Author: Brooks White

Ana McCracken received her B.S. and MFA in Creative Writing and Environment from Iowa State University, and is the founder of the Ames Writers Collective and Fifth Street Writers based in Ames, Iowa. Since 2021, the Ames Writers Collective has led outreach writing programs for the John Stoddard Cancer Center and William R. Bliss Cancer Center, youth writers at the Ames Public Library, and adult 50+ writers through the OLLI-ISU (Osher Life Long Learning Institute-Iowa State University). McCracken’s writing and poetry is published in magazines and the anthologies: Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul, Nothing But the Truth So Help Me God, The California Writers Club Literary Review, Telepoem Booth®Iowa, Vision & Verse—A Fusion of Poetry, Prose, Art and Photography, and I Found Myself at Lake Okoboji—discovering words, wonder, dreams, and inspiration (Ice Cube Press, Sept. 2025). She has been a repeat guest on KHOI Community Radio Station based in Ames, Iowa and Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa with host Charity Nebbe. Twice she has been featured on the front page of the Ames Tribune. “Launch of the Ames Writers Collective” (September 2021) was picked up by the AP and read U.S.-wide. “Ames Writers Collective opens Fifth Street co-working space for writers,” (May 23, 2025) was also re-printed in the Des Moines Register. A certified Amherst Writers & Artists and Wild Writing facilitator, McCracken serves on the Poetry Palooza planning committee, the San Francisco Litquake advisory board, and the National Willa Cather Foundation board of governors.

Anna Magnusson was adopted from Seoul, Korea and raised in Iowa. She attended high school in Des Moines and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa. Anna serves as the executive director of Able Up Iowa. Anna’s heart is filled with love for people and their stories. She has dedicated her life to a number of nonprofit organizations and causes as a volunteer or employee, which has led to a myriad of unexpected opportunities and adventures–including stepping into the role of a radio producer and host at KHOI 89.1 FM.