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!
Tag: Ana McCracken
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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.
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
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
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
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
Charles R. Kniker—Nonfiction
Jennifer L. Knox—Poetry
Eva Newcastle—Magical realism
Ice Cube Press
This workshop is held through OLLI-ISU.
Instructor: Ana McCracken
Five weeks: Monday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 28, 2024
Class Limit 8
1 – 3:30 p.m. CT Online with Zoom
Cost: $60 Class limit 8 REGISTER ONLINE
Do you dream of writing “someday” but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you already write, but you’re stuck. Maybe you’ve never written. This writing workshop provides a space for curious writers of all stages to generate stories inspired by prompts running the gamut from phrases, poems, photography, or a piece of art- work that inspires an ekphrasis response. We will read our stories to one another, discuss the craft of writing, and where to publish.
Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, received her BS & MFA in Creative Writing from Iowa State University. Her writing has been published in literary journals and anthologies. A certified Amherst Writers & Artists facilitator, she serves on Litquake’s advisory board and the Willa Cather Foundation board of governors.
This workshop is held through OLLI-ISU.
Instructor: Ana McCracken
Five weeks: Monday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 28, 2024
Class Limit 8
1 – 3:30 p.m. CT Online with Zoom
Cost: $60 Class limit 8 REGISTER ONLINE
Do you dream of writing “someday” but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you already write, but you’re stuck. Maybe you’ve never written. This writing workshop provides a space for curious writers of all stages to generate stories inspired by prompts running the gamut from phrases, poems, photography, or a piece of art- work that inspires an ekphrasis response. We will read our stories to one another, discuss the craft of writing, and where to publish.
Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, received her BS & MFA in Creative Writing from Iowa State University. Her writing has been published in literary journals and anthologies. A certified Amherst Writers & Artists facilitator, she serves on Litquake’s advisory board and the Willa Cather Foundation board of governors.
This workshop is held through OLLI-ISU.
Instructor: Ana McCracken
Five weeks: Monday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 28, 2024
Class Limit 8
1 – 3:30 p.m. CT Online with Zoom
Cost: $60 Class limit 8 REGISTER ONLINE
Do you dream of writing “someday” but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you already write, but you’re stuck. Maybe you’ve never written. This writing workshop provides a space for curious writers of all stages to generate stories inspired by prompts running the gamut from phrases, poems, photography, or a piece of art- work that inspires an ekphrasis response. We will read our stories to one another, discuss the craft of writing, and where to publish.
Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, received her BS & MFA in Creative Writing from Iowa State University. Her writing has been published in literary journals and anthologies. A certified Amherst Writers & Artists facilitator, she serves on Litquake’s advisory board and the Willa Cather Foundation board of governors.
This workshop is held through OLLI-ISU.
Instructor: Ana McCracken
Five weeks: Monday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 28, 2024
Class Limit 8
1 – 3:30 p.m. CT Online with Zoom
Cost: $60 Class limit 8 REGISTER ONLINE
Do you dream of writing “someday” but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you already write, but you’re stuck. Maybe you’ve never written. This writing workshop provides a space for curious writers of all stages to generate stories inspired by prompts running the gamut from phrases, poems, photography, or a piece of art- work that inspires an ekphrasis response. We will read our stories to one another, discuss the craft of writing, and where to publish.
Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, received her BS & MFA in Creative Writing from Iowa State University. Her writing has been published in literary journals and anthologies. A certified Amherst Writers & Artists facilitator, she serves on Litquake’s advisory board and the Willa Cather Foundation board of governors.
This workshop is held through OLLI-ISU.
Instructor: Ana McCracken
Five weeks: Monday, Sept. 30 – Oct. 28, 2024
Class Limit 8
1 – 3:30 p.m. CT Online with Zoom
Cost: $60 Class limit 8 REGISTER ONLINE
Do you dream of writing “someday” but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you already write, but you’re stuck. Maybe you’ve never written. This writing workshop provides a space for curious writers of all stages to generate stories inspired by prompts running the gamut from phrases, poems, photography, or a piece of art- work that inspires an ekphrasis response. We will read our stories to one another, discuss the craft of writing, and where to publish.
Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, received her BS & MFA in Creative Writing from Iowa State University. Her writing has been published in literary journals and anthologies. A certified Amherst Writers & Artists facilitator, she serves on Litquake’s advisory board and the Willa Cather Foundation board of governors.
This program is for OLLI-ISU members.
Speakers: Rachel Olsen and Ana McCracken
Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 3 – 4:30 p.m. CT Online with Zoom
Few books pack as much genuine life into their pages as the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read, My Ántonia—the classic novel of the American immigrant experience that pairs a sense of place with a compassionate and gripping narrative. Following a lecture, Rachel Olsen will lead the audience in conversation to discuss how community and place shape lives. Participants are not required to read My Án- tonia. This lecture is part of the Cather Sesquicentennial year celebrating Cather’s 150th year.
Rachel Olsen is the Director of Education and Engagement at the National Willa Cather Center located in Red Cloud, Nebraska. Olsen has a master’s degree in English from Kansas State University with a certificate in Women’s Studies and was a full-time faculty member and writing center director at Oklahoma City Community College before moving to Red Cloud.
Ana McCracken, founder of the Ames Writers Collective, received her MFA in Creative Writing from Iowa State University. Her writing and poetry are published in literary journals and anthologies. A certified Amherst Writers & Artists facilitator, she serves on Litquake’s advisory board and the Willa Cather Foundation board of governors.
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 and held in partnership with the William R. Bliss Cancer Center located in Ames, Iowa. Registration is free and required. Contact Ana for questions and to register.
