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X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260222T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260222T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20230112T164042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T165720Z
UID:2296-1771765200-1771768800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Write Out Loud Student Award Ceremony
DESCRIPTION:Students in grades 1 through 8 in Corridor area districts have been invited to submit writing to One Book Two Book! Those submissions are evaluated by a team at ACT in Iowa City. Grade-level winners will be selected in two categories: \n\nThe Write Stuff\, which is judged based on language\, clarity\, structure\, and emotional impact.\nFrom the Heart\, judged based on creativity\, passion\, and expressiveness.\n\nRecognized students will read their winning submissions at “Write Out Loud\,” a special award ceremony Sunday\, February 22\, at 1 p.m. in Macbride Auditorium\, on the campus of the University of Iowa. In addition\, a percentage of all students whose submissions were deemed to be of outstanding quality also will be honored with a “certificate of distinction.” All recognized students will receive certificates and prizes at the event. The grade-level prize winners will have their work published in a booklet available at the festival.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/write-out-loud-student-award-ceremony/
LOCATION:Macbride Auditorium\, 17 N. Clinton St.\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/TheWriteStuff-3-used.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20230119T170816Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T171241Z
UID:2309-1771682400-1771684200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Book Character Meet & Greet
DESCRIPTION:  \n \nBring your camera and snap a picture with Clifford and Frog & Toad!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/book-character-meet-greet/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/characters-2026-II.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T133000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20260220T165737Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T165901Z
UID:5395-1771680600-1771680600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Lunar New Year Storytime
DESCRIPTION:Join Midwest Chinese Academy for a festive Lunar New Year storytime! Enjoy a heartwarming Chinese New Year story about family reunion and learn how to say “Happy New Year” in Mandarin. Perfect for curious young learners and families!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/lunar-new-year-storytime/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/istockphoto-2217546349-612x612-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T133000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20230217T191935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T153754Z
UID:2394-1771678800-1771680600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Storytime
DESCRIPTION:Join your favorite librarians for a very special storytime! \n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/libraries-storytime/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Library-storytime.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20260128T175511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T175511Z
UID:5288-1771677000-1771686000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Toadally Awesome Pets Presents An Amphibian Open House
DESCRIPTION:Hop on over to meet some of the coolest frogs\, toads\, and salamanders around! Join Toadally Awesome Pets’ Mobile Amphibian Education Center for a hands-on open house where kids and families can explore the amazing world of amphibians up close. You’ll get to see and touch a variety of live amphibians on display\, learn fun facts about what makes each species special\, and discover why these creatures are so important to our ecosystems.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/toadally-awesome-pets-presents-an-amphibian-open-house/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/South-Union-Toad-Day-1-26-26-.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20230119T171055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T170940Z
UID:2312-1771675200-1771675200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Book Character Meet & Greet
DESCRIPTION:Bring your camera and snap a picture with Clifford and Frog & Toad
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/book-character-meet-greet-2/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/characters-2026-II.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20260114T194130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T190557Z
UID:5221-1771671600-1771686000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Local Children’s Book Author Fair
DESCRIPTION:Join us as local children’s book authors share their newest stories\, answer questions\, and sign books. Explore each author’s table\, where a variety of books for young readers will be available for purchase. \nSandra Rhea | Allison Ward | Michelle Gillitzer | Ashlyn Solinsky | Breanna Ferry | Nalina Siva\n\n\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/local-childrens-book-author-fair/
