A Generative Writing Workshop for Adults

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.

Ruth Harkin at the Ames Public Library

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In The Media News

Seeking New Board Members

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.

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In The Media News

Ames Writers Collective Receives Grant for Upcoming Fifth Street Writers Co-Working Space

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!

Gathering of Artists

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!

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In The Media News

2024 Swift Literary Festival Author Spotlights

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

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In The Media News

2nd Sunday Swift Youth Writers Group & Clair Kruesel

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.

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In The Media News

Facing Pain With A Pen

We are thrilled that Writing Circle Wednesday writer, Lori Holliday is featured in Health Connect magazine, a publication of Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa.

For the past year, Lori has been writing with others who have, or are still receiving treatment through the William R. Bliss Cancer Center.

Writing Circle Wednesdays are held on Zoom from 3 to 5 PM, unless otherwise noted. This writing program is held in partnership with the William R. Bliss Cancer Resource Center. For questions and to join a community of writers, email founder, Ana McCracken. Click on the image below to read the article. Hardcopies can be found at Mary Greeley Medical Center.

 

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Author

Pat Underwood

What’s your genre?
Poetry

Are you published?
Traditional publisher

What inspired you to become a writer?
My cousin, a gifted English teacher and writer, gave me one of his collections of free verse years ago that at first I didn’t understand. After rereading it several times and soaking in the meaning, I learned how stunning poetry can be. He inspired me.

What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
I especially like Galway Kinnell’s excellent work. He had so much to teach us about living life to its fullest.

Name three of your favorite books and their authors
Thirst by Mary Oliver
Everything’s A Verb by Deb Marquart
Dubious Angels by Keith Ratzlaff

What’s one thing readers should know about you?
It’s important to me to share poetry, whether it’s something written by yourself or someone else. Support is important. I look forward to meeting in groups both to critique each other’s work and to educate.

What one piece of advice would you give to a budding writer?
Trust in yourself and the value of what you have to say. Know that you are a beautiful person with words that can reach others in meaningful ways.

Author Bio
Pat Underwood married her high school sweetheart, and they raised two sons on a country hillside north of Colfax, Iowa where the wildlife inspires her writing. She is the author of three poetry collections and received a 2001 Pushcart Prize Nomination. One of Pat’s favorite honors is being a contributor to Voices on the Landscape; Contemporary Iowa Poets edited by Michael Carey.

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In The Media News

Swift Literary Festival | Sunday, Sept 22nd | 10 to 4

Join the us this Sunday, September 22nd from 10 to 4 at the Octagon Art Festival for our 3rd Annual Swift Literary Festival in Ames, Iowa. Meet our authors, and learn about Ames Writers Collective exciting upcoming news. Look for our tent on the corner of Douglas Avenue and Main Street in front of AVEC Design+Build.
Featured Authors & Poets
10 to 11:30
Marilyn J Baszczynski—Poetry
Paul Brooke—Poetry
Charlie R. North—Poetry
Dawn Terpstra—Poetry
Pat Underwood—Poetry
11:30 to 1
Paul Brooke—Poetry
Charlie R. North—Poetry
Dawn Terpstra—Poetry
Pat Underwood—Poetry
Deb Kline—Memoir
1 to 2:30
Stephen L. Brayton—Mystery & horror
Shannon K. Evans—Spiritual nonfiction
Kim Mosiman—Christian nonfiction
Ice Cube Press
2:30 to 4
William Bortz—Poetry
Charles R. Kniker—Nonfiction
Jennifer L. Knox—Poetry
Eva Newcastle—Magical realism
Ice Cube Press