Browse the Iowa Center for the Book Author List

Agrell, Jeffrey

I write nonfiction to scratch a deep creative itch and because I find writing more fun than is legal in some states.

Alex, Lynn M

Writing fulfills some basic need, honed from a life-long passion for reading, lots of personal imagination, and even the "gift o' gab".

Baart, Nicole

I write hope-filled fiction with a literary slant and a post-modern twist.

Bacus, Kathleen

As a former Iowa State Trooper and Iowa Department of Justice investigator I bring a deep respect for the difficult job peace officers do each and every day to my writing. I also know the value of humor in dealing with the lemons life often hands us.

Bahnsen, Kim

I enjoying reading and writing stories with a high degree of suspense and a satisfying romance.

Baird, John "Jack" K.

I should have written this book 30 years ago.

Barrett, Timothy D

I very much enjoy writing about hand papermaking history, technique, science and related aesthetics.

Bennett, Mary

Writes about Iowa history.

Beran, Janice A.

I researched and wrote the history of Iowa girls basketball because Iowa was the only state to have statewide basketball programs and championship since 1920.

Birkby, Evelyn M

Early on in my writing career I began sharing my life and experiences with my readers. I’ve always, somewhere, included a recipe.

Bligard, Carey A.

I have been a fan of Jane Austen and of English history for many years and I found that the story of the characters from Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" had not been followed up in a literary or historical fashion to satisfy me.

Blobaum, Cindy

I write to help kids explore and understand the amazing world around them.

Bloom, Stephen G.

Stephen G. Bloom's interests include long-form narrative writing, writing for the Internet and the oral histories of journalists.

Bodensteiner, Carol

I write to capture a time and a place and to share those through good stories that resonate with readers.

Boelts, Maribeth

As a child, I often felt understood by the authors I read, and it's my hope as a writer that children feel the same way when they read my own books.

Boggess, Eileen M

I write humorous fiction for the middle grade audience because making kids laugh is one of the greatest joys on earth.

Borzo, Sherry A.

What is my approach to writing? Each time I sit down to write I say, "Get over yourself and just write!"

Bowers, Neal

All poets who write for enough years begin to long for a new voice or a new style.

Brogan, Thomas

My approach to writing is to find everyday things in life and find a new way to look at them.

Bullock, Jayne

Writing has always been a part of my life.

Bush, Leanne

I was inspired to write this book because of my love for Christmas.

Butler, Dori Hillestad

I write realistic fiction, humor and mysteries for children. I write to inspire, but mostly to entertain.

Casey, Alexandria E.

With over twenty years as a Navy wife, and now as a Marine mom, I've had the chance to put pen to paper and capture some of my thoughts about those many emotions -- love and loneliness, hope, fear, pride, and (always, it seems) waiting.

Casey, Michael S.

Writes about history

Caszatt-Allen, Wendy L.

As a middle school classroom teacher the world of young teenagers and preteens vividly surrounds me everyday.

Clark, Janet E

Blind Faith is a novel about the Roman Catholic clergy sexual abuse crisis as experienced by a young boy and his family in the late 1960s and early 1970s. I wrote it as a way of working through my own issues as a survivor....

Countryman, Robert

I don't build bridges, fix cars, draft buildings, or engineer roads. The only talent I have is writing,....

Cumberland, William H

Cumberland has written about Iowa history.

Currans-Sheehan, Tricia

I write because I have stories to tell.

Damsgaard, Shirley

Most of my childhood was spent on a farm near Winterset, Iowa. As an only child, it was up to me to entertain myself. I did so by playing with my pets, reading, and using my imagination. And I used my imagination a lot!

Dana, Robert

It's the author's task to reinvent the language, to keep it alive and vital by avoiding sentimentality and cliche which deaden and distort.

Davidson, Peter

To me, the most important element of the writing process is creating a unique concept or theme for the work.