LOCATION:MERGE\, 136 S Dubuque St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Local-Author-Book-Fair.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20260202T164949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T165031Z
UID:5339-1771671600-1771671600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:The Big Picture show presents: ICE AGE
DESCRIPTION:Free for Kids! Adult Admission $5!  \nTwenty-thousand years ago\, Earth is a wondrous\, prehistoric world filled with great danger\, not the least of which is the beginning of the Ice Age. To avoid really bad frostbite\, the planet’s majestic creatures—and a few small\, slothful ones—begin migrating south as we follow our sub-zero heroes: a woolly mammoth (Ray Romano)\, a saber-toothed tiger (Dennis Leary) \, a sloth (John Leguizamo) and a prehistoric combination of a squirrel and rat that is known as Scrat (Chris Wedge). \nAbout the Series \n\nThe Picture Show family and children’s series is an ongoing series featuring the best in all ages programming\, selected from the past century of cinema. Parents can revel in beloved classics and kids make new discoveries. On weekends\, each film is preceded by a media literacy lesson to help children understand the images and sounds they encounter every day. Kids can pick up their Picture Show Passport to collect stickers at every show and redeem them for concessions treats or a free t-shirt!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/the-big-picture-show-presents-ice-age/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ice-age-poster-1080x1600-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20230217T192654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251231T170108Z
UID:2397-1771671600-1771671600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Sing-Along
DESCRIPTION:The Iowa Children’s Museum Sing Along will feature creature sounds\, animal songs and dancing for the whole family!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/sing-a-long/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Sing-Along-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T113000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20260123T154039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T183620Z
UID:5254-1771669800-1771673400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Slither\, Stick\, and Scribble: Writing with Reptiles
DESCRIPTION:  \nHave you ever wondered what it’s like to chase your dinner up a wall? Or see heat? Or smell with your tongue? Join us to interact with live reptiles\, learn how they experience the world\, then explore your ideas through the very human act of creative writing. Prepare to slither and scribble with a bearded dragon\, a black and white tegu\, a Russian tortoise\, some crested geckos\, and a couple of snakes! \nRecommended for grades 1-6. Please register ahead if your child plans to attend so we can get a sense of numbers. Walk-ins are always welcome! Only children who will participate need to register—parents or caregivers attending do not need to register. \nLoading… \nBrought to you by Extant Relatives and Iowa City Poetry in partnership with the One Book Two Book Festival.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/reptiles/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/lizard-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T103000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20260202T182703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T182703Z
UID:5353-1771669800-1771669800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Jacqueline Briggs Martin: Turtles Heading Home
DESCRIPTION:Version 1.0.0\nThe waters around Cape Cod used to cool off gradually\, signaling to sea turtles that it was time to swim south. But now\, due to climate change\, the water stays warm too long and cools off too quickly\, making the turtles too cold to migrate. \nJoin author Jacqueline Briggs Martin as she reads from her latest book\, Turtles Heading Home. Learn about the efforts of conservationists as they rescue the turtles\, nurse them back to health\, and release them into warmer waters. The operation involves hundreds of people\, from the volunteers patrolling beaches\, to the veterinarians in the hospital\, to the pilots who fly the turtles south. All of them share the goal of helping save the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle—the most endangered sea turtle in the world. \nNote – There will be two readings at 10-10:30 a.m.\, and again 10:30-11 a.m. \n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/jacqueline-briggs-martin-turtles-heading-home/2026-02-21/2/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Turtles-Heading-Home.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20260127T155715Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T155856Z
UID:5273-1771668000-1771686000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Snapshots Cover Contest
