All Speakers / meet our speakers

In addition to returning speakers from previous Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreats, we have an all-star mix of new expertise. Topics covered include fiction, memoir, journalism, editing, poetry, romance, songwriting, playwriting, speechwriting, screenwriting, column writing, writing for visual media, promotion, public speaking, and more.

We’re continually updating speakers! But, in the meantime, check out the impressive list below (and click to read their bios) we’ve got onboard already. Though all of our speakers are qualified to cover numerous topics, they are grouped by the category they have chosen to speak about.

Agent

Andy Ross

Literary Agent

Workshops: 1. First Lines. 2. Query Letter Workshop. Andy Ross opened his literary

Elizabeth Kracht

Literary Agent/Author

Workshops: 1. Self-editing for Fiction and Memoir Writers. 2. How to Find a Literary Agent. Elizabeth Kracht has an MFA

Katharine Sands

Literary Agent

Workshops: 1. Master-Pitch Theatre. 2. Getting Ready • Getting Read • Getting Readers Katharine Sands is

Rita Rosenkranz

Literary Agent

Workshops: 1. How to Write an Irresistible Non-fiction Book Proposal. 2. All About the Author/Agent Relationship. Rita Rosenkranz is a

Sheree Bykofsky

Literary Agent

Sheree Bykofsky is a generalist and has eclectic and sometimes eccentric tastes. She represents all areas of non-fiction and

Childrens

Abena Sankofa Imhotep

Author/Cultural Worker/Literary Activist

Workshops: 1. The Ethics & Art of Witnessing. 2. Before You Hit Delete: The Revision Workshop You Actually Need. Abena

Kelly Crull

Children's Book Author

Workshops: 1. From Idea to Bookshelf. 2. Rethinking the Path to Publication. Kelly Crull is a children’s book author, photographer,

Comedy

Lisa Rossi

Journalist/Comedian

Workshops: 1. Joke Writing 101. 2. Writing on Your Feet. Lisa Rossi is a journalist and comedian. She has performed

Megan Gogerty

Playwright/Comedian

Workshops: 1. Stand-up Comedy Writing Fundamentals. 2. Own Your Own Story. Megan Gogerty is a playwright and comedian. A recipient

Editing and Obituary Writing

Kitty Sheehan

Workshops: 1. Editing and Obituary Writing. 2. Editing—So Long, Darling. A graduate of the University of Iowa and former elementary

Fiction

Grant Faulkner

Author/Co-founder Memoir Nation

Workshops: 1. The Art of Brevity. 2. A Crash Course in Novel Writing. Grant Faulkner is the co-founder of Memoir

Julie Cantrell

Author/Editor

Workshops: 1. Five Simple Ways to Take Your Writing Craft Up a Notch. 2. Crank Your Story Engines! Julie Cantrell

Kali White VanBaale

Author

Workshops: 1. Points of Entry in Storytelling. 2. Revision Bootcamp. Kali White VanBaale is the author of three novels, including

Lara Bernhardt

Fiction Author

Workshops: 1. Getting to the Heart of the Story. 2. Editing Excellence. 3. Building an Audience Lara Bernhardt is the

Marianne Fons

Quilter/Author

Workshops: 1. Read My Latest Quilt! 2. A Novelist's Backpack. Marianne Fons is known to millions of quilters as the

Nicole Baart

Author

Workshops: 1. No Such Thing as Writer's Block. 2. Interiority: How to Harness Your Protagonist's Inner Life. Nicole Baart is

Rachelle Chase

Author/Podcaster

Workshops: 1. Writing Hot: It's Not About Sex, It's About Sensuality 2. Write the Book You've Dreamed of Writing—Even

Scott Garson

Author

Workshops: 1. How to Find Your Truest Material. 2. Secrets of Writing the Very Short Story. A writer, editor, and

Teresa Albertson

Journalist/Writer

Workshop: Creating Your Characters' World. Teresa Albertson has a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Master’s in fine arts (creative

William Bernhardt

Author

Workshops: 1.The Keys to Successful Fiction. 2. Story Structure. William Bernhardt is a national bestselling and New York Times-list author

Filmmaking

Courtney Crowder

Columnist/Filmmaker

Panelist Courtney CrowdeCourtney Crowder is the Iowa Columnist and a senior writer at the Des Moines Register and USA Today.

