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Long-time romance novelist sees changing perception of genre

Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

Leigh Michaels wrote her first novel in high school, but it wasn't until she wrote five more novels by her 30th birthday that she sought out a publisher. Since then, she has published more than 100 books, mostly romance.

On this Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe speaks with Michaels about her successful writing career with more than 35 million copies sold worldwide and the changing perception of the romance genre.

Later, Nebbe speaks with Tom Ecker, known by his pseudonym Tom Underwood, who has been creating Wuzzles — internationally syndicated Rebus puzzles — since the 1970s. The Iowa native says he has no plans of quitting until he "croaks."

Guests:

  • Leigh Michaels, author
  • Tom Ecker, Wuzzles creator, retired Cedar Rapids school administrator
Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa
Dani Gehr is a producer for River to River and Talk of Iowa. Dani came to Iowa from her hometown in the northwest suburbs of Chicago to attend Iowa State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism, international studies and French. Before coming to IPR, Dani covered local government in Story County for the Ames Tribune and Des Moines Register.