DESCRIPTION:Kids\, this is your chance to make snapshots extra special! Everyone’s art will get a spot in the magazine\, but one person will get to be our cover — and it could be you! \nsnapshots is the University of Iowa’s literary magazine for children! The journal is written\, produced\, edited\, and published by undergraduate/graduate students enrolled at the University of Iowa. \n\n \n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/snapshots-cover-contest/
LOCATION:MERGE\, 136 S Dubuque St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Snapshots.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T120000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20240213T144945Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T163833Z
UID:3423-1771668000-1771675200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Drop-in Illustration Workshop with Matt Laux
DESCRIPTION:Join an all-ages free draw with Iowa City artist Matt Laux. Matt is a father\, chef\, and artist\, inviting everyone to be creative and joyful. We will provide the paper and drawing tools\, you provide the creativity!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/drop-in-illustration-workshop-with-matt-laux/
LOCATION:MERGE\, 136 S Dubuque St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6175-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T100000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20260202T182703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260202T183327Z
UID:5345-1771668000-1771668000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Jacqueline Briggs Martin: Turtles Heading Home
DESCRIPTION:Version 1.0.0\nThe waters around Cape Cod used to cool off gradually\, signaling to sea turtles that it was time to swim south. But now\, due to climate change\, the water stays warm too long and cools off too quickly\, making the turtles too cold to migrate. \nJoin author Jacqueline Briggs Martin as she reads from her latest book\, Turtles Heading Home. Learn about the efforts of conservationists as they rescue the turtles\, nurse them back to health\, and release them into warmer waters. The operation involves hundreds of people\, from the volunteers patrolling beaches\, to the veterinarians in the hospital\, to the pilots who fly the turtles south. All of them share the goal of helping save the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle—the most endangered sea turtle in the world. \nNote – There will be two readings at 10-10:30 a.m.\, and again 10:30-11 a.m. \n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/jacqueline-briggs-martin-turtles-heading-home/2026-02-21/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Turtles-Heading-Home.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260221T100000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20231206T153801Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T190252Z
UID:3340-1771668000-1771668000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Book Fair at One Book Two Book
DESCRIPTION:At FilmScene at The Chauncey \nJoin us for a celebration of children’s literature and writing! Books\, author readings\, writing workshops\, film screenings\, crafts\, costume characters\, and more! \nCoralville Public Library | Iowa City Public Library | Midwest Chinese Academy | PaperPie | Scattergood Friends School | Sidekick Coffee & Books | The Book End | The Iowa Children’s Museum | Toadally Awesome Pets | Willowwind School\n \n  \n\nSponsored by FilmScene
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/one-book-two-book/
LOCATION:FilmScene at The Chauncey\, 404 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:One Book Two Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Book-Fair-18.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251118T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251118T190000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20251009T154641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251111T174337Z
UID:5079-1763492400-1763492400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Paul Engle’s Community of Writers
DESCRIPTION: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 will also share memories and reflections. \nFeaturing special guest\, Reed Hagan\, winner of the 2025 Paul Engle Glory of the Senses High School Essay Contest. \nThis program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. \nPaul Engle (October 12\, 1908 – March 22\, 1991)\, was born in Cedar Rapids\, Iowa\, on October 12\, 1908\, and grew up in a frame house in the Wellington Heights area. After graduating from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids\, Engle attended Coe College and the University of Iowa where he was one of the first students to earn an advanced degree based on a thesis of creative work—a collection of poems.  His first published collection\, Worn Earth\, went on to win the Yale Series of Young Poets. His best-selling second book of poetry\, American Song\, was heralded on the cover of the New York Times Book Review in a headline declaring him “A New Voice in American Poetry”.  