PorchLight: Survivor’s Stories with Margaret Yapp

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Join us for the first writing class of DVIP/RVAP's new initiative: Survivors' Stories, a series of five writing classes between August 2026-July 2027. All are free and open to the public, and survivors are encouraged to attend.  All classes will be trauma-informed, and focused on themes of reclaiming one’s story, releasing shame, healing, resilience, and building

PorchLight: Rooftop Music and Reading Series

Market House 202 N. Linn St., Iowa City, IA

Join PorchLight on the deck of Market House in IC's North Side for an evening of music, poetry, and prose. The Rooftop Music & Reading Series brings together some of Iowa's most exciting artists for a one-of-a-kind collaborative program. Bring a buddy, date, or come alone. Stay for the lovely views, and good company. Our

Recurring

PorchLight: The Prose Exchange

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Ready to get some eyes on your work? This group provides careful readings and positive, descriptive feedback on works-in-progress. They meet twice a month and workshop two submissions of up to 20 pages at each meeting. They are currently open to adding one or two more members. They advise sitting in on a session to

PorchLight: Flash Forward

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Flash Forward is PorchLight's monthly studio session for writers interested in short form writing: flash fiction, micro essays, prose poetry, and more. Join them and learn more about these miniature marvels. Each session includes a discussion of short form works we love, a generative writing prompt, optional sharing, and light positive feedback. Whether you're new to

PorchLight: International Lights Salon Series

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Enjoy conversation, connection, and community over light snacks and wine. A collaboration with the International Writing Program, the International Lights Salon provides a space for visiting International writers, local artists, university students, and community members to engage in dialogue. September 5th's topic will revolve around queer aesthetics in writing and creating queer writing communities. The

Recurring

PorchLight: Writing Grief

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Grief Writing - A monthly exploration of loss and heartbreak Jennifer New leads this monthly group that uses writing as a reflective tool to explore loss. Francis Weller's Five Gates of Grief provides a backbone to consider grief from multiple angles, e.g., death of loved ones, loss of health or ability, grief for the world. This is an

Recurring

PorchLight: Poetry Exchange

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

This writer guided critique group offers poets the chance to receive carefully considered feedback, and find writerly community. Writers share drafts of work in advance so readers have enough time to provide considered feedback. Feedback is mostly positive, and descriptive, but writers can ask for proscriptive feedback if they wish. This workshop model centers the

Recurring

PorchLight: Queer Writers’ Check In

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Similar to their Long Project Check In, this group is for queer writers looking to build literary community together. Each session will include free writing, discussion of works in progress, and general literary support. Occasionally, there will be guests and opportunities for trading work. Visit their website to RSVP!

Recurring

PorchLight: The Prose Exchange

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Ready to get some eyes on your work? This group provides careful readings and positive, descriptive feedback on works-in-progress. They meet twice a month and workshop two submissions of up to 20 pages at each meeting. They are currently open to adding one or two more members. They advise sitting in on a session to

Recurring

PorchLight: Write Now – Community Supported Writing Group

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

PorchLight's Write Now Writer's Group provides community, and learning opportunities for beginning to intermediate writers. At their monthly meetings, share short craft lessons, generate writing from prompts, and, on occasion, provide responses to participants' work in progress. Writers working in any genre are welcome. This is a great group for writers who have not had the

Recurring

PorchLight: The Prose Exchange

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Ready to get some eyes on your work? This group provides careful readings and positive, descriptive feedback on works-in-progress. They meet twice a month and workshop two submissions of up to 20 pages at each meeting. They are currently open to adding one or two more members. They advise sitting in on a session to

Recurring

PorchLight: Flash Forward

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

Flash Forward is PorchLight's monthly studio session for writers interested in short form writing: flash fiction, micro essays, prose poetry, and more. Join them and learn more about these miniature marvels. Each session includes a discussion of short form works we love, a generative writing prompt, optional sharing, and light positive feedback. Whether you're new to