The Writer - 11.2019

40 | The Writer • November 2019

CONFERENCE INSIDER

BY MELISSA HART

R

etired Milwaukee firefighter
Gregory Lee Renz attended
the UW-Madison Writers’
Institute with an idea for a
novel based on his work experience,
taking first place in both fiction and
nonfiction in the Institute’s 2015 writ-
ing contest. And then, after years of
writing and revision, he sold his debut
novel, Beneath the Flames (Henschel-
HAUS, 2019).
Renz represents one of many pub-
lishing success stories that have
emerged from the Institute, now in its
30 th year. The four-day event in Madi-
son, Wisconsin, attracts people from
all over the U.S. with workshops and

discussions on craft, revision, market-

ing and publication, and promotion.

“We have aspiring, emerging, and

established writers,” says event director

Laurie Scheer. “Even if you haven’t

written a page yet – even if you just have

an idea – you’re most welcome. There

are so many opportunities to meet other

writers, speakers, and agents or to sim-

ply attend and absorb information.”

What you’ll learn

Featured presenters at the institute

include industry professionals such as

author/blogger Jane Friedman and

author/book coach Jennie Nash,

author/diversity educator Donna Hart-

Tervalon, and author/former New York

City police officer Nick Chiarkas.

Multi-genre author Jessica Lourey will

deliver the keynote address on Friday.

The Institute offers two tracks for

UW-Madison Writers’ Institute

Attendees can find craft advice, camaraderie, and commercial

success at this welcoming four-day event.

Conference:UW-Madison

Writers’ Institute

Dates: March 26-29, 2020

Cost: $265-$345

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Contact: Event Director Laurie

Scheer, [email protected],

uwwritersinstitute.wisc.edu

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