After Iowa\, Engle travelled as a Rhodes Scholar to Oxford University in England. \nThough Engle did not found the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa\, he built its reputation as the top graduate writing program in the United States. During his tenure as director\, he was responsible for luring some of the finest writers of the day to Iowa City: Phillip Roth\, John Berryman\, Kurt Vonnegut\, and many other prominent novelists and poets served as faculty under Engle. Additionally\, Engle increased enrollment and oversaw numerous students of future fame and influence\, including Flannery O’Connor\, John Irving\, Raymond Carver\, William Stafford\, and Robert Bly. \nAfter directing the Writers’ Workshop for twenty-four years\, Engle and future-second-wife Nieh Hualing co-founded The University of Iowa’s International Writing Program\, which invited dozens of published authors from around the globe to visit the University of Iowa to write and collaborate. For their work with the IWP\, Engle and his wife were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976.  Engle died at the age of eighty-two\, having published fourteen books of poetry\, a novel\, a memoir\, and an opera libretto\, and his literary legacy lives on in the lives and works of those authors he helped to educate and inspire. \nIn 2000\, nearly a decade after his death\, Paul Engle was declared Iowa’s “Poet of the Century” and then-Governor Tom Vilsack declared that Engle’s birthday\, October 12th\, would hereafter be known as “Paul Engle Day” to honor this life of creativity\, mentorship\, and generosity. \nLearn more about Paul Engle by watching our documentary\, City of Literature\n\n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/paul-engles-utopian-community-of-writers/
LOCATION:Iowa City Public Library\, 123 S. Linn St.\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Paul-Engle-Nov-18-Program.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251116T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251116T140000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20251014T143441Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251031T154940Z
UID:5107-1763301600-1763301600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:2025 Paul Engle Prize Ceremony Honoring Cole Swensen
DESCRIPTION:Cole Swensen has been named the 14th recipient of the Paul Engle Prize\, presented by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization. \nThe 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 the larger issues of the day has contributed to the betterment of the world through the literary arts. \nSwensen is a poet\, editor\, and translator\, who taught in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop from 2001 to 2012. She then taught at Brown University until her retirement in 2023. \nShe is the author of 20 collections of poetry\, including And And And\, a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize\, Art in Time\, Gravesend\, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award in Poetry; Goest\, a finalist for the National Book Award; Try\, winner of the Iowa Poetry Prize and the San Francisco State University Poetry Center Book Award; and New Math\, winner of the National Poetry Series. \nSwensen has translated more than 30 books of French poetry\, creative nonfiction\, and art criticism\, and won the 2024 National Translation Award from ALTA and the 2025 Stephen Mitchell Translation Prize. She was awarded a 2006 Guggenheim Fellowship and has been a writer-in-residence at Yale’s Beinecke Library\, the Pratt Institute\, and Temple University. Swensen was the founder and editor of La Presse\, an imprint of Fence Books that was dedicated to the translation of contemporary French poetry. \nSwensen will receive the award at a ceremony at 2 p.m. on November 16\, at the Coralville Public Library. Christopher Merrill will join Swensen in conversation. The event is free and open to the public. Book signing and reception to follow. \nThe Paul Engle Prize is made possible through the generous support of the City of Coralville\, which is home to 11 permanent sculptures with artistic and literary ties to Iowa. The sculptures all have ties to work found in The Iowa Writers’ Library\, housed in the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel\, which features about 800 books written by former students\, graduates and faculty of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. \nPaul Engle (October 12\, 1908 – March 22\, 1991)\, though best remembered as the long-time director of the Writers’ Workshop and co-founder with his wife\, Hualing Nieh Engle\, of the UI’s International Writing Program\, also was a well-regarded poet\, playwright\, essayist\, editor and critic. In 2000\, then-Gov. Tom Vilsack declared Engle’s birthday\, Oct. 12\, as “Paul Engle Day” in Iowa. \nPrevious winners of the prize are: James Alan McPherson\, Kwame Dawes\, Luis Alberto Urrea\, Roxane Gay\, Alexander Chee\, Dina Nayeri\, Toi Derricotte\, Cornelius Eady\, Dr. Eve L. Ewing\, Rebecca Solnit\, Joan Naviyuk Kane\, and Camille Dungy. Visit www.iowacityofliterature.org/paul-engle-day for more information about the prize and past winners.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/2025-paul-engle-prize-ceremony-honoring-cole-swensen/
