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Woodward Writing Workshop

We are pleased to announce the annual writing workshop will now be named the Woodward Writing Workshop thanks to a $20,000 investment from Tom and Bob Woodward and the Woodward Communications Foundation.

“Story development, interviewing, and writing are key journalism skills that are at the core of every Iowa community newspaper. As a company and a family, we are proud to help the development of these skills across the state and proud to sponsor the Woodward Writing Workshop through INF.” – Bob Woodward

 “Supporting the Workshop aligns very well with our company’s Purpose, which is to ‘Provide quality local content and services that support and grow strong communities.’ ” – Tom Woodward

Thank you to the Woodward’s for their commitment to building strong Iowa journalists.

2026 WORKSHOP

This year’s workshop continues the interactive format designed to provide participants with multiple contacts with a professional coach. The program will build your interviewing, writing and story development skills! We continue the workshop tradition of one-on-one conferences with a writing coach and it is your chance to build relationships with experienced professionals and journalists facing similar challenges!

KICK-OFF PROGRAM

9:00 a.m. Reporting Smarter: Small Habits That Make a Big Difference

    • Lindsey Young, Earn Your Press Pass
      • Strong reporting and writing often come down to the little things. This session explores common challenges journalists face—from generating story ideas and asking better questions to organizing information, fact-checking, self-editing and writing with clarity. Attendees will leave with practical techniques they can immediately apply to produce stronger stories, work more efficiently, and build confidence in every stage of the reporting process.

10:00 a.m. Better Questions, Better Stories

    • Bruce Miller, Journalist, Entertainment Critic and Adjunct Professor
      • A great interview is about more than asking questions—it’s about preparation, listening closely and knowing when to follow the conversation in an unexpected direction. This session will explore how to develop questions that lead to meaningful answers, build trust with sources and uncover the details that bring a story to life. We’ll also discuss effective follow-up techniques and strategies for navigating sensitive subjects, reluctant sources and challenging conversations.

11:00 a.m. Don’t Forget the Story While You’re Perfecting the Writing

    • Sara Baranowski, National Editor, States Newsroom
      • Great writing is important—but even the best prose can’t save a story that lacks strong reporting. It’s easy to get caught up in crafting the perfect lead or polishing every sentence while losing sight of what matters most: finding the story and telling it well. This session explores how to identify the heart of a story and ensure your storytelling serves the reader. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for keeping the focus where it belongs—on reporting that informs, engages, and makes an impact.

Registration Deadline & Details

Registration fee: $75

Registration Deadline: Thursday, September 24

Use discount code 26WW to be invoiced by the INA.

Register

2026 Writing Coaches

  • Randy Evans, Iowa Freedom of Information Council
  • Emily Wood, Des Moines Business Publications
  • Sara Baranowski, States Newsroom
  • Bruce Miller, retired Editor, Sioux City Journal
  • Allie Hinga, Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Follow-Up Dates

  • October 1 – Kick-off session held online includes breakouts and time for the coaches to get to know their mentees.
  • By Friday, October 9 – Participants send 2-3 writing samples to their coach and coaches schedule sessions for the following week.
  • Week of October 12 – Coaches hold online sessions with mentees.
  • By Friday, October 23 – Participants send second batch of 2-3 writing samples to their coach and coaches schedule sessions for the following week.
  • Week of October 26 – Coaches hold online sessions with mentees.
  • Program is completed by November 2 – Participants to be awarded certificate of completion and recognized in the INA Bulletin.