Wisconsin Regional Writers' Association

The Wisconsin Rural Writers' Association was established in 1948 through an effort by Professor Robert E. Gard and others from the University of Wisconsin - Madison to encourage writing in rural Wisconsin. Originally, it sought to preserve the history of a passing era of rural communities based on agricultural and other farm and small-town pursuits and a tight-knit ethnic heritage. Membership grew to include writers from large cities and the Rural in the associations' name was changed to Regional and all genres of writing are supported. WRWA offers annual writing prizes in contests in nine categories (article, feature article, humor, essay, adult and juvenile short story, nostalgia, and humorous and serious poetry), holds two annual conferences (spring, the 1st weekend in May, and fall, the last weekend in September), and provides a host of member services, from publication support to legal advice.