The 2007 Viroqua Writers Workshop
...A Wisconsin Weekend Like None Other
EARLY BIRD SIGN-UP SPECIAL FOR WRITERS WORKSHOP
The Viroqua Writers Workshop is offering those interested in attending a unique opportunity with an “early bird” sign-up special. The final sign-up deadline for those who wish to attend the event is Sept. 6. The cost is $200. However, attendees who sign-up prior to Aug. 1 will receive a half-off special price of $100.
The event's organizer, Patrick Strickler, said corporate sponsorships and an effort to make the event affordable to writing hobbyists led organizers to develop the early-bird special. Also, should someone only wish to attend Friday night's cookout at the West Fork Sports Club they need to pay $25 for a ticket.
Checks for the event can be made payable to the Viroqua Partners and mailed to: Viroqua Partners, 220 S. Main St., Viroqua, WI, 54665.
For more information contact Patrick Strickler Workshop Coordinator • 608/634-4814 • bluh2o@hotmail.com
Printable Writers Workshop PDF Program and Registration Form • June 21 News Release
Writer's Workshop Story from the Vernon County Broadcaster, (June 20, 2007)
Reprinted with permission
Logan, Perry add literary muscle to Viroqua Writers Workshop
by Matt Johnson
The essence of rural Wisconsin's past and present will bare its soul at the Viroqua Writers Workshop to be held in Viroqua, Wis., this September.
Organizers have locked up two of the state's literary giants, Ben Logan and Michael Perry, to read to workshop attendees and discuss their work. Logan is the author of the autobiographical classic, “The Land Remembers;” and Perry is the author of the nouveau bestseller, “Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time.” Having such celebrated authors as part of the workshop has garnered the event instant professional credibility.
“To put these two writers together in one place should create quite an attraction to the literary community,” Patrick Strickler, himself a Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist and organizer of the workshop, said. “Logan is the elder statesman of literature in Wisconsin. Perry is a noted member of a group of young, new authors. Having them share their work and experiences with those at the workshop is something we're very excited about.”
The Viroqua Writer's Workshop is a three-day event, starting on Thursday, Sept. 27, and ending Saturday, Sept. 29. Strickler said the workshop will help writers better understand the unique qualities of the Wisconsin's Driftless Region and also the diverse communities of people interacting along the Kickapoo River Watershed.
The program includes a visit to Vernon Vineyards Winery for an informal reception and dinner, Thursday night. The featured speaker Thursday night will be Matt Johnson, managing editor of the Vernon County Broadcaster, who will offer a journalists perspective on Viroqua.
On Friday there will be in-depth briefings on Vernon County's organic movement, cultural diversity, educational alternatives, silent sports and the emergence of grape growing. During a catered lunch, Friday, Executive Director of the Viroqua Partners, Ingrid Mahan, will give an update on the “Viroqua Story.” On Friday afternoon, Logan and Perry will participate in roundtable conversations with writers. Writers Sharyn Alden and photographer Bob Rashid will also discuss freelancing. On Friday evening, a cookout will be held at the West Fork Sports Club. The event will serve as a community reception for the workshop's participants. After the cookout, there will be readings by Logan and Perry and conversations with them.
On Saturday, there will be a workshop wrap-up for the event and more discussion.
A goal of the conference, Strickler said, has been to get approximately 20 writers from the Midwest to attend. They might attend to meet Logan and Perry, or to learn more about the Viroqua area. However, so far, Strickler said he has heard from 15 professional writers interested in attending. Of course, a writer need not be published to attend, only interested in the craft or in the authors who are featured.
“The full schedule has something for everyone,” Strickler said. “We have the serious and the substantive. We have something for those who are interested in writing as a craft. It will be an event from which those attending will be able to learn something.”
Helping make the event possible are a number of community sponsors including: Accounting and Tax Service of Viroqua, Citizens First Bank, Nelson Agri-Center, State Bank of Viroqua, Bethel Home and Services, Edward Jones, Organic Valley, the Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Dave Wolenec, the Vernon Economic Development Association, the Viroqua Partners Economic Restruc-turing Committee and the Viroqua Partners Tourism Committee.
