The year was 1988, and Denis Johnson was at a low point. He caught malaria on a reporting trip into the jungles of the Philippines and was nearly pronounced dead. The disease left him unable to write. His second wife left him. He didn’t have enough money to pay his taxes. His publisher was waiting
Stop by the lobby of the Iowa City Public Library between festival events to browse for a new (to you) book.
Loss and sorrow can overwhelm even the strongest person, forcing them to reckon with their emotions whether they want to or not. In this extraordinary debut, Laura Julier recounts her reckoning, which took place in an old cabin tucked away on a hidden and forgotten gravel road along the Iowa River. In company with silence
Join us for a special SlamoVision judging night! Attendees will watch performances from slam poets representing 17 UNESCO Cities of Literature around the world and help decide the outcome by scoring each one. Enjoy free pizza while you cast your votes—the scores from Iowa City will be combined with those from other cities to help
A panel featuring International Writing Program participants Tomás Downey (Argentina) and Florencia del Campo (Spain), with guest author Kazim Ali. The International Writing Program (IWP) is a unique conduit for the world’s literatures, connecting well-established writers from around the globe, bringing international literature into classrooms, introducing American writers to other cultures through reading tours, and
John Warner, author of More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI believes there are important distinctions to be made between the writing of humans and the syntax generation of large language models like ChatGPT. These distinctions are at the root of what he believes we should value, the fact that human communication
What does a life look like on the other side of survival, and can the one who survived come to recognize that she did? Donika Kelly’s poetry is known for its resonant, unflinching confrontations with trauma and inheritance, translated through myth and nature. The Natural Order of Things expands these explorations into a new realm: one defined
America’s national parks are facing unprecedented challenges. With visitation pressures mounting and the National Park Service struggling to keep up, author, former park ranger, and Iowa City native Steve Kemp looks toward one exceptionally effective historical example of conservation philanthropy and park building—the collaboration between John D. Rockefeller Jr. and NPS legends Stephen Mather, Horace
Author Chris Pio, from Cedar Rapids discusses his "Nicknames and Mascots" series which describes the origins, evolution and relevant meaning of collegiate athletic team nicknames and the colorful, physical mascot characters that represent the schools.
Join author, artist and craftivist Shannon Downey for a community stitching event and book launch. Filled with reflection, activities, exercises, prompts, and stories, her new book, Let’s Move the Needle, is both a how-to guide and a testament to the power of art and handwork to build community and make change. Everyone can be a changemaker,
A multidisciplinary performance melding film with live readings inspired by Bryant’s book of hybrid essays. This event is co-presented by Refocus Film Festival.
Students from Iowa City, fluent in 15 different languages, will present passages from Anne Frank’s diary. This event provides an opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful dialogue, reflect on the Holocaust and other tragic global events, and foster a sense of community as the 95th anniversary of Frank’s diary is commemorated. The event will
