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Welcome
to the 2nd Annual Writers Festival!

Below you will find all of the information on the day's events

Music
Food and Beverages
Live Readings
Workshops
And More!

If you wish to apply to vend as an author or crafter at the
October 10th 2026 Event

Handwriting On Notebook

Featured Authors:

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Nickolas Butler
Award winning writer and author of:
A Forty Year Kiss, Godspeed, Little Faith, The Hearts of Men, Beneath the Bonfire, and Shotgun Lovesongs.

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Pat Hall
Local author of beloved childrens' books such as Ida May’s Borrowed Trouble, Beasties, Gloppy, and many more.

Meadoe Hora
Author of the
Furious Legacy Series:

(Curse of the Furies, Dungeon of Hades, Fury of the Sun Gods,)
and the Ariadne’s Crown series:
(Ariadne's Crown, Daughter of Ares)

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Joshua Alan Doetsch
Author of Dearly Bleak and Strangness in the Proportion. Joshua also  boasts a number of award winning video game writing credits in his dark portfolio.

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Kurt Griesemer
An honored educator and author
of the feature article, titled
“Dungeon Crawling in Lake
Geneva: Fifty Years of
Dungeons & Dragons,”
in the 2024 Fall issue of the Wisconsin Magazine of History

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Join Griesemer as he takes you through understanding Tabletop RPGs and How you can create your own with an educational flare.

Holly Wilson
Local author and
Educator at
UW-Whitewater.
Holly is an accomplished author that loves to share her passion for creative writing.

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M. Turville Heitz
Author of Black River, The Dark Web Series (Specters from a Dream, Dread Warrior, and The Rising of Kedtair,) and Ryslad which releases this October!

Lawrence Iles
Photographer, Teacher,
Traveler, Speaker, and
Author of, Impermanence.
A vivid and deeply moving
memoir about walking Japan’s
legendary Shikoku Eighty-Eight-Temple Pilgrimage. What begins as one man’s 879-mile trek soon becomes a profound spiritual journey through loss, memory, and renewal.

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Rick Parks, Author of
Sons of Other Fathers
Join Rick as he takes you through what writing a memoir from start to published was like for him, and what you may expect on your own journey to publication.

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Shopping Bags Outdoors

At The Market

Located at:

Parking Lot #7 on Milwaukee Ave,

Fort Atkinson WI (Directly across from the Post Office.)

8am - Noon
Shopping For Inspiration


Join us at the market as our regular vendors are joined by local authors, book themed crafts, and custom journal and stationary crafters as well. Pick up a unique fall read, find your new favorite pen, or just take in the atmosphere. Entry is always FREE, and the fun always abounds.
Don't forget to stop by the Welcome Booth to sign up for the 50/50 raffle, ask questions, or just say hi!

*(Please note that many vendors do not take credit cards and we do not have an ATM on site.)


9am
A Walk on the Writer Side


The Hoard Dairy Museum will be leading this free community literary walk around the historic district of Fort Atkinson. Learn about the writers who have tread the same paths, and pause for observational writing exercises along the journey.


Meeting location: In Front of the Welcome Booth at the Farmers Market. Look for a yellow tent will blue tables. We'll be happy to help you!


9-11am
Live Music by

Kettle Morrain Blues


Take in the classic sounds of one of the areas most celebrated bands. Find inspiration as you take a step back in time amidst the miriad of instruments and wide range of music selections from eras long gone.

Group Eating Pizza

Noon,
Lunch Break and Beyond

At Various Participating Restaurants and Cafes Along Main St.

As the market portion of the day tears down, treat yourself to one of the fabulous coffee shops, grills, or eateries along Main St. as our authors and prepare for their workshops and presentations.

More Details on Specials will be announced soon.

The Paddy Shack
will feature a "Hemmingway" Special

The Langhoff
will feature a Butterbeer Latte Special
All Day Special

Good To Go
TBD ... Is still deciding. But it's going to be good! It's in the name after all!
All Day Special

Teacher

Workshops, Readings, and Presentations:

1pm

Author Talk with

Nicolas Butler
Live Reading and Q&A
Seating limited to 50
Minimum Age: Semi-
Mature Content,

(High School and Over.) 

Preregistration Recommended

​

(A short window of Book Sales and Signings will follow at Tattoed Tree Books.)

Award winning author, Nicolas Butler will be reading select excerpts and speaking with the audience about just about anything the audience would like to know about his books, the publishing process, and general life as an author.

