About Us

Since its conception in 1991, the Great Lakes Writers Festival has successfully brought together students, readers, writers, and authors from around the globe to grow, celebrate, and encourage writing.

Find Your People!

The GLWF has proudly hosted over 50 visiting authors and continues to grow each year. Writers such as Mark Strand, Billy Collins, Robin Hemley, Beth Ann Fennelly, A.E. Stallings, Nickolas Butler and Cathryn Cofell, among others, have spread their knowledge and love of writing to others for the past 25 years through interactive readings and intimate master classes where attendees can learn from the professional authors.

The GLWF has been made possible by an endowment from Lucille Fessler, a former chairperson of the Lakeland University board of trustees and patron of the arts. The continued success of the event has been a result of volunteer efforts from Lakeland’s writing professors, BFA in Creative Writing students, and current host Associate Professor of Writing Jodie Mortag.

A Message From Our Host

“Having experienced the Great Lakes Writers Festival as a student, featured writer (Jodie Liedke 2012), and now host, I can tell you that there is no other admission-free event that brings writers together in such an intimate setting that leaves you inspired to write more, read more, and connect with others who wish to entertain, to share knowledge, and to make an emotional bond with their community.”