Part 1—Words Meet Art & Harriet Bart: Material Alchemy
2023-04-01 10:00 - 12:30 UTC | Christian Petersen Art Museum, 603 Morrill Road, Ames, IA, 50011, United States
Part 1: Words Meet Art, an outreach program of the Ames Writers Collective, is a literary arts event demonstrating through words how art, used as a writing prompt, can invoke feelings, trigger memories, and inspire conversations across divides and demographics. For inspiration, writers will interact with the Harriet Bart exhibition at the Christian Petersen Art Museum to compose and publicly read poems, flash fiction or creative nonfiction, and/or perform monologues or music.
For this first session (two time and date options) of Words Meet Art, participants will receive a guided tour of Harriet Bart: Material Alchemy to educate and inspire creativity led by Sydney Marshall, Curator, University Museums, Iowa State University. An introduction to “writing to writing prompts” will follow, with writing sessions to connect writers to the exhibition. This session will be led by Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, and/or an Iowa State University MFA in Creative Writing and Environment Program candidate.
Participants may bring their own drink and snacks for breaks. Refreshments are not provided. These events are free, but registration is required. To register, click here.

Part II—Public Reading | Words Meet Art & Harriet Bart: Material Alchemy
2023-04-02 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Christian Petersen Art Museum, 603 Morrill Road, Ames, IA, 50011, United States
Writers who participated in Words Meet Art Part 1 will present their flash fiction, poems, creative nonfiction, a monologue, and/or perform music in response to the exhibition Harriet Bart: Material Alchemy in the Christian Petersen Art Museum.
Registration is not required to attend the reading. Writers participating in the reading will sign up during Part 1.
Words meet Art is an outreach of the Ames Writers Collective.

Writing Through Cancer with the John Stoddard Cancer Center
2023-04-04 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | IA
Writing Circle Tuesdays are open to cancer patients and cancer survivors who have completed treatments.
Each evening we create a safe space, and then write together for timed intervals to writing prompts. Writing prompts inspire stories from our lives.
After each timed-writing session, participants will have the opportunity to read their stories to the group, which is healing on many levels.

Ames Writers Collective Founder @ Poetry Palooza!
2023-04-06 19:00 - 2023-04-08 13:30 UTC | Mainframe Studios, 900 Keosauqua Way, Des Moines, 50309, United States
April is National Poetry Month. For the first time in nearly 20 years, Poetry& of Greater Des Moines is hosting Poetry Palooza! – an epic celebration of poetry and poets April 6-8, 2023. All events are FREE.
Poetry Palooza! launches Thursday evening at Franklin Jr High Event Center auditorium (4801 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA) with the IPA Poetry Slam Final Stage. Top poets from earlier qualifying rounds will compete for the title of State Champion and the opportunity to represent Iowa at a national slam event in June. Akwi Nji will serve as the slam’s featured poet.
Friday and Saturday are filled with workshops and open mics at Mainframe Studios, and Poetry Palooza! concludes with a panel discussion at NOON on Saturday featuring moderator, Debra Marquart and panelists that include Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective. Click here for more information and to RSVP for the FREE events.

Open Write Tuesdays
2023-04-11 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-04-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-05-09 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-05-23 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-13 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | On Zoom
What are Open Writes?
Join Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month on Zoom. We will sign on at 3 PM CT, have a brief check in, and then write together in community uninterrupted for 90 minutes. At the end of our session, we will regroup and share our writing success.
What to write during an Open Write? Start writing a new story. Edit a draft manuscript. Suggest a writing prompt to the group. Write a query letter. The writing possibilities are endless. Writing in community creates synergy, and open writes provide structure for deadlines.
Open Writes are free and sponsored by the Ames Writers Collective. To receive the Zoom link, email ana@ameswriterscollective.org.

Swift Youth Writers Workshop | Grades 8-12 | June 26 to 30
2023-06-26 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Open to 8th to 12th Graders
Five consecutive sessions – June 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30
10:00 AM to Noon
Location: Ames Public Library
FREE

In partnership with the Ames Public Library, our Swift Youth Writers Workshops offer kids an escape into creative writing and the opportunity to connect with other youth writers.

Regardless of genre, for five days writers will come together in a safe space to read an inspirational piece of writing and write together to timed-writing prompts. At the end of each session, writers will be invited to read aloud to the group to receive positive feedback. These sessions are based upon the Amherst Writers & Artists Method, a methodology rooted in the belief that everyone is a writer. All feedback given is focused on the unique voice and strengths of the writer to encourage and model authenticity, peer support, and self-confidence.
These FREE sessions will be held at the Ames Public Library. The Ames Writers Collective’s Community Outreach programs are funded by our generous donors!

