To continue Paul Engle’s tradition of inspiring writers and celebrating the rich culture of Iowa, the City of Literature organization annually solicits essays from Iowa high school sophomore about an “Iowa experience,” drawing on a specific memory to capture the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches of the day. The author of the essay judged by reviewers

Slam poets from around Iowa are invited to participate in a special international slam event in Iowa City on Oct. 2. SlamoVision is a project of the international UNESCO Cities of Literature. Slam poets in some of the 42 Cities of Literature around the world will compete in their home cities. One poet from each

April is Shakespeare’s birthday month (not to mention National Poetry Month), and Riverside Theatre and the City of Literature will celebrate by highlighting literary masterpieces rarely explored on stage: the Bard’s 154-poem sonnet cycle. This public reading will take place on the Ped Mall's Weatherdance Fountain Stage on Tuesday, April 23 from 1:00-4:00pm. We welcome

  Join TJ Alexander, Kaliane Bradley, & Jackie Lau in conversation with Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, the duo behind the romance power-house Christina Lauren. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24th At 7PM ET/ 6 PM CT / 4 PM PT VIA ZOOM From fake relationships to star-crossed time travelers to queer throuples, these authors are not your

SlamoVision is a project of the international UNESCO Cities of Literature. Slam poets in some of the 53 Cities of Literature around the world will compete in their home cities. One poet from each participating city will move on to an international competition to be judged by fans from the other cities. At the end

Join author, artist and craftivist Shannon Downey for a community stitching event and book launch. Filled with reflection, activities, exercises, prompts, and stories, her new book, Let’s Move the Needle, is both a how-to guide and a testament to the power of art and handwork to build community and make change. Everyone can be a changemaker,

Slam poets from around Iowa are invited to participate in a special slam on Sept. 9 that will pick our entrant for an international slam competition. SlamoVision is a project of the international UNESCO Cities of Literature. Slam poets in 18 of the 53 Cities of Literature around the world will compete in their home

In her book Relational Mindfulness: A Handbook for Deepening Our Connection with Ourselves, Each Other, and the Planet, Deborah Eden Tull writes that “Deep listening is an act of love. Listening to life as it unfolds moment by moment, with our full presence, is the essence of meditation.” In this workshop we’ll explore–through writing and mindfulness exercises–

Cole Swensen has been named the 14th recipient of the Paul Engle Prize, presented by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization. The prize, established in 2011, honors an individual who, like Paul Engle, represents a pioneering spirit in the world of literature through writing, editing, publishing, or teaching, and whose active participation in

Join us for a special conversation with Paul Engle’s daughter, Mary Burge. Growing up during the early years of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Mary witnessed its history firsthand and will share vivid stories from that time. She will be joined by her partner, Will Boutelle, the “boy next door” in Engle’s American Child sonnets, who