David Kirkpatrick

Storytelling/Film Production

Workshops: 1. From Script to Screen. 2. Magical Storytelling David Paul Kirkpatrick is the founder of Story Summit Writer’s School,

Kaitlyn Busbee

Filmmaker

Workshop: Following Curiosity: From Observation to Page to Screen Kaitlyn T. Busbee is an Iowa-bred, New York-trained, Chicago-based filmmaker whose

Naz Pankey

Author/Screenwriter/Filmmaker

Workshops: 1. Vertical Screenwriting Essentials. 2. From Short Story to Screen. Nadira “Naz” Pankey is a self-published author, produced screenwriter,

Peter Hedges

Screenwriter/Director

Workshops: 1. How to Find and Grow Your Original Idea. 2. Is Your Idea/Story a Possible Movie/TV Show?

Intellectual Property

Peter Strand

Attorney

Workshops: 1. Protect Yourself: Copyrights for Creatives. 2. Before You Film: Building the Legal

Journalism

Art Cullen

Newspaper Publisher/Editor/Columnist

Workshops: 1. Writing a Column in 800 Easy Steps. 2. Why Opinion Journalism is

Carol Guensburg

Editor/Journalist

Workshops: 1. Bullet-proof Your Reporting. 2. Strengthen your Storytelling. Carol Guensburg is an independent

Courtney Crowder

Columnist/Filmmaker

Panelist Courtney CrowdeCourtney Crowder is the Iowa Columnist and a senior writer at the Des

Douglas Burns

Journalist/Newspaper Publisher

Workshops: 1. Speechwriting. 2.How To Start Your Own Community Newspaper. Douglas Burns is a fourth-generation

Dr. Robert Leonard

Opinion Columnist/Author

Workshops: 1. Opinion Writing. 2. The Joy of Writing. Dr. Robert Leonard is an occasional

Kathie Obradovich

Editor/Columnist

Workshops: 1. Opinion Writing. 2 How to Get Your Commentary Published. Iowa Capital Dispatch Editor

Laura Belin

Journalist/Online Newspaper Publisher

Workshops: 1. Finding and Using Public Information. 2. Using Social Media Without Feeding the

Lisa Finn

Journalist/Editor

Workshops: 1.The Human Voice Behind The Headlines. 2. The Life of A Community Journalist Lisa

Lyle Muller

Journalist

Workshops: 1. Investigative Reporting. 2. Issues Facing Young Writers. Lyle Muller is a retired newspaper

Maura Casey

Memoir Author/Opinion Columnist

Workshops: 1. Memoir Writing: Ten Things I Learned So You Don't Have To. 2.

Phoebe Wall Howard

Investigative Reporter

Workshops: 1.Making Liver and Onions Palatable. 2. Lazy Use of Language and Rethinking How

Rekha Basu

Opinion Columnist

Workshops: 1. Writing for Change. 2. First-person Commentary. Rekha Basu is a syndicated columnist born

Teresa Albertson

Journalist/Writer

Workshop: Creating Your Characters' World. Teresa Albertson has a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and a

Todd Dorman

Editor/Opinion Columnist

Workshops: 1. Opinion Writing. 2. Getting Your Opinion Published. Todd Dorman has been an opinion

Ty Rushing

Journalist/Documentary Filmmaker

Workshops: 1. Start With Empathy: Writing About Sensitive Subjects 2. Why Consistency Matters With

Memoir

Arnold Garson

Editor/Reporter/Research

Workshop(s): 1. How to Dig Deep to Find Your Ancestors. 2. Writing the Story.  Arnold Garson is a media executive

Beth Hoffman

Memoir Author/Podcaster

Workshops: 1. Bringing it All Together: Finding Themes in Your Memoir. 2. Memoir Workshop: Ask Anything! Beth Hoffman has been

Debra Engle

Author/Exec. Dir. of Story Summit

Workshops: 1. Finding Transcendence in Your Memoir. 2. Writing Spiritual Nonfiction: Crafting Stories that Inspire. Debra Engle is the bestselling

Kali White VanBaale

Author

Workshops: 1. Points of Entry in Storytelling. 2. Revision Bootcamp. Kali White VanBaale is the author of three novels, including

Maura Casey

Memoir Author/Opinion Columnist

Workshops: 1. Memoir Writing: Ten Things I Learned So You Don't Have To. 2. Opinion Writing: It's the Angle,

Megan Gogerty

Playwright/Comedian

Workshops: 1. Stand-up Comedy Writing Fundamentals. 2. Own Your Own Story. Megan Gogerty is a playwright and comedian. A recipient

