Ames Writers Collective
Join us on the 1st Saturday of each month at 10 AM as we come together to write in community for two hours. We’ll spend 90 minutes writing in peaceful silence. Afterward, we’ll regroup to share our progress and reflect on the experience.
What is your genre?
Poetry
Are you published?
Self published
What inspired you to become a writer?
Writing started as a necessity. It was my coping tool through the hardest experiences of my life. It was the only way I had to express myself and to understand my own thoughts and feelings. Poetry became as crucial to me as any other basic need.
By my college years, I began really honing the craft through creative writing classes and saw the impact my poetry was having on my classmates. After that, poetry became about more than myself. It became about helping others see that we’re not as alone as we may feel. It became about showing each other that we’re all going through something, and even if it isn’t the same hard things, we can at least understand each other a little better by talking about it.
Becoming a professional poet was inspired by other poets I admire and became friends with who were doing this full time too. I always knew I was meant to be doing something more impactful than occasionally sharing my work at a local open mic, slam, or workshop. When I saw others doing this as their career, I knew I had to make it happen. This was what I was meant to be doing. And here we are!
What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
As a “hybrid poet” (a term I’m coining), there are four specific poets who have inspired my writing — two “page” poets and two spoken word poets. Somehow, they all rhyme with each other, which is funny considering I’m not much of a rhymer: Jamaal May, Ross Gay, Sarah Kay, and Phil Kaye. They each inspired my love for specificity, formatting, storytelling, and voice. I believe they’re each masters at what they do.
Name three of your favorite books and their authors
If I had to pick only three of my favorite books, I would have to choose:
How to Be Alone: When You Want to and Even When You Don’t by Lane Moore
Hum by Jamaal May
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
What’s one thing readers should know about you?
I don’t shy away from the uncomfortable conversations, because I believe we grow in empathy by talking about the hard stuff. Therefore, my writing will delve into topics like mental health, grief, eating disorders, relationships of all kinds, etc. It’s going to use a raw lens because I’d rather us be human together than to stifle what’s really happening.
What one piece of advice would you give to a budding writer?
No one is going to take you seriously unless you take you seriously. So you must always first believe in yourself, write because you want to write, and stay true to who you are. Chances are, there will be moments where you’re the only one who thinks you can do this. Keep going in those times, because you’re right. The support from others will come and go, but you will always be there for you. You’ve got this!
Author bio
Kelsey Bigelow is a poet who spends her time sharing this therapeutic tool with audiences of all ages. She is the author of four poetry projects, including her latest book Far From Broken. Her work is published with several presses and journals. Kelsey is a 2024 Pushcart Prize nominee, 2023 Button Poetry Video Contest Finalist, and 2023 Central Avenue Poetry Prize finalist. As a performer, Kelsey has worked with organizations like The Mayo Clinic, NAMI, Planned Parenthood, and more. Videos of her work are on Button Poetry, Write About Now and elsewhere. She’s the founder of the Des Moines Poetry Workshop, chair for the Iowa Poetry Association Poetry Slam, director for BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam, and more.
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
COMING SOON at 612 5th Street, Ames, Iowa!
Fifth Street is a membership co-working space, meant exclusively for writers.
The atmosphere at Fifth Street is quiet (silence-your-cell phones/no-phone-call rule), and you won’t feel nervous leaving your computer on your café table when you get up to refill your coffee or stretch your legs. No glaring baristas suggesting with their glances that it’s time to leave.
Fifth Street is about community where we encourage writers to gather at 12:30 PM around a big table for lunch (bring your own) and conversation.
We offer Wi-Fi, monthly member Happy Hours, and bi-monthly member readings open to guests and the public, and writer-driven craft groups that schedule their own meetings. Fifth Street members have the opportunity to GET INVOLVED with our literary community and to give back to our community at large. Such engagements include:
Members are given access to the Fifth Street online platform to interact with one another, to create writing groups, and to share publishing “good news” and community announcements.
The staff of Fifth Street personally meets with every prospective member to ensure they’re a good fit for our congenial and supportive working environment.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
FULL MEMBER—$125 / Month
HALF-TIME MEMBER—$80/Month for 8 visits
DROP-IN MEMBER—$40/Month for 4 visits
REMOTE MEMBER—$5/Month
FELLOWSHIPS—We offer a number of fully-funded fellowships to BIPOC, differently-abled, and other underserved writers. We encourage you to apply
To apply for membership or to make inquiries, contact, Ana McCracken, Ames Writers Collective founder.
What’s your genre
Romance
Are you published?
Traditional publisher
What inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve always loved to tell stories and write—that included short stories in middle and high school and truly awful poetry in the late 1990’s but then I started college and graduate school and my writing took a turn for the academic which was wonderful but a far cry from romance. In 2012, I moved to Des Moines and began commuting to Ames every day which led me to audiobooks and I quickly found my favorites in romance. More than anything, falling in love with those books and then subsequently graduating with my PhD and becoming a new mom, led me back to writing. Like so many have, I found myself buried in “momming” and work and I wanted something to refill my cup. I turned back to writing fiction and what I thought would be another short story turned into my first novel, How to Fail at Flirting. Ten books later, writing still fills my cup and I’m still kept company on I35 by audiobooks, only now, I have the option to hear my own words read back to me sometimes. My tenth book released in March—it still feels surreal most of the time.
