Welcome to Darcy Maulsby, a prolific author living in Lake City and our newest Iowa Writers’ Collaborative member. Her titles include The Lincoln Highway in Iowa, Madison County, Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes, plus more. She’s a farmer, an entrepreneur, and a public speaker. In her first column, she introduces us to an Iowan who raises a tattered flag and why.
As we expand our roster, you will find a growing diversity in perspective, geography, and demographic. Our members are professional writers whose commentary introduces readers to the ideas, people, and issues impacting Iowa. As we bring on new members, their followers are introduced to other members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, and vice versa, while we connect the state in this new digital platform.
If you’re reading this, you’re on the team. Care to let others know? That’s how we grow.
DARCY MAULSBY
ART CULLEN
Presidential candidates are flocking to Iowa. Art Cullen asks a question after hearing Ron De Santis railing about illegal immigration: Who cut your pork chop?
DOUGLAS BURNS
We often report gloom and doom of the local media business. This week, Doug Burns has good news to share:
DANA JAMES
More good news on the local media scene: Dana James is launching a print publication in June: Black Iowa News.
https://blackiowanews.com/the-black-iowa-newspaper-to-debut-in-june/
SUZANNA DE BACA
Suzanna de Baca honors the death of Tina Turner in a simple, lyrical way this week:
BARRY PIATT
Barry shines a light on Iowa’s Congressional delegation’s behavior during the debt ceiling talks.
BETH HOFFMAN
Our extraordinary author, and observer, Beth Hoffman takes her readers into the experience of how farmers feel when facing drought conditions.
ROBERT LEONARD
In his marvelous way, Robert Leonard explains why wood ducks have red eyes, and other mysteries from his prairie walks.
And on the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder:
LAURA BELIN
And Belin runs a post written by a Decorah man on the subject of a p.r. stunt by Attorney General Brenna Bird:
JULIE GAMMACK
Have you caught one of Julie Gammack’s Potluck Zoom calls on Mondays? Check out the schedule of upcoming people-of-note who will appear this month. Join in. This Monday she hosts renowned author Jeff Biggers. His latest review in the WSJ.
JOHN NAUGHTON
In honor of Memorial Day, John Naughton takes us with him on a special trip.
CHERYL TEVIS
Check out this poignant reminder of why we celebrate Memorial Day.
KURT MEYER
Our man in St. Ansgar ruminates about words and phrases that have caught his eye, so to speak. Have you ‘yucked anyone’s yum’ lately? Here’s a fun read:
WINI MORANVILLE
Readers are so fortunate to have restaurant reviewer Wini Moranville back in the column-writing game. She tells us about a new Mediterranean restaurant opening near Drake University.
PAT KINNEY
Not all stories about local journalism fell under the ‘good news’ description:
MACEY SPENSLEY
On the power of storytelling.
LARRY STONE
Our nature columnist, Larry Stone, heads for the incredible Loess Hills. Consider joining him and his wife, Margaret, June 2-4.
TERESA ZILK
Tina Turner, a lovely personal reflection.
OKOBOJI
Have you considered attending the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat? Give the producers your feedback about programming that could interest you: SURVEY. Many of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members will be on hand to help you with your storytelling projects.