Fresh Water Press

Fresh Water Press wants to see local writing! Our submission period for an anthology is opening next week. This is a collaboration with Lakeland University.

More information about the project below:

The Fresh Water Press is seeking submissions for an anthology of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction on the theme of Community & Culture on the Lakeshore. With this project, Fresh Water Press is working to fulfill its mission to elevate local voices, showcase talent from Wisconsin, and support the literary arts.

Submission Period
o We are accepting submissions between October 15 and December 15, 2026.

Anthology Theme
o The anthology’s theme is Community and Culture on the Lakeshore.
o The editors are looking for image-rich work that explores what it’s like to live in this specific area. Draw from your memories, interview an elder, tell about your favorite place to be alone in, a memorable day in school, a significant person, where you like to meet your friends, what you did at recess as a child, the day your baby sister was born, get-togethers with your extended family. Consider subjects such as picnics, fishing derbies, musical failures or successes, the immigrant experience, the integration of neighborhoods, household economics, grandparents, neighbors, experiences at church, in organizations, rural life, one-room schoolhouses. There are many, many potential subjects.

Eligibility
o Submissions are limited to writers who currently live in or who have spent significant time in (10+ years) Manitowoc County and/or its contiguous counties: Brown, Calumet, Kewaunee, and Sheboygan.
o The editors will favor works that describe the sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and bodily feel of the area.
o We appreciate humor, but it’s not a requirement.
o We’d like to hear from beginning, intermediate, and experienced writers. All ages welcome.
o If you have always had the dream to write and see your work published, this may be your chance. The process of submitting your work for others to read can feel daunting, but it’s an essential part of the writing life.
o Fresh Water Press will partner with students enrolled in Lakeland University’s “Literary Publishing” class on the selection and organization of submissions. Submissions will be read without identifying information.

Genres Accepted & Word Count Limits
o Your submissions must be within the word count limits to be considered for the anthology.
 Fiction short stories: Up to 3,000 words
 Flash forms: Up to 3 pieces, each up to 1,000 words
 Nonfiction: Up to 3,000 words
 Poetry: Up to 3 poems, each no more than one page in length

Anthology Submissions – Fresh Water Press, LLC Anthology Submissions Anthology Submissions Guidelines The Fresh Water Press is seeking submissions for an anthology of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction on the theme of Community & Culture on the Lakeshore. With this project, Fresh Water Press is working to fulfill its mission to elevate local voices...

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Fresh Water Press is looking for local literary talent for its forthcoming anthology! The theme of the book is "Community & Culture on the Lakeshore."

Writers from Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Calumet, Kewaunee, and Brown Counties are invited to Submit during our reading period, October 15 through December 15.

Extra exciting is this project is brought to our community in partnership with Lakeland University. Fresh Water Press will partner with students enrolled in the university’s “Literary Publishing” class on the selection and organization of submissions. Submissions will be read without identifying information.

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