Dickerson, Ed

"Grounds for Belief" is a series of conversations in a coffee shop about God.

Diehl, Huston

"Dream Not of Other Worlds" is a memoir about my experiences teaching in a "Negro" school during the waning days of the Jim Crow south.

Domini, John

Whatever I'm writing -- even, in a sense, when I'm writing poetry -- I'm always seeking a story.

Dorfman, Lorraine T

Her book addresses basic issues in the retirement process.

Dyas, Sandra L.

I feel very fortunate that I have had the luck of knowing the musicians who make this particular kind of music.

Emmons, Jeanne C.

I write poetry about people, places, ideas, and feelings, aiming simply to tell the truth as I know it....

Engle, Debra D.

I love to write stories about "ordinary" people doing extraordinary things. The world is full of people who can teach and inspire us if we just pay attention.

Erickson, Lori

I enjoy writing non-fiction books and articles about a wide variety of topics.

Esbaum, Jill

I write children's picture books that I hope will entertain and inspire.

Fink, Deborah

Having grown up in rural Nebraska, I am fascinated with the promise and contradictions of rural life.

Fischer, Katherine M.

My newspaper columns, essays, and books are deeply imbued with Midwestern culture and landscape--most notably that of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Francis, Dorothy B.

I write mystery novels to entertain both adult and juvenile readers, to help keep their minds sharp as they solve the who-done-it puzzle in each book.

Freeman, Glenn J.

I write to explore my self, my world, my language.

Friedricks, William B

Friedricks has written history books including on Iowa.

Garlock, Dorothy

I am a compulsive reader and writer. When I'm not writing, I'm reading.

Gensicke, Mary Ann

My main purpose for writing is to educate children - in particular - the children in the great state of IOWA! I write about nonfiction topics that are relevant to the state and its people.

Gerard, Cindy

I love the challenge of writing about exotic locales and action packed love stories.

Giovannini, Alfio

"Des Moines" is my first mystery novel.

Goodell, Mary

I began to write books after my oldest daughter's teacher invited parents to sit and listen to first graders read. I observed the books that were being read and said to myself "I can write a book like this."

Gottschalk, Mary

Writing has always been a vehicle for me to explore ideas and concepts, my own as well as others around me.

Greenfeld, Jay M.

I find that writing can create a safe space to articulate your thoughts, perspectives and emotions.

Harless, Nancy L.

I have been an ear for so many women, so many stories. Now I will be their voice.

Harstad, Donald

I write crime novels set in rural Iowa. I attempt to accurately depict the people in Iowa, and the various crimes that effect them.

Heath, G. Louis

I am an intermittent writer, who writes in spurts. However, I am always reading fiction, priming my muse for the next catharsis.

Herwaldt, Loreen A.

I created "Patient Listening: A Doctor's Guide" from stories authors told me about getting healthcare.

Hey, Phil

I write (and like to share) poems and songs about people and stories in the Midwest.

Hooten, Jerry D.

I am currently a consultant to mystery writers providing information on police procedures, weapons and surveillance techniques. And written two mysteries.

Hosford, William G.

Writing, for me, is an almost subconscious activity. When I get an inspiration, I develop it in my head. When it has fully developed, I write it down and tightly edit the work. I am basically an 8-5 writer, PM not AM.

Isaacson, Cliff E

I write about birth order that describes five personalities, about a psychological understanding of life and ways to improve parenting and marriage.

Jackson, Jeremy

For me, writing is a process of discovery. And each project is an opportunity to explore something new, which I think is one reason I write in multiple genres. I hope that my books bring the thrill of discovery to readers, too.

Johnson, John W.

I am especially interested in reaching thoughtful general audiences with my books and other writings on recent American legal topics.

Juhl, Paul C.

My interest area is Iowa history with special emphasis on the last three decades of the 19th century.

Kane, Mark A.

I have visited, photographed and written about gardens across the country since 1981.

