In the back half of day two of the WWA 2026 conference, I took a pass on the next seminar slot to explore the book fair, where Wisconsin small presses and indie authors peddled books as well as engaging conversation.
In two days full of highlights, the book fair may have been the highest of high points for me. So many smiling faces; so many exhilarated gazes met, so many outpourings of vulnerability and enthusiasm. Everyone was rightfully proud of their work and irrepressibly engaged when I spoke with them. The spirit of abundance reminded me a little of the Camino…
I wished I could have bought a book from every person there, but my wallet and I had to settle for supporting four indie authors for now. Look forward to book reviews of Wisconsin talents in coming months!
The last event of the conference (so soon?!) was a small press panel. This was another invaluable slice of insight into the industry side of writing. Kristin Mitchell of Little Creek, Tara Huck of Freshwater, Michael Brown of Orange Hat and Ten|16, and Ross Tangedal of Cornerstone (based at UW Stevens Point) offered tons of practical wisdom as well as inspiration.
I came away powerfully encouraged by the humanity of small presses. While practical matters came up—such as the need for writers to polish their manuscript as much as possible before submitting, or to adopt a patient and collaborative attitude when entering the publishing process, or how essential it is for authors to be very active in promoting their own books—the manager-owners of these presses repeatedly expressed reverence: for the value of the text, for that of the author. At the end of the day, they all agreed, the story is the writer’s, and they want that writer to feel satisfied and proud.
My favorite insights from this panel both spoke to process. Observed Tara, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. And Michael shared the beautiful reflection that flourishing doesn’t mean not struggling—it means working for a higher purpose. What a wonderful lens through which to look at writing and publishing.
A distant view of downtown Manitowoc. Photo credit: Adam Groves | Ultreya Editorial
And indeed, writing reveals, amplifies, is a higher purpose: of living with passion and attention, of reflecting on one’s experiences, of drawing out the lessons (and persistent questions), of carefully shaping the words, and at last of sharing what has been discovered with others.
Writing lifts up life. I feel immensely elevated by the two precious days I spent in Manitowoc bobbing in a sea of literary stars.
Ultreia et suseia!
