Upcoming Events & Workshops
No Book? No Problem
You Can Still Be a Published Author!
Friday, May 9 2025
6:30 pm
Foxes & Fireflies Bookshop
1401 Tower Ave, Superior, WI
When writers think of publishing, they often picture a physical book, but there are many different ways to share shorter pieces, expand readership, and join the ranks of the “published.”
Participants will learn about various ways to see their words in “print” (virtually or on actual paper) and get an overview of the steps they can take right now to find readers who will enjoy their work.
OUR PRESENTERS
VICTORIA LYNN SMITH writes fiction and nonfiction. She is a Hal Prize fiction winner. Her work has appeared in Brevity Blog, 8142 Review, Persimmon Tree, 45th Parallel, Rathalla Literary Review, Bullshit Lit, and Mason Street Review, among others. Her first collection of short stories will be published in February 2027 by Cornerstone Press at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She lives at the western tip of Lake Superior, a source of inspiration and happiness. You can read her blog, “Writing Near the Lake” here.
KIM SUHR is the author of the story collections Nothing to Lose and Close Call, both published by Cornerstone Press at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Her work has appeared in various journals and has won awards, most recently the Jade Ring from the Wisconsin Writers Association. Kim is also Director of Red Oak Writing where she leads critique groups, provides individual manuscript editing, and teaches a prompt-writing class called Time to Write! She lives and writes in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Past Events
Presenter: Your Writing Life Conference
Nov 8 & 9 2024
Write On, Door County!
4210 Juddville Road, Fish Creek, WI
Join us at the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor for the 2024 Writing On The Door conference: Your Writing Life. How can you make writing a regular part of your life? If you are working full-time, raising kids, taking care of elderly parents, how can you find time to write? If you have been writing for a while, how do you find the support, encouragement, and inspiration to keep going?
Our celebrated faculty will help you answer these and other questions. Whether you are brand-new to writing or have been writing for years, Your Writing Life has plenty to offer you.
Presenter: “My Turn: Writing for Self Expression and Fun”
Nov 24 2024, 1-2:30 pm
Shorewood Public Library
3920 N Murray Ave, Shorewood, WI
Explore your creativity and discover the many ways putting your words on the page can enrich your life. Kim has worked with hundreds of aspiring writers (recreational and ambitious) to help them find their voice and experience the joy of writing. Just for you—no writing will be shared with the group. Bring a laptop or notebook and your favorite writing implement and see what bubbles up. Free!
CLOSE CALL will be available for purchase & Kim will sign books.
Presenter: “Time to Write!”
Nov 16 2024, 11 am -noon
Hedberg Public Library
2500 Milton Ave, Janesville, WI
Join us as we celebrate NaNoWriMo. This workshop includes prompts and writing in community to help you tap into your creativity and unlock the ideas that bubble just below the surface. For novice and veteran writers—and everyone in between—Time to Write! will bring you (back?) to the page and rekindle your delight in the writing process.
CLOSE CALL will be available for purchase & Kim will sign books.
Author Meet & Greet
Dec 7 2024, 1-2:30 pm
Blue House Books
5915 6th Ave A, Kenosha, WI
Stop by my table to talk books and nibble on a cookie!
CLOSE CALL will be available for purchase & Kim will sign books.
Private Book Group
Jan 15 2025
If you would like to invite me to visit with your book club, either virtually or in person, please drop me a note through the contact page.
“How to Break Out of the Slushpile” with Michael Braun, Luella Schmidt, & Ross Tangedal, moderated by Kim Suhr
October 26th 2024 3pm
WWA Conference, Stoney Creek Hotel
3060 S Kinney Coulee Rd, Onalaska, WI
Join two Wisconsin publishers, Michael Braun of Orange Hat/Ten16 Press and Ross Tangedal of Cornerstone Press, to learn how to make your manuscript stand out from the crowd. Registration for conference required.
Close Call & Signs of the Imminent Apocalypse: Author Event with Heidi Bell
October 24th 2024 6pm
Lake City Books
107 N Hamilton, Madison, WI
Kim and Heidi will discuss their latest story collections and their work with other writers through their day jobs as editor/writing coaches.
Cornerstone Press Book Launch
October 17th 2024 6pm
Dreyfus University Center, 1015 Reserve St.
University of Wisconsin
Stevens Point, WI
With debut Cornerstone authors: Michael Darcher, Heidi Bell, and Gary Schanbacher. Hybrid event.
