Panel Discussion – The Black Superwoman & Mental Health: Power & Pain

DREAM CITY 611 Southgate Avenue, Iowa City, IA

Panelists will discuss this new anthology, The Black Superwoman & Mental Health: Power & Pain by Venise Berry and Janette Taylor. It is not easy to reveal oneself and to be vulnerable in a public way as the authors in this book have done. This is the act of resisting the voices and social scripts

Kazim Ali with Rajaa Alsanea and Yu Yuen Lan

Prairie Lights Books 15 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA

Poet, novelist, and essayist Kazim Ali will read as a special guest of the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program. He is joined by IWP participants Rajaa Alsanea (Saudi Arabia) and Yu Yuen Lan (Hong Kong), who will also read from their work.

Little Village Presents: Roast of Iowa City

ReUnion Brewery 113 E College St, Iowa City

Year after year, some of the area’s most treasured comics and writers gather together to relentlessly burn and mock everything sacred and dear about our town. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. This year is hosted by Karen Vásquez and features a lineup of talented comics, plus LV’s Dear Kiki Live!, where we read your anonymous love and relationship

Recurring

Queer Writers’ Check In

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

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. The group will meet at PorchLight Literary Arts Center (1019 E Washington St, Iowa City) and is co-hosted

Writing from Stillness: A Workshop on Mindfulness, Presence, and Creative Clarity

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

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–

2025 Paul Engle Prize Ceremony Honoring Cole Swensen

Coralville Public Library 1401 5th St., Coralville, IA

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

Paul Engle’s Community of Writers

Iowa City Public Library 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City, IA

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

Recurring

Queer Writers’ Check In

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

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. The group will meet at PorchLight Literary Arts Center (1019 E Washington St, Iowa City) and is co-hosted

Recurring

Queer Writers’ Check In

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

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. The group will meet at PorchLight Literary Arts Center (1019 E Washington St, Iowa City) and is co-hosted

Recurring

Queer Writers’ Check In

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

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. The group will meet at PorchLight Literary Arts Center (1019 E Washington St, Iowa City) and is co-hosted

Recurring

Queer Writers’ Check In

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

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. The group will meet at PorchLight Literary Arts Center (1019 E Washington St, Iowa City) and is co-hosted

Recurring

Queer Writers’ Check In

PorchLight Literary Arts Center 1019 E Washington St, Iowa City

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. The group will meet at PorchLight Literary Arts Center (1019 E Washington St, Iowa City) and is co-hosted