Summary

Our guest Monday was Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart.

Also on the call were readers from Washington, D.C., Decorah, Carroll, Council Bluffs and the metro area of Des Moines.

Hart’s leadership was framed through her razor-thin 2020 congressional loss and her experience as a teacher and farmer in eastern Iowa. Hart says that race exposed major structural gaps between Democratic and Republican party support—organization, resources, and communications—and convinced her the party had to rebuild its basic capacity to win close races.

Hart describes her chairmanship since 2023 as a nuts-and-bolts overhaul: paying down debt, expanding staff (from a few part-timers to a larger team), and committing to year-round organizing instead of parachuting in during election season. A key priority has been reconnecting the state party to county parties—especially rural counties—after discovering even basic infrastructure had eroded (she cites not even having a complete list of county chairs early on). She says the party is now active in all 99 counties and that internal governance has improved, with a more functional, less factional state central committee.

Candidate recruitment is a major theme. Hart says the party has worked intentionally to recruit a strong, diverse, and younger slate, including personally calling candidates after the last cycle to learn what worked and to encourage future runs or help with recruiting. She acknowledges not every slot is filled, but argues Democrats are “ahead of the game” compared to recent years.

The discussion turns to the Iowa caucuses. Doug Burns argues Democrats should “go first” regardless of national penalties, saying appearing to surrender looks weak. Hart responds that Democrats in Iowa aren’t unified on the issue, so she’s used listening sessions and a statewide survey, while also pursuing a formal process with the DNC. She believes Iowa has a strong case, but repeatedly emphasizes that the best argument for Iowa’s early status is winning meaningful races in 2026—making the state more competitive and demonstrating that “if you can win here, you can win anywhere.” Richard Bender agrees that Democrats being shut out while Republicans go first is a structural disadvantage, and suggests Iowa could still act first even without DNC blessing, banking on candidates finding ways to show up and benefit from the media presence.

Messaging and issues come up next. Mary Pyatt presses the party to nationalize an economic message around tariffs and farm impacts; Hart says the IDP is already pushing accountability messaging and using farmer stories at press conferences. On voter registration, Hart concedes Democrats face a disadvantage but calls registration a “lagging indicator” tied to losing cycles; she says the bigger task is persuading independents and disaffected voters through direct, local conversations about the consequences of one-party Republican control (schools, economy, health care, rural hospitals, cost of living). Local activists describe efforts to re-register voters purged from the rolls.

The group also discusses the governor’s race and Democratic branding. Some participants worry Rob Sand’s criticisms of the party could damage down-ballot Democrats; Hart argues voters are prioritizing authenticity and that Sand’s town-hall-heavy approach shows a path forward—show up everywhere, talk directly to people, and build momentum across parties.

Asked what she’d do with an unexpected $1 million, Hart says she would invest it almost entirely in organizing—more trained field organizers and a permanent year-round program tied closely to county parties. Bender echoes that a serious statewide GOTV operation and rural capacity-building are essential. Hart points to strong rural caucus turnout as proof that investment can work.

In closing, Hart reflects on how political communication has changed—less local news, fragmented information sources, and higher costs—and says building a stronger communications operation is now indispensable. She also cites recent Iowa special elections where Democrats outperformed expectations as a blueprint: recruit early, fund adequately, organize aggressively, and run smart campaigns—especially when Republican nominee-selection processes push candidates too far right for the median voter.

Optional quick pull quotes / moments

* Hart: her 2020 race taught her “we had to strengthen the party itself” to get candidates “across the finish line.”

* The recurring refrain: win in 2026 to strengthen Iowa’s case for 2028.

* Light moment: a fire truck breaks down in Rita’s driveway mid-call; Chuck Offenberger jokes about Democrats going first and teases the overuse of the word “folks.”

Monday Podcast Guest is Author Scott Anderson, King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion, and Catastrophic Miscalculation.

Here are Four Reviews of this book:

“[A] masterly new account of the Iranian revolution, illustrates the stubborn American blindness that hastened the shah’s demise and helped the mullahs prevail. It was an ‘obliviousness’ that ‘became willful, an ignorance to be maintained and defended,’ Anderson writes. . . . This is an exceptional and important book. Scrupulous and enterprising reporting rarely combine with such superb storytelling.”

