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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260917T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260917T190000
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260722T174435Z
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UID:5749-1789671600-1789671600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:SideKick – reading and signing with Paige Towers and Sarah Elgatian
DESCRIPTION:Join Sidekick Coffee and Books for the launch of “What they Stole: Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption” by Paige Towers in conversation with Sarah Elgatian. \nAbout the book: In 1955\, following the devastation of the Korean War\, Bertha and Harry Holt made headlines for adopting eight Korean children. Driven by evangelical convictions and emboldened by a spacial act of Congress\, the couple founded the Holt Adoption Program\, which would facilitate migration of tens of thousands of Korean children to the United States over the following decades. The Sueppels were among the families profoundly shaped by the legacy of the Holt Adoption Program\, until 2008\, when Steven found himself facing federal embezzlement and money laundering chargers\, he murdered Sheryl and their adopted children before ending his own life. What They Stole traces the interwoven histories of the Holts and the Sueppels\, Meticulously researched and sensitive to its storytelling\, Paige Towers examines how goos intentions can coexist with systemic harm- and how the consequences of systems like the Holt’s can reverberate across generations. \nOne book purchase admits two people
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/sidekick-reading-and-signing-with-paige-towers-and-sarah-elgatian/
LOCATION:Sidekick Coffee & Books\, 1310 1/2 Melrose Avenue\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52242\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-22-at-12.43.49-PM.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260918T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260918T183000
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260722T173204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260722T173204Z
UID:5745-1789756200-1789756200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PrairieLights – [Virtual Event] Nancy Sowell in conv. with Melissa Febos – Internal Family Systems Health Therapy: Treating Trauma-Related Physical Illness & Toxic Stress
DESCRIPTION:[Virtual Event] Find the link on PrairieLights website  \nNancy Sowell\, LICSW\, will read from her new book co-authored with Martha Sweezy\, PhD\, and Richard C. Schwartz\, PhD: IFS (Internal Family Systems) Health Therapy: Treating Trauma-Related Physical Illness & Toxic Stress. She will be joined in conversation by bestselling author and daughter\, Melissa Febos. (Note: This will be a virtual event on Zoom and will start at 6:30 PM CDT.) \nThe publisher\, PESI Publishing\, offers this introduction for IFS Health Therapy: \nMany chronic health conditions–from inflammation and digestive disorders to metabolic syndrome and autoimmune     diseases–are increasingly linked to the lasting effects of chronic stress and trauma. But how do these experiences become embedded in the body\, and how can we help? \nIn IFS (Internal Family Systems) Health Therapy\, Nancy Sowell\, in collaboration with Martha Sweezy and IFS founder Richard Schwartz\, draws upon thirty years of clinical practice and behavioral medicine experience to present a groundbreaking mind-body approach that views protective and vulnerable inner “parts” as key drivers of physical health concerns. From this perspective\, relief emerges as clients support these internal parts and release trauma-related burdens. \nThrough vivid case examples\, experiential exercises\, and practical tools\, clinicians will learn how to use a clear three-phase framework to: \n\nUnderstand how trauma and chronic stress contribute to illness\nConduct an IFS-informed health therapy assessment\nIdentify and befriend protective parts that affect physical symptoms\nHelp vulnerable parts release trauma-related burdens\nCollaborate with other health professionals to support whole-person care\n\nAdversity can alter a person’s mind and body\, but it does not extinguish the Self’s capacity to heal. This book equips you with the tools to support that capacity. \nNancy Sowell\, LICSW\, is an IFS senior trainer\, consultant\, and speaker who teaches internationally and in the US and maintains an IFS health therapy practice. She is a Harvard Medical School teaching associate at the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion at the Cambridge Health Alliance\, where she has served for many years as a clinical consultant and IFS trainer. Her work integrates personal history\, mindful awareness of the body\, emotions\, thoughts\, and deeply held beliefs that influence our mood\, behavior\, relationships\, and health. As the Behavioral Medicine program manager in the Division of Rheumatology\, Immunology\, and Allergy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston\, she co-created an IFS program that demonstrated positive outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. She knows both personally and professionally the power of the Self in healing and restoring health. Visit her website: www.nancysowell.com. \nMelissa Febos is the national bestselling author of five books\, including Girlhood—winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism\, Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative\, and a new memoir\, The Dry Season. She is the recipient of awards and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation\, the National Endowment for the Arts\, MacDowell\, LAMBDA Literary\, the Black Mountain Institute\, the British Library\, and others. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review\, The New Yorker\, The Best American Essays\, Vogue\, and The New York Times Magazine. She is a Professor at the University of Iowa\, where she teaches in The Nonfiction Writing Program (melissafebos.com).
