Writers Row – Local Author Book Fair

MERGE 136 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA

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. R.C. Davis | Jason Liegois | Erin Casey | Jose M. Rodriguez Jr. | J. A. Webb | Bill Witherspoon  | David Markward | Todd

Poetry in Public Reading Featuring Iowa’s Student Poet Ambassador, Daniel Umemezie

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

Daniel Umemezie, 2025–26 Iowa Student Poet Ambassador Poetry 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 Featuring special guest, Daniel Somotochukwu Umemezie,

Panel Discussion: Beyond Publishing – Writing as Joy, Healing, and Priority

MERGE 136 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA

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. Featuring: Erin Casey, Kellee Forkenbrock, Mackie Garrett, and Morgan Webb | Moderated by Jesus

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.

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

Book Fair at One Book Two Book

FilmScene at The Chauncey 404 E College St, Iowa City, IA

At FilmScene at The Chauncey Join us for a celebration of children's literature and writing! Books, author readings, writing workshops, film screenings, crafts, costume characters, and more! Coralville Public Library | Iowa City Public Library | Midwest Chinese Academy | PaperPie | Scattergood Friends School | Sidekick Coffee & Books | The Book End | The

Recurring

Jacqueline Briggs Martin: Turtles Heading Home

FilmScene at The Chauncey 404 E College St, Iowa City, IA

Version 1.0.0 The 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. Join author Jacqueline Briggs Martin as she reads

Drop-in Illustration Workshop with Matt Laux

MERGE 136 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA

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!

Snapshots Cover Contest

MERGE 136 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA

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! snapshots is the University of Iowa's literary magazine for children! The journal is written, produced, edited, and published by undergraduate/graduate students

Recurring

Jacqueline Briggs Martin: Turtles Heading Home

FilmScene at The Chauncey 404 E College St, Iowa City, IA

Version 1.0.0 The 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. Join author Jacqueline Briggs Martin as she reads