—The New York Times“Mr. Anderson is a first-rate writer of histories. . . . King of Kings is a sweeping, gripping book, one that makes past times and dead people (often weird, complex and evil) spring to life with its narrative verve and attention to detail. . . . Riveting. . . . Exquisite.”

—The Wall Street Journal“Anderson succeeds precisely because he eschews structural, quasi-philosophical queries for an energetic account that concerns itself with, as he puts it, ‘a few core questions’. . . . As a result of this inquiry, Anderson finds an answer at once simpler, more instructive, and truer than those of many scholars. . . . Anderson has also consulted the best scholarship on the revolution. . . . Anderson thus offers a readable page-turner that’s also attuned to those core questions. . . . Anderson’s book [is] one of the best on 1979.”

—The Atlantic“Veteran journalist Anderson takes readers through the final years of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s regime in Iran, tracing the political machinations that kept him in power and the corruption that helped turn the Iranian public against him. It is attentive to both the shah’s own oblivious rule and the world-historical mistakes that his American allies made in their attempt to prop him up.”

—The Washington Post

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Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat

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Iowa Writers’ Collaborative

Do you know about the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup?

I am thrilled to be a founding member of this incredible group. Professional writers from across the state provide content you just don’t have access to this way. See for yourself:

In this episode of Julie Gammack’s Potluck, we welcome Geneva Overholser—former Washington Post ombudsman and former editor of The Des Moines Register—for a wide-ranging, urgent conversation about what’s happening to American journalism, and what might come next.

Overholser opens with a blunt assessment of the recent upheaval at The Washington Post: it’s “a two-part story”—the brutal economics battering legacy newsrooms, and the additional distortions that come with billionaire ownership. She argues that what’s been lost isn’t just staffing, but whole sections that once helped define a great metropolitan paper—sports, books, and the breadth that made a newsroom feel like a civic institution. She also describes how changes in editorial direction have narrowed the range of ideas on the opinion side, and why that matters for public life.

A central thread of the conversation is the disappearance of the ombudsman/public editor—a role Overholser says was essential for bringing readers’ voices into the newsroom with real independence, not just as customer-service feedback. Responding to questions from Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members, she explains what the ombudsman function offered that editors often can’t: a credible internal critic who can press hard questions in public, week after week.

The discussion turns to where readers and writers are going now: Substack and independent platforms. Overholser sees genuine upside—smart people gaining independence and a place to publish—but warns that the new ecosystem can further “fractionalize” the country’s shared news diet. Collaboration, she suggests, is one antidote: independent voices working together so citizens aren’t left with only narrow “niches” and no shared body of facts.

Overholser also sketches the range of ownership and funding models she’s watching with hope: philanthropic owners who treat newspapers as civic treasures, conversions to nonprofit status, partnerships with public media, and even forms of public support used in other democracies—paired with strong guardrails. Still, she returns repeatedly to the unresolved core problem: the country hasn’t yet cracked a sustainable way to fund robust reporting, and in the end it may depend on whether the public learns to value accurate information enough to pay for it.

The hour closes with something like a charge: a reminder that journalism is still a public service, still “interesting as hell,” and needed more than ever—especially in communities sliding into news deserts. Overholser leaves listeners both clear-eyed about the damage and surprisingly hopeful about the experiments underway—and about the possibility of rebuilding a shared civic conversation, one collaborative effort at a time.

Read Geneva’s Substack column.

Julie Gamack and Guests

Ordinarily, I don’t announce our Monday podcast guest until the day of the show, because some time events cause a last minute change in the lineup. Last week I listed guests, including Geneva in advance, and readers indicated they like to know beforehand who our guests will be. On Monday, February 23. Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, will join us, and on March 2, Scott Anderson talks about his new book, King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation.

The Monday podcast is recorded live at noon central time, and subscribers are welcome to join the conversation.

Thank you, paid subscribers to any member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. You are invited to a couple of terrific evening musical events by our songwriters, to be held in Storm Lake, Iowa on April 23 & 24.

For details, check the RSVP form:

Author Jarrett Dapier will be holding a book signing tonight, 6:30 p.m., Beaverdale Books. 2629 Beaver Ave # S1, Des Moines, Iowa.

