Ames Writers Collective
Mark your calendars, for the rescheduled Iowa Poetry Association Slam Qualifier to be held on February 28 from 7 to 9 PM at Fifth Street Writers.
The winner will not only represent Ames at the Iowa Poetry Palooza but will also compete for a $100 prize and a spot in the national competition!
Poets must be 18 years or older by June 2025 to enter.
Learn more and register today!
Check out last year’s talented participants and champions below!
March 3, 2025, 6pm – 8pm at the Christian Petersen Museum, 1017 Morrill Hall
“Art Write Now” invites writers of all levels to showcase the powerful connection between visual art and creative writing. Participants will explore how art can serve as a writing prompt, evoking emotion, triggering memories, and sparking conversation.
The program will begin with a guided tour of the museum’s exhibitions, led by curator Alison Ranniger Van Zante.
Discover your inner writer with Claire Kruesel at the Generative Writing Workshop on Jan. 25! Whether you’re dreaming of writing someday or looking to reignite your creative spark, this free monthly workshop offers a supportive and inspiring space for writers of all levels. Guided by guest host Claire Kruesel, an accomplished poet and passionate advocate for storytelling, you’ll explore prompts to help inspire your writing.
Join us upstairs in the PEO Room at the Ames Public Library on Jan. 25th from 10 to 12
These workshops are inspired by the Amherst Writers & Artists Method, which believes that everyone is a writer.
4th Saturday of the month | 10 to Noon Email info@ameswriterscollective.org
Presented by the Iowa Center for the Book and Ames Public Library in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective.
ameswriterscollective.org | (515) 708-4694
The Ames Writers Collective is thrilled to announce that our founder, Ana McCracken, will be a guest speaker on Talk of Iowa! Hosted by Charity Nebbe and presented by Iowa Public Radio, Talk of Iowa is a platform where Iowans come together to share ideas and learn from one another.
Ana will discuss the exciting plans for our upcoming physical space, Fifth Street, and how this new hub will serve as a vital resource for writers in Ames. She’ll also share how Fifth Street will help build connections within the Ames community.
Tune in to Ana’s session at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7th. You can listen live on News & Studio One (FM) or stream it online at ipr.org. If you miss the live broadcast, the episode will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and under “Latest Episodes” on Talk of Iowa.
We hope you’ll join us to hear Ana’s inspiring vision for the future of Ames Writers Collective!
Do you dream of writing “someday,” but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you already write, but you’re stuck.
Join this FREE monthly writing workshop for adults, which provides a safe space for writers of all stages and genres to generate stories inspired by prompts running the gamut from phrases, poems, photography, guest authors and their prompts, or a piece of artwork. We will read our stories to one another and share only positive feedback.
These workshops are inspired by the Amherst Writers & Artists Method, which believes that everyone is a writer.
This workshop is held at the Ames Public Library from 10 to 12 PM upstairs in the PEO Room.
Presented by the Iowa Center for the Book and Ames Public Library in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective.
Join Our Board
Are you interested in serving as an Ames Writers Collective board member? If not you, do you know of someone who might like to join our board? The Ames Writers Collective is accepting “rolling” applications for new board members.
Founded in 2021, the Ames Writers Collective is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) committed to creative healthy communities through the art of writing.
How Can I Help?
We are seeking individuals who can help broaden our current board. Our current priority is to recruit candidates with experience in marketing and social media, financial management or accounting, law, or fundraising—a general interest in making Ames and Central Iowa a literary destination.
Why Serve and What’s Expected?
This is a great opportunity for individuals who value writing and advancing the literary arts in Ames, Story County and Central Iowa.
Board member tasks include:
· Be an advocate for the mission of the Ames Writers Collective
· Set an annual budget
· Ensure there are necessary resources to meet the organization’s mission
· Evaluate services and programs
· Serve as ambassadors with prospective and active donors
· Work to grow and diversify the organization’s audience
Board members are asked to serve on board committees. The Board meets ~three times per year, in person and via Zoom as needed. In support of the charitable nature of the organization, board members are asked to make an annual financial contribution of any amount that is meaningful to them.
Board members serve no less than one three-year term and no more than three consecutive three-year terms.
How to Apply
Please complete and submit a brief application by clicking here.
The Ames Writers Collective is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous grant from the Story County Community Foundation! This grant will be instrumental in helping us accomplish our goals for the Fifth Street Writers Stage at our new space on 612 5th Street. With this support, we’ll be able to equip the stage with a podium and sound system, creating a venue for local writers in the Ames community. Our goal is to empower Ames and Central Iowa writers, host events, and continue to connect our community with the literary arts.
Thank you Story County Community Foundation!
Join the Ames Community Art Council and the Ames Writers Collective on November 19 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm for the monthly Gathering of Artists event. This event will be the first in a series of soft opening events for Fifth Street, our new writers co-working space in downtown Ames. Meet with other writers and our director Ana Hays McCracken to explore the space as it’s open for the first time. Learn about the Fifth Street Writers community and how to become involved!
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!
Follow us on social media to meet our authors who participated in our 3rd Annual Swift Literary Festival held at the annual Octagon Art Festival on September 22nd. Our weekly Author Spotlight will feature author tid-bits, their book titles, and direct you to their websites to learn more about them.
3rd Annual Swift Literary Festival
Authors, Poets & Indie press
Marilyn Baszczynski – poet
William Bortz – poet
Stephen L. Brayton – mystery & horror
Paul Brooke – poet
Shannon K. Evans – spiritual nonfiction
Deb Kline – memoir
Charles R. Kniker – nonfiction
Jennifer L. Knox – poet
Kim Mosiman – nonfiction – poet
Eva Newcastle – magical realism
Charlie R. North – poet
Steve Semken & Ice Cube Press – indie press
Dawn Terpstra – poet
Pat Underwood – poet
Hey Youth Writers! Let’s Write at the Ames Public Library.
Join our talented and fun-loving writer and facilitator, Claire Kruesel for our 2nd Sunday Swift Youth Writers Group. Click here to read about Claire and her writing philosophy.
Youth writers meet upstairs in the P.E.O. Room from 2 to 4 PM. Do check the monitors incase of room changes. We supply notebooks and pens, and other supplies to prompt and inspire stories.
2nd Sunday Swift Youth Writers Groups are offered as an Ames Writers Collective FREE community outreach program in partnership with the Ames Public Library.
Notifications