LOCATION:Coralville Public Library\, 1401 5th St.\, Coralville\, IA\, 52241\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/swensen-2023-scaled-e1756829866798.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T153000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250908T173917Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T173917Z
UID:4862-1760283000-1760283000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Kazim Ali with Rajaa Alsanea and Yu Yuen Lan
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/kazim-ali-with-rajaa-alsanea-and-yu-yuen-lan/
LOCATION:Prairie Lights Books\, 15 S. Dubuque St.\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IWP-Reading-10-12.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250904T155008Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T163321Z
UID:4818-1760279400-1760279400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion – The Black Superwoman & Mental Health: Power & Pain
DESCRIPTION:Panelists will discuss this new anthology\, The Black Superwoman & Mental Health: Power & Pain by Venise Berry and Janette Taylor. \nIt 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 that say we do not air our “dirty laundry”\, we should keep “secrets” to remain safe\, yet unhealthy. We must find safe spaces to speak our truths\, to heal. It is through the process of seeking\, doing\, and being\, sometimes in public like this anthology and sometimes in private (counseling or psychotherapy)\, that many of us learn to acknowledge\, analyze\, speak\, and eventually write the truth of/about our lives in order to move closer to being whole Black women. Enjoy poetry\, short stories\, essays\, and assessable research in this powerful anthology. \nFeaturing: Venise Berry\, Professor of Journalism and African American Studies\, University of Iowa; Averi Bryant\, Graphic Arts Designer & Social Media Promoter; Katrina Harden-Williams\, Doctoral Candidate in School of Education\, Drake University; Tianna Newell\, First Lady of Purpose Place Church in Iowa City; Tiana Warner\, Spoken Word Artist\, Writer.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/panel-discussion-the-black-superwoman-mental-health-power-pain/
LOCATION:DREAM CITY\, 611 Southgate Avenue\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The-Black-Superwoman-Mental-Health.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T130000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250925T163755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T142922Z
UID:4981-1760274000-1760274000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: Beyond Publishing – Writing as Joy\, Healing\, and Priority
DESCRIPTION:This panel will explore writing beyond publishing\, focusing on how the practice itself can bring joy\, healing\, and meaning. Panelists will also consider how books\, reading\, and art can serve as medicine\, balm\, or even dessert\, nourishing both mind and spirit. \nFeaturing: Erin Casey\, Kellee Forkenbrock\, Mackie Garrett\, and Morgan Webb | Moderated by Jesus “Chuy” Renteria
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/panel-discussion-beyond-publishing-writing-as-joy-healing-and-priority/
LOCATION:MERGE\, 136 S Dubuque St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PANEL-DISCUSSION-Beyond-Publishing-Writing-as-Joy-Healing-and-Priority.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T123000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20220831T160317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251006T153351Z
UID:1905-1760272200-1760272200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Poetry in Public Reading Featuring Iowa’s Student Poet Ambassador\, Daniel Umemezie
DESCRIPTION:Daniel Umemezie\, 2025–26 Iowa Student Poet Ambassador\nPoetry in Public celebrates our community’s rich literary tradition and local writing talent by displaying poems by writers of all ages. Hear from some of the 2025 Selected Poets. This event is live and in-person\, and will be streamed live at: https://www.youtube.com/thelibrarychannel \nFeaturing special guest\, Daniel Somotochukwu Umemezie\, the 2025–26 Iowa Student Poet Ambassador. \nParticipating Poets: \nKiley Adkins | Philip Beck | Dan Campion | Melanie Hester | Jennifer Horn-Frasier | Jessica Moore | Anna Moyers Stone | Charlotte Pearl | Mazzy Sleep | Rich Sokoli | Anjali Strand \nIf your poem was selected for Poetry in Public 2025 and you’d like to read it at the event\, please email us at info@iowacityofliterature.org
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/poetry-in-public-reading/
LOCATION:Iowa City Public Library\, 123 S. Linn St.\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Poetry-in-Public-icon.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251012T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20230705T165321Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T144000Z
UID:2924-1760266800-1760281200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Writers Row – Local Author Book Fair