DATE: February 6, 2026TIME: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Meeting summary

Quick recap

The meeting focused on discussing Jarrett’s graphic novel “Wake Now in the Fire,” which tells the true story of the 2013 banning of the graphic novel “Persepolis” in Chicago Public Schools. Jarrett, a librarian and author, shared his personal connection to the story and the research process that led to writing the book. They discussed the advantages of using a graphic novel format for the story, as well as the fictionalization of personal stories within the book. The conversation also touched on the current state of reading habits among teenagers and the challenges they face in today’s digital world. Julie Gammack invited Jarrett to participate in the Okoboji Writers Retreat, and they briefly discussed the history of book banning and their shared experiences with student activism.

Summary

Book Success and Radio Interview

Julie Gammack and Jarrett engaged in a conversation, discussing Jarrett’s recent radio interview and the success of his book, which had been a long process according to his publicist. Julie Gammack expressed her congratulations and mentioned that she would tag their conversation to the end of a previous discussion.

Persepolis Banning Investigation

Jarrett, a librarian with a background in defending students’ rights, became involved in the Persepolis banning incident while working at Evanston Public Library. After witnessing the censorship of the book and the subsequent teen-led protest, Jarrett conducted research for a thesis, uncovering that the Chicago Public Schools’ CEO, Barbara Byrd Bennett, was directly involved in the decision to remove the book, despite claims of miscommunication. Jarrett’s investigation led to the discovery of 43 redacted emails through a Freedom of Information Act request, which revealed the true extent of the censorship and the lack of understanding about the book’s educational value. This experience inspired Jarrett to write a graphic novel about the banning, highlighting the controversy surrounding graphic novels and the importance of defending students’ right to read.

Graphic Novel Writing Insights

Julie Gammack interviewed jarrett about his background and his decision to write a graphic novel. Jarrett explained that he grew up in Evanston, Illinois, and has a background in creative writing and theater. He discussed the popularity of graphic novels, particularly among teens, and his experience working at Evanston Library. Jarrett shared his motivation for writing a graphic novel about the 1999 WTO protests in Seattle, citing the medium’s appeal and the visual elements he wanted to include.

Graphic Novel on Censorship

Jarrett discussed the creation of a graphic novel about censorship, combining fictional personal stories with real events. He explained that while all character backstories are fictional, the book’s depiction of how a graphic novel was banned and the subsequent student and teacher protests is based on true events. Jarrett shared a personal story from an interviewee about an immigrant from Mumbai who creatively worked around library restrictions to read more books, which inspired a character in the novel. Julie Gammack noted the book’s depiction of teenagers’ personal struggles alongside their activism, and asked if books might be becoming more important to young people as an escape from social media noise. Jarrett acknowledged this as a possibility, while emphasizing the importance of discussing information and visual literacy through graphic novels.

Visual Literacy and Library Trust

Jarrett discussed the importance of visual literacy and the value of graphic novels as a reading format, citing examples of successful individuals who read comics. He emphasized the collaborative effort behind his book, highlighting the contributions of various professionals during its creation. Jarrett expressed concerns about the reliability of information in the digital age, particularly with the rise of AI and misinformation, and stressed the role of libraries in curating trustworthy sources.

Urgency in Book Banning Resistance

Jarrett explained the title “Wake Now in the Fire” was inspired by Rage Against the Machine’s song “Sleep Now in the Fire,” which critiques greed, and wanted to convey urgency and resistance against book bannings.

Teen Tech Challenges and Solutions

We Jarrett discussed the challenges faced by children and teenagers today, particularly regarding technology and social media. Jarrett shared her experiences raising teenagers in the digital age, highlighting the pressures they face and the impact on their mental health. They also talked about Jarrett’s book “We Are the Change” and its potential to be read widely, including in schools. Julie Gammack invited Jarrett to the Okoboji Writers Retreat, where she would have the opportunity to connect with other writers and readers.

Welcome!

Please welcome our newest solo member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative: Richard Gilbert: Sh*t Richard Says.

New subscribers: welcome.Each Monday, we gather for an informal conversation with influential thought leaders in industry and civic life. This week, we’re joined by Neil Brown, president of the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Readers are always welcome to join the discussion—please share this with someone who might enjoy being part of it.

