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
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
Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry and PorchLight Literary Arts Center The Free Generative Writing Workshops provide a space for career writers, curious beginners, writers of all levels and stages of life. Their goal is to make it easy to meet and learn from some of the most talented writer/teachers living in or passing through Iowa
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
University of Iowa professor Asha Leena Bhandary will read from her new book, Being at Home: Living Autonomously in an Unjust World. Described as a "a care-responsive theory of liberalism to address intersectionality and racism," Being at Home is praised by José Medina, Walter Dill Scott Professor of Philosophy at Northwestern University, as "an ambitious and brilliant rethinking
Join Sidekick Coffee & Books for a reading from author Naomi Kritzer on Wednesday, August 19th at 7 pm in conversation with author Katie Runde and Doctor Stephanie Radke. One book purchase admits one person. About the book: Doctor Liz has just been acquitted for performing the last abortion in North Dakota when she's kidnapped.
Curious about where and how to submit your writing to journals or contests? Would some camaraderie help you finally send off that finished piece or complete that residency or fellowship application? Putting your work out there can be hard in a discipline in which rejection is par for the course. Each session a different writer
Writers' Workshop graduate Matthew Neill Hull will read from his new novel, Floodgate. Described by publisher Blair as a story about "a former West Virginia coal miner encounters corruption and cultural upheaval working on a dam project that will submerge his town," Floodgate is praised by Jayne Anne Phillips, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Night Watch, as " a masterpiece
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
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
Join Prairie Lights for their annual IWP Sunday Afternoon Reading Series! This week’s event features IWP Residents Sarah Gilmartin (Ireland) and Iván Hochman (Argentina). They will be accompanied by local author and IWP Senior Editor Lauren Haldeman and a current Iowa Writers' Workshop student (to be announced soon). Sarah Gilmartin’s short stories have been published in The
Slam poets from across Iowa are invited to compete on Thursday, September 3, for the chance to represent Iowa City in the 2026 international Slamovision competition, a project of the UNESCO Cities of Literature network. The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, Iowa City Poetry and Mic Check will host the qualifying slam September 3
