Tag: Author Spotlight

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Author Spotlight Featuring Anna Jinja Mather

The Ames Writers Collective & KHOI Community Radio
are thrilled to feature debut author, Anna Jinja Mather on Tuesday, December 17th.

Anna will discuss and read from her novel, Adopting Grace, which follows the journey of Grace, a 39-year-old Korean-American woman who was adopted as an infant from South Korea by a Norwegian family in Iowa. As Grace grapples with her husband’s affair with his high school sweetheart, her therapist suggests exploring deep-rooted issues tied to her adoption. This poignant story delves into Grace’s struggles as a wife, mother, and adoptee, exploring what it truly means to be part of a family.

Following the reading and discussion, books will be available for purchase and signing.

Join us at KHOI Community Radio Station
622 Douglas Avenue in Ames from 7 to 9 PM.

Presented by The Ames Writers Collective and KHOI Community Radio, and supported by Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA).

Author Spotlight | Anna Jinja Mather

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In The Media News

2024 Swift Literary Festival Author Spotlights

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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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Author

Denise Williams

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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.

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In The Media News

Author Spotlight | Poets Paul Brooke & Jennifer Knox

Here at the Ames Writers Collective we like to refer to Paul and Jen as the Jen and Paul Show. Together they will entertain you with banter,  conversation and poetry sure to make you laugh and to consider the wild outdoors!

This evening produced by the Ames Writers Collective and KHOI Community Radio Station is teaser for Poetry Palooza!, which is scheduled for April 19 through 20, 2024.

ABOUT THE POETS

Dr. Paul Brooke is a Professor and the Endowed Chair of Creative Writing at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he teaches Advanced Creative Writing, Environmental Literature, Creative Photography, Experimental Photography, Fiction, Poetry Writing, Introduction to Nonfiction, Editing and Digital Publishing, Contemporary Literature, Diverse Voices, Novel Writing, Major Authors, and Literary Theory. He has won awards for outstanding advising, scholarship, and teaching while at Grand View University, plus granted two sabbaticals. To read more about his, check him out on our Author Spotlight page.

Jennifer L. Knox is the author of five books of poems: Crushing It (Copper Canyon Press, 2020), Days of Shame & Failure (Bloof Books, 2018), The Mystery of the Hidden Driveway (Bloof Books, 2010), Drunk by Noon (Bloof Books, 2007), and A Gringo Like Me (Bloof Books, 2005).

Known for their dark, imaginative humor, her poems have appeared in publications such as the New Yorker, the American Poetry Review, Granta, McSweeney’s, five times in the Best American Poetry series, and the 2022 Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses anthology. Her nonfiction writing has appeared in the New York Times and Washington Post. To learn more about Jen, check her out on our Author Spotlight page.

ABOUT POETRY PALOOZA?

Inspired by an educational and entertainment event of nearly 20 years ago, this creative experience – Poetry Palooza! – has been a long time in the making.

​In 2023, Poetry& worked in partnership with Humanities Iowa, Mainframe Studios, Franklin Jr. High Event Center, and the Iowa Poetry Association to make Poetry Palooza! a dynamic, interactive, and integrated performing arts experience.

​This three-day festival celebrated Midwestern Poets Laureate, cultivated students and emerging talent, and demonstrated the positive power of poetry.

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Author

Stephanie Hansen

What is your genre?
Crime Thriller

Are you published?
Self published

What inspired you to become a writer?
I woke up during a thunderstorm one December evening and told myself a story to fall back asleep. For days afterward, I couldn’t get that story out of my head so I started writing what would become the opening scene in my first book. Things spiraled from there and I found myself swept up in the world of writing thrillers.

What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
I’ve really enjoyed some of Andy Weir’s interviews. The author of The Martian, he self published that book before it was discovered by traditional publishing. He’s really funny (which comes across in his books) and a total nerd. He does a ton of research for his books and as a professor myself, I find it neat the way he helps the reader digest extremely complex science and engineering concepts in his sci-fi works.

Name three of your favorite books and their authors
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The Fox and O’Hare Series by Lee Goldberg and Janet Evanovich
Sigma Force Series by James Rollins

What’s one thing readers should know about you?
I’m a beef cattle professor at Iowa State University and writing is one of my side gigs. I love to travel and my books each feature a national park. I’m a coffee addict and amateur photographer. My current series, Harper and Reese Crime Thrillers, starts in Glacier National Park in Cold Woods and I am working on the second book in that series now.

What one piece of advice would you give to a budding writer?
Figure out what motivates you. If you need external pressure to complete the book, join a writing group. It is a great way to connect with fellow writers and help you finish the first draft. Also remember, there is a lot of writing advice out there, not all of it is right for you.

Author bio
Stephanie (S.L.) Hansen knows that isolated, stunning locations and mystery go together like peanut butter and jelly. With a passion for exploring the great outdoors and a knack for crafting heart-stopping adventures in remote wilderness settings, Hansen is always seeking the perfect backdrop for her next page-turner. So, if you find yourself hiking through the backcountry with her, don’t be surprised if she starts musing about the best spot to bury a body – after all, when it comes to creating suspense, she’s got the recipe down pat. To join in on the adventure and discover what twists and turns she has in store for her readers next, click here, and sign up for her newsletter today.

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Author

Gary Eller

What’s your genre?
Fiction, novel and short story, occasional nonfiction

Are you published?
Traditional publisher

What inspired you to become a writer?
In short: early encouragement, love reading, opportunity, and disillusionment with my first career choice.

What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
Co-favorites) Raymond Carver, Alice Munro
Carver: simple, minimalistic use of language, his subtexts say so much. And, as he was once described: “He taught us that literature can exist with a bottle of catsup resting on a table in a trailer house.”

Name three of your favorite books and their authors
Where I’m Calling From by Raymond Carver
One-Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Friend of My Youth by Alice Munro

What’s one thing readers should know about you?
I’m a well-concealed introvert whose sometimes dark writing belies the fact that I’m a quite nice guy.

What one piece of advice would you give to a budding writer?
Read, read, read…all the writers you love.
Remember the advice of your old favorite uncle: “Work hard and don’t give up.”
The paycheck should not matter.
And finally, this is related to the previous. Marry well.

Author bio
Born and raised in Rolla, North Dakota, I worked as a pharmacist mostly in Alaska for fifteen years. I became a writer after earning an MFA degree at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa.

My collection of short stories, Thin Ice and Other Risks, was published by New Rivers Press. I’ve also published many stand-alone short stories and nonfiction articles. My novel, True North, was published by BHC Press in late 2021.

I have several writing awards, the most significant being a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. I’ve taught fiction and nonfiction at Iowa State University.  I live and work now in Ames, Iowa, while spending parts of summers in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota.

Click here to visit Gary.

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Author

Paul Brooke

What’s your genre?
Poetry

Are you published?
Traditional publisher

What inspired you to become a writer?
Always nature has been at the forefront. My work focuses on the relationship of humans with the wild world. I am deeply interested in understanding why we mistreat the earth and how we can live in harmony with it.

What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
There are so many that it is hard to boil it down. In terms of poetry, Gary Snyder was an inspiration early as he understood the complexities of the natural world and he integrated a Zen philosophy, which I found intriguing. Later, fiction writers like Toni Morrison blew my mind with their historical retellings and incredible imaginations. Her book, Beloved, is my absolute favorite. Today, there are so many talented authors that it is a joy to read and discover new voices.

Name three of your favorite books
As I mentioned earlier, Toni Morrison’s Beloved, then Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridan, and Sylvia Plath’s The Collected Poems.

What’s one thing readers should know about you?
I love to travel and that often fills my writing. Recently, I went to Chile and I just finished a collection that fuses nature photography and form poetry. My newest work explores the often unheard side of Antarctica and I plan to go there very soon. For me, it is necessary to have experiences that show me awe and wonder in order to find inspiration. Those moments are transcendent and illuminating. Always necessary to building the best work I can.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to a budding writer?
Revise. Revise. Revise. Be patient with your work and be patient if you send it out. There will be tons of rejections. And for most young writers those rejections can send them running away. Run into the rejection and then submit again somewhere else.

Author bio
Paul Brooke has five collections of photography and poetry including Light and Matter: Poems and Photographs of Iowa (2008) and Meditations on Egrets: Poems and Photographs of Sanibel Island (2010). Sirens and Seriemas: Photographs and Poems of the Amazon and Pantanal (2015) was published by Brambleby Books of London, England, while Finishing Line Press published Arm Wrestling at the Iowa State Fair (2018). Jaguars of the Northern Pantanal: Panthera onca at the Meeting of the Waters was published by Academic Press (2020), while The Skáld and the Drukkin Tröllaukin: Photographs and Poems of Iceland was released by Gold Wake (2022). Brooke recently was awarded both an Iowa Arts Fellowship and a grant for publishing a diversity of writers. Click here to visit Paul.

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Author

Tom Geraty

What’s your genre?
Memoir

Are you published?
Indie press publisher

What inspired you to become a writer?
Writing, alongside acting and music, is simply (or at times not so simply) a way for me to reveal the extraordinary in the ordinary. I find that all forms of creative expression provide me a direct link to the deepest and most profound places in my heart.

What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
I have a lot of respect and admiration for Colson Whitehead. He finds honest, creative, and compelling ways to tell stories I am familiar with in ways that bring my understanding to a deeper, further, and more personal level.

Name three of your favorite books and their authors
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Twenty Years A-Growing by Maurice O’Sullivan

What’s one thing readers should know about you?
Being a stay-at-home dad was the greatest gig of my life. So great that, although my sons live over a thousand miles from home, the “nest” will always feel full.

What one piece of advice would you give to a budding writer?
My one bit of advice is threefold: don’t listen to naysayers, read the masters, and trust your vision and your voice.

Author bio
Tom Geraty was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. He attended Dowling Catholic High School in the late 70s and Drake University in the early 80s, where he played football for the then Division One Bulldogs and graduated with a degree in Education with a minor in Theater. Tom acted professionally in Chicago for several years before moving back to his hometown in 2002 with his wife, Katie, to raise their two young sons. He was a stay-at-home dad, continues to perform with local theaters, plays bass guitar, bakes pies, has two new knees, and holds dual citizenship with the United States and Ireland. Since the publication of his memoir, When The Trees Dance, he has learned that he has a younger half-sister he hopes to connect with soon…if he can find her. Click here to visit Tom.

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Author

Patricia Kimle

What’s your genre?
Historical fiction

Are you published?
Self published

What inspired you to become a writer?
Long ago, we followed the Underground Railroad trail from Nebraska City, NE through western Iowa to West Des Moines and Grinnell as a short family vacation when our children were grade school age. My husband developed a story line based on the history, but a job change meant the project fell by the wayside. When said children had all left me with an empty nest, I decided to pick up the story. We say now that I was research and writing and my husband “story consultant.” I had always wanted to try writing fiction and it was an easier start since the basic idea was ready for me to take on.

What author do you admire and how have they inspired your writing?
I grew up not far from the home of Willa Cather in south central Nebraska. I’ve read O Pioneers! and My Ántonia many times from high school to now. In grade school, I loved and read Laura Ingalls Wilder as a child. I’ve always loved prairie stories. Actually any historical fiction with a good heroine will do.

Name three of your favorite books and their authors
My favorites are always changing. I read a lot of books about creativity and recently loved Adorning the Dark, by Andrew Peterson. He is a singer/songwriter and story teller. I’ve loved every Charles Martin book I’ve read. And Susan May Warren is an incredible writer, mentor and businesswoman.

What’s one thing readers should know about you?
I have been an artist for 30 years. As a freelance designer, I published how-to articles and books in the craft industry before craft publishing went the way of the dodo. Next I had a wholesale jewelry business selling silver and clay jewelry until I retired the business during covid. For the last 5 years, I have been painting in oils. I have 5 paintings that were inspired by scenes from my book, The Only Free Road: An Underground Railroad Saga Unveiled, including the cover art.

What one piece of advice would you give a budding writer?
Research can draw you down lots of rabbit holes, and if you are inclined, like me, to keep digging, remember to ask yourself occasionally if you’re coming up with details that actually contribute to the story or take your reader into the weeds. Sometimes its better to make something up and keep moving on.

Author bio
Patricia Kimle is an artist and lover of history. After 30 years in the craft and jewelry industry, she has turned her attention to painting and writing. Historical fiction is her favorite genre to read, so it was fun to make up a story with her husband and work together. Working on The Only Free Road, Patricia indulged her love of research in order to try to get lots of details to enrich the story.

She and Kevin have three grown children and live in Ames, Iowa. Visit Patricia here.

On Sunday, September 24th, Patricia will be a featured author at the 2nd Annual Ames Writers Collective Swift Literary Festival to be held during the Annual Octagon Art Festival. Check our calendar for details.