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2015 Writers’ Institute offers the chance to improve and publish your work

Attendees of the institute practice giving pitches
John Dufresne
John Dufresne

New, emerging and established writers in all genres can take their careers to the next level at the 2015 University of Wisconsin-Madison Writers’ Institute, the Midwest’s premier writers’ conference. Now in its 26th year, the Writers’ Institute offers practical tips for improving and selling your work, as well as a unique opportunity to make pitches to literary agents and publishers.
The 2015 Writers’ Institute takes place Friday-Sunday, March 27-29, at the Madison Concourse Hotel, 1 W. Dayton St., in Madison, Wis. It features lectures, workshops, book signings, practice pitch sessions and social events in a welcoming environment where writers get to know one another. Participants can network with successful authors and agents, along with learning how to succeed in the publishing industry themselves.
This year’s accomplished instructors include John Dufresne, whose novels Louisiana Power & Light and Love Warps the Mind a Little were New York Times Notable Books of the Year; Marilyn L. Taylor, former poet laureate of Wisconsin; and agents from Fuse Literary, Red Sofa Literary and the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, among others. Teenage phenomenon Amy Zhang will explain how she sold her debut young adult novel, Falling Into Place, to HarperCollins, while steampunk trailblazer Lord Bobbins will discuss the latest developments in science fiction and fantasy.
Prices for the 2015 Writers’ Institute vary depending upon the number of days attending and optional events, but participants can save $50 by registering by February 27. A bring-a-friend discount is available throughout December; prior attendees can save an additional $35.
“We provide writers with up-to-date information about their craft, the publishing industry and current trends in writing,” says Writers’ Institute director Laurie Scheer. “It’s also a great place to network with fellow writers and nationally known agents and instructors.”
For more information about the UW-Madison Writers’ Institute, contact Laurie Scheer, 608-265-3972, lscheer@dcs.wisc.edu.