Reading Wisconsin Book Group
October 15th 2024 6pm
Books & Co.
1039 Summit Ave Oconomowoc, WI
Discussing Bone Broth by Lyndsey Ellis, published by Wisconsin press, Hidden Timber Books. No registration or previous participation with the group necessary.
Close Call: Author Meet & Greet
October 12th 2024 10am – 1pm
Literatus & Co.
401 E. Main St, Watertown, WI
Close Call: Reading & Conversation with author, Jim Landwehr
October 9th 2024 6:30pm
Boswell Book Co.
2559 N Downer Ave, Milwaukee, WI
Class: “My Turn: Writing for Self-Expression and Fun”
October 2nd 2024, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Books & Co.
1039 Summit Ave Oconomowoc, WI
Explore your creativity and discover the many ways putting your words on the page can enrich your life. Kim has worked with hundreds of aspiring writers (recreational and ambitious) to help them find their voice and experience the joy of writing. Just for you—no writing will be shared with the group. Bring a laptop or notebook and your favorite writing implement and see what bubbles up.
Free with the purchase of CLOSE CALL.
Close Call: Reading & Conversation with author, Andrea Lochen
October 2nd 2024, 7 pm
Books & Co.
1039 Summit Ave Oconomowoc, WI
Free. No purchase necessary.
Close Call: Book Signing
October 8th 2024
Heartland Fall Forum
Hilton City Center, 509 W Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee, WI
Midwest Bookseller & Publisher Conference, Registration Required
Author Meet & Greet
Saturday 5.25.24 11am – 2pm, Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave A, Kenosha
Check out this friendly independent bookstore that is proving to be a best friend to authors and readers alike! Pick up a copy of Nothing to Lose or just talk writing and books with me.
Appreciating and Writing the Short Story
Begins 9.11.23 Mondays 6-8 pm • Wisconsin Academy Virtual Course
The short story is its own artform with its own nuance and emphasis. Edgar Allan Poe spoke of the form as providing “a single and unique effect” and believed that every word must be in service to that effect—more in line with poetry, maybe, than other types of prose writing. Join Kim Suhr, author & Director of Red Oak Writing, in this workshop to discuss selected example stories, practice writing techniques & exercises, and optionally receive feedback on excerpts from works in progress.
Gunshots in Grudgeville
Book Release Event
10.30.23 • Virtual Event
Kim joins author Laurel Landis to discuss and celebrate the launch of her debut collection Gunshots in Grudgeville and Other Stories
Christy Prahl & Margaret Rozga
in conversation w/ Kim Suhr
10.24.23 • Books & Company
Kim interviews poets Christy Prahl, author of the new collection “We Are Reckless,” and Margaret Rozga, author of “Holding Myselves Together”
2023 WWA Fall Conference
Bookstore Confidential
10.6.23 4:30 pm • Downtown Waukesha
Bookstore Confidential: The Skinny on the Author Bookseller Relationship with Kim Suhr of Red Oak Writing and Sam Jacquest of Blue House Books Fri. Oct 6 3-4:30 pm
An Evening with WI Writers
9.14.23 5:30 pm • Lion’s Tooth 2421 S. Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI
Join us for an evening of readings from four Wisconsin writers, Donna Rewolinski, Joy Ann Ribar, Kim Suhr, and Mary Wimmer
Wisconsin Book Festival
10.28.21 7 pm • DUC Alumni Room UWSP Campus
Kim will read from her 2nd place story, “Everything Burns,” along with other Fiction and Poetry Contest Winners as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival
AAUW Author Tea Scholarship Fundraiser
10.16.21 10:30 am • New Berlin Public Library
Join members of AAUW WSM for a tea/luncheon with author, Kim Suhr.
Central Wisconsin Book Festival
9.25.21 1 pm • PCPL-Stevens Point 1001 Main St. Pinery Room
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes Kim Suhr, Director of Red Oak Writing and author of Nothing to Lose (Cornerstone Press, 2018).
UW-Madison Creative Writing Workshop
4.4.20 1 pm • 29 S. Mills St., Madison
Creative writing can be a fulfilling creative activity and it’s never too late to give it a try. Whether you are looking to begin writing or are an experienced writer looking to jump-start your work, this class provides a safe, inspiring, and supportive space to help you develop a daily writing practice and generate new creative work through weekly writing exercises, readings, and discussions of a wide range of published work. Whether you want to write for publication or for the pure enjoyment of it, this is the place to start. All levels and genres welcome.