DESCRIPTION:Local Author Book Fair! Join us as local authors present their latest works\, answer questions\, and sign books. Browse each author’s table where various books will be available for purchase. \nR.C. Davis | Jason Liegois | Erin Casey | Jose M. Rodriguez Jr. | J. A. Webb | Bill Witherspoon  | David Markward | Todd Cohenour | Mike Cal Cahalan | David Hankins\n\nThe Local Author Book Fair is sponsored by Greater Iowa City.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/writers-row-local-author-book-fair/
LOCATION:MERGE\, 136 S Dubuque St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Local-Author-Book-Fair-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T173000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250912T145723Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250912T145723Z
UID:4896-1760200200-1760203800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:John Ira Thomas: Tire Magazine
DESCRIPTION:Join John Ira Thomas for a journey through the mystical and the mundane through the metafictional series of Tire magazine! John will read from Tire June 2000\, Tire Annual 2021\, Tire May 2038\, and work in progress from The Best of Tire Classifieds. Alternate timeline John’s life may have been ruined by a New Age boomlet fixated on something he drew when he was nine\, but the John of this universe is happy to share and laugh along.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/john-ira-thomas-tire-magazine/
LOCATION:Daydreams Comics\, 229 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Tire-Magazine.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250919T163103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T165209Z
UID:4928-1760198400-1760198400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: Importance of Genre
DESCRIPTION:A lively conversation with writers exploring how genre shapes stories\, readers\, and the writing process. \nFeaturing: \nAnna Bruno\, Gregory Galloway\, Scott Phillips\, and Tatiana Schlote-Bonne. Moderated by Nina Lohman.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/panel-discussion-importance-of-genre/
LOCATION:Iowa City Masonic Building\, 312 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Importance-of-Genre-2025-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250908T173311Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250908T173311Z
UID:4860-1760198400-1760198400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Patricia Lockwood: Will There Ever Be Another You
DESCRIPTION:Amid a global pandemic\, one young woman is trying to keep the pieces together – of her family\, stunned by a devastating loss\, and of her mind\, left mangled and misfiring from a mystifying disease. She’s afraid of her own floorboards\, and “WHAT IS LOVE? BABY DON’T HURT ME” plays over and over in her ears. She hates her friends\, or more accurately\, she doesn’t know who they are. \nHas the illness stolen her old mind and given her a new one? Does it mean she’ll get to start over from scratch\, a chance afforded to very few people? The very weave of herself seems to have loosened: time and memories pass straight through her body. “I’m sorry not to respond to your email\,” she writes\, “but I live completely in the present\nnow.” \nWill There Ever Be Another You is the brain-shredding\, phosphorescent story of one woman’s dissolution and her attempt to create a new way of thinking\, as well as a profound investigation into what keeps us alive in times of unprecedented disorientation and loss\, from one of our most original writers.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/patricia-lockwood-will-there-ever-be-another-you/
LOCATION:Prairie Lights Books\, 15 S. Dubuque St.\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Will-There-Ever-Be-Another-You.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250908T172953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T201540Z
UID:4857-1760198400-1760198400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Anna Barker: 13 Notes from Napoleon\, Iowa: Musings on the Edge of the French Empire
DESCRIPTION:Born on August 15\, 1769\, in Ajaccio\, on the Mediterranean island of Corsica\, Napoleon was the ruler of Iowa between 1800 and 1803 when he served as the First Consul of the French Republic. Iowa City\, Iowa\, evolved out of the 1838 settlement named after him — Napoleon\, Iowa — the location marked today by Napoleon Park\, off Napoleon Lane\, just south of Iowa City. The book illuminates aspects of Iowa’s French past\, such as cities named after the Napoleonic battles of Marengo and Waterloo\, and explains the mystery of Iowa’s distinctly French-looking flag. Along the way\, the author muses on other Napoleon-related matters\, such as Empire waist gowns\, Goethe’s and Byron’s Bonapartism\, the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo\, the Congress of Vienna\, and to what extent Europe’s current internal contradictions have been impacted by its Napoleonic past.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/anna-barker-13-notes-from-napoleon-iowa-musings-on-the-edge-of-the-french-empire/
