Writers’ Voices welcomes two guests with books helping others deal with difficult life issues.

Over 12,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year, dramatically altering their lives and lives of their families. Lynda Young has written a helpful and compassionate book to give support to those families. “Hope for Families of Children with Cancer” presents encouraging short stories, helpful hints, inspiring scriptures and prayers, and resources designed to help the overwhelmed and hurting parents dealing with new feelings and situations.
Our second guest, Janet Thompson has written “Dear God, Why Can’t I Have A Baby: A Companion Guide for Couples on the Infertility Journey”. Her book takes the reader through the infertility process. Having dealt with it herself, Janet provides women and couples with tools, direction, guidance, hope, and encouragement.

Philosopher Robert Sessions, author of “Becoming Real: Authenticity in an Age of Distractions”, believes that our modern culture makes it very difficult for us to develop a coherent identity. His book, filled with quotes and examples from ancient wisdom to modern politics, uses personal stories and philosophical musings to discuss the way everyday distractions keep us from being ourselves. Robert is Professor of Philosophy & Humanities at Kirkwood Community College.

Seventh-generation Iowan, Zachary Michael Jack has written the book, “Native Soulmate: A Season in Search of a Love Homegrown”. It tells of his attempts to love fresh, love local. Travelling across the state of Iowa, giving lectures and signing books, Zachary tests his theory that the girl of his dreams may be closer than he imagines.

Zachary Jack has authored “What Cheer: A Love Story”, been a sports editor and has edited many anthologies, including “Letters to a Young Iowan”, “Iowa: The Definitive Collection”, “Uncle Henry Wallace: Letters to Farm Families”, and many more. He currently lives in rural Iowa.

2011 saw two children’s books released by Iowa author Wendy Henrichs. “I Am Tama, Lucky Cat” (Peachtree) retells the 17th-century Japanese legend behind the beckoning cat figurines commonly displayed in Japanese shops and restaurants, with pictures by award-winning illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi. “When Anju Loved Being an Elephant” (Sleeping Bear Press), illustrated by accomplished artist John Butler, reveals how a lonely elephant no longer young enough to work in a circus or reside in a zoo finds friendship at last. Always an animal lover, Wendy lives in Iowa City with her husband, two sons, two cats, one dog, and whatever stray wildlife manages to slip into their 88-year-old home.

This Writers’ Voices features an interview with local Fairfield author, Andrew Edlin. Andrew Edlin was born in Brighton, U.K. and currently lives in Fairfield, Iowa. Andrew has written the fantasy novel “Inaccessible: Dragon Retreat”, which was self-published and is being released through e-book applications.

Taking place in 1961, when the few solitary dragons are threatened as their invisibility begins to fail, the Protectors, allies of the dragons, led by 15-year old Griff Owen and his family, go up against the forces that are working to destroy the dragons and their Protectors.

Internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and author, Bonnie Micheals, is the guest on Writers Voices this week. Bonnie, along with Allison Blankenship, has written the book “Upside: How To Zig, When Life Zags”. During a time when many people are experiencing sudden changes, “Upside” shows ways to create a sustainable, inspiring lifestyle no matter what life may bring. The book presents 29 tips for making wise choices about your lifestyle, money, and career that will hopefully lead the reader to happiness and fulfillment.

The second half of the show features a conversation with Ann Mortifee. She has written “In Love with the Mystery”. A book of words and pictures that encourage the reader to listen to their their own heart.

Writers’ Voices welcomes New York Times bestselling author, Sophy Burnham, to the show. Sophy’s most famous book, “A Book of Angels”, has recently been re-released. The book is an exploration of angels through a wide collection of stories, history, and literature related to human encounters with angels. “The Art of Intuition”, Sophy’s most recent book, explores many facets of intuition; what it is, why it’s important, and how to have more of it. Sophy is the author of several books, plays, and nearly 100 essays.

The Midwest Writing Center, in Davenport, Iowa, has for over 30 years been offering opportunities and resources for writers and readers throughout the Quad Cities region and beyond. On this Writers’ Voices, we will be having a conversation with, Susan Collins, the Writing Center’s Board President. The Midwest Writing Center offers a space for readings, writer’s retreat, book clubs, book signings, writing workshops and more. They offer a reference library, computers, and also do special project book publications.

A former High-School social studies teacher, Susan Collins is retired from working as a coordinator at Black Hawk College. She has also written articles for “Illinois School Board Journal”.

Listen in to this great conversation about a wonderful local resource!

Writers’ Voices explores spirituality and other cultures this week.

Author and poet Susan Klauber discusses her newest book “Sound of the Sacred Beads: A Poet’s Journey into India”. The book follows Susan’s journeys through India and its holiest places. She explores the culture, people, ancient wisdom, and mystery that she found there. Since 1983, Susan has been based in Fairfield where she writes and pursues her interest in creating a better world through spiritual development.

Join hosts Monica Hadley and Caroline Kilbourn for this enlightening conversation.

Zachary Jack is an Iowa farm boy who grew up to be a writer, teacher and lover of the literary and agricultural traditions of Iowa.  What he doesn’t love is the fact that most young literate Iowans are fleeing the rural areas and even the state.  In an attempt to reverse the trend, Jack is hitting the road to Iowa’s small towns, where he will read from his latest novel, “What Cheer: A Love Story” and encourage his listeners to share their Iowa love stories.  He will be at Prairie Light Books in Iowa City Sunday July 24 at 4 pm, and Revelations Cafe at 112 N Main in Fairfield on Wednesday July 28 at noon.

“My goal is to get out there and let others tell their love stories,” he said. “It’s not just a reading, but a discussion … I look forward to laughing with people.”

“What Cheer” is a novel about a youthful magazine columnist in Illinois who has an online encounter with a woman in Iowa while researaching an article about online dating.   Jeremy is enamored with this unknown woman and her passion for tradition and things of the past, which mirrors his own, and sets out for Iowa to find her. Part mystery, part romance, the novel demonstrates that love is the greatest mystery of all.

On Writers’ Voices, Zachary discusses his connection with Iowa and how a farm-boy becomes a writer.  He discusses the state’s great literary traditions and explores why non-Iowans are more likely to set romances in the state that Iowans are.  He talks about writers who influenced him, and what Iowa’s imaginative place names have to say about our culture.

Free Radio Online: Zachary Jack