Kennedy, Frances

I cannot "not" write. I record family tales so those who lived them will not be forgotten.

Kinsey, Joni L.

Kinsey has written books on art history.

Klaus, Carl H.

Klaus has written on gardening, retirement, and bereavement.

Kueter, Dale J.

For me, writing is therapeutic. But I encourage everyone to write. It's the only way we can preserve family stories. Stories join the past with the future.

Kupfer, Fern L

Kupfer has written a memoir and three novels.

Kuster, Joanne

The challenge is to make a complex subject (like the stock market) understandable and fun, keeping information accurate while adding a twist to entice young readers.

Larsen, Anita D

Writes for children and young adults.

Lemberger, Michael W.

As a photographer and historian, I've long been interested in preserving images, and my books are an extension of that longtime avocation.

Linda Louise

I love to create with words.

Loewenberg, Ina

Loewenberg tells the stories of forty two women who share the year of their birth: 1931.

Loots, Alan

My goal as a writer is to let readers meet people they have never met in a place they have never been and entertain them with a suspenseful story.

Lyftogt, Kenneth L

My approach to writing has always been to look to local stories, Iowa stories and characters, and find in them all the color and excitement of the subjects that they address.

Marner, Kay

I've wanted to write ever since Mrs. Kiger, my fourth grade teacher at Bailey Park elementary school in Grinnell, Iowa read Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series aloud to our class.

Marquart, Debra K.

I didn’t set out to be a writer. I set out to be a musician....

Martin, Jacqueline Briggs

I have always loved the sounds of words and love writing stories that adults and children can share.

Maurer, Amy J.

Author of a juvenile fiction book designed specifically for youth with multiple speech disorders.

McCue, Craig S.

Since I don't write for income, I select whatever projects I want to work on, and only write what I enjoy.

McDaniel, George William

George McDaniel is an author of history and biography books.

McJimsey, George T

Author of history and biography dealing with the United States during the Civil War, the New Deal and World War II.

McKibbin, Carroll R.

Love Iowa topics.

McTaggart, Jacquie K.

I am a "late blooming" writer. And I have a new mantra: IT'S NEVER TOO LATE AND YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.

McVicker, G. Gray

G. Gray's writing is a love inherited from a family of storytellers and a need to get the story out.

Meinking, Mary

I like using fun, unusual facts to entice kids into reading my articles and/or books.

Mercati, Cynthia Scarlett

Writing is fun! I write to bring my readers enjoyment - and myself as well.

Michaels, Leigh

Writing is like stepping into a parallel universe that’s always waiting just around the corner from real life.

Millard, Joseph E.

I write memoirs to reveal a personal view of history that is not found in history textbooks, and to encourage others to write their family stories. I write poetry because of my interest in words, and to encourage others to write poetry.

Miller, Dee Ann

I have written a total of four books, as well as many articles, primarily on community mental health topics, social issues, and nursing.

Moranville, Sharelle Byars

I find it joyful and amazing to create a story that triggers joy and amazement in others.

Nicolai, Dianna L

Writing is like breathing for me. I just can't not do it.

Nilsen, Mary Y

Nilsen has written books of essays for children and adults.

O'Donnell, Jodi

Jodi O'Donnell grew up one of fourteen children in small-town Iowa. As a result, she loves to explore in her writing how family relationships influence who and why we love as we do.

Olson, K.C.

Author of a counting book in which every kind of vehicle has a job to do.

Olson, Therese M.

Writes devotional literature

Painter, Amelia A.

I can't really remember a day when I haven't written my thoughts or feelings down. I tend to even write down words or word phrases that I find interesting or unique.

Palecek, Mike J.

I write partly as my response to the injustices I see in the world.

Parker, J.O.

I enjoy writing because I am able to give the common everyday person an opportunity to have a voice. I also like to use my camera to tell stories through pictures.

Pollack, Adam J.

I love boxing history, but found many boxing books to be lacking in the detail that I wanted.