What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
Kennedy Ryan is one of the best writers publishing today. She writes stories that are as emotionally evocative as they are a thrill ride. Her characters are flawed and beautifully real and her stories showcase the range of human experiences from sweet first kisses to digging one’s way out of trauma. A former journalist, her research is impeccable and her prose sparkles. I met Kennedy when I was a new author and I still remember how she hugged me and cheered me on and what that meant to me. She’s a genuine person who has had tremendous success and still reached out to lift others. She’s a philanthropist and entrepreneur and, among romance writers, there’s no one who garners more kudos from colleagues. She inspires me to be a better writer.
Name three of your favorite books and their authors
The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan. A romantic thriller set against the backdrop of political upheaval.
Juliet by Anne Fortier. A modern quest connects to the famous star-crossed lovers.
The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North. A speculative fiction thriller that explores the nature identity/M.
What’s one thing readers should know about you?
My tagline as an author is “sometimes love is funny.” Readers should know I do not shy away from real-life issues facing so many of us—self-doubt, trauma, heartbreak, loss—and that none of those things preclude us or the characters from having a sweeping, sexy, funny love story. In most of my books, prepare to swoon, fan yourself, and tear up a little. Those are the books I love to read and that’s what I strive to write.
What one piece of advice would you give to a budding writer?
My best advice to new and established authors is a reminder that the only thing a first draft needs to be is written. It’s so easy to get hung up on making something perfect and it’s so easy to stop when we realize our first draft isn’t perfect (using we here because this is true for pretty much everyone). So, keep going. Keep writing. Give up on perfect.
Author bio
Denise Williams wrote her first book in the 2nd grade. I Hate You and its sequel, I Still Hate You, featured a tough, funny heroine, a quirky hero, witty banter, and a dragon. Minus the dragons, these are still the books she likes to write. After penning those early works, she finished second grade and eventually earned a PhD. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Audiofile Magazine, Book Reporter, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Oprah Magazine, and her mom’s list of top topics of conversation with strangers. Her books have been listed as an Indie Next pick, Library Reads pick, and received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. After growing up a military brat around the world, she calls Iowa home. Click here to visit Denise.
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.
What’s your genre?
Spiritual nonfiction
Are you published?
Traditional publisher
What inspire you to become a writer?
I started writing as a little girl and just never stopped!
What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
It’s hard to name just a few, but as a child I was enamored by the work of Lois Lowry, Madeleine L’Engle, and Louisa May Alcott. As a nonfiction writer, Mirabai Starr, Terry Tempest Williams, and Sue Monk Kidd were the ones who gave me permission to trust my intuition and my voice. I love the modern fiction of Jessamyn Ward and Celeste Ng.
Name three of your favorite books and their authors
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter by Sue Monk Kidd
11.22.63 by Stephen King
What’s one thing readers should know about you?
I’m a liberal Catholic feminist who predominately writes for women but welcomes male readers too.
What one piece of advice would you give to a budding writer?
Sit under as many editors as you can!
Author Bio
Shannon K. Evans is the author of The Mystics Would Like a Word, Feminist Prayers for My Daughter, and Rewilding Motherhood. By day, she serves as the spirituality and culture editor at the National Catholic Reporter. She and her family make their home in Ames, Iowa. Click here to visit Shannon.
On Sunday, September 22nd, the Ames Writers Collective will host the 3rd Annual Swift Literary Festival—a pop-up event held annually at the Octagon Art Festival.
During the festival, festival-goers can visit with and purchase books from local Iowa authors and poets.
Current List of 2024 Swift Literary Festival Authors
Marilyn J Baszczynski | Stephen L. Brayton | Paul Brooke
William Bortz | Shannon K. Evans | Deb Kline
Charles R. Kniker | Jennifer L. Knox
Kim Mosiman | Eva Newcastle
Charlie R. North | Dawn Terpstra | Pat Underwood
Ice Cube Press
Thank You
Octagon Art Festival for hosting us at your annual event
Authors and poets, who joined us
Ames Community and visitors to Ames, who purchased books and dropped by to say hello
Hey Youth Writers! It’s almost fall and time to write at our monthly Swift Youth Writers Groups held on the 2nd Sundays of the month at the Ames Public Library.
This month, join our talented and fun-loving writer and facilitator, Linea King. Click here to read about Linea 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.
The Ames Noon Kiwanis Club is pleased to announce support of the Ames Writers Collective for the week-long Swift Youth Writers Workshop to be held June 24 to 28th at the Ames Public Library.
“As a nonprofit, we are excited to receive this grant which affirms to us that our programs for youth are worthy. Monies received will allow us to pay a facilitator to help facilitate this writing program for Story County youth,” said Ames Writers Collective founder, Ana McCracken.
“This request aligns with the Kiwanis mission to Improve the World one Child and One Community at a Time,” said John Core of the Ames Noon Kiwanis Club. “Specifically it serves the youth of Story County, providing access to arts and culture for all children.”
The Ames Writers Collective is thrilled to receive this award that supports its mission of creating healthy communities through the art of writing.
