All-Iowa Writers’ Conference welcomes journalist Harry Smith

      Harry Smith, retired television journalist, interacts with the attendees at the All-Iowa Writers’ Conference held on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Montezuma.

​By J.O. Parker
 
       The All-Iowa Writers’ Conference opened with a candid and, at times, curious look at life from the now retired nationally known television journalist Harry Smith.
       Smith, who is currently teaching a class at his alum mater, Central College in Pella on “curiosity,” shared with the approximately 30 conference attendees about life in Iowa and his window view to the south from his comfortable garage apartment. He shared about the peaceful view of cattle grazing that he enjoys every morning while drinking coffee and working on his writing.
        He spoke about his time working in the news business and told stories about his life. He engaged with the attendees, encouraging them to share their own writing experiences and goals in his hour-long presentation.
      “Writing can be a mysterious undertaking,” Smith said following his presentation. “We wonder how it works. And sometimes we are baffled by the result. Good and bad. So it was fun to share a few thoughts about writing and also share some of the techniques I have tried to employ through the years. I enjoyed it thoroughly. And the audience didn’t seem to mind too much either.”
      The annual conference, which was held on Saturday, Sept. 21, is under the direction of J.O. and Debbie Parker with Our Front Porch Books of Montezuma. It was held at Community Hope Church in Montezuma. This was the 12th year for the conference and the second time since a three year break due to Covid. The conference first started in 2010.
      Others giving presentations included Misty Urban, who wrote her first unpublished novel at age 16.  Today, Urban writes historical romance, contemporary novels and short fiction. Her books include Viscount Overboard and My Day as Regan Forrester. Urban also offers editing services and writing support through her company, Madwriters Editing Services. The business helps authors take their manuscript from raw concept to the polished final product.
      “It was a fabulous experience,” said Urban. “I enjoyed the variety of authors. It was inspiring and I learned a lot. I enjoyed all my conversations.”
      Jackie Haley, a nationally recognized, award-winning author, speaker and entrepreneur, wrapped up the morning season with a moving presentation on her book, Brenda’s Wish. She's appeared on CBS, NBC, and other major media outlets and has traveled the country. Her other books include Crystal Beach and Truce Island. Haley launched Dream to Author to help aspiring writers become published, providing assistance through online training and coaching services. 
     Following a tasty lunch from Pagliai’s of salad and pizza, Leigh Michaels, an Ottumwa-based award-winning author, teacher, editor, mentor, writing coach and public speaker gave a presentation on improving your writing. Michaels is the author of 80 Harlequin contemporary romances and is the president of the board of the Ottumwa Public Library Foundation. 
      Phil Hester of North English gave candid presentation on his long career as a comic book artist and author with Simon & Schuster and others. His penciling credits include Swamp Thing, Brave New World, Flinch, Ultimate Marvel Team Up, Clerks: The Lost Scene, The Crow: Waking Nightmares, The Wretch, Aliens: Purge and Green Arrow.
      Hester did an exercise with the attendees showing them how to draw a comic book character and donated the drawing to the annual door prizes held at the end of the day.
       The day wrapped up with a presentation by Zachary Michael Jack, author of more than 25 award-winning books including Love of the Land, The Haunt of Home and What Cheer: A Love Story. Jack is also a playwright, national commentator and Professor of English at North Central College in Illinois.
        "I've attended this conference a number of times in recent years, " said Melinda Wichmann, Homestead. "Writing is a solitary endeavor and it's motivating to spend a day with other authors, no matter what level they are writing and publishing at."
        Wichmann, who hopes to publish her first novel in the near future, pointed out she attended this year's conference specifically seeking inspiration to push through the final steps to polish her manuscript. "It worked," she said. "The camaraderie and networking aspects were what I was looking for."
      “The Montezuma writer's conference has a deceptively low key atmosphere,” said writer and long-time attendee, Sheryl Chute, Moville. “Yet at the end of the day you walk away with more than information. You leave with inspiration and budding friendships.”
      “It was a great event,” said Victor Amorosa, Des Moines, who took first place in the fiction writing contest. “I definitely will be back next year.”
      “I’m a first time conference attendee,” said Daleena Pray, Des Moines “The variety was delicious to a rookie writer.”
        Pray won second place in the fiction writing contest.
      “The All-Iowa Writers' Conference surpassed my expectations,” said attendee Teresa McCall, Baxter. “It was an amazing day of meeting writers from other areas of the state, gaining insight from published authors, journalists, and artists and learning ways to improve my writing. I would recommend this conference to anyone who is currently a writer, anyone who wants to be a writer but doesn't know where to start. It's inspiring and a good value! I can't wait for next year!”