Prineas, Sarah

My approach to writing is to write with joy and to embrace the fun and adventure in reading and writing.

Pritchard, James A.

I love the total immersion, the absolute focus of being committed to a writing project.

Ray, Delia

I try to bring fascinating pieces of history alive by showing the trail of primary sources that I've followed to create my stories.

Rexroth, Sharon Jean

When I was unable to find a book like this, I decided that perhaps I should write one.

Riney-Kehrberg, Pamela L.

I am a historian, particularly interested in telling the social history of families and communities.

Roelofsen, Marjorie M.

The story is a true story about my three children as they grew up with their pet St. Bernard dog.

Rustand, Roxanne

Roxanne writes romantic suspense and warm, family relationship oriented novels with a touch of humor. She loves exploring the complexities of intergenerational relationships as well.

Sandvik, Myrna

R.F.D. IOWA was written to share and celebrate the rich Iowa culture as lived on a traditional family farm

Savage, Tom E.

History intriques me, especially local history, the bricks that our country and culture are built on.

Sayre, Robert F.

As a retired professor of American Literature and American Studies, I like seeing Iowa and the Iowa landscape closely and also in the broader contexts of American culture and history.

Schmid, Susan

Writing enables me to explore the uncharted regions of imagination.

Schulenberg, Lawrence J.

Ten years ago, when I retired as a high school principal because of post polio syndrome, I began looking for books with handicapped protagonists. And finding very few.....

Sellers, Steven V.

I write with the belief that I can impact the life of a single alcoholic who may have given up hope in himself.

Semken, Steve H

I focus mainly on creative writing about the natural world, both through fiction and nonfiction.

Setzler, Marilyn F.

Readers are the reason I write. It is rewarding to hear people tell me how they enjoyed books and what they learned from them.

Shanley, Mary Kay

I was told by my sixth grade teacher that I was a good writer --- a surprising-to-me piece of information that defined the rest of my life. I write because it is my talent, my gift and, at least in part, my purpose.

Sherman, William L.

Writes and speaks about Iowa country schools.

Shotwell, Walt

As a retired journalist I still love to write.

Signori, Jacqueline M.

Writing is breathing. Writing is life.

Stone, Larry A.

My writing and photography help me connect with the natural world around me. My goal is to help readers/views experience that powerful connection, too.

Stowe, Brian L.

I started writing creatively as a form of relaxation. It became a hobby and then a passion.

Tennant, Jean

Writing is, for me, a passion I've never been able to put aside, and there's nothing I love more than to talk writing with other writers, published or not.

Thompson, John D.

Thompson writes as a therapeutic outlet and enjoys the challenge of form and traditional poetry.

Tindle Parker, Debbie

I enjoy writing both non-fiction and fiction and feel that writing is a great way to express what I am passionate about.

VanBaale, Kali J

Through trial and error, I've learned that writing must be an equal, three-part balance of creativity, craft and discipline.

Walch, Timothy

Crafting each work has been a joy and seeing my name in print on a well-written essay or book provides a level of satisfaction that is indescribable.

Waldstein, Arnold (Arne) F.

I like to fold experiences and events into history. When laced with humor and anecdotal musings it makes history more joyful to read.

Weaver, Tess

Writing has always been my vocation, a process of discovery and improvisation.

Weselmann, Robert J.

For the book, Wild About Yellowstone, I have a 30 year collection of wildlife images and experiences.

Whye, Mike

I like to write because I like to share experiences with other people.

Williams, Carrie M.

I write because to me it is a gift to be able to do so just as it is a gift to be able to read. In reading, one can travel through time and space and be anyone or anything and even see things yet to be discovered. What an adventure! To be on the other side, to create the adventure, is an honor as well.

Wolf, Robert Charles

I'm an amateur paleontologist specializing in the common fossils Iowa has to offer.

Woodhouse, Kay

I write fictional stories which are based on personal experiences.