I’ve been on a journey to understand my life as a writer since my career has transformed in the last two years, the most essential part being how I manage my time in relation to the work I’d like to complete.
I’ve lately been sacrificing the time I’d like to give towards my personal writing, those projects that have no deadline and no constraints and exist simply to let myself figure my shit out.
I’m going to shift into that mode of writing this week, so The Midwest Creative will be short and sweet (and finished on a Monday night—unheard of).
While I’m off for the week, here are 9 other Midwest Creatives I encourage you to support:
Talented Des Moines-based poet Kelsey Bigelow and her collection, “Far From Broken,” which I reviewed here
Camille T. Dungy and her collection, Trophic Cascade
I’m about 1/3 the way through “How to Protect Book Stores and Why: The Present and Future of Bookselling” by Danny Caine, co-owner of the Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas. I’m really enjoying it so far.
I got my copy from Storyhouse Bookpub in Des Moines! Support small book stores! And expect a review once I finish it that explains why.
JEFAS Magazine, produced by Hola Iowa, celebrates Midwest Latina women in business
A recent Substack find, Jeremy Mathew’s
.Sixty Inches From Center out of Chicago
I’m excited to receive Minnesota-based writer Paul Rousseau’s memoir “Friendly Fire: A Fractured Memoir” next week. (Again - pre-order it from your favorite small bookstore!)
Des Moines-based writer Mackenzie Walters recently wrote “Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story.” (Faith doesn’t have a place in my life so I have not read the book, but Mackenzie is a writer friend that I trust and respect so I feel comfortable recommending this if Christianity is important to your storytelling practice.)
- by . This is not explicitly Midwest-based, but the library of Substacks with smaller followings aligns with my passion for uplifting artists who are in spaces where they may not always get the attention they deserve.
And, of course, the Iowa Writer’s Collaborative, which is filled with brilliant, thoughtful writers from across the state of Iowa who are doing incredible work in our state. I’m very proud to be a part of this group. I hope you consider subscribing to many of my colleagues.
Who are your favorite Midwest Creatives? Whose work has moved you this week? Who should we know about? Let us know in the comments!