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
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?