Writers of Iowa
This panel discusses the writers and writing that occurs in Iowa and how the publishing process affects them. Dean Thomas talks about how in some cases the literature itself has changed the landscape of Iowa, citing the example of the book The Bridges of Madison County and its effect on Winterset, Iowa. Thomas also points out that many people outside the state insist that Iowa is without a landscape, that it is simply flat farmland and nothing more. Tim Fay tells of when he started publishing the Wapsipinnicon Almanac and the process he has to go through to keep the operation going. Jane Shuttleworth talks about having work published in regional publications. The panel discusses issues faced by Iowa writers in attempting to get their work distributed. The markets have changed and small-town bookstores must now compete with corporate bookstores who have control over the market. Winston Barclay tells about how there is a market for regional literature and the interest is only increasing. He gives the example of the International Writing Program that has made these authors Iowan authors simply by bring them to Iowa.
In: International Writing Program Archive
Authors: Thomas Dean , Tim Fay, Winston Barclay, Jane Shuttleworth
Date Recorded: October 11, 2003
Program: --
Format: discussion
Contributors: Peter Nazareth
Topics: International Writing Program; Praries Lights; WSUI