As I wrap up my first full year offering writing and capacity-building services, I am reflecting on and celebrating the projects I've played a part in since going solo. Most of my work centers on helping organizations and individuals share their expertise & ideas with a broader audience. From artists to entrepreneurs, cheesemakers (who are a little bit of both!) to clinicians and nonprofit leaders, I've had the joy of learning from so many inspiring individuals and am looking forward to what lies ahead.
Here's a peek at what I've been up to:
Nonprofit Capacity Building
The Des Moines Metro Opera celebrated 50 years this past summer and commissioned a new opera based on Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres as part of their milestone season. I worked with the DMMO team to envision and execute the "Acres Unearthed" series of events tied to the world premiere. We hosted a dynamic event in an outbuilding at Whiterock Conservancy that included live performances. I moderated a Q&A with writer Beth Hoffman as part of the day. Opening weekend, the Opera hosted an event in conversation with Jane Smiley. I helped the team secure additional sponsors/funding for the series, which engaged hundreds of attendees and even inspired an article Jane Smiley wrote for the Washington Post. I have so much admiration for the Opera team and the art they produce.
I also facilitated a strategic retreat for another local nonprofit. Pre-retreat, I conducted interviews with several stakeholders and engaged a broader group in an online survey to assess attitudes and understanding of a core strategy. I then led an in-person session for the board, which was followed up with a written report. We met at the Jester Park Nature Center, which is a fantastic and affordable venue for blending indoor and outdoor time with a group.
Micro-Ghostwriting
I reconnected with the brilliant community strategist and designer Hugh Weber when I first set out solo, and have contributed to several of the projects under the We Must Be Bold umbrella, including some editing for his gorgeous magazine, The Great Discontent. But one of our most consistent collaborations supports the Cheeselandia community, an online destination for cheese lovers. It might just be the happiest place on the internet!
Through this work, I've interviewed numerous cheesemakers and can attest that the more you know about the artisan cheese world, the more your fridge fills up with new varieties to try. I've also gotten directly involved supporting the Wisconsin Cheese team with micro-ghostwriting articles for their thought leaders. (Since my brain is so often in Wisconsin, I even traveled there this fall to buy a car and visit cheese plants as part of the trip. No joke!)
Another innovative client I've enjoyed working with is ITA Group. I've collaborated with their team on a number of white papers, client stories and blog posts and appreciate their expertise around event design and immersive experiences. So much of what they do intersects with my interests and background in community engagement.
I also worked with a local clinic on pieces bylined by healthcare providers that explained procedures or educated patients on various conditions. It brought me back to my time working in community outreach at a medical school, where I learned much more about health and the human body than I ever imagined! (I used to help staff cadaver lab tours, too.)
Print Projects
The nature of publishing means many of the projects I worked on in 2021 didn't come out until 2022, and I can't yet share what I am working on this year.
My copy of How to Be a Founder, a Bloomsbury Press book I helped Sara Stibitz and the UK-based Entrepreneur First team develop last spring and summer, just arrived last month.
I also helped a local sculptor, Scott Henderson, tell the story of his work for a self-published lookbook, "Works for the New Millenium." I loved spending time on his Madison County property exploring the many pieces Scott has installed there. We celebrated his book launch together this summer at a neighborhood art gallery.
A longtime contributor to DSM Magazine, I had a few peices in the glossy city magazine this year and was invited to guest edit the 2023 issue of ia, an annual statewide publication celebrating all things Iowa. I wrote numerous stories for the issue, which launched in October. You can see the issue online in full here and my editor letter here.
Also in the magazine realm, my feature articles for the new The Home Edit magazine spring and fall issues both released this year. I'm excited for the stories I wrote for DIY Magazine in 2022 to hit stands next spring!
Interim Leadership
When the longtime executive director of the Des Moines Public Library Foundation retired this summer, I was able to step off of the board and provide interim support. In addition to managing daily operations, I worked with our board to steer a search and hiring committee for our new executive, and planned our largest annual fundraiser, the Iowa Author Awards Dinner.
We welcomed around 300 attendees to that event, and honored some outstanding writers and library advocates. (I may or may not have worn a pink monster costume on stage to help raise money for summer reading!) Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Art Cullen, who as among the honorees, wrote about the event for his column.
"Free" time with family & community
As a full-time freelancer, I have been able to embrace a flexible schedule.
This first year in business for myself, I was able to take most of June for a "family sabbatical" road trip. We drove from Iowa through Okoboji to Teddy Roosevelt National Park, Glacier National Park, Oregon, Crater Lake, and the Redwoods and then rode the California Zephyr back home from San Francisco. We also spend a week at Disney World with my family. Although I wouldn't call either trip relaxing ---- with kids in 1st and 4th grade, this is a pretty magical time.
I feel incredibly grateful to be able to take on projects that align with my interests and goals in what feels like the anti-hustle. Taking time off is always a calculation, but I don't think you can afford not to. Periods of intense productivity have (for the most part) been balanced by genuine rest. Picking the kids up from school several days a week and volunteering gives me a good sense of balance.
Looking ahead
I didn't use my Birkman Certification as much as I had hoped this year because I was so full with other projects, but am still offering those consultation services.
In 2023, I'm looking forward to stepping into more facilitation as part of a collaborative team in addition to my writing. Most of my projects have come through existing connections and word of mouth, so please get in touch if there might be a way for us to work together in 2023!
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