LOCATION:Iowa City Public Library\, 123 S. Linn St.\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Anna-Barker-cover.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250919T185449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T200554Z
UID:4945-1760193000-1760193000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Christina Ward: Holy Food
DESCRIPTION:Does God have a recipe? Christina Ward’s Holy Food:  How Cults\, Communes\, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat – An American History investigates the explosion of religious movements since the Great Awakenings that birthed a cottage industry of food fads and cookbooks.  Ward uncovers the interconnectivity between obscure sects and communities of the 20th Century who dabbled in vague spirituality and used food to both entice and control followers. Holy Food draws on a range of sources\, including academic studies\, interviews\, cookbooks\, and religious texts\, to offer sharp insights into American history in this highly readable journey through the American kitchen. \n“Looks yummy!”\n— John Waters \n“Holy Food is a titanic feat of research and a fascinating exploration of American faith and culinary rites. Christina Ward is the perfect guide – generous\, wise\, and ecumenical.” — Adam Chandler\, author of Drive-Thru Dreams
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/christina-ward-holy-food/
LOCATION:Iowa City Public Library\, 123 S. Linn St.\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Holy-Food.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20250908T172307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T150930Z
UID:4853-1760193000-1760193000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Tatiana Schlote-Bonne: The Mean Ones
DESCRIPTION:So what if Sadie hears talking dead animals and a strange\, comforting male voice in her head? The therapist insists these are just symptoms of PTSD. It makes sense considering that she hid under the bed and watched as her best friends were slaughtered. \nBut the murders were seventeen years ago\, back when her name was Sabrina. Now\, she’s Sadie: a perfectly normal 29-year-old. She works as a physical therapist assistant and lifts weights with her boyfriend\, Lucas\, who’s the sweetest\, most considerate man—as long as he’s not angry. But when Lucas spontaneously agrees to join a couples trip to a cabin in the woods\, the visions get worse\, a strange figure stalks her during the night\, and that male voice in Sadie’s head keeps calling\, asking her to do things she’s never fathomed. \nSadie’s not sure if it’s her paranoia or something else entirely . . . But she is sure of one thing—this time\, she’s not going to sit idly by as everything starts to unravel. \nTatiana will be joined in conversation with Carey Dunne.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/tatiana-schlote-bonne-the-mean-ones/
LOCATION:Prairie Lights Books\, 15 S. Dubuque St.\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/The-Mean-Ones.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T143000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20240919T153211Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251002T172457Z
UID:3980-1760193000-1760193000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Panel Discussion: Sense of Place
DESCRIPTION:In this panel\, writers will discuss place and setting as key in many kinds of writing. They will explore the following questions: How do you convey a sense of place or paint a unique landscape? In what ways does location contribute to your writing? Can a literary work truly be ‘universal\,’ or will place always determine how a piece is understood? \nFeaturing: Agnes Chew\, Siddharth Dasgupta\, Jennifer Fawcett\, Vlora Konushevci\, and Ndongolera C. Mwangupili. Moderated by Derek Nnuro. \n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/panel-discussion-sense-of-place/
LOCATION:Iowa City Masonic Building\, 312 E College St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sense-of-Place-2025-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251011T160000
DTSTAMP:20260404T125857
CREATED:20240919T160616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250912T145537Z
UID:3998-1760191200-1760198400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Candle Light Press 30th Anniversary signing
DESCRIPTION:Come celebrate the 30th anniversary of Iowa City’s own Candle Light Press! Carter Allen\, Austin Allen Hamblin\, and John Ira Thomas will be signing books at Daydreams on Saturday\, October 11th at 200p-400p. It’s been a big year for the press\, so there’s lots of new books–Zoo Force: Blue Route and Stops Along the Way\, Ectyron V. Rojo Gallo\, the Twells/Hamblin Collection\, Savage Dirt Axes\, and Zoo Force: The Works! \nPresented in partnership with Daydreams Comics. \n 
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/candle-light-press/
LOCATION:Daydreams Comics\, 229 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, IA\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:Iowa City Book Festival
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_0881.jpeg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR