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Iowans are building communities for non-academic writers

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

Iowa is famous for writers.

Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature and home to the famed Iowa Writers Workshop MFA program. Iowa State University and Cornell College also offer MFA programs, but there are far more writers and people who want to write outside of academia.

Sometimes it can be hard for an aspiring writer to find resources and a supportive community.

On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe chats with three Iowans building communities for writers.

Julie Gammack produces the Okoboji Writers' Retreat and founded the Iowa Writers Collaborative last summer. Ana McCracken is founder of the Ames Writers Collective which recently marked the first anniversary of its mission of building and uplifting communities through the art of writing and storytelling while advancing literary arts in central Iowa. Andrea Wilson is founder of the Iowa Writers' House and the Bicultural Iowa Writers' Fellowship. Wilson is continuing to expand the reach of the fellowship, and is relaunching the writers' house this coming year after letting the physical location go in 2020.

Guests:

  • Julie Gammack, columnist and producer of Okoboji Writers' Retreat
  • Ana McCracken, founder and executive director of Ames Writers' Collective
  • Andrea Wilson, certified narrative therapist, founder and executive director of Iowa Writers' House
Charity Nebbe is IPR's 'Talk of Iowa' host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts 'Garden Variety' and 'Unsettled'. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Samantha McIntosh is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. Since 2022, McIntosh has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.