On sticking to sports in a changing media landscape

As legacy media faces mounting challenges, this writer is boldly branching out ... into Substack and the Iowa Writers' Collaborative

ANKENY, Iowa — Do I need a dateline here? Why, or why not? I’m keeping it. Old habit, new game. So here’s the deal: Recently I was honored to be invited to join the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative on Substack. I eagerly accepted, so here I am. But why?

• I’ve been yearning to branch out and grow my “voice” beyond the standard and (I hope) solid sports coverage I’ve provided readers over the past 23 years. So this weekly — and possibly bi-weekly — column will serve as my springboard in that regard. I’ll still be covering Iowa State sports for The Cedar Rapids Gazette and Lee Publications. But in this space I can roam more freely, meandering when and where I want to meander, and providing more commentary/analysis about who and what I’m covering.

• And no, I won’t be “sticking to sports” (despite this column’s title). I will, however, refrain from delving into culture war-based schisms. Most of you know where I stand on the political spectrum. I’ll leave it at that, but for those who don’t know, my Twitter profile (@ROBWGRAY) makes it clear. So why the “sticking to sports” reference? And why will I not do that? Well, my interests and predilections have expanded greatly as I’ve aged into my fifth decade of existence on this spinning ball of confusion (hat tip to the Temptations). I’m now a longtime gardener, so sometimes I’ll write about that. I love nature and the outdoors, so sometimes I’ll scribble about those things. I also am an avid traveler, which means — you guessed it — I’ll pen some words on globetrotting and what it means to me (and could mean to you, should you choose to see more of the world).

• I want to help build a community of writers and readers. A supportive community, but one that questions, prods and pushes for answers by asking big questions. Being a part of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative affords me that opportunity and for that I’m extremely grateful. So this space will be mostly about me and what I cover, but in writing and possibly podcasting and who knows what else on this Substack (or blog, do we still call things “blogs?”), I hope to interact more with readers via monthly Zoom calls and even physical meet-ups from time to time (bike rides? I love bike rides). I’m even planning to offer a free sourdough starter class to subscribers at a certain level and above — and just so you know, I’ve been nurturing (and sometimes neglecting) sourdough for many years. I got into it before the pandemic created the craze, so my cultures predate the popularity boom.

In short (and to recap) this is new and exciting for me. I hope it interests you, too. There’s much more to come as I relearn how to fully unleash my full spectrum of creativity on a regular basis. I hope you’ll join me on this journey of discovery that will go well beyond sports. You won’t be disappointed (usually). So let’s give this thing a shot, ok?

Yours Truly, Rob G.

The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative roster

I’m honored be among the many talented writers and artists on this list (below).

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Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights

Doug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, Carroll

Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines

Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, Roundup

Steph Copley: It Was Never a Dress, Johnston

Art Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake

Suzanna de Baca: Dispatches from the Heartland, Huxley

Debra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison County

Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji

Joe Geha: Fern and Joe, Ames

Jody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des Moines

Rob Gray: Rob Gray’s Area, Ankeny

Nik Heftman: The Seven Times, Los Angeles and Iowa

Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilla

Dana James: New Black Iowa, Des Moines

Pat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, Waterloo

Fern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, Ames

Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey

Letters from Iowans, Iowa

Tar Macias: Hola Iowa, Iowa

Kurt Meyer: Showing Up, St. Ansgar

Wini Moranville, Wini’s Food Stories, Des Moines

Kyle Munson, Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines

Jane Nguyen, The Asian Iowan, West Des Moines

John Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des Moines

Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines

Barry Piatt: Piatt on Politics Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.

Dave Price: Dave Price’s Perspective, Des Moines

Macey Spensley: The Midwest Creative, Iowa

Larry Stone: Listening to the Land, Elkader

Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, Kalona

Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Emerging Voices, Kalona

Cheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone County

Ed Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, Davenport

Teresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des Moines

The Iowa Writers Collaborative is also proud to ally with Iowa Capital Dispatch.