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
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
Romen Borsellino
Comedian/Writer
Workshops: 1. Funny Enough: How to Write Comedy—from TV Scripts to Eulogies. 2. Political Comedy.
Romen Borsellino is a Los
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
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
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
Becky Smith
Screenwriter/Television & Film Director
Workshops: 1. How to Write a Compelling Screenplay. 2. How to Adapt a Short Story, Novel or Biography into
Nik Heftman
Journalist/Documentary Filmmaker
Workshops: 1. Video Storytelling. 2. Filmmaking, Creative Storytelling, and Entrepreneurship.
Nik Heftman is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and
Peter Hedges
Screenwriter/Director
Workshops: 1. How to Find and Grow Your Original Idea. 2. Is Your Idea/Story a Possible Movie/TV Show?
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
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
Laura Belin
Journalist/Online Newspaper Publisher
Workshops: 1. Finding and Using Public Information. 2. Using Social Media Without Feeding the
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
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
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
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
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
Obituary
Workshops: 1. Obituary Writing—It’s All in the Details. 2. Editing—So Long, Darling.
A graduate of the University of Iowa and
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
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
Allison Engel
Author/Journalist/Playwright
Workshops: 1. Writers Have the Most Power as Playwrights. 2. The Business of Playwriting.
Allison Engel has been
Margaret (Peggy) Engel
Author/Columnist/Playwright
Workshops: 1. The Business of Playwriting. 2. How to Win Fellowships and Grants.
Margaret Engel currently directs the Alicia Patterson
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
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
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
Polly Letofsky
Publisher
Workshops: 1. Publishing 101. 2. Top 20 Ways to Market Your Book.
Polly Letofsky wrote her book about walking around
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
Katharine Sands
Literary Agent
Workshops: 1. Master-Pitch Theatre. 2. Getting Ready • Getting Read • Getting Readers
Katharine Sands is
Polly Letofsky
Publisher
Workshops: 1. Publishing 101. 2. Top 20 Ways to Market Your Book.
Polly Letofsky wrote her book about walking around
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
Shadley Grei
Author/Publisher/Creative Strategist
Workshops: 1. Strategic Storytelling. 2. Understanding the Adaptation Process.
Shadley Grei is an author, publisher, and creative strategist with more
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
Becky Smith
Screenwriter/Television & Film Director
Workshops: 1. How to Write a Compelling Screenplay. 2. How to Adapt a Short
Peter Hedges
Screenwriter/Director
Workshops: 1. How to Find and Grow Your Original Idea. 2. Is Your Idea/Story
Shadley Grei
Author/Publisher/Creative Strategist
Workshops: 1. Strategic Storytelling. 2. Understanding the Adaptation Process.
Shadley Grei is an author, publisher,
Songwriting
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
Workshop: 1. Improvisation For Vocalists and Instrumentalists. 2. Electronic Music Basics.
Dartanyan Brown is an Iowa native whose career as
Jason Walsmith
Songwriter/Musician
Workshops: 1. Songwriting Collaboration. 2. How to Conquer the Blank Page.
Jason Walsmith is based in Earlham, Iowa. He is
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
Substack
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
Becky Smith
Screenwriter/Television & Film Director
Workshops: 1. How to Write a Compelling Screenplay. 2. How to Adapt a Short Story, Novel or Biography into
Peter Hedges
Screenwriter/Director
Workshops: 1. How to Find and Grow Your Original Idea. 2. Is Your Idea/Story a Possible Movie/TV Show?