What happens when journalism’s past, present, and possible future collide in one conversation?

This week, the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative welcomed Neil Brown, president of the Poynter Institute and longtime leader at the Tampa Bay Times, for a wide-ranging, candid discussion about the state of journalism—and where it goes next.

Brown has seen the profession from most angles: traditional newsrooms, nonprofit ownership, fact-checking at scale (he helped launch PolitiFact), and now at Poynter, where journalism ethics, training, and press freedom are front and center. A University of Iowa graduate, he spoke with a room full of Iowa journalists, editors, professors, and independent writers about what’s working, what’s broken, and innovative ideas being implemented.

The conversation moves from the hard realities facing metropolitan and rural newspapers, to why community weeklies can still sell ads, to the growing role of philanthropy, Substack, and collaborative models. Brown pushes back against the “narrative of loss” around local news, pointing instead to emerging startups, hyperlocal reporting, and audience-focused journalism as real bright spots. He also addresses declining trust, political access, the future of fact-checking after Meta pulled funding, and why journalism must stop scolding audiences and start showing its value—every day.

It’s a frank, hopeful, sometimes funny conversation among many former and current journalists, who care deeply about local journalism—and are actively trying to reinvent it.

Watch the full conversation above. There is a transcript, too.

Iowa Writers’ Collaborative

As for reinventing local journalism— subscribe to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. We publish twice a week, bringing together writers and readers who care deeply about Iowa and its civic life.

The Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat

We are on a mission to assist you in getting your stories told. Come to Okoboji September 27-October 1 and work with over 50 instructors who will guide you through basic how-to workshops or help you take your finished manuscript to a literary agent.

The main descriptive word participants and session leaders alike have for this experience is: Magical.

Find out why.

Is it really so special? Check out reviews from past attendees. Click the button to read about their experience:

New subscribers: Each Monday we hold a Zoom call with a special guest where readers can join the discussion. Up next: Neal Brown - a longtime journalism leader and media executive best known for his work at the Poynter Institute, where he serves as president. You must be a subscriber to receive the Zoom link.

Author Grant Faulkner contends that traditional writing instruction—focused on correcting mistakes—leaves many people feeling incompetent, which fuels insecurity and keeps them from ever claiming “I’m a writer.” They redefine a “real writer” as anyone who sits down and writes, and say the key to finishing (and later publishing, querying, and promoting) is believing your story matters. Many people talk themselves out of writing by comparing rough drafts to polished favorites, dismissing ideas as unoriginal, or avoiding painful material that feels triggering; the speaker reframes first drafts as “discovery drafts” and emphasizes that all drafts start rough.

They explain Memoir Nation’s mission as helping people write for legacy and self-understanding, inspired by the speaker’s regret that their college-educated father died without leaving even 10,000 words of life stories. Memoir Nation offers multiple levels of support centered on community: a free tier plus paid tiers, and a flagship “January Story” challenge to write 500 words a day (15,000 total) to build momentum. Participants get prompts, daily actions, and “pep talks,” plus frequent Zoom write-ins that make writing feel less solitary. The community will also include affinity groups organized around memoir themes (motherhood, addiction, etc.).

Later, Grant shares this path from Oskaloosa to Grinnell, France, Chapel Hill, San Francisco, an MFA at SFSU, and leadership roles in writing organizations (National Writing Project and NaNoWriMo). He describes shifting from novels to flash fiction—especially 100-word stories—because brevity forces attention to every word and eliminates “flab.” They mention a new photo-and-flash “flash novel” set in the Southwest, and encourage writers (especially columnists) to “stretch,” try new genres, and play—writing sometimes “just for the hell of it.”

The discussion broadens to the cultural power of stories as connective tissue (in response to a quote about “human-to-story chains”), arguing stories shape culture, policy, and who gets represented; today’s bookstores reflect a wider range of voices than a century ago. The guest also supports partnerships with libraries and schools, noting memoir/personal writing could reduce students’ incentive to use AI because lived experience is harder to outsource. They highlight Okoboji’s distinctive strength as its intimacy and community—relationships that lead to opportunities—and advise memoir beginners to focus on a shaped experience (not a full life story), brainstorm scenes and persistent “itches,” and “write to the questions, not the answers.”

