inspiring rural and small-town haven for poets, storytellers, and creative writers across Southern Wisconsin.
🎙️ Recurring Poetry Events & Open Mics
Matheson Memorial Library Writers Group & Open Share (Elkhorn)
The Matheson Memorial Library Writers Group meets from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on the third Monday of every month in the community room at the Matheson Memorial Library (101 N Wisconsin St, Elkhorn, WI 53121). Open to adult writers of all experience levels, these free sessions offer poets, memoirists, and fiction writers an encouraging setting for generative prompt writing, peer critique, and reading original drafts aloud. The library also coordinates special evening open mics and community writing showcases during National Poetry Month in April. Contact library staff by phone at (262) 723-2678 or via email at elkhornlibrary@elkhorn.lib.wi.us. Explore upcoming meeting dates on the Matheson Memorial Library Event Calendar, follow announcements on the Matheson Memorial Library Facebook Page, and read community features in the Elkhorn Independent.
The Book Teller Poetry Evenings & Open Mics (Whitewater – 12 miles northwest)
Located inside a historic landmark bank building at 171 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190, The Book Teller is an independent bookstore and community art space that hosts seasonal open mic nights and curated poetry readings on select weekday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Bringing together regional Walworth County writers, student poets, and acoustic performers, the shop provides an intimate performance space surrounded by local art. Reach the store by phone at (262) 458-2090. Follow event announcements on The Book Teller Facebook Page, view book selections on The Book Teller Instagram, and read local arts coverage in the UW-Whitewater Royal Purple.
Lake Geneva Public Library Poetry Workshops & Open Readings (Lake Geneva)
Set in a striking parkland facility overlooking Geneva Lake, the Lake Geneva Public Library (918 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147) hosts creative writing workshops, including the Poetry Academy for Earthlings generative series, alongside seasonal open poetry readings and write-ins. Bringing together local poets, youth writers, and visiting authors, these free community events offer generative prompts, open mic reading circles, and peer discussion in the library’s lakeside reading rooms. Contact library staff by phone at (262) 249-5299 or email reference@lakegeneva.lib.wi.us. Explore upcoming events on the Lake Geneva Public Library Calendar, follow announcements on the Lake Geneva Public Library Facebook Page, and view regional profiles on Visit Lake Geneva.
🎪 Literary Festivals, Conferences & Fairs
Lakeside Literary Festival (Lake Geneva Public Library & Lakeside Books)
Organized by Lakeside Books in partnership with the Lake Geneva Public Library (918 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147), the Lakeside Literary Festival is an annual summer gathering celebrating books, creativity, and community on the shores of Geneva Lake. The one-day festival features keynote presentations, panels for aspiring authors and poets, generative workshops (including kids and youth writing sessions), book signings, and a multi-author book fair showcasing regional Midwestern writers and small presses. Direct inquiries to organizers via email at lakesidebookslg@gmail.com. View festival schedules and author lineups on the Lakeside Literary Festival Page, connect via the Lakeside Books Instagram, and read festival coverage on the Wisconsin Writers Association Events Hub.
📚 Independent Bookshops, Libraries & Visual Art Galleries
Matheson Memorial Library (Elkhorn)
Located at 101 N Wisconsin St, Elkhorn, WI 53121, the Matheson Memorial Library serves as Elkhorn's civic anchor for literary arts, author visits, and adult writing workshops. The library provides meeting rooms, dedicated local history archives, quiet study spaces, and seasonal book clubs. Contact the reference desk by phone at (262) 723-2678. Explore upcoming programs and resources on the Matheson Memorial Library Website, follow the Matheson Memorial Library Instagram, and read local municipal updates on Southern Wisconsin News.
Broad Street Books (Lake Geneva – 9 miles south)
Situated at 807 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Broad Street Books is an independent bookstore offering new and used literature, regional Midwestern history, and contemporary poetry collections. The shop serves as a gathering spot for Walworth County book lovers, periodically hosting local author book signings, poetry releases, and weekend literary discussions. Contact the bookstore staff by phone at (262) 248-2665. Explore store hours on Broad Street Books Online, connect via their social channels, and read regional features on Visit Lake Geneva.
Lakeside Books (Lake Geneva)
Located inside The Market of Lake Geneva at 830 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Lakeside Books is an independent bookstore featuring a curated collection of new fiction, non-fiction, regional history, and contemporary poetry. Founded and operated by a published author, the shop hosts monthly book clubs, teen creative writing groups, craft events, and author signings. Contact the store by phone at (262) 348-1188 or via email at lakesidebookslg@gmail.com. Search upcoming store events on the Lakeside Books Website, follow updates on the Lakeside Books Facebook Page, and read local business features on Lake Geneva Regional News.
Geneva Lake Arts Foundation & Gallery 223 (Lake Geneva)
Located at 223 Broad St, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, the Geneva Lake Arts Foundation operates Gallery 223, showcasing regional visual artists and hosting interdisciplinary arts programming. The foundation periodically collaborates with local writers for ekphrastic poetry exhibits and gallery reading nights. Contact the gallery at (262) 248-6188 or email info@genevalakeartsfoundation.org. Explore current exhibitions on the Geneva Lake Arts Foundation Website and follow news on the Geneva Lake Arts Foundation Facebook Page.
Barrett Memorial Library (Williams Bay – 6 miles west of Lake Geneva)
Located at 65 W Geneva St, Williams Bay, WI 53191, Barrett Memorial Library serves the western shores of Geneva Lake with book discussion groups, adult creative writing workshops, and seasonal poetry month displays. Phone: (262) 245-2700. Learn more on the Barrett Memorial Library Website.
✍️ Writers Groups & Literary Organizations
Walworth County Writers Circle
A community network connecting poets, novelists, and essayists from Elkhorn, Delavan, Lake Geneva, and East Troy, the Walworth County Writers Circle offers monthly peer review sessions, write-ins, and craft discussions. Writers share manuscripts and exchange advice on submitting verse to regional literary presses. Learn more through the regional directory on the Wisconsin Writers Association Regional Directory, participate in discussions on the Wisconsin Writers Association Facebook Page, and read regional writer features on Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin.
Walworth County Arts Council (Elkhorn & Surrounding Area)
A regional advocacy organization that supports community arts initiatives, public gallery installations, and literary arts collaborations across Walworth County. The council works to connect local poets with visual artists and musicians for community-wide celebrations and workshops. Direct inquiries to council representatives via county arts resources at Walworth County Government Community Services.
🎓 University & College Creative Writing Programs
Aurora University – George Williams College Arts Initiatives (Williams Bay – 6 miles west of Lake Geneva)
Located along Geneva Lake at 350 S Lake Shore Dr, Williams Bay, WI 53191, George Williams College of Aurora University has historically hosted cultural programming, summer humanities lectures, and educational creative workshops. Students and regional writers have engaged with visiting faculty and local arts showcases along the lakefront campus. Explore historical and campus arts updates on the Aurora University Website.
Gateway Technical College – Elkhorn Campus Liberal Arts Coursework (Elkhorn)
Located at 400 County Rd H, Elkhorn, WI 53121, Gateway Technical College’s Elkhorn Campus provides foundational Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degree coursework in Liberal Arts, including creative writing composition, poetry, and literature. Students can participate in campus writing labs and submit work to Gateway’s annual student journal Red Hawk Review. Reach the campus admissions office by phone at 1-800-247-7122 or via email at contact@gtc.edu. Explore the academic catalog on the Gateway Technical College Liberal Arts Page, follow announcements on the Gateway Technical College Facebook Page, and read student success stories on Gateway News.
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Department of Languages and Literatures (Whitewater – 12 miles northwest)
Located at Laurentide Hall, 800 W Main St, Whitewater, WI 53190, UW–Whitewater offers comprehensive undergraduate majors and minors in English with a Creative Writing emphasis. The program features multi-level poetry writing workshops, the Warhawk Reading & Lecture Series, and the student-edited journal The Muse. Contact the department office by phone at (262) 472-1036 or email ll@uww.edu. Discover degree pathways on the UW-Whitewater Creative Writing Page, follow updates on the UW-Whitewater Languages & Literatures Facebook Page, and read campus coverage in the Royal Purple.
📰 Publishers, Literary Magazines & Small Presses
Red Hawk Review (Gateway Technical College – Elkhorn Submissions)
Red Hawk Review is the official student literary and arts journal of Gateway Technical College. Published annually in print and online, the magazine features original poetry, micro-prose, personal essays, and photography from students, faculty, and staff across the Elkhorn, Racine, and Kenosha campuses. Contact student editors through the humanities division at (262) 741-8200. Learn more about submission deadlines and view digital archives on the Gateway Technical College Website, follow college updates on the Gateway Technical College Instagram, and explore student features on Civic Media.
