Writers Circle at WordHaven BookHouse offers local writers a comfortable place to share and develop their work, receive feedback and guidance, encourage and support other writers, and discuss all aspects of the writing process. Open to all forms of writing and all experience levels. Free to attend.

Writers Circle will meet at WordHaven the first Tuesday of each month, from 6-8pm. The circle will be led by published author and award-winning book designer, Erika Block, owner of Gray House Publishing.

Michael Angeli is an American writer and television producer, best known for his award-nominated work on television series including Monk and the remake of Battlestar Galactica, a show for which he was also a co-executive producer. Angeli was co-executive producer on Black Sails, a pirate adventure drama that premiered on the Starz Network in January 2014. As a journalist, he wrote for Esquire, The New York Times, and several other publications. During his time as contributing editor & writer for Esquire, he employed his outstanding writing skills and interviewed high-profile celebrities including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Joaquin Phoenix, River Phoenix, Michael J. Fox and more. Angeli is currently in pre-production on The Confessions of Al McGuire, a biopic with Anthony Hemingway.

Charles P. Ries is an award-winning poet and author of the memoir Can Boys Fly. He is both the lyricist and voice for the art band Charles P. Ries & the Minktronics. After college, Ries lived in London and North Africa where he studied the mystical teachings of Islam called Sufism. In 1989, he worked with the Dalai Lama on a program that brought American religious leaders and psychotherapists together for a weeklong dialogue. It was during this same week that the Dalai Lama was awarded his Nobel Peace Prize. Ries has done extensive work with men’s groups and worked with a Jungian psychotherapist for over five years during which time he recorded five hundred dreams and learned to find the meanings in small things.

Practice reading and using tarot spreads! You may bring your own decks and books. If you don’t have a deck to use, one can be provided.

Hosted by Amanda Bergemann from COLORFLOW

Jodie Mortag, a true Wisconsinite, having labored numerous summers in the mozzarella factory, received her MFA from Wichita State University. Mortag is an associate professor of writing at Lakeland University where she teaches fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting; organizes and hosts the annual Great Lakes Writers Festival, and serves as editor for the literary magazine Seems. Her work appears in Ruminate, North Dakota Quarterly, Counterclock, Fourteen Hills, Barnstorm, Stoneboat, Fractions, and Metal Scratches. Her short story “Nightcrawlers” was awarded first prize in Mikrokosmos’ 2024 fiction contest. She lives with her family just outside the Kettle Moraine State Forest.

A NEW YORKER “ESSENTIAL READ”

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORKER, VOGUE, AND NPR

“Perhaps Hamid’s most remarkable work yet … an extraordinary vision of human possibility.” –Ayad Akhtar, author of Homeland Elegies

“Searing, exhilarating … reimagines Kafka’s iconic The Metamorphosis for our racially charged era.” Hamilton Cain, Oprah Daily

From the New York Times-bestselling author of Exit West, a story of love, loss, and rediscovery in a time of unsettling change.

One morning, a man wakes up to find himself transformed. Overnight, Anders’s skin has turned dark, and the reflection in the mirror seems a stranger to him. At first he shares his secret only with Oona, an old friend turned new lover. Soon, reports of similar events begin to surface. Across the land, people are awakening in new incarnations, uncertain how their neighbors, friends, and family will greet them.Some see the transformations as the long-dreaded overturning of the established order that must be resisted to a bitter end. In many, like Anders’s father and Oona’s mother, a sense of profound loss and unease wars with profound love. As the bond between Anders and Oona deepens, change takes on a different shading: a chance at a kind of rebirth--an opportunity to see ourselves, face to face, anew.
 
In Mohsin Hamid’s “lyrical and urgent” prose (O Magazine), The Last White Man powerfully uplifts our capacity for empathy and the transcendence over bigotry, fear, and anger it can achieve.

Searching for Hopper Pawprints in Snow brings to life the true story of Hopper, a young Golden Retriever whose winter adventure turns into a community mission. When Hopper disappears during the darkest day of the year, his owner faces every pet parent's worst fear. But as paw prints are discovered and doorbell cameras capture glimpses of gold fur, hope begins to shine through the winter darkness.