From one of our previous Youth Writers: “I learned from sharing my work with the group that I’m more confident than I thought. I felt that sharing with the group allowed for fair criticism that allowed me to improve my writing and it helped boost my confidence in my work.” -RC

Email Us to Register Today!
Please include your name, your teenager’s name, and your phone number in your message.

Swift Youth Writers Group - Writing for Teens
2023-09-10 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-08 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-11-12 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-12-10 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-01-14 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Teens in 6th – 12th grade are invited to escape into creative writing and connect with other teen writers. Each month on the 2nd Sunday (unless otherwise noted) attendees will be led through prompts and exercises to help develop and stretch their creative writing skills. Attendees will be given a chance to share their work and have a chance to support others. No experience is necessary so all skill levels are encouraged to attend. At the end of the school year, writers will be asked to submit 1 to 3 pieces (depending on genre) for inclusion in an anthology, and a celebratory reading will be held.
Registration is not necessary. Writing Sundays are FREE! For more information, click here.
Provided in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and the Ames Public Library

Author Spotlight with Third Stanza Poets & 11 Days of Global Unity
2023-09-11 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | KHOI Community Radio Station, 622 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010
Join founder, Ana McCracken for an evening “spotlighting” Third Stanza Poets as they revive their longstanding tradition of hosting 11 Days of Global Unity – a reading series formerly held in September at Cafe Diem on Main Street prior to the Covid-19 quarantine.
This event will kick off the Fall 2023 Author Spotlight Series.

Author Spotlight Featuring Deb Kline
2023-09-13 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | KHOI Community Radio Station, 622 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010
Join us for our Author Spotlight featuring Deb Kline, author and singer songwriter, who will read excerpts, lyrics, and poems from her book Forgetting to Remember: A Healer’s Journey of Surviving and Thriving. She will share her process as a nontraditional writer and take questions from the audience.
As an Ames author and entrepreneur, Deb Kline shares her passion for thriving beyond trauma by inspiring others to discover their inner healer. Her music, art, writing, and holistic practice, Wellspring Wellness, LLC, collectively expand the ability of individuals and communities to hold, honor, and validate difficult stories while celebrating kindred survivors.
Copies of Forgetting to Remember will be available for purchase and author signing.
This event is held in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and KHOI Community Radio.

Author Spotlight Featuring Pamela Riney-Kehrberg
2023-09-21 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | KHOI Community Radio Station, 622 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010
Join us for our Author Spotlight featuring Pamela Riney-Kehrberg, author and Distinguished Professor of History at Iowa State University. She will read excerpts her latest book, When a Dream Dies: Agriculture, Iowa, and the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, and take questions from the audience.
Pamela Riney-Kehrberg is a Distinguished Professor of History, and the author or editor of a number of books, including Rooted in Dust: Surviving Drought and Depression in Southwestern Kansas, Childhood on the Farm: Work, Play and Coming of Age in the Midwest, and The Nature of Childhood: An Environmental History of Growing Up in America, 1865-Present. She is the author of a historical book for children, Always Plenty To Do: Growing Up on the Farm in the Long Ago. When a Dream Dies is her latest book.
Copies of When a Dream Dies will be available for purchase and author signing.
This event is held in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and KHOI Community Radio.

Swift Literary Festival—Pop-Up Event
2023-09-24 10:00 - 16:00 UTC | Octagon Art Festival, 409 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Join the Ames Writers Collective at our
2nd Annual Swift Literary Festival
at the Octagon Art Festival
Sunday, September 24th from 10 to 4 PM
Under our tent located in front of 409 Douglas Avenue, we will feature the following:
LOCAL AUTHORS
10 to 11:30
Bi Ayers
Tom Geraty
Jackie Haley
11:30 to 1
Hallie Baur
Stephanie (S.L.) Hansen
Pamela Riney-Kehrberg
Moriah Rose
1 to 2:30
Paul Brooke
Dennis Maulsby
Clara McKenna
2:30 to 4
Joe Geha
Pattie and Kevin Kimle
Deb Kline

Writing-prompt free-writes
A chance to contribute to our Community Story
A contributor to last year’s Community Story!

Writing A Life Into Memoir—An introductory workshop on craft
2023-09-27 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Join author, Tom Montgomery Fate for an introductory workshop that teaches craft strategies to mine your life stories. Points shared during this workshop are useful for other genres such as fiction and poetry. Strategies shared during our time together are intended to inspire your writing. This workshop will not include in-depth writing, however bring a pen and paper or laptop for brief generative exercises and to capture your ideas.
Tom Montgomery Fate is a professor emeritus at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois where he taught creative writing and literature courses. He is the author of six books of creative nonfiction, including The Long Way Home: Detours and Discoveries, a Travel Memoir. A regular contributor to the Chicago Tribune, his essays have appeared in the Boston Globe, Baltimore Sun, The Iowa Review, and many others. His essays have aired on NPR, PRI and Chicago Public Radio.
To register for this FREE event, click here. The workshop will be held in the Danfoss Room at the Ames Public Library.
Provided in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and the Ames Public Library

John Stoddard Cancer Center | Writing Through Cancer
2023-10-09 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | On Zoom
Writing Circle Mondays are open to cancer patients and cancer survivors who have completed treatments and who are served by the John Stoddard Cancer Center.
Each evening during this 8-week session, a safe space is created to write and respond to each other’s writing. Stories and/or poems are inspired by writing prompts. Sharing stories with the group is healing on many levels.

