The Flipside: Escape the Chaos and Dive into these Soulful columns, and valuable reviews
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roster
Flipside Time
Tired of politics? Step into Flipside Time, where the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative brings you gripping personal essays, jaw-dropping real-life stories, and fresh perspectives on art, music, books, and more. You’ll find hauntingly beautiful songs—about a songwriter’s near-death experience, a lost wedding ring that found its way home, neighbors with family issues, and the challenge of being a caregiver.
Vicki Minor launches a new column in which she interviews interesting artists, musicians, and poets, including members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
Plus, the co-founder of Substack meets with the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
and report on the call. Ready for the flip?Music
Kathryn Severing Fox — Fox recounts the unforgettable rollercoaster of her debut album release night—when the thrill of performing live alongside musical legends suddenly clashed with a harrowing health crisis that led to emergency surgery. In this raw and inspiring column, she candidly details her painful journey from artistic triumph to the depths of physical agony, emerging with a powerful story of resilience and creative rebirth.
🔗 Read hereCarol Montag — The Winds Blow Cold is a reflective song that pieces together childhood memories, capturing the bittersweet passage of time and the unspoken struggles of growing up. Through vivid imagery and nostalgic details, Montag explores the innocence of youth, the quiet resilience of friendship, and the inevitable distance that life creates as time marches on.
Chip Albright — An estimated 40 million Americans report living as a family caregiver during the past five years. Over 40% of them suffer from depression. It’s hard, it’s messy, it’s a tunnel that doesn’t seem to have light on the other side, and help is in short supply—85% of family caregivers do not receive respite care.
🔗 Read hereChad Elliott — A lost wedding band, a harsh Montana winter, and the unraveling of a young marriage—Chad Elliott’s poignant essay explores the fleeting nature of love and the memories that linger long after. Set against the stunning backdrop of Callander Bay, this personal reflection weaves together romance, regret, and the echoes of a past life through a beautifully written narrative and an original song.
🔗 Read here
Around Iowa (Features about Places and Things)
Nicole Baart – Are you weary? Author Baart has encouragement for you.
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Alison McGaughey – McGaughey provides dispatches from a Davenport rally to protect democracy and (accidentally breaks) the Economic Blackout. Also, she's not happy that spring has sprung.
🔗 Read hereKurtis Meyer—This week's column discusses Iowa's button industry and the name attached to the shell most prized for making buttons—one that changed during the 20th century.
🔗 Read hereHuman Interest (Interviews)
Vicki Minor — Finding Voice Through Poetry: Kelsey Bigelow’s Path of Healing and Expression.
🔗 Read here
Books & Art
Douglas Burns — Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Nik Heftman and The Iowa Mercury's Douglas Burns launch a weekly Substack Live in which they delve into movies, culture, and all things Iowa.
🔗 Read herePat Kinney — A World War II historical novel about a real-life West Branch hostel for European refugees fleeing Hitler is getting national attention, including a glowing review in The New York Times.
🔗 Read hereSarah Scull — Scull is chronicling her creative journey in Piecemaker, taking on #The100DayProject. Will she survive the highs and lows of this ambitious endeavor?
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Food & Dining
Wini Moranville – Moranville just posted an index of her reviews, food finds, and nearby travel stories. Discover what you might have missed!
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Humor
Daniel P. Finney – Check out Finney’s 5, a humor column similar to but legally distinct from David Letterman’s Top 10 lists.
🔗 Read hereVicki Minor – Egg Prices Are for the Birds.
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Media
Kyle Munson – Substack is the digital home for our Iowa Writers' Collaborative; last week, some of our members met with one of the tech firm's three co-founders, Hamish McKenzie. Munson writes about how the growth of Substack, a deeper storytelling antidote to social media, intertwines with the growth of our experimental group of Midwest creators.
🔗 Read hereMarianne Fons – Quiltropolis writer Marianne Fons serves up Julie Gammack's recent interview with Substack founder Hamish McKenzie to her readers.
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Car Culture
Phoebe Wall Howard—Some Tesla owners oppose Elon Musk in his federal job-slashing role. Bradley Timm sold his cars at a loss to escape the association. A top Tesla investor says Musk is destroying his car company. Polestar is running a Tesla promotion to reel in new buyers.
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Religion
Pat Kinney—A contrite Kinney makes Lenten penance for not having seen the movie Conclave by offering a litany of other impactful Catholic-themed films to beg his way out of the ecclesiastical doghouse.
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Sports
Jane Burns — Burns was in downtown Des Moines looking for eagles, but found a very famous hawk. Giant banners of Caitlin Clark hang on Court Avenue buildings, showing the basketball star's enduring marketing clout.
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Strictly Personal
Macey Shofroth—Macey Shofroth’s essay about her pet cats reminds us to let stories unfold.
🔗 Read hereArnold Garson —François, a once-escape-prone Siamese cat, gave his owner a heart-pounding adventure when he slipped into the night, leading to a frantic chase through the forest, an unintentional police call, and a hard-won reunion. Though François still flirts with the idea of freedom, recent moments of hesitation suggest he may have learned that home is where he truly belongs.
Travel
Jeff Morrison—For Mardi Gras, Jeff Morrison wrote about his visit last year to Iowa, Louisiana. The town has connections to a former ISU president and offers kolaches (with a Texas twist) and boudin balls.
🔗 Read here
Writing
Debra Engle—Story Summit launched its first Substack column today on “Writing Through the Distractions,” offering world-class writing advice.
🔗 Read here