Elizabeth Metzger and Iowa Writers' Worshop graduates, Andrew Zawacki and Devin Johnston, will read from their new poetry collections: The Going Is Forever, These Late Eclipses, and Bright Thorn, respectively. Elizabeth Metzger is the author of The Going Is Forever and Lying In, as well as The Spirit Papers, winner of the Juniper Prize for Poetry. She has published two chapbooks, Bed and The

Porchlight's low-pressure poetry workshop group! Participants should send one poem for workshop at least one week in advance of the gathering. Every participant should read each submission before the meeting and come prepared to share their thoughts during the meeting.  Someone other than the writer will read the poem first, then the writer. For more

In 2000, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack declared Oct. 12 to be “Paul Engle Day,” in honor of the Iowa-born poet who served as head of the Writer’s Workshop from 1942 to 1977, helping to develop it from an obscure experimental program to an internationally renowned literary center. Check out the City of Literature documentary to

Join Sidekick Coffee and Books for a reading by author Tatiana Schlote-Bonne for her new book "What Feeds Below." Purchase of one book admits two guests. About the book: The darkness isn't empty. It's hungry. At the edge of the City of the Void, a massive chasm extends miles into the earth, its treacherous terrain

Emily Ogden will read from her new book, Darkness Becomes Bright: On the Brief Life and Immortal Art of Edgar Allan Poe. Described as "A fascinating and intimate inquiry into Edgar Allan Poe’s shadowy life and horrifyingly compelling work" (penguinrandomhouse.com), Darkness Becomes Bright is praised by Meghan O’Rourke, author of The Invisible Kingdom, as "profoundly insightful," while Sarah Waters, author

 The Iowa City Book Festival is happening October 18–25, 2026! Join us for a week of literary events, author talks, readings, and more at various locations throughout downtown Iowa City.

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