Story Time with Pat Hall


Live Reading of Children's Books
The Langhoff (back area).

Seating for 16, standing room beyond that.

Apropriate for all ages.

Join Author Pat Hall as she reads from a selection of her heartwarming children's books.

Fantasy World Building with Author Meg Turville Heitz

Workshop

Tattoed Tree Books

Workshop

Space for 16

Preregistration

Join Author M Turville Heitz as she takes you through the magical process of literary world building.

2pm

Reading of Impermanence: One Man’s 879-Mile Journey on Japan’s Shikoku Eighty-Eight-Temple Pilgrimage
with Author Lawrence Iles


Live Reading
Proof Speakeasy
Seating limited to 50
High School Age and Up
Preregistration Recommended

​

Join Lawrence Iles as he shares how a journey around a Japanese island led to an introspective memoir that addresses life and death, grief, transformation, and more.

Ignite Your Creative Spark Part 1

with Author Nancy Shea

 

Workshop

The Langhoff
Space for 16
Preregistration

Nancy Shea will lead a 2 part session on how to find that elusive muse. Part one will focus on 

My Publishing Journey​

with Author Rick Parks
 

Presentation

Tattooed Tree Books
Seating limit 16

Learn what the author experience is like and what to possibly expect as you progress through your own writing dicipline. Rick Parks take you through his experiences from first sentence to on the shelf with a price tag.

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5 Ways to Elevate Your  Writing

with Aimee Leonard
 

Workshop

The Thing

Seating limit 20

​

This workshop, led by former teacher and award winning writer Aimee Leonard, takes you through the elements of pacing, dialogue, imagery, stakes, and tone through fun and accessible exercises that can help elevate any writer's skill level.

3pm

Live Reading and Author Talk

Meg Turville Heitz

 

Live Reading

Proof Speakeasy

Seating limited to 50

Mature Audiences only

Preregistration Recommended​​

​

Join author Meg Turville Heitz as she reads from her works, taking you through wonderous worlds of fantasy and romance.​

Ignite Your Creative Spark Part 2

with Author Nancy Shea

 

Workshop

The Langhoff
Space for 16
Preregistration

After a short break Part 2 of the workshop will continue for those who wish to put everything the things learned in part 1 into practice.

Happy Hour Haiku
With local Bookstore owner Dena Tullis

 

Workshop
Tattoed Tree Books
Seating limit 16

Come try your hand at some Haiku Poetry as the owner Dena Tullis helps guide you through the process.

Understanding the Hero's Journey

Author and Professor, Holly Wilson

Presentation

The Thing
Seating limit 20

​

Once you learn about all of the elements of storytelling you'll understand what makes any narrative an instant classic! From books to movies, you'll never look at your favorite stories the same again.

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4pm

Author Talk with

Joshua Alan Doetsch

 

Live Reading and Q&A​​

Proof Speakeasy
Seating limited to 50

High School Age and Up
Preregistration Recommended

​

Author of the macbre, Joshua Alan Doetsch as he delves into works of horror, grit, and ...cuteness?  Josh will read excerpts from some of his works, and answer questions about everything from characters he's created from the ink of his fountain pen, to his life as a novelist and video game writer.​

Plotting for Pantsters

Meadow Hora

​

Workshop

The Langhoff
Space for 16
Preregistratio

​​

Do you write by the seat of your pants? Even if outlining stresses you out, you can build a strong narrative foundation without rigid planning.  We'll let your characters lead the way and lay down the bones of your story, so you can "pants" your way to a satisfying and structured novel.  Author Meadoe Hora will help you learn how to unlock your story's potential and streamline your writing and editing process, even if you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants.​

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TBA


Tattoed Tree Books
Seating limit 16

Wisconsin Adventures, Roll For Initiative

Kurt Griesemer

Presentation

(Historian, Writer, Educator)

Please Note that this session may run longer than the typical 1hr time slot.
Preregister​

 

Sometimes the things that connect us to the past and each other comes in the least expected forms. Join Kurt Griesemer as he takes you through how history and gaming can both help your creativity thrive. If you are a teacher or mentor of you won't want to miss this talk on how good story telling can take interests to a new level!

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The Thing

Seating Limit 20

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Meet Our Sponsors

Paddy's Pub Meat and Potatoes.jpg
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Nolan Law Meat and Potatoes Linked Image.jpg
Fort Johnson Farms Meat and Potatoes Linked Image.jpg

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