Today, something special started.
Kathie Obradovich, the editor of Iowa Capital Dispatch, announced an alliance between the digital news and information organization she leads and the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
This relationship means more readers will have access to opinion and commentary thanks to the ground plowed by all interested parties in their respective lanes. The Iowa Capital Dispatch offers content to Iowa newspapers, and many are interested in running commentary. We will be offering our member’s columns for distribution.
Why does it matter to produce stories and commentary about what goes on in this state?
Last year at my first Okoboji Writers’ Retreat, one of our speakers was author Beth Howard, whom we affectionately called ‘Pie Beth’ not to be confused with Beth Hoffman, ‘Farm Beth.’ Here’s more about Pie Beth.
Pie Beth told about how her life changed after Des Moines Register columnist Kyle Munson wrote a story about her. She lived in the iconic Grant Wood American Gothic house, selling pies. The business wasn’t exactly fully baked.
But all of that changed after Munson’s column, and she wanted to thank him for making a difference in her life. It’s an anecdotal example of what can happen when stories are shared.
As some newspapers shrink and wither away, those stories aren’t told as often. We are the poorer for it, literally and figuratively.
Last week Gannett announced more layoffs were coming throughout the newspaper chain. The dreaded day was thought to be last Friday. Reporters throughout the chain nervously anticipated the day, wondering if they would be shown the exit, like so many before had. Friday arrived, and #GannettLayoffs started trending on Twitter. Salutes to long-time editors and columnists appeared. Although The Des Moines Register’s newsroom was untouched this time, too many journalists and administrative support teams throughout the chain are now faced with the reality of figuring out how to pay their bills.
I started pounding out a column in a fury about corporate greed, excessive bonuses, stock buybacks, how hard they make it to subscribe and advertise, and the short-sightedness of cutting reporting and opinion while not addressing the underlying systemic culture of dysfunction; blah, blah, blah.
Then I stopped. It was a waste of energy. A waste of time. I have no control over that domain, so I reminded myself to focus on what is before me, what I can accomplish. It’s all any of us can do.
So, deep breath, let me tell you about our new arrangement with Iowa Capital Dispatch.
How it works. Here are our current members (their names are linked to their Substack Columns):
Bob Leonard, Laura Belin, Doug Burns, Beth Hoffman, Art Cullen, Mary Swander, Richard Gilbert, and coming soon, Chuck Offenburger, comprise our group. Learn more and subscribe to our weekly column roundup: IWC
We are all independent. To the extreme, one might add. Our writers have had their pieces appear in The New. York Times, The Atlantic, Time magazine, The Washington Post, and other major national publications. Cullen won a Pulitzer Prize and was the subject of an Emmy-nominated documentary on his family newspaper, The Storm Lake Times. The threads that tie us together are a commitment to Iowa, storytelling, and opinion. And we have all made a living as writers.
Our columns are independent of one another. Our subscribers are independent of one another. Our ideology is certainly independent of one another. Our paid subscription income is independent of one another. However, if any income is derived from the Iowa Writers roundup, it will go toward the promotion of our collective efforts.
I’ve long admired Kathie Obradovich since I read her stories and columns about politics in The Des Moines Register. Her October 2019 departure to join an unheard-of digital start-up was stunning. Brave. I’m not sure the canary-in-the-coal-mine metaphor is apt, but it came to mind. I am drawn to risk-takers, so I invited Kathie to lunch a few weeks back just to get to know one another.
We met at the Olympic Flame on Des Moines’ east side.
“I have no agenda. I just thought it would be interesting to get together,” I said.
During our conversation, we chatted about shared interests, and I disclosed to her the idea of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative being formed. She expressed more than polite interest.
A saying my favorite mentor coach once said: Everything begins in a conversation.
It dawned on us she could run some of our columns in exchange for links back to the columnists in the Collaborative, and we could help each other in our mission to reach readers and support Iowa writers. That’s just what she announced today with Bob Leonard’s fine essay:
https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/08/16/flip-the-sky-other-ways-to-look-at-the-world-around-us/
Do you like this idea? I sure hope so. First, sign up for the weekly roundup of our Iowa Writers’ Collective columns. Next, find the writers you like and want to support. If you have the means to become a paid subscriber, please do. If you can support in other ways, send the link to friends. Spread the word on social media. And be sure to subscribe to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. It’s a hard-hitting news and information site, more apt to cover horrific restaurant inspection results than the latest deep-fried food craze at the Fair. https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/subscribe/
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We plan to share stories about Iowans' accomplishments and challenges. And we’ll tell you what we think about governmental policies and politicians who impact our lives.
Yep, we’re doing this. And some of the best-known Iowa columnists and writers have missed you and are excited about reconnecting. Others you might not know yet, are looking forward to meeting you virtually.
Write on!
Drop in and say ‘hello.’