Join PorchLight on the deck of MarketHouse in IC's North Side for an evening of music, poetry, and prose. The Rooftoop 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. Purchase tickets for
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
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!
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
Will Boast will read from his new short story collection, The Submerged, which was named the 2026 Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction by the University of Georgia Press. The University of Georgia Press offers this introduction to The Submerged, which is praised by Molly Antopol, author of The UnAmericans, as "Bursting with compassion and wit and intelligence:"
Giano Cromley will read from his debut novel, American Mythology. Described as a "charming and comic debut novel about a quirky ensemble embarking on an epic quest to find Bigfoot," American Mythology is praised by Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child, as a book that has " has completely stolen my heart,"
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
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
