REGISTRATION FOR THIS WORKSHOP HAS ENDED.

Every third Thursday of the month from 6-8 PM, we’ll explore a different topic of business or career writing at Lake Lit, from writing and editing job-seeking materials like resumes and cover letters, to the publishing, editing, and corporate communications industries. For our inaugural workshop on Thursday, Feb. 20, we will discuss the basics of publishing creative work, covering:

—The various publication options ranging from Big Five publication to self-publishing
—How to seek out and find an agent
—The differences between publishing non-fiction books versus fiction
—When to start submitting work to agents, independent publishers, and literary magazines or journals
—How to start submitting your writing to various publishers
—Best practices for submissions

If you have written a book and are seeking representation or a publisher, or planning to self-publish, this is the workshop for you! Similarly, if you’re writing poems or short stories that you hope to publish, we’ll also have tons of information for you. This is a lecture-style workshop but we will have plenty of time for questions during the event.

Just $20!

In a world where countless voices compete for attention, finding and nurturing your authentic poetic voice has never been more essential. This workshop is designed for poets and writers seeking to create unique and impactful work that stands out in an increasingly crowded literary landscape. Through a blend of theoretical discussions, group interactions, and real life examples, participants will learn how to infuse their writing with authenticity and originality, setting their work apart from the rest whether that work is represented on the page or from the stage.

Objectives:

• To explore the concept of authenticity in poetry and its significance in today's literary world.

• To provide participants with techniques and strategies for developing an original and distinctive poetic voice.

• To address the challenges posed by the proliferation of prospective writers and artificial intelligence in the literary domain.

• To foster a supportive community of poets dedicated to authenticity and originality.

Outcomes:

• Participants will leave the workshop with a deeper understanding of their authentic poetic voice and how to cultivate it.

• They will gain practical techniques for creating original and impactful poetry.

• They will learn the importance of building a supportive network of like-minded writers and poets.

Join James for this informal, yet transformative workshop and embark on a journey to uncover and celebrate your authentic poetic voice. Together, we will learn how to stand out from the crowd and create poetry that is unmistakably, uniquely you.

About your instructor:

James Hamilton is a renowned poet and spoken word performance artist, celebrated for his adventurous spirit and his embodiment of the modern beat poet ethos, reminiscent of literary icons like Kerouac and Ginsburg. A prolific writer, James has been published internationally six times and is an active member of both the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and the P.O.E.T. (People of Extraordinary Talent/Wisconsin Chapter). His impactful presence on the Midwest poetry scene is widely recognized.

A seasoned performer, James is a regular guest on the #TOOM Broadcast from the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe, located on the lower east side of Manhattan, New York City. Here, he shares his dynamic performances as part of a prestigious community of poets. He is also a two-time Certified Poetry Slam Champion in Rockford, IL, having secured the titles in April 2024 and February 2025.

James Hamilton's unwavering dedication to poetry and spoken word performance continues to inspire and captivate audiences, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the contemporary literary landscape.

Love can make characters impulsive, vulnerable, brave, and/or terrified. These emotions are only amplified in the teenage years, as seen in many novels in the hugely popular Young Adult Romance genre of fiction.

Join us for an intimate and curated workshop on how to write believable, well-crafted, and playful YA romance fiction at Lake Literary Center, led by author Sarah Razner. Razner’s debut novel, In Name Only, was released in February 2025, and follows the coming-of-age journey of a teen protagonist from a family synonymous with American political royalty. The crush he develops on a co-worker and their ensuing genuine attraction and chemistry are prime examples of the type of scenes participants will learn how to write in this two-hour workshop on Tuesday, June 24.

Just $20, which includes a curated snack plate, non-alcoholic beverages (water, soda, tea, etc.), and all materials: binder, handouts and worksheets, pen or pencil, and notepad or looseleaf. Bring your laptop or tablet if you wish to take notes electronically, but a computer is not required to take this course. Register here to invest in your writing skills, whether you’re writing a YA Romance novel or short story, or in a different genre entirely. These writing workshop skills are translatable cross-genre. Limited to 6 participants!