Author: Nicole Phelon

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Register for the 5th Annual Swift Youth Writers Workshop from June 22- 26

Unlock Your Creativity This Summer!

Join us for the Swift Youth Writers Free Creative Writing Workshop — a five-day experience for students in grades 6–12 to explore their voice, meet fellow young writers, and grow their storytelling skills in a supportive, fun environment. Whether you love poetry, fiction, or journaling, this workshop is your chance to write, share, and shine.

Held at the Ames Public Library from June 22 – 26 daily at 10 AM – 12 PM. Click here to register.

OUR FACILITATORS:

Connor Ferguson is a graduate of Iowa State University’s MFA Program in Creative Writing and Environment.

 

Adela Solano Osmundson is a graduate of the Swift Youth Writers programs and is currently studying English at DMACC. She plans to teach middle school English.

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Sarah Lefeber

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Sarah Lefeber is the Director of the Iowa State Daily Media Group, where she leads a nationally recognized student-run newsroom and creative agency. With 15+ years of experience in media, strategy, and leadership, she’s built her career on empowering young storytellers and building innovative, community-driven media. Sarah is passionate about using creative talents for good, with previous work at Americorps, international nonprofits, and national political and legislative sectors. In her personal life, Sarah is an aspiring poet and draws both peace and inspiration from nature and her dog Beau.

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Fifth Street Writers Grand Opening

Join Us for Our Grand Opening!

We’re excited to invite you to the grand opening of our new space at 612 Fifth Street, Ames, IA on Friday, May 23, 2025!

Come explore the space, connect with local writers, enjoy appetizers and drinks in a welcoming creative atmosphere, and hear submission read by community members.

  • Doors open at 6:30 PM
  • Program begins at 7:00 PM

Interested in reading your work? Submit a piece that fits the theme Hit the Road Writing – New Beginnings Real or Imagined. Priority will be given to current members.

Submit your piece Here. 

We can’t wait to celebrate this new beginning with you!

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In The Media News

Author Spotlight: Liese Greensfelder LIVE at KHOI

Join the Ames Writers Collective for an evening with Liese Greensfelder: live at KHOI Radio on Tuesday, May 6 at 7 PM.

This free community event features a reading, book signing, and conversation with the author of a memoir praised by Kirkus Reviews for its grit and resilience. Hosted in partnership with KHOI and supported by COTA, the evening celebrates literature, community, and creative storytelling.

Visit KHOI to tune in!

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Read the Mary Greeley Feature on Writing Circle Wednesdays

The Mary Greeley Foundation recently published a thoughtful article, “Finding Strength in Story,” highlighting Writing Circle Wednesdays, a weekly online writing group led by Ames Writers Collective founder Ana McCracken.

Held via Zoom and free to participants, the program offers cancer patients and survivors a space for reflection, creativity, and connection. Through poetry and photography prompts, writers explore personal stories and share them in a safe, supportive circle. As one participant shared, “I don’t feel quite as alone as I did.”

Ana’s compassionate leadership, supported by the Mary Greeley Foundation, has helped create a space where patients or survivors can connect and grow.

Click here to read the full article.

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Meet our Board of Directors

Meet the Ames Writers Collective Board of Directors.

Armaan Gupta

Armaan Gupta is a software engineer and hackathon organizer originally from Illinois. He’s a recent graduate from Iowa State University where he majored in Management Information Systems and obtained a minor in Marketing. Outside of work, Armaan writes software independently, writes poetry and short essays, and enjoys a good cigar. See more of Armaan.

Claire Kruesel

Claire Kruesel (KREE-zuhl) lives and writes from Story County, Iowa, focusing primarily on the intersections of science, art, objects, and grief. She received an MFA in Creative Writing and Environment from Iowa State University. Her poetry has been published in Rattle, the anthologies Fracture and Prairie Gold, and elsewhere. Her day job involves mentoring biochemistry undergraduates on science communication. Claire also teaches Pilates and yoga, travels to France and Italy whenever she can, and sings with Ames Chamber Artists. Click here to visit Claire.

Jennifer Knox

Jennifer L Knox

Director

Jennifer L. Knox is the author of five collections of poetry, most recently, Crushing It. Knox received her bachelor’s from the University of Iowa, and her master’s of fine arts in poetry writing from New York University. Her poems have appeared five times in the “Best American Poetry” series, and in publications such as the New York Times, The New Yorker and American Poetry Review. www.jenniferlknox.com.

Ana McCracken

Ana McCracken

Executive Director

Ana McCracken received her Bachelor of Science and MFA in Creative Writing and Environment degrees from Iowa State University. She is currently seeking representation for her thesis, Redacted—A Memoir of Adoption. Her personal essays are published in The California Writers Club Literary Review, the anthologies Nothing But the Truth So Help Me God and The Joy of Adoption, and her poetry in Telepoem Booth®Iowa. She is the founder of the Ames Writers Collective, an organization committed to building and uplifting communities through the art of writing and storytelling, while advancing the literary arts in Ames, Iowa. Read more about Ana.

Tony Moton

Tony Moton is an educator at the college, high school and middle school levels for 14+ years, including experience as an online and on-ground academic coach, tutor and writing instructor for learners ranging from school age to adult. In both public and private service, an outstanding lecturer and instructor in sports media, journalism, broadcasting, broadcast media production, screenwriting, English and creative writing. An award-winning journalist and screenwriter with tremendous communication skills, high-quality work, driven and exceptionally self-motivated. An earner of top honors from the Samuel Goldwyn Foundation for screenwriting and the Kansas City Press Club and the Las Vegas Press Association for investigative journalism and feature writing, respectively. Read more about Tony.

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Member

Steve Ryan

Steve Ryan divides his time between writing, supporting scientific research, and designing interactive art exhibitions. He is interested in short fiction and generative writing as a means to creative community with the environment and with fellow wayfarers.

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Join Our Write Togethers

Join us for our Write Togethers hybrid in person at Fifth Street Writers or on Zoom.

WHAT’S A WRITE TOGETHER?

Those who join us gather together in person at Fifth Street Writers and on Zoom. We open sharing what project we’re working on, and the we write for ~90 minutes. At the end, we share our successes, and sign off or pack up our stuff and wave goodbye. Easy peasy.

Our Write Togethers are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 3:30 to 5 PM, and the 1st Saturday of the month from 10 to Noon.

For more information and to register, click here.

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Claire Kruesel

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Claire Kruesel (KREE-zuhl) lives and writes from Story County, Iowa, focusing primarily on the intersections of science, art, objects, and grief. She received an MFA in Creative Writing and Environment from Iowa State University. Her poetry has been published in Rattle, the anthologies Fracture and Prairie Gold, and elsewhere. Her day job involves mentoring biochemistry undergraduates on science communication. Claire also teaches Pilates and yoga, travels to France and Italy whenever she can, and sings with Ames Chamber Artists. Click here to visit Claire.

Categories
BOD

Tony Moton

Tony Moton is an educator at the college, high school and middle school levels for 14+ years, including experience as an online and on-ground academic coach, tutor and writing instructor for learners ranging from school age to adult. In both public and private service, an outstanding lecturer and instructor in sports media, journalism, broadcasting, broadcast media production, screenwriting, English and creative writing. An award-winning journalist and screenwriter with tremendous communication skills, high-quality work, driven and exceptionally self-motivated. An earner of top honors from the Samuel Goldwyn Foundation for screenwriting and the Kansas City Press Club and the Las Vegas Press Association for investigative journalism and feature writing, respectively.