2024 All-Iowa Writers' Conference Presenters
The 2024 All-Iowa Writers' Conference headlining speaking is Harry Smith! Smith is a retired television journalist who has worked for NBC News, MSNBC and CNBC as a senior correspondent. He hosted the CBS News morning programs, The Early Show and its predecessor, CBS This morning, for seventeen years. Smith, a graduate of Central College in Pella, will be the newest executive-in-residence during the Fall 2024 semester working with students and teaching the course, Commencement: The Beginning.
Joining Smith will be artist, Phil Hester. Hester's pencilling credits include Swamp Thing, Brave New World, Flinch, Ultimate Marvel Team Up, Clerks: The Lost Scene, The Crow: Waking Nightmares, The Wretch, Aliens: Purge and Green Arrow, among others.
Jackie Haley is a nationally recognized, award-winning author, speaker and entrepreneur. She's appeared on CBS, NBC, and other major media outlets and has traveled the country representing her books which include Crystal Beach, Truce Island and Brenda's Wish. She launched Dream to Author to help aspiring writers become published, providing assistance through online training and coaching services.
Award-winning author, teacher, editor, mentor, writing coach and public speaker, Leigh Michaels, will also be leading a presentation. Michaels is the author of 80 Harlequin contemporary romances. She has also written historical romances. She is a member of the Libraries Advancement Council for the University of Iowa Libraries and is a member for the board of trustees of the Ottumwa Public Library. She is the president of the board of the Ottumwa Public Library Foundation.
Joining Michaels will be author, Misty Urban. Urban writes historical romance, contemporary novels and short fiction. Her books include: Viscount Overboard, The Forger and the Duke, The Painter Takes an Earl, Promise Me Gold and My Day as Regan Forrester.
Also presenting will be Zachary Michael Jack, author of more than 25 award-winning books including Love of the Land, The Haunt of Home and What Cheer: A Love Story. He is also a playwright, national commentator and Professor of English at North Central College.
Joining Smith will be artist, Phil Hester. Hester's pencilling credits include Swamp Thing, Brave New World, Flinch, Ultimate Marvel Team Up, Clerks: The Lost Scene, The Crow: Waking Nightmares, The Wretch, Aliens: Purge and Green Arrow, among others.
Jackie Haley is a nationally recognized, award-winning author, speaker and entrepreneur. She's appeared on CBS, NBC, and other major media outlets and has traveled the country representing her books which include Crystal Beach, Truce Island and Brenda's Wish. She launched Dream to Author to help aspiring writers become published, providing assistance through online training and coaching services.
Award-winning author, teacher, editor, mentor, writing coach and public speaker, Leigh Michaels, will also be leading a presentation. Michaels is the author of 80 Harlequin contemporary romances. She has also written historical romances. She is a member of the Libraries Advancement Council for the University of Iowa Libraries and is a member for the board of trustees of the Ottumwa Public Library. She is the president of the board of the Ottumwa Public Library Foundation.
Joining Michaels will be author, Misty Urban. Urban writes historical romance, contemporary novels and short fiction. Her books include: Viscount Overboard, The Forger and the Duke, The Painter Takes an Earl, Promise Me Gold and My Day as Regan Forrester.
Also presenting will be Zachary Michael Jack, author of more than 25 award-winning books including Love of the Land, The Haunt of Home and What Cheer: A Love Story. He is also a playwright, national commentator and Professor of English at North Central College.
