All-Iowa Writers’ Conference inspires, challenges attendees

​     World-renown photojournalist and author, Dave LaBelle, shares about mixing words and photographs together to tell a story while sharing his own life story during the All-Iowa Writers’ Conference on Saturday, Sept. 16. LaBelle challenged the gathering to make the best of the time they have on this earth.

​By J.O. Parker
 
         The All-Iowa Writers’ Conference was a day filled with inspiration, information and a challenge to make the best out of life.
       The annual conference, which is under the direction of J.O. and Debbie Parker with Our Front Porch Books of Montezuma, was held on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Community Hope Church in Montezuma. This was the 11th year for the conference and the first year since 2019 due to Covid. The conference first started in 2010.
           The conference is made possible thanks to the generosity of area businesses and residents.
      Speakers included Crystal Ferry, aka Stella Bixby of Montezuma, who gave a presentation on self-publishing. Ferry, who has attended the conference in past years, has self-published 25 books.
            Laura Snider, a lawyer and author from West Des Moines, gave a presentation on traditional publishing and tips on how to find and agent.
      Iowa State University Professor Kevin Kimle and his wife, Patti, gave a moving narrative on the Underground Railroad in connection with their book, “The Only Free Road.” The narrative featured a story of Josiah Bushnell, founder of Grinnell.
           Joseph LaValley of West Des Moines, a former newspaper editor, shared insights and offered writing tips as he spoke of his seven books centered around the adventures of the fictional newspaper editor Tony Harrington.
       Adrianne Finlay, an English professor at the University of Northern Iowa, shared the story of her background and tips on writing. She challenged attendees to write something every day.
          The day wrapped up with a presentation from Dave LaBelle on mixing words with pictures. LaBelle, who has published four educational photography books on finding feature photos and simplifying photography as well as a novel on his mother, encouraged those in attendance to find their purpose in life and make the best of what is in front of them.
           “I had a wonderful day at the conference, said attendee Cheryl Sease of Des Moines. “There has never been a year where I’ve been disappointed. As always, the presenters were top-notch and approachable, and there was something for everyone. I hope to participate in the associated fiction writing contest again next year, as well. The conference is a local gem that shouldn’t be missed.”
            Lorie Leo. a first time attendee to the All-Iowa Writers’ Conference, sums up the experience the best.
            “What a jewel of an event, surely one of Iowa’s hidden gems,” said Leo. “I appreciated the balance and variety in the backgrounds and genres of the speakers, a credit to the Parker’s organization and planning. Each hour was full of useful, interesting information. Unlike other writing events I have attended, there was a thread of true camaraderie and humanity that was evident throughout the day. Joe LeValley took time to mention that he chose human trafficking as a theme for a thriller to raise public awareness of this heartbreaking crime.
        "David LaBelle showed multiple examples of how a photograph, like a piece of writing, stops us in our tracks and taps into our human empathy" Leo went on to say. "The Kimle’s tale about J.P. Grinnell’s unlawful participation in the underground railroad has lessons for today about standing by ones principles, even when it is perilous to do so. Stella Bixby advised us on how to manage the solitary habit of writing while prioritizing the needs of a busy growing family. UNI professor Adrianne Finlay is also a published author, but finds time for cooking and marketing handmade soaps to raise money for Type I diabetes. Talented people, but also caring human beings.
      "It made for a warm atmosphere throughout the day that blurred the lines between presenters, attendees, and organizers," added Leo. "Anyone who has ever felt too intimidated to attend a writer’s conference should definitely try to attend this one next year. How fortuitous it was that I happened to learn about the conference though the blurb in the Poweshiek County CR that I perused while waiting for my Casey’s pizza to bake.”
           The 2024 All-Iowa Writers’ Conference is slated for Saturday, Sept. 21 in Montezuma.