Book of You: Memoir Workshop
3.8.20 12 pm • Jewish Museum, Milwaukee
Explore what makes a good story for a memoir project, play with different forms, craft a draft, and have fun. The atmosphere will be supportive (no red pens!) and gently guide participants through a process that will spark creativity and resuscitate the storyteller that lives inside all of us. Space is limited.
Red Oak Writing Self-Publishing Workshop
2.15.20 9:30 am • 11709 W. Cleveland Ave, West Allis
You can publish your book! In the past, self-publishing meant large upfront costs, printing headaches, and
driving around with a trunk full of books trying to make sales to break even. Today, it is not only possible but fairly easy for you to create a professional-looking book and have it available for sale on the Internet with minimal financial investment. Gain an introduction to the basics of print-on-demand publishing.
Lakefly Writers Conference
Get ‘Em at Hello
5.8.20 • Oshkosh, WI
All writers know the importance of the first sentence, paragraph, and page of their manuscript, but how can you tell when the first page is doing its job? In this breakout, we’ll begin with a brief overview of the “absolutely must haves” for The First Page followed by group feedback for as many opening paragraphs/pages as time will allow. Participants are encouraged to bring the first page of their manuscript (250 words maximum).
Writers on Writing Series
11.11.19 6:30 pm • 2900 N Menomonee River Parkway, Milwaukee
Writers on Writers is an event hosted by the English department at Mount Mary University that brings authors to campus to talk about their successful work, challenges they overcame, and the craft they love.
Southeast WI Festival of Books
Educators and Storytellers: Mosaics of Fiction
11.2.19 11:30 pm • 1500 N University Ave, Waukesha
Panel Discussion with Jesse Lee Kercheval & Book Signing, 11:30 am
2019 WWA Fall Conference
Robust Revision
10.5.19 2 pm • Middleton, WI
Panel Discussion with Jesse Lee Kercheval & Book Signing, 11:30 am
FallX19
The Power of Story
10.4.19 9 am • Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, WI
Door County Writer-in-Residency
Pizazz! Sparking Ideas for Creative Writers
9.10.19 6 pm • Margaret Lockwood Gallery, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature Symposium
5.16.19 • Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Young Writers’ Conference
Keynote Speaker
5.9.19 • Madison Public Library, Madison, WI
Untitled Town Book & Author Festival
Breakout Sessions
4.27.19 • Brown County Library, Green Bay, WI
- Writing for Elementary Grade Writers: 10 am
- No Book? No Problem: You Can Still Be a Published Author: 12 pm
- Drop In Writing for Teens: 2 pm
Pewaukee Area Arts Council
4.27.19 5:30 pm • Pewaukee Library, Pewaukee, WI
St. Croix Writers
Cabin Fever Rendevous
4.27.19 5:30 pm • Solon Springs, WI
Author Reading & Book Signing
The Bookstore at Fitger’s
3.15.19 • Duluth, MN
Author Reading & Book Signing
A Room of One’s Own
3.15.19 • Madison, WI
Author Reading & Book Signing
Books & Company
12.12.18 • Oconomowoc, WI
Author Reading & Book Signing
Boswell Book Company
12.11.18 7pm • Milwaukee, WI
Author Reading & Book Signing
Cornerstone Press
12.6.18 • Stevens Point, WI
Christy Prahl & Margaret Rozga
in conversation w/ Kim Suhr
10.24.23 • Books & Company
Kim interviews poets Christy Prahl, author of the new collection “We Are Reckless,” and Margaret Rozga, author of “Holding Myselves Together”
2023 WWA Fall Conference
Bookstore Confidential
10.6.23 4:30 pm • Downtown Waukesha
Bookstore Confidential: The Skinny on the Author Bookseller Relationship with Kim Suhr of Red Oak Writing and Sam Jacquest of Blue House Books Fri. Oct 6 3-4:30 pm
An Evening with WI Writers
9.14.23 5:30 pm • Lion’s Tooth 2421 S. Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee, WI
Join us for an evening of readings from four Wisconsin writers, Donna Rewolinski, Joy Ann Ribar, Kim Suhr, and Mary Wimmer
Wisconsin Book Festival
10.28.21 7 pm • DUC Alumni Room UWSP Campus
Kim will read from her 2nd place story, “Everything Burns,” along with other Fiction and Poetry Contest Winners as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival
AAUW Author Tea Scholarship Fundraiser
10.16.21 10:30 am • New Berlin Public Library
Join members of AAUW WSM for a tea/luncheon with author, Kim Suhr.