Nonfiction

Lisa Dill

Environmental Author

Workshops: 1. Red in Tooth and Claw. 2. Using Landscape. Lisa G. Dill is the author of Around the Bend:

Opinion

Art Cullen

Newspaper Publisher/Editor/Columnist

Workshops: 1. Writing a Column in 800 Easy Steps. 2. Why Opinion Journalism is Important Art Cullen is editor of

Dr. Robert Leonard

Opinion Columnist/Author

Workshops: 1. Opinion Writing. 2. The Joy of Writing. Dr. Robert Leonard is an occasional contributor to The New York

Kathie Obradovich

Editor/Columnist

Workshops: 1. Opinion Writing. 2 How to Get Your Commentary Published. Iowa Capital Dispatch Editor Kathie Obradovich has been covering

Maura Casey

Memoir Author/Opinion Columnist

Workshops: 1. Memoir Writing: Ten Things I Learned So You Don't Have To. 2. Opinion Writing: It's the Angle,

Rekha Basu

Opinion Columnist

Workshops: 1. Writing for Change. 2. First-person Commentary. Rekha Basu is a syndicated columnist born in India, raised in Libya,

Todd Dorman

Editor/Opinion Columnist

Workshops: 1. Opinion Writing. 2. Getting Your Opinion Published. Todd Dorman has been an opinion editor at The Gazette for

Playwriting

Frank South

Playwright/Producer

Workshops: 1. Inside the TV Writers' Room. 2. Turning your Memoir Into a One-Act or a One-Person Play. Playwright, TV

Podcasting

Abena Sankofa Imhotep

Author/Cultural Worker/Literary Activist

Workshops: 1. The Ethics & Art of Witnessing. 2. Before You Hit Delete: The Revision Workshop You Actually Need. Abena

Beth Hoffman

Memoir Author/Podcaster

Workshops: 1. Bringing it All Together: Finding Themes in Your Memoir. 2. Memoir Workshop: Ask Anything! Beth Hoffman has been

Charity Nebbe

Iowa Public Radio Host/Author

Workshops: 1. Interviewing 101: Ask, Listen, and Learn. 2. Creating a Compelling Podcast. Charity Nebbe is a multi-award-winning public media

Rachelle Chase

Author/Podcaster

Workshops: 1. Writing Hot: It's Not About Sex, It's About Sensuality 2. Write the Book You've Dreamed of Writing—Even

Poetry

Caleb Rainey

Spoken Word Poet

Workshops: 1. Spoken Word 101. 2. Making Your Performance Pop! Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and

Kelsey Bigelow

Poet

Workshops: 1.Uncovering Your Poem. 2. Poetry as a Coping Tool. Kelsey Bigelow is a poet and speaker based in Des

Promotion

David Bernstein

Event Production & Promotion

Workshop: 1. Bring Your Live Music Event to Life. David Bernstein has 30+ years event production and promoting in Iowa. Learn

Jan Danielson Kaiser

Bookseller

Workshops: 1. Book Events and Publicity. 2.Working With Publishers. Jan Danielson Kaiser has had a long career shaped by her

Ty Rushing

Journalist/Documentary Filmmaker

Workshops: 1. Start With Empathy: Writing About Sensitive Subjects 2. Why Consistency Matters With Social Media. Ty Rushing is a

Publishing

Andy Ross

Literary Agent

Workshops: 1. First Lines. 2. Query Letter Workshop. Andy Ross opened his literary

Art Cullen

Newspaper Publisher/Editor/Columnist

Workshops: 1. Writing a Column in 800 Easy Steps. 2. Why Opinion Journalism is Important Art Cullen is editor of

Douglas Burns

Journalist/Newspaper Publisher

Workshops: 1. Speechwriting. 2.How To Start Your Own Community Newspaper. Douglas Burns is a fourth-generation Iowa journalist and the former

Elizabeth Kracht

Literary Agent/Author

Workshops: 1. Self-editing for Fiction and Memoir Writers. 2. How to Find a Literary Agent. Elizabeth Kracht has an MFA

Jan Danielson Kaiser

Bookseller

Workshops: 1. Book Events and Publicity. 2.Working With Publishers. Jan Danielson Kaiser has had a long career shaped by her

Julie Cantrell

Author/Editor

Workshops: 1. Five Simple Ways to Take Your Writing Craft Up a Notch. 2. Crank Your Story Engines! Julie Cantrell