Finally, Grant outlines two projects: The Art of Brevity (a craft/meditation book with exercises on writing shorter) and a reality TV concept, America’s Next Great Author—pitch events feeding into a writers’ house where contestants draft a novel with challenges, culminating in a publishing contract—now connected to Canopy (the library streaming service) while they continue to pursue sponsorship/funding.

Grant Faulkner will hold book signings tonight and tomorrow

Grant Faulkner will be doing two events for his new book, SOMETHING OUT THERE IN THE DISTANCE, which is a book of linked stories to his friend Gail Butensky’s fabulous road-trippy photos of the Southwest.

Here’s the info for Beaverdale Books—this Friday, 6:30 p.m., with our own Kali White VanBaale as interviewer: https://beaverdalebooks.com/.../meet-the-author-grant...

And then he’ll be in Oskaloosa at the Book Vault on Saturday: https://bookvault.indielite.org/.../oskaloosa-author...

Okoboji

Four things to know about the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat—and the Okoboji Mastery Circle

Four things to know about the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat—and the Okoboji Mastery Circle

1. It’s not too late to join the Okoboji Mastery Circle.Our February instructor is the legendary filmmaker Peter Hedges, who wowed participants during his sessions last fall. Peter is an extraordinary teacher because his career spans the full, messy, exhilarating arc of modern storytelling—from page to screen—and he has lived every part of it.

Hedges is the novelist behind What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and the writer/director of films including Ben Is Back, About a Boy, Pieces of April, Dan in Real Life, and The Odd Life of Timothy Green—intimate, character-driven stories that balance humor, grief, and grace. Because he has navigated Hollywood expectations while protecting emotional truth, he teaches with rare practical authority: how to shape story under pressure, collaborate without losing your voice, and revise without losing heart. Just as important, he teaches with empathy. Students don’t just learn craft from Peter—they learn how to sustain a creative life.

2. A new way to grow your audience and stay connected.Have you attended the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat—or participated in the Mastery Circle? Have you started a Substack column and want to grow your readership?

We’re launching a new collaborative publishing effort within our community, managed by Teresa Albertson, a former Des Moines Register reporter, longtime OWSR attendee and volunteer, and Story Summit participant. To be included, simply send us your name, column title, and web address. Teresa will nudge contributors twice a month to submit work for inclusion.

Teresa is volunteering her expertise for the first six months. If, after that point, you find the collaboration valuable in keeping you focused and growing your audience, we’ll ask that you become a paid subscriber to support the effort.

3. The 2026 retreat is filling earlier than ever.As of January 23, the 2026 Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat is already halfway full—earlier than we’ve ever reached this milestone. Registrations include both first-time attendees and returning alumni, which tells us something important: people come, and they come back.

4. Scholarships are core to who we are.We will always reserve roughly one-third of retreat spots for full and partial scholarships. This commitment enriches the experience for everyone. If you—or someone you know—would benefit from attending, please spread the word. We want this community to reflect a wide range of voices, experiences, and perspectives.

To enroll in both the Okoboji Mastery Circle and the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat:

New subscribers—welcome!I regularly host a Monday Zoom conversation where readers can engage directly with decision-makers and other fascinating people who share a deep interest in Iowa. I encourage you to explore the archives, where you’ll find podcasts with U.S. Senate candidates, authors, coaches, and a wide mix of smart, fun, and thoughtful guests. There’s nothing else quite like it in Iowa—it’s a bit like coming over to my house for a potluck, or tuning into live talk radio with a roomful of sharp, curious callers. Not a subscriber? Become one so you can receive the Zoom link.

This is a conversation we had via Zoom with Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen, opening with her “plain-spoken” style and the theme of her recent State of the Judiciary Address: leadership as action, not a title. Christensen explained she chooses a one-word theme each year to stay focused, and shared a formative early moment as chief during COVID when colleagues criticized her draft speech; she kept her voice anyway, later hearing the compliment that she “humanized” the court—after which she stopped circulating speeches in advance (beyond legal counsel and communications fact-checking).

