Kebrew McLeod is one of the University of Iowa’s most colorful professors. He teaches in the Communications Studies department and is an expert on issues of copyright and fair use. His books include Pranksters: Making Mischief in the Modern World, Creative License: The Law and Culture of Digital Sampling (written with Peter DiCola), and Freedom of Expression, which recounts his efforts to trademark the title phrase.
In this On the Fly interview, McLeod credits the multiple disciplines and forms in which he works with helping keep his creativity flowing. He also considers a return to theater, something he pursued much earlier in his career. He speaks of writing “from a craftsperson perspective,” arguing, “To me it’s just labor. It’s work. It’s hard work.” Anyone willing to do the work, McLeod says, can be a writer.