Dora J. Simpson transforms her own experience of a missing pet into a heartfelt journey that celebrates the extraordinary lengths we go to for those we love—and the unexpected connections formed along the way. With gentle watercolor illustrations that capture both the winter chill and the warmth of community, this book reminds us that sometimes it takes a village to bring one beloved family member home.

Dora Simpson turns her everyday adventures with her beloved Golden Retrievers into magical children's books that kids can't put down. From "The Lonely Little Mosquito" to "Searching for Hopper: Pawprints in Snow" (based on her own dog going missing), her stories teach gentle lessons while keeping readers thoroughly entertained.

A factory worker by day and devoted dog mom 24/7, Dora finds story gold in ordinary moments—whether watching her pup leap away from Halloween decorations or thinking about unlikely friendships during late-night walks.

IFrom award-winning, bestselling author David Levithan and beloved, acclaimed singer-songwriter Jens Lekman comes a charming, tender novel about an unlucky-in-love wedding singer trying to find the right words to save his relationship

J is an accidental wedding singer. Unlike most wedding singers, he writes an original song for every couple—his way of finding out about the small, strange things that brought them together and the hopeful, vulnerable feelings they’re experiencing.

J’s own love life is in a state of flux. His girlfriend is off to New York for work, and as her life grows bigger and busier without him in it, he finds it harder to stick to a happy tune. He doesn’t know whether to encourage the soon-to-be-wed couples or warn them.

When complications hit and love is tested, is there any way to sing through all the noise?

Combining David Levithan’s deeply observant storytelling and Jens Lekman’s inventive and touching original songs, Songs for Other People’s Weddings is a tender, honest novel that tracks love through all its chord changes, never forgetting that the best songs contain the bitter and the sweet, the despair of losing it all and the euphoria of being found.

Jessica Lynn escapes to other worlds from the library of her home in Wisconsin. When not tending to her native prairie garden, she bakes and dabbles in various nerdy pursuits. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and is the recipient of the UWM Literary Circular Award. Her work has been published in Wingless Dreamer, Horns & Rattles Press, Black Hare Press, Poets Choice, and Shepherd Express. "Sincerely, the HOA," featured in Bitter Become the Fields from Horns & Rattles Press, has been nominated for the ECO24 award: The Year's Best Speculative Eco Fiction. Jessica lives with her husband and their four cats.

As the princess of Veridea, nineteen-year-old Thora Ravenspire has never been the daughter her father wanted. In a kingdom ruled by cruelty and control, her quiet strength and compassionate heart are seen as weaknesses. But when her father's tyranny threatens the lives of the innocent people of Veridea, Thora makes a choice that will change everything—and ignite a war she can't turn back from.

On the run and hunted by the man who raised her, Thora must rise as a symbol of resistance and awaken a power buried deep within her bloodline. Alongside Eryk—a fierce rebel with unwavering loyalty—she begins to fight not just for freedom, but for justice, healing, and a future forged by hope instead of fear.

As rebellion swells and ancient magic stirs, Thora must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to do what’s right… even if it means losing everything.

Perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and Throne of Glass, The Rose and the Reaper is a dark and emotional fantasy debut about courage, love, and the cost of reclaiming a broken world.

Kirsten Mikkola is the author of The Rose and the Reaper, her debut novel that blends emotional depth, high stakes, and unforgettable characters. She writes stories that explore resilience, identity, and the quiet strength found in unexpected places.

When she’s not writing, Kirsten enjoys reading, spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, and diving into new hobbies. She works as an EMT and lives in Wisconsin, where long drives, quiet mornings, and everyday experiences often inspire her next idea.

No one is born into this world to become a serial killer…but what if they are? What happens when people are driven by forces beyond their understanding and are powerless to stop themselves? A Hitchcockian soul-stirring mystery thriller, Last of the Autumn Rain, follows the life journey of Julie Cromwell as she evolves from a loving child born to wealthy socialite parents into a spine-chilling murderess.

