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Visit the Writing Program Facebook pageSuccess story
Fiction writer Ari Lukas took 3rd Place in the Writer's Weekly 24-Hour Short Story Contest for her story "One Potato Two Potato." She won $200 and publication on WritersWeekly.com. Congratulations, Ari!
Ari recently completed How to Write Compelling Fiction, a Continuing Studies writing workshop taught by Angela Rydell.
Writing Programs
Discover or develop the writer inside you. Our writing faculty and staff are proud of our reputation as the best resource for writers in the Midwest. We make learning how to write convenient with many options including: noncredit workshops (online and on-campus), independent learning, conferences, critique services, and expert advice anytime.
Writing programs include
Upcoming face-to-face writing programs
Evening and weekend classes and conferences in creative writing, fiction writing, freelance career writing, and more.
Online writing classes
Prefer to do your learning on your own time, at your own pace. Choose from more than 20 online writing classes. You can start anytime, and take as long as you like. Instructor-led, very effective.
Critique services
We help all types of writers hone their skills and overcome roadblocks on the way to publication, successful freelance writing or writing for pure enjoyment. We critique fiction and nonfiction, including nonfiction book proposals.
The Writers’ Institute
This 2-day annual conference for writers covers a variety of topics, from the basics to the business. Novels, TV and motion picture scripts, nonfiction books, freelance writing, book sales, a writing contest and lots of take-home materials are featured.
Write-by-the-Lake Retreat
For one week this summer immerse yourself in your own creative development, with the help of our professionals and workshops. Held at the beautiful Pyle Center on Lake Mendota, University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Graduate credits available.
School of the Arts at Rhinelander
Held every summer in Rhinelander, Wisconsin with an extensive creative writing program. The writing curriculum includes novel writing, poetry, playwriting and more.
Independent learning
Enjoy the flexibility and convenience of studying at home. Distance education courses in creative writing provide an opportunity to learn at your own pace. Receive detailed professional feedback and your instructor's undivided attention through assignments and critiques.
Subscribe
The Writing News is a free, emailed newsletter designed to give you news from our writing staff. It gives you first news of upcoming events and is usually issued 4 times a year. We also tell you about the successes of our participants -- writers like you -- as we hear about them. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: join-writing-news@lists.wisc.edu.
New
Grammar online course Have more confidence in your writing and your ability to communicate. Learn how to edit your own work and the work of others.Take up to a year to complete this new online course.