Katharine Sands

Literary Agent

Workshops: 1. Master-Pitch Theatre. 2. Getting Ready • Getting Read • Getting Readers Katharine Sands is

Margaret South

Storytelling

Workshops: 1. Story Essentials. 2. Women with Big Ideas. For more than thirty years, Margaret South has sat with writers

Rita Rosenkranz

Literary Agent

Workshops: 1. How to Write an Irresistible Non-fiction Book Proposal. 2. All About the Author/Agent Relationship. Rita Rosenkranz is a

Steve Semken

Book Publisher

Workshops: 1. The Right Word At The Right Time. 2. Writings and Musing On Iowa and The Whole Wide

Research

Arnold Garson

Editor/Reporter/Research

Workshop(s): 1. How to Dig Deep to Find Your Ancestors. 2. Writing the Story.  Arnold Garson is a media executive

Laura Belin

Journalist/Online Newspaper Publisher

Workshops: 1. Finding and Using Public Information. 2. Using Social Media Without Feeding the Trolls Laura Belin has decades of

Screenwriting

Naz Pankey

Author/Screenwriter/Filmmaker

Workshops: 1. Vertical Screenwriting Essentials. 2. From Short Story to Screen. Nadira “Naz” Pankey is

Peter Hedges

Screenwriter/Director

Workshops: 1. How to Find and Grow Your Original Idea. 2. Is Your Idea/Story

Songwriting

Carol Montag

Singer/Songwriter

Workshops: 1. I Come From… 2. Let’s Get Real. Carol Montag is an award-winnning performer, singer, songwriter, recording artist, and

Chad Elliott

Songwriter/Musician

Workshops: 1. Co-Writing with Chad Elliott & Kathryn Severing Fox. 2. Where Rivers Merge. “Iowa’s Renaissance man”~The Culture Buzz Chad is

Dartanyan Brown

Songwriter/Musician

Workshop: 1. Jazz and Journalism. 2. How My Integrated Life Came to Be. Dartanyan Brown is an Iowa native whose

David G. Smith

Songwriter/Musician

Workshops: 1. Writing YOUR Song. 2. Singing YOUR Song. Internationally acclaimed Songwriter-Artist David G Smith is an acoustic roots solo

Jason Walsmith

Songwriter/Musician

Workshops: 1. Songwriting Collaboration. 2. How to Conquer the Blank Page. Jason Walsmith is based in Earlham, Iowa. He is

Jonny Lipford

Songwriter/Musician

Workshops: 1. The Song Beneath the Story. 2. Building a Creative Life That Can Hold You. Jonny Lipford is an

Kathryn Severing Fox

Musician

Workshops: 1. Co-Writing with Chad Elliott & Kathryn Severing Fox. 2. Where Rivers Merge: Poetry, Prose and Song. "The richness

Spreechwriting

Douglas Burns

Journalist/Newspaper Publisher

Workshops: 1. Speechwriting. 2.How To Start Your Own Community Newspaper. Douglas Burns is a fourth-generation Iowa journalist and the former

Storytelling

David Kirkpatrick

Storytelling/Film Production

Workshops: 1. From Script to Screen. 2. Magical Storytelling David Paul Kirkpatrick is the founder of Story Summit Writer’s School,

Margaret South

Storytelling

Workshops: 1. Story Essentials. 2. Women with Big Ideas. For more than thirty years, Margaret South has sat with writers

Substack

Dana Kennedy

Substack/Marketing Professional

Workshops: 1. SUBSTACK CURIOUS: More Than a Newsletter. 2. SUBSTACK KICKSTART: From Idea to Momentum. Dana Kennedy is a marketing

Hamish McKenzie

Co-founder of Substack

Workshop: View From the Top: Substack Co-founder Addresses OWSR (virtual session) Hamish McKenzie is co-founder of subscription publishing start-up Substack

Julie Gammack

Founder & Producer of OWSR/Journalist

Workshop: Substack Success with Julie Gammack & Debra Engle Julie Gammack is the founder and producer

Television

Frank South

Playwright/Producer

Workshops: 1. Inside the TV Writers' Room. 2. Turning your Memoir Into a One-Act or a One-Person Play. Playwright, TV

Peter Hedges

Screenwriter/Director

Workshops: 1. How to Find and Grow Your Original Idea. 2. Is Your Idea/Story a Possible Movie/TV Show?