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/prairielights-virtual-event-nancy-sowell-in-conv-with-melissa-febos-internal-family-systems-health-therapy-treating-trauma-related-physical-illness-toxic-stress/
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Nancy-Sowell-Book-IFS-Health-Therapy-2026.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260921T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260921T103000
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260714T160440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260714T160440Z
UID:5685-1789986600-1789986600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Write Now - Community Supported Writing Group
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThis is a great group for writers who have not had the time or opportunity to pursue a traditional MFA. \nRSVP one week in advance on their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-write-now-community-supported-writing-group/2026-09-21/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260924T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260924T190000
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260714T171815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260714T171815Z
UID:5693-1790276400-1790276400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Sidekick: Conversation and signing with author Grant Faulkner
DESCRIPTION:Join Sidekick Coffee and Books for an evening with author Grant Faulkner in conversation with Yasmina Din Madden for his new book Something Out There in the Distance on September 24th at 7 pm. \nOne book purchase admits two people. \nAbout the book: Flash-fiction master Grant Faulkner and photographer Gail Butensky have partnered to create this unique narrative made up of stories alongside edge-of-the-world photography. The book tells of two lovers taking a reckless\, searching road trip through the American West. Dawn is a photographer who captures desert landscapes. Jonny drives just to drive\, running away from the end of time or running toward the end of time\, looking for a home even as his restlessness overtakes him. By turns funny\, poignant\, and heartbreaking\, something out there is in the distance is big in emotions while brief in words. An extraordinary collaboration between word and image\, Dawn and Jonny’s journey transports us to a place\, achingly familial\, populated by love\, loss\, and wonder. \nAbout Yasmina Din Madden: \nYasmina Din Madden is the author of the story collection You Know Nothing\, Northwestern University Press (2026)\, and her fiction and nonfiction have been published in Electric Literature\, The Idaho Review\, The Fairy Tale Review\, and other journals. She is the winner of the Oxford Flash Prize and was a finalist for the Iowa Review Award. She teaches creative writing and literature at Drake University. \n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/sidekick-conversation-and-signing-with-author-grant-faulkner/
LOCATION:Sidekick Coffee & Books\, 1310 1/2 Melrose Avenue\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52242\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261004T100000
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260708T155437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T155437Z
UID:5674-1791108000-1791108000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Writing Grief
DESCRIPTION:Grief Writing – A monthly exploration of loss and heartbreak \nJennifer 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 ongoing group; you’re welcome to attend once or each time. No writing experience is needed.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-writing-grief/2026-10-04/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Porch3.avif
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261010T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261010T130000
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260708T153803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T153803Z
UID:5665-1791637200-1791637200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Queer Writers' Check In
DESCRIPTION: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. \nVisit their website to RSVP!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-queer-writers-check-in/2026-10-10/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261019
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261026
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260507T150646Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T150646Z
UID:5537-1792368000-1792972799@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Iowa City Book Festival
DESCRIPTION: The Iowa City Book Festival is happening October 19–25\, 2026! Join us for a week of literary events\, author talks\, readings\, and more at various locations throughout downtown Iowa City. Mark your calendars. More information coming soon.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/iowa-city-book-festival-2/
LOCATION:Downtown Iowa City
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ICBF-featured.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261019T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261019T103000
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260714T160440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260714T160440Z
UID:5686-1792405800-1792405800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Write Now - Community Supported Writing Group
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThis is a great group for writers who have not had the time or opportunity to pursue a traditional MFA. \nRSVP one week in advance on their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-write-now-community-supported-writing-group/2026-10-19/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-14-at-10.57.53-AM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261115T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261115T100000
DTSTAMP:20260722T160454
CREATED:20260708T155437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T155437Z
UID:5675-1794736800-1794736800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Writing Grief
DESCRIPTION:Grief Writing – A monthly exploration of loss and heartbreak \nJennifer 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 ongoing group; you’re welcome to attend once or each time. No writing experience is needed.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-writing-grief/2026-11-15/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Porch3.avif
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