Central Wisconsin Book Festival
9.25.21 1 pm • PCPL-Stevens Point 1001 Main St. Pinery Room
The Central Wisconsin Book Festival welcomes Kim Suhr, Director of Red Oak Writing and author of Nothing to Lose (Cornerstone Press, 2018).
UW-Madison Creative Writing Workshop
4.4.20 1 pm • 29 S. Mills St., Madison
Creative writing can be a fulfilling creative activity and it’s never too late to give it a try. Whether you are looking to begin writing or are an experienced writer looking to jump-start your work, this class provides a safe, inspiring, and supportive space to help you develop a daily writing practice and generate new creative work through weekly writing exercises, readings, and discussions of a wide range of published work. Whether you want to write for publication or for the pure enjoyment of it, this is the place to start. All levels and genres welcome.
Book of You: Memoir Workshop
3.8.20 12 pm • Jewish Museum, Milwaukee
Explore what makes a good story for a memoir project, play with different forms, craft a draft, and have fun. The atmosphere will be supportive (no red pens!) and gently guide participants through a process that will spark creativity and resuscitate the storyteller that lives inside all of us. Space is limited.
Red Oak Writing Self-Publishing Workshop
2.15.20 9:30 am • 11709 W. Cleveland Ave, West Allis
You can publish your book! In the past, self-publishing meant large upfront costs, printing headaches, and
driving around with a trunk full of books trying to make sales to break even. Today, it is not only possible but fairly easy for you to create a professional-looking book and have it available for sale on the Internet with minimal financial investment. Gain an introduction to the basics of print-on-demand publishing.
Lakefly Writers Conference
Get ‘Em at Hello
5.8.20 • Oshkosh, WI
All writers know the importance of the first sentence, paragraph, and page of their manuscript, but how can you tell when the first page is doing its job? In this breakout, we’ll begin with a brief overview of the “absolutely must haves” for The First Page followed by group feedback for as many opening paragraphs/pages as time will allow. Participants are encouraged to bring the first page of their manuscript (250 words maximum).
Writers on Writing Series
11.11.19 6:30 pm • 2900 N Menomonee River Parkway, Milwaukee
Writers on Writers is an event hosted by the English department at Mount Mary University that brings authors to campus to talk about their successful work, challenges they overcame, and the craft they love.
Southeast WI Festival of Books
Educators and Storytellers: Mosaics of Fiction
11.2.19 11:30 pm • 1500 N University Ave, Waukesha
Panel Discussion with Jesse Lee Kercheval & Book Signing, 11:30 am
2019 WWA Fall Conference
Robust Revision
10.5.19 2 pm • Middleton, WI
Panel Discussion with Jesse Lee Kercheval & Book Signing, 11:30 am
FallX19
The Power of Story
10.4.19 9 am • Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee, WI
Door County Writer-in-Residency
Pizazz! Sparking Ideas for Creative Writers
9.10.19 6 pm • Margaret Lockwood Gallery, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature Symposium
5.16.19 • Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Young Writers’ Conference
Keynote Speaker
5.9.19 • Madison Public Library, Madison, WI
Untitled Town Book & Author Festival
Breakout Sessions
4.27.19 • Brown County Library, Green Bay, WI
- Writing for Elementary Grade Writers: 10 am
- No Book? No Problem: You Can Still Be a Published Author: 12 pm
- Drop In Writing for Teens: 2 pm
Pewaukee Area Arts Council
4.27.19 5:30 pm • Pewaukee Library, Pewaukee, WI
St. Croix Writers
Cabin Fever Rendevous
4.27.19 5:30 pm • Solon Springs, WI
Author Reading & Book Signing
The Bookstore at Fitger’s
3.15.19 • Duluth, MN
Author Reading & Book Signing
A Room of One’s Own
3.15.19 • Madison, WI
Author Reading & Book Signing
Books & Company
12.12.18 • Oconomowoc, WI
Author Reading & Book Signing
Boswell Book Company
12.11.18 7pm • Milwaukee, WI