Christensen said the leadership theme grew out of a difficult year that required internal decisions—such as class-and-comp changes and magistrate modernization—that angered some within the judicial branch. To shape her thinking, she spoke at length with living former governors (including Branstad, Vilsack, and Culver) and legislative leaders from both parties, describing those conversations as humbling and surprising—especially how active former governors are in their “afterlife” (post-office). She also shared a personal story about finally letting go of old disappointment after confronting a former governor about not appointing her years earlier—only to learn he didn’t even remember it.

A major portion of the discussion focused on judicial workforce pay and staffing. Christensen argued Iowa’s judges have lost significant purchasing power after many years with no raises, hurting recruitment and leaving some districts with dangerously few applicants for openings. She emphasized that even modest, consistent cost-of-living adjustments compound over time, and described how recent pay/comp changes for staff dramatically increased applicant pools (from single digits to dozens—sometimes over 100 applicants for one position). She acknowledged the tension between tax cuts and funding public services, saying she can’t predict how lawmakers will respond.

Christensen also described a crisis in indigent defense, saying Iowa’s contract pay rates lag neighboring states, making it hard to recruit and retain experienced lawyers—especially in border areas where attorneys can work in places like Omaha or Illinois for more money. She stressed these attorneys are highly skilled and essential to constitutional obligations, and cited an example of a case dismissed in Davenport after a qualified defendant waited months without appointed counsel, warning more dismissals could follow without legislative action.

When asked about ICE/immigration and due process, and later about rhetoric around “activist judges,” Christensen largely declined to comment, explaining that public statements could force recusal if related cases reach the Iowa Supreme Court. She repeatedly framed her role as sticking to the constitution, statutes, and the record, and avoiding positions that could compromise impartiality.

She did expand at length on why she addressed addiction, substance misuse, and mental health in the judiciary: the work is emotionally heavy, and stress contributes to unhealthy coping. She said drugs, alcohol, and mental health issues show up in the overwhelming majority of cases, and she wanted lawyers and judges to hear: “you’re not alone” and help is available. Relatedly, she described how oversight of attorney discipline is central to protecting the profession’s integrity—arguing that if the courts don’t enforce strong guardrails, the legislature may try to do it instead. She noted the court issues full opinions in discipline matters (more than many states), and said she’s especially hard on lawyers who exploit clients sexually because that abuse of power can’t be “made whole” the way stolen money sometimes can.

Several participants raised institutional and civic issues. Laura Bellin provided context on her earlier reporting about Christensen becoming chief and asked about indigent-defense politics, noting House Republicans were more open to funding increases than Senate Republicans. Bellin also asked about a major HHS rewrite of juvenile justice provisions, and Christensen said the judicial branch was informed late in the process rather than involved from the ground up—something she found deeply frustrating. Christensen shared an example of how her speeches can spur action: after she flagged a particularly disturbing youth-system concern, she pressed HHS leadership to address it before she named it publicly.

Christensen’s most emotional example came from the Youth Justice Council’s “talking wall,” where 500 youth in shelters and detention answered: “What is one thing you need that you’ve been quietly hoping someone would notice?” The top response was “a hug.” Christensen used this to argue that beyond statutes and budgets, the system can miss basic human needs.

Other questions touched on judicial retention elections and the nominating commission. Christensen defended Iowa’s judicial nominating commission as essential to maintaining quality and independence, arguing retention elections shouldn’t be weaponized over a single unpopular decision but should evaluate a judge’s overall performance and temperament. She warned about ongoing efforts to remove judges from commissions, calling it punitive and inconsistent with how other regulated professions keep practitioners “at the table.”

The conversation closed with discussion of outreach and “how the judiciary lobbies.” Christensen credited the court’s governmental affairs staff—especially Caitlin Jarzan—and said she’s willing to speak around the state when possible (ideally with staff beside her). Her final takeaway: the dialogue was refreshing, but she spoke with constant awareness that she was being recorded and could be quoted—so she “tiptoed” around topics that might later require recusal.

Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat

It’s not too late to register for the online class series called the Okoboji Mastery Circle. Legendary filmmaker and author Peter Hedges will be your instructor. Get both the online series AND enrollment in the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Reteat (we will have five literary agents this year). Read more

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