“I’ve come to regard Writing Through Cancer writing circles as an integral part of my cancer treatment. As much as I appreciate the efforts of my medical team and support from family and friends, I still feel an “aloneness” in this journey. Writing Through Cancer writing circles has proved a convenient opportunity to air my worries, concerns, hopes and fears that only another cancer patient can truly fathom. It is a safe space to share insights, tears, and laughter.” – NJ
These writing sessions are held on Zoom to enable individuals to write from the comfort of their home. A reminder and Zoom link will be sent prior to each session.
We will meet on:
Oct 9, 23, & 30. Nov 13, 20, & 27. Dec 11 & 18.
This program is sponsored by John Stoddard Cancer Center as part of the Charlie Cutler Healing and Wellness Program

Writing That Scary Thing—A Women's Writing Retreat
2023-10-16 08:00 - 2023-10-18 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, 120 East Boyson Road, Hiawatha, 52233, United States
Writing That Scary Thing—A Women’s Writing Retreat
at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
in Hiawatha, Iowa
Most of us give little thought to how we would like to be remembered in our obituaries. The thought of writing it may be scary. But writing your obituary does not signal the end of your life. Instead, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect, receive feedback from others, and to plan how you wish to live the rest of your best life. And, wouldn’t you rather be the author of your obituary as opposed to leaving the writing of your life to someone else?
This two-and-a-half day workshop will help demystify writing about ourselves and explore the history of obituaries—both newspaper and online versions. Step-by-step exercises will help each of us gather our own anecdotal and biographical data, and easy writing exercises will produce draft obituaries, both online and newspaper versions. During our final-evening celebration, everyone will be invited to read their obituary to the group.
Join Mary Lou Nosco and Ana McCracken for a fun-filled and reflective writing retreat at Prairiewoods. You don’t have to be “a writer” to join us. During our time together, we will gather in community for walks, good food and conversation, and time to reflect and write. And, of course there will be wine!
Ana McCracken received her B.S and MFA in Creative Writing and Environment from Iowa State University, and she the founder of the Ames Writers Collective. Ana enjoys reading a well-written obituary, and wants to be the author of her own.

Mary Lou Nosco has a B.A. in history, an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, and is a retired Army officer. While in the Army, Nosco wrote too many obituaries for soldiers. Additionally, she has written obituaries for five family members and would like to spare her own family that duty.

DATES
Arrival: October 16 (Noon)
Departure: October 18 (by 1 pm)
COST: $295 includes lodging (single rooms) and meals, materials and wine! Click here for payment instructions or to make inquiry. Pre-assignments and itinerary will be sent closer to the retreat date. Plan to bring a notebook and pen and/or your laptop for writing and taking notes.

John Stoddard Cancer Center | An Evening With the Ames Writers Collective
2023-10-19 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Smokey Row, 1910 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines, IA, United States
Writing Through Cancer with the
Ames Writers Collective
A safe space is created for attendees to write for timed intervals to writing prompts. Writing prompts inspire stories from our lives. After each timed-writing session, participants will have the opportunity to read their stories to the group, which is healing on many levels.
Facilitator: Ana McCracken, Founder of the Ames Writers Collective
Location: Smokey Row, 1910 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines; Off the menu ordering of food, snacks & coffee will be provided

This program is sponsored by
John Stoddard Cancer Center

Author Spotlight Featuring Dr. Douglas Gentile
2023-10-26 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | KHOI Community Radio Station, 622 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010
Join us for an Author Spotlight featuring Dr. Douglas Gentile, author and Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Iowa State University. A Zen Buddhist monk and meditation teacher, he wrote and narrated the best-selling audiobook Buddhism 101: How to Walk Easily over Rough Ground and Finding the Freedom to Get Unstuck and Be Happier. He has been featured on such radio shows as National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, To the Point, the BBC World Service, and his work has been reported on CNN, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Jo Frost’s Extreme Parental Guidance, as well as the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times.
Copies of Buddhism 101: How to Walk Easily over Rough Ground and Finding the Freedom to Get Unstuck and Be Happier will be available for purchase and author signing.
This event is held in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and KHOI Community Radio.

Building Community through the Art of Writing
2023-11-13 13:30 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Bethesda Fellowship Hall, 1517 Northwestern Ave, Ames, IA, 50010

Author Spotlight Featuring Gary Eller
2023-11-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | KHOI Community Radio Station, 622 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010
Join us for an Author Spotlight featuring Gary Eller, author of True North.
Eller’s previous collection of short fiction, THIN ICE AND OTHER RISKS (New Rivers Press) was well-received and described by one reviewer as “reminiscent of Raymond Carver’s best work.” In addition to many short stories, he has published nonfiction articles on various topics such as commercial fishing in Alaska, rare museum collections, and post-divorce life. He has also published interviews and several articles on the craft of writing. His focus in the nonfiction genre, however, has been on baseball, one of his many loves.
His writing awards include the River City Award in Fiction, the Fowler Prize, and a Minnesota Voices Award, among others. He is a former Pushcart Prize nominee and recipient of a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He has also taught fiction and nonfiction at Iowa State University and lectured widely on aspects of creative writing.
Copies of True North will be available for purchase and author signing.

This event is held in partnership with the
Ames Writers Collective and KHOI Community Radio.

Author Spotlight Featuring Joe Geha
2023-12-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | KHOI Community Radio Station, 622 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010
Join us for an Author Spotlight featuring Joe Geha, author of Kitchen Arabic. Hear stories about his aromatic dishes and the writing of his book, which is a fabulous holiday gift idea for the “home chefs” in your life.
Joe Geha, Professor Emeritus at Iowa State University, is also the author of Through and Through: Toledo Stories, and Lebanese Blonde. His poems, plays, essays and short stories have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies. His work was granted an NEA award, Pushcart Prize, and the Arab American Book Award.
Copies of Kitchen Arabic, perfect for your holiday gift-giving, will be available for purchase and author signing.

This event is held in partnership with the
Ames Writers Collective and KHOI Community Radio.

Swift Youth Writers Poetry Workshop
2024-01-07 14:00 - 16:00, 2024-01-14 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Ames Public Library, 515 Douglas Avenue, Ames, IA, 50010, United States
Youth writers, listen up! You are invited to join poet Caleb Rainey for three poetry workshops designed especially for Central Iowa Youth. These workshops are completely free and will be held in-person and as a hybrid option at the Ames Public Library on January 7th, 14th, and 21st from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The workshops will build upon each other to prepare you for a contest where you can submit your best poem. After the workshops, a panel of poets will conduct a “blind read” contest, with two poems being chosen for scoring by Dr. Ron McCurdy, the composer of the “Langston Hughes Project.” To kick off the performance at Stephens Auditorium on February 8th, Caleb Rainey will perform the selected poems, accompanied by Dr. McCurdy’s music.
POETRY WORKSHOP DETAILS
Location: Ames Public Library / Hybrid
2 to 4 PM on all Dates
Jan 7—Generative poetry workshop
Jan 14—Poetry Revision Workshop
Jan 21—Revised Poetry Workshop
Jan 21—Submit your poem to the contest
This one-of-a-kind opportunity is funded in part by an Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA) Special Project Grant and a Discover Ames Community Grant. Don’t miss your chance to develop your poetry skills and showcase your talent!
Registration is required. Click Here!
ARTIST BIOS
Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and producer. He hails from Columbia, Missouri, and holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Iowa. His debut book, Look, Black Boy, became Amazon’s #1 new release in African American poetry, and was awarded first prize in the North Street Book Prize. His second book, Heart Notes was published in 2019 and featured on Iowa Public Radio. He released two spoken word albums, a studio version of Look, Black Boy, and a performance album titled, Heart Notes Live! He co-founded the literary magazine Black Art; Real Stories, was published in Iowa’s Best Emerging Poets – 2019, the Little Village Magazine, and wrote a monthly column for The Real Mainstream. For three years in a row he was named Best Poet/Spoken Word Performer in Cedar Rapids & Iowa City.
Dr. McCurdy, is a Professor of Music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he served as chair of the jazz department for 6 years. Dr. McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs including serving as director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Guest artists he has worked with include Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Leslie Uggams, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Ramsey Lewis, Mercer Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, and Dianne Reeves.

Writing Circle Wednesdays
2024-01-17 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | IA
Writing Circle Wednesdays are for individuals who are currently receiving or who have completed cancer treatments.
These sessions meet on Zoom from 3 to 5 PM CT.
Anyone interested may join at any time.
Living with cancer is a lonely journey. Only those who have been or are on that same journey truly understand the emotions, fears and challenges we face each day. I was hoping to gain some insight into how others coped with their diagnosis. I not only gained that, but also came to understand more fully my own reactions to my personal cancer story. This was a valuable experience for me. I don’t feel quite as alone as I did. —A Past Participant
These sessions are led by Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective. Registration is free and required. Contact Ana for questions and to register.
