Substacks recommended by Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Recommended by Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast, powered by Iowa Starting Line, where we throw bags at Iowa's biggest stories and maybe sip a beer or two.

Ty's Take

By Ty Rushing

My personal Substack

Weathering Climate Change

By Chris Gloninger

The nexus between extreme weather events and climate change - we will be connecting the dots between the two and why it matters to you.

Let's Talk Politics

By Dennis Goldford

These are short discussions of various aspects of American politics in particular and the nature of politics and political affairs generally.

Taylor’s Millennial Mindset

By Taylor Deckert

What's happening in Siouxland? The perspective of a tech-savvy, Sioux City, Iowa-based news anchor prioritizing self care, mental health and a social life.

Taylor Deckert is a dynamo who is embracing Sioux City, storytelling, and now writing a column as part of the Iowa Writers' Collaborative. She's a gem.

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Phoebe Wall Howard: Shifting Gears

Culture, cars and sailing from a Detroit Free Press contributing columnist who writes about stuff people may not realize is fascinating.

Reporting from Quiltropolis

By Marianne Fons

Marianne Fons writes from the small town of Winterset, Iowa, reporting on quilty and non-quilty topics.

Marianne Fons is accomplished in many domains. She might be best known for her work in the quilting industry. In May of 2024, she joined the Iowa Writers' Collaborative and launched Reporting from Quiltropolis. Within 48 hours she had dozens of subscribers, and generated a lot of interest. We can't wait for her many stories to be told!

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Reading with Rachelle

By Rachelle Chase

Exploring history you never learned in school — but wish you had

Stray Thoughts

By Randy Evans

Thoughts on government transparency, politics and civic affairs written weekly -- and sometimes, weakly -- by a longtime advocate for government transparency.

Randy Evans is a veteran journalist who currently serves as executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council.

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

The Racontourists

By Jason Walsmith

Hey there! We are Jason and Emma Walsmith - we call ourselves racontourists - and yes we made that word up, a beautiful mish mash of two words we are very fond of. We will write about music, travel, people, places and things.

The Paragraph Stacker

By Daniel P. Finney

Uncensored columns from an exiled newspaper man

My Integrated Life

By Dartanyan L. Brown

Stories and Sounds from a Life In Jazz and Journalism

Piecemaker: Musings & meditations of a Midwest maker

By Sarah

Quilter who upcycles textiles into stories of connection, identity, and belonging.

From Red Earth Drive

By Ray Young Bear

Narratives from a Meskwaki on modern day America in the Midwest.

988: Mental Healthcare in Iowa

By Kali White VanBaale

Stories from the front lines of Iowa's mental healthcare crisis and beyond

Arnold Garson: Second Thoughts

A unique perspective on public affairs built on commentary, historical perspective, and subject matter that is deeply researched.

This Stays Here

By Nicole Baart

A Substack about community for people who want to be better neighbors. Life in my small, rural, Iowa town is idyllic--and also really hard. I imagine the same can be said about wherever you live. Come join the conversation!

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper

My name is Jess and I was a high school Literature teacher for 16 years until I decided to run as a Democrat in a rural, red district in Missouri. I bring you news and politics from Missouri and beyond from a rural progressive point of view.

J. Dudley's World

By J. Dudley Gilbert

J. Dudley Gilbert is a Golden Doodle, born July 26, 2023.

The Five and Dime

By Avery Gregurich

A sporadic establishment situated in the guts of Midwestland. Mainly stocking essays, fanaticisms, and other inquiries into music, film, and whatever culture means. It's cheap, and always aims to please.

The Inquisitive Quad Citizen

By Alison McGaughey

Stories (and questions) about Midwestern lives, including my own.

Rob Gray's Area

Musings and observations on sports, gardening, travel — and anything else I care to write about.

Sports to sourdough? What fun!

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Hopefully Yours

By Connie Schultz

An ongoing conversation about the daily mess of life: Family, politics, books, teaching, writing, journalism - and dogs, always dogs. In my world, hope is a fact.

