Wisconsin Writers Awards Celebration

Celebrate the diversity and talent of the state's literary community at the 2025 Wisconsin Writers Awards Reading & Celebration. The evening will feature readings by first-place winners for books (Marcia Bjornerud, Robert Fromberg and Nicholas Gulig) and short works (Susanna Daniel, A.M. Goodhard and Isthmus contributor Rebecca Jamieson, all Madisonians). The event is free and open to the public, with a reception and book signing following the readings.

media release: Please join us in celebrating the winners of the 2024 Wisconsin Writers Awards! First place and honorable mention winners receive cash prizes and 5-day writing residencies at Shake Rag Alley and Ernest Hüpeden's Painted Forest.

Join us Sunday, May 18, at 6:00pm where first-place winners will read selections from their winning works. Books will be available from Lake City Books.

Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award: Robert Fromberg, Gee, That Was Fun: 7 Days of Mayhem, 1983. Honorable Mention: Charity Eleson, Wayward Home.

Blei/Derleth Nonfiction Book Award: Marcia Bjornerud, Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks. Honorable Mention: Zara Chowdhary, The Lucky Ones.

Edna Meudt Poetry Book Award: Nicholas Gulig, The Other Altar. Honorable Mention: Ae Hee Lee, Asterism.

Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award: A.M. Goodhard, "St. Lucy as Virgin Queen Ant." Honorable Mention: Tyler Wagner, "Endless Savings."

Zona Gale Award for Short Fiction: Susanna Daniel, "The Goddess of Illicit Choices." Honorable Mention: Bob Wake, "Mending Ruth."

Kay W. Levin Award for Short Nonfiction: Rebecca Jamieson, "Sewing White Surpremacy." Honorable Mention: Angela Woodward, "My Bestseller."