Ames Writers Collective
On Monday, April 13th, our founder Ana McCracken spoke with Nathan Porter on Studio 308’s Face to Face segment. During their conversation, Nathan, an Iowa State University Journalism student, and Ana discussed the Ames Writers Collective outreach programs, Writing Through Cancer and the Swift Youth Writers Workshop. To close the conversation, they briefly touched upon Ana’s memoir, Redacted: A Memoir of Adoption.
Join Founder Ana McCracken at the upcoming “Beyond the Summit” conference, June 11, 2026.
Beyond the Summit is a one-day conference created for cancer survivors and caregivers seeking practical tools, inspiration, and connection during and after the cancer journey. Through expert-led sessions, attendees will explore whole-person approaches to healing that support the body, mind, and spirit.
Ana McCracken will speak on a panel with Dr. Richard Deming and Jana West during Session One: The Arts as Medicine. Discover how creative expression can support emotional healing, reduce stress, and foster meaning and connection. Dr. Richard Deming is Founder of Above+Beyond Cancer and Medical Director at the Richard Deming Cancer Center. Jana West is a singer/songwriter.
The conference will take place on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with sessions taking place from 9:00am – 4:00pm in West Des Moines. Click here for more information and to register.
The Ames Writers Collective is excited to be featured in Iowa PBS’s Road Trip Iowa, a series that highlights the people and places that make our state unique. In this segment, viewers get a glimpse into our vibrant community of writers, creatives, and storytellers who gather in Ames to support one another and share their work. From open mics to workshops, the Collective is all about fostering connection, creativity, and a love for the written word. We’re honored to be included and grateful for the opportunity to share what makes this community so special.
Hot off the presses: Writing Circle Mondays Reflections on Life & Cancer. This anthology co-edited by Ames Writers Collective founder, Ana McCracken and Terri Dorothy, a John Stoddard Cancer Center patient, gathers together heartfelt stories from women who found strength, hope, and healing through writing.
Every author wants you to buy their book. Know that when you purchase Writing Circle Mondays Reflections on Life & Cancer, all royalties support the Charlie Cutler Healing and Wellness Program at John Stoddard Cancer Center. This program funds Writing Circle Mondays—a FREE resource for individuals living with cancer. Books can be purchased through your local independent bookstores such as Dog-Eared Books in Ames, Iowa, Beaverdale Books in Des Moines, Barnes & Noble, and off Amazon if no other resource is available for you.
This anthology would not have made it to publication without Ana’s co-editor Terri Dorothy, who writes with her and others on Mondays. Additionally this book was published with the assistance of Polly Letofsky of #mywordpublishing. Ana met Polly at the Okoboji Writers’ Conference (#okobojiwriters) in 2023, kept in touch and Polly shepherded Ana through the process of publishing this collection of stories and poetry. A resounding thank you to Terri, Polly, all those who contributed to the anthology, and the John Stoddard Cancer Center.
EcoTheatre Lab’s Presents—In Our Backyard Auditions
March 29th and 31st—6 to 9 PM
Auditions for The EcoTheatre Lab’s new eco-play festival, In Our Backyard. Auditions are open to the public, ages 18+. Please see ecotheatrelab.com for more information, and email [email protected] with questions.
Click here to check our calendar for specific times!
Recently, Acacia Coates interviewed Denise Williams who will be hosting an upcoming release celebration promoting her latest novel, The Re-Do List. The event will be hosted in partnership with Dog-Eared Books at the Prairie Moon Winery at 7pm on January 27th. CLICK HERE to hear the interview along with information to register for her event.
Check out our 1st blog post for 2026! Written by communications intern, Acacia Coates, the post offers up all sorts of ideas to move your 2026 writing goals forward. Click here to read Acacia’s suggestions which include joining groups, setting attainable goals, etcetera. Happy Writing!
Our very own founder Ana McCracken had the opportunity to be a guest on “Dish with Nish,” a podcast hosted by Dr. Andrew Nish, Medical Director at the John Stoddard Cancer Center. The podcast is a new series exploring topics of interest in cancer prevention, the human spirit and how new ideas are changing cancer care. Listen to Ana McCracken and Dr. Nish as they discuss “Writing Circle Mondays,” a writing group at the Ames Writers Collective aimed at providing a safe space for cancer patients to share their experiences. Click here to listen to the episode.
“Writing Circle Mondays” is also available on Spotify and Amazon music.
WHAT’S A WRITE TOGETHER?
We join together on Zoom and in person at Fifth Street Writers, share what we’re working on, and write for ~90 minutes. At the end, we share our successes, and sign off. Easy peasy.
Registration is not necessary unless you plan to join us via Zoom. Click here to receive a link.
To learn about Ana McCracken our host and Ames Writers Collective & Fifth Street Writers Founder, check here.
Whether as one of our patrons, a Fifth Street Writers Member, board member, workshop or Author Spotlight attendee, the parent of past and current students, or a literary enthusiast your support makes a critical impact on sustaining our literary programs.
Why are the Ames Writers Collective and Fifth Street Writers important to Ames and Central Iowa? Our mission is to create healthy communities through the art of writing. We believe that writing changes and saves lives.
Our community outreach programs serve cancer patients and survivors, adolescents seeking creative writing outlets, and writers seeking to join a supportive vibrant community, local and Iowa authors seeking readership, as well as individuals who enthusiastically support the literary arts.
As the year comes to a close, we hope you will consider us in your year-end giving. CLICKING HERE for ways to donate.
