The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP) is a robust member-driven organization that connects, supports, and amplifies poets across the state, while fostering creativity, literary excellence, and a love of poetry for all.
Established in 1951, the WFOP’s roots run deep while we continue to thrive with no physical location and an all-volunteer staff.
Membership is open to residents and former residents of Wisconsin and neighboring states who align with our mission. Exclusive member benefits include:
Web Page: Poets can skip the cost and maintenance of a personal website with a member page on the WFOP website. Your page can include 1-2 sample poems, a poet photo, a bio, a list and cover art for print publications (chapbooks or collections), and personal contact information. Already have your own website? Link to it through your member page, as another way to get noticed. Contact our web volunteer with your info and get started.
Quarterly Newsletter: Members receive the quarterly Museletter, featuring upcoming WFOP news and opportunities, member events and successes, publishing opportunities, and more. Read archived issues or Museletter Extra.
Monthly Events & Opportunities Email: Members can opt-in to receive a monthly list of readings, contests, workshops, and other opportunities throughout the state. Opt-in online.
Grants: Members can apply for grants of up to $300 to support your own projects around the state. The application process is easy, with a fast turnaround.
Contests: The WFOP sponsors several contests each year, some exclusive to members-only. See what's open for submission on our annual contests page.
Event Promotion: Have any event you’d like to promote? Members can submit their readings, workshops, and other events, to be posted on the WFOP website’s events calendar and social media. It’s a great way to grow your audience and reach, and to connect you to other great happenings inside your region or out.
Fellowship: Writing is a lonely craft, but through the WFOP, members can interact and learn from other engaged members in your region and around the state.
While membership is the heart of the WFOP, all Wisconsin poets, regardless of membership status, can engage in the following opportunities:
WFOP Poets’ Calendar: The annual poets’ calendar is a signature project, celebrating poetry by writers with ties to Wisconsin. Each edition features guest-editors who bring together selected poems and visual art with a theme of their choosing, with handy calendar and journaling features that make this the perfect gift for poets and poetry lovers alike.
Craft Workshops: We regularly host FREE Zoom workshops to help you hone your craft, featuring instructors skilled in each topic. Past workshops are also archived to watch at your own pace.
Annual Statewide Poetry Conference: The location and keynote presenters change annually for our annual conferences, but the quality of programming and opportunities to engage do not! Our regions take turns hosting and scheduling panels, workshops, readings, open mics, a book fair and more. Previous keynote speakers have included Ross Gay, Dorianne Laux, Coleman Barks, Denise Duhamel, Michael Torres, and more! Registration is discounted for members!
Bramble: The literary magazine of the WFOP, Bramble seeks to celebrte the challenging and transgressive spirit of poetry. Simultaneous web and print issues are published twice yearly, with submission open to all Wisconsin Poets.
Contests: The WFOP sponsors several contests each year, some open to non-members and members alike. See what's open for submission on our annual contests page.
Event Calendar: Check out poetry happenings in your region and throughout the state, to help you connect and engage with fellow poets and poetry lovers.
Swanson Emerging Poet Fellowship: One emerging poet is selected annually to receive an honorarium, residency, workshop opportunity and mentorship. This is a new opportunity made possible by a generous gift from former, beloved WFOP member Richard Swanson.
Support poetry and poets in Wisconsin today: become a member, buy a publication or swag, enter a contest, or make a donation to the WFOP!
The Fellowship has been one of the best experiences in my writing life. I find support, thoughtful camaraderie, and an organization whose mission lifts poetry beyond the printed page.
—Yvette Flaten, Life Member WFOP
2026 Muse Prize
Prize Winners & Honorable Mentions
2026 Kay Saunders Emerging Poet
Recognition Winners
Publishers of Bramble Literary Magazine
The Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets creates a biannual lit mag called Bramble that helps us showcase the creativity of members and poets, essayists, and artists throughout Wisconsin. Bramble is guest-edited by a series of editors, a majority of whom are members. Members are also first to hear about submission opportunities. Check out the latest full issue. Excerpts below.
Show Your Support for WFOP
Buy our swag and show your support for WFOP with a hat, long-sleeved T-shirt or field bag. Lots of other items, too! Go to our swag site. If you have other ideas for swag items, please email Colleen at layersofmoments@yahoo.com.
Partner with Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets
We partner with many organizations around the state. Our partners include:
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1st Place