My personal Substack

This column consists of Letters to the Editor of the Iowa Writers' Collaborative.

Dave Price's Perspective

An award-winning Iowa journalist's observations on politics, current events, family and some random things, too.

Dave Price is a trusted news source in central Iowa.

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

My personal Substack

Exploring Iowa, the "Land Between Two Rivers," through history, road trips, and more. Posts appear about every 10 days.

Cedar Creek Nature Notes

By Robert Leonard

Almost daily, Violet the Dog and I take a walk at the Cedar Bluffs Natural Area above Cedar Creek in Mahaska County, Iowa, and these are my observations, photos, and Merlin bird logs.

Listening to the Land

By Larry Stone

Join me on my travels in Iowa outdoors.

The Swine Republic

By Chris Jones

Writing about confluence of agriculture and environment from the heart of the big ag beast here in Iowa

Dining Well in DSM by Wini Moranville

By Wini’s Food Stories

Where you'll discover great food finds and the best restaurant experiences in Des Moines.

Ice Cube Press: Publishing, Writing, and Smart Life Secrets

Where Fact and Fiction Merge Into One. Smart Thinking, Creativity, and Celebrating Being Bold, Ferocious, and Brave. An Independent Press in a Red State.

Ice Cube and publisher Steve Semken are providing a real service to readers and writers in the Midwest. I’m eager to read this column!

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

The Crossover

By Jane Burns

Women's sports stories from Iowa - a place where new generations of female athletes carry on a century of success.

Jane Burns offers a perspective on women’s sports in Iowa you can’t find any where else but here: The Crossover.

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Iowa Podcasters' Collaborative

By Robert Leonard

The Iowa Podcasters' Collaborative is a group of podcasters in Iowa creating content related to news, culture, and more. It's a product of the success of the Iowa Writers' Collaborative.

Podcast By George

Release the Truthtellers!

The Midwest Creative

By Macey Shofroth

Essays and explorations on the creative life in the Midwest.

The Asian Iowan

By Jane Nguyen

Born in Saigon, Vietnam. Nearly lifelong Iowan writing about people, places, and things.

Hola Iowa

Connect with the Latino communities in Iowa.

View from the Cedar Valley

By Pat Kinney

Column of news and observations from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls and greater Cedar Valley area.

Showing Up

By Kurtis Meyer

I write about the importance of simply showing up.

My Life, in Color

By John Naughton

Adventures in travel, food and fun. And Iowa sports, of course.

Naughton is not only a master sports reporter, he’s a guy with flare from head to toe. Bring it on!

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Talking Good

By Teresa Zilk

In this space, I’ll write about the people, places, and learnings that have helped to shape me and my journey here in Iowa.

Teresa Zilk is a treasure.

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Fern and Joe

By Fern Kupfer and Joe Geha

opinions on topics

These two are hilarious!

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Mary Swander's Emerging Voices

Diverse people voice their opinions for the Iowa Writers Collaborative

Mary Swander is introducing us to a new crop of talented, and emerging writers. It's a wonderful read.

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Kyle Munson's Main Street

Stories from along the thoroughfare and down the side streets, too

Kyle offers his incredible writing skills to readers of his Main Street column.

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Unfinished Business

By Cheryl Tevis

Current events, rural living/consumer issues, women's challenges, Iowa life

Cheryl is an extraordinary writer who brings us heartwarming and heartbreaking stories from Boone County.

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Become Inspired...

By The Seven Times

Highlighting Black triumph from the West Coast to the Midwest - and beyond. Posting multimedia stories about small Black-owned businesses.

Barry Piatt on Politics: - Behind the Curtains

Consistently ahead of the curve political commentary and analysis

Welcome to the Iowa Writer’s’ Collaborative!

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

Benign Inspiration

By Jody Gifford

Consider this a warning: I write about whatever inspires me. It's random, I know.

Jody Gifford's byline has been around the Des Moines metro area for years. She has a keen interest in the local arts scene, and beyond. I look forward to learning more about her 'benign inspirations.'

- Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup