The 6th Annual Madison Writers’ Studio
Fourth Lake Writing Weekend
June 26-28, 2026
Craftwork, creative restoration, & community
We believe that inspiration and energy come from feeding ourselves creatively.
During our 6th annual Writing Weekend, you’ll generate new work, deepen your creative goals, hone your craft skills, and connect with a community of writers.
Whether you’re between projects, just starting, or well into a draft, FLWW will offer support, sacred time, stimulation, and shared wisdom.
This year, in addition to workshops with our three inspiring instructors, plus we’re adding a One-on-One Manuscript Review option for an additional fee.
June 26-28, 2026
Cost: $595
The Alchemy of Narrative
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Rebecca Jamieson
THE ALCHEMY OF REVISION
Like alchemy, revision can turn our leaden rough drafts into the gold of polished pieces. Yet, like alchemy, revision requires us to suspend disbelief, take different perspectives, and trust the process.
In this class, you’ll gain strategies for revision, learn to see your draft with new eyes, and maybe get a sprinkle of magic in the process.
Bring a draft of a short work in progress (or a few pages from a longer project).
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Deshawn McKinney
THE ALCHEMY OF CHARACTER
What are you trying to overcome?
In this workshop, we will delve into the crucial role that vice plays in establishing characters that readers want to share a journey with.
Using texts from a variety of genres, we will explore the science behind the art of making a character stick. Come away with a deeper understanding of one of the core building blocks of character development, writing exercises to practice in your own work, and a lens through which to filter your own characters as you write and edit.
Bring yourself, good energy, and an open mind! -
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Christopher Chambers
THE ALCHEMY OF POINT OF VIEW
Who’s Talking Here?
Perspective and voice are not just technical decisions — they’re the heart and soul of storytelling. A convincing narrative voice is essential to compelling storytelling. Fiction and memoir ask us to believe the story, and also the story’s telling.
In this workshop, we’ll examine the development of voice, which is not simply a writing style, but a unique perspective on the world. Your prose is a kind of fingerprint. We will read together a selection of writers with distinctive literary voices, analyze and discuss those readings, and use them to explore and develop our own voices in brief writing exercises.
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Susanna Daniel
THE ALCHEMY OF SCENE WORK
At the macro level, scene work is a mix of character, conflict, and change. At the micro level, it’s a juggling act of physicality and internality. Most drafts get one or both of these essentials into place, and we’re going to work on making sure it’s all in place.
A great scene doesn’t just inform the reader; it pulls the reader into a character’s experience, capturing the sounds, tastes, smells of the specific place in time, as well as the body language, mannerisms, and idiosyncrasies of the characters and the POV’s emotional and intellectual processing of the moment.
If it sounds like a big ask, that’s because it is.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, June 26
4p Introductions
4:30-5p Book exchange + snacks
5-7:45p Workshop I (we’ll provide snacks!)
7:45p+ Optional mocktail/cocktail hour in the hotel bar
All of our inspiring instructors will lead workshops over the course of the weekend, and each writer will attend all three of them.
We’ll provide a light breakfast and snacks Saturday, and breakfast Sunday.
Out-of-towners can arrange to stay at the locally owned Madison Concourse Hotel or at one of a number of nearby hotels.
Saturday, June 27
8-8:45a Breakfast
9-11:45a Workshop II
12-1p Lunch
1-2p Write-in
2-4:45p Workshop III
5-6:30p Dinner on your own
6:30-7:0p Open Mic
Sunday, June 28
8-845a Breakfast
9-11:45a Workshop IV
12:15-1:15p Panel discussion
Where to Stay
The Madison Concourse Hotel has reserved a block of rooms for Fourth Lake writers, which are available until May 25.
There are also a number of places to stay nearby. Here’s a list of downtown Madison hotels.
One-on-one Manuscript Evaluation (optional)
For the first time, we’re offering 10 writers a one-on-one manuscript evaluation as an optional add-on to your weekend.
Michelle or Susanna will read up to 6,000 words of your work-in-progress, offer detailed feedback on what’s working and what we suggest, then meet with you individually Saturday afternoon.
A manuscript review is particularly helpful for opening pages, short stories, and personal essays.
$150/review / Limited to 10 writers
Scholarships available
We have offered 3 full scholarships and 4 partial scholarships for writers planning to attend our 2026 Fourth Lake Writing Weekend.
When choosing recipients, we prioritize BIPOC and LGBTQA+ writers, and writers with significant economic challenges.
Emerging and seasoned writers are equally welcome. We believe that writing is an act of bravery, all stories are worth telling, and we can grow as writers with accountability, feedback, and support.
Please feel free to apply for a 2027 scholarship, and contact us with any questions.