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).
Please subscribe to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Weekly Round up column:
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.
Welcome!
Welcome to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, Rob!