Diana Louise Webb is an educator, tutor, motivational speaker, freelance writer and eight-time award-winning author of two self-help books, The Butterfly Cometh and Elf Dust To Excellence.

Diana holds a Juris Doctorate and a Psychology degree. She lives in a modest home in rural Missouri where she shares quality time with her 89-year-old mother.

Writers Circle at WordHaven BookHouse offers local writers a comfortable place to share and develop their work, receive feedback and guidance, encourage and support other writers, and discuss all aspects of the writing process. Open to all forms of writing and all experience levels. Free to attend.

Writers Circle will meet at WordHaven the first Tuesday of each month, from 6-8pm. The circle will be led by published author and award-winning book designer, Erika Block, owner of Gray House Publishing.

In seven days Jet Mason will be dead.

Jet is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont. Twenty-seven years old, she’s still waiting for her life to begin. I’ll do it later, she always says. She has time.

Until Halloween night, when Jet is violently attacked by an unseen intruder.

She suffers a catastrophic head injury. The doctor is certain that within a week, the injury will trigger a deadly aneurysm.

Jet has never thought of herself as having enemies. But now she looks at everyone in a new light: her family, her former best friend turned sister-in-law, her ex-boyfriend.

She has at most seven days, and as her condition deteriorates she has only her childhood friend Billy for help. But nevertheless, she’s absolutely determined to finally finish something:

Jet is going to solve her own murder.

Practice reading and using tarot spreads! You may bring your own decks and books. If you don’t have a deck to use, one can be provided.

Hosted by Amanda Bergemann from COLORFLOW & Meg Rose.

Shannon Schuren is the critically acclaimed author of The Virtue of Sin, Where Echoes Lie, and the forthcoming Water in Her Veins, August 2025. A former children’s librarian, she now works as the program coordinator for the Sheboygan County Literacy Council, a non-profit that helps adults learn to read, write, and speak English. Her short stories have appeared in various journals such as Toasted Cheese Literary Journal, Big Pulp, and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. More information is available at her website, shannon.schuren.org. 

Writers Circle at WordHaven BookHouse offers local writers a comfortable place to share and develop their work, receive feedback and guidance, encourage and support other writers, and discuss all aspects of the writing process. Open to all forms of writing and all experience levels. Free to attend.

Writers Circle will meet at WordHaven the first Tuesday of each month, from 6-8pm. The circle will be led by published author and award-winning book designer, Erika Block, owner of Gray House Publishing.

Practice reading and using tarot spreads! You may bring your own decks and books. If you don’t have a deck to use, one can be provided.

Hosted by Amanda Bergemann from COLORFLOW & Meg Rose.

Lyra is rushing to the cold, far North, where witch clans and armored bears rule. North, where the Gobblers take the children they steal--including her friend Roger. North, where her fearsome uncle Asriel is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world.

Can one small girl make a difference in such great and terrible endeavors? This is Lyra: a savage, a schemer, a liar, and as fierce and true a champion as Roger or Asriel could want--but what Lyra doesn't know is that to help one of them will be to betray the other.

Theresa L. Goodrich is an Emmy-winning author and content creator with a penchant for storytelling and a keen eye. As the author of more than a dozen books, both nonfiction and fiction, she’s a firm believer that self-publishing can be life-changing. She’s an accomplished public speaker, appearing regularly at libraries in the Chicago area, on stage across the country at the Travel and Adventure Show, and at the 2025 Mensa Annual Gathering. She also teaches the Midwest Travel Network Writing Workshop, which multiple attendees have called life-changing. When she’s not writing or speaking, she’s most likely planning her next adventure.  

Jennifer (Jenn) Walter is a writer, editor, and journalist living in the Sheboygan area. Her work has been published in a variety of local and national publications, including Milwaukee Magazine, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Discover, and Inverse. She is also the founder of Freshwater Words, a content studio that serves organizations looking to sharpen their message and build authentic connections with their audience.

You can find her on Instagram or LinkedIn at @jenngwalter.