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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260808T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260808T103000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260708T152842Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T152842Z
UID:5658-1786185000-1786185000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Poetry Exchange
DESCRIPTION:This writer guided critique group offers poets the chance to receive carefully considered feedback\, and find writerly community.  \nWriters share drafts of work in advance so readers have enough time to provide considered feedback. Feedback is mostly positive\, and descriptive\, but writers can ask for proscriptive feedback if they wish. This workshop model centers the writer\, and gives them control over the amount and type of feedback they receive. \nFor more information on how to join\, visit their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-poetry-exchange/2026-08-08/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260808T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260808T130000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260708T153803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T153803Z
UID:5663-1786194000-1786194000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Queer Writers' Check In
DESCRIPTION:Similar to their Long Project Check In\, 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. \nVisit their website to RSVP!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-queer-writers-check-in/2026-08-08/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Porch1.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260813T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260813T100000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260708T155437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T155437Z
UID:5672-1786615200-1786615200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Writing Grief
DESCRIPTION:Grief Writing – A monthly exploration of loss and heartbreak \nJennifer 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 ongoing group; you’re welcome to attend once or each time. No writing experience is needed.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-writing-grief/2026-08-13/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Porch3.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260816T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260816T153000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260811T152941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T152941Z
UID:5821-1786894200-1786894200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: The Prose Exchange
DESCRIPTION:Ready to get some eyes on your work? This group provides careful readings and positive\, descriptive feedback on works-in-progress. They meet twice a month and workshop two submissions of up to 20 pages at each meeting.  \nThey are currently open to adding one or two more members.  \nThey advise sitting in on a session to determine if this is the workshop for you.  \nFor more information on how to join\, visit their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-the-prose-exchange-2/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/82ce62_8350b311c14c44f8b461627d4c759adcmv2.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260816T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260816T173000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260707T173339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T152948Z
UID:5652-1786901400-1786901400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:Free Generative Writing Workshop for July: Griffin Rockwell
DESCRIPTION:Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry and PorchLight Literary Arts Center \nThe Free Generative Writing Workshops provide a space for career writers\, curious beginners\, writers of all levels and stages of life. Their goal is to make it easy to meet and learn from some of the most talented writer/teachers living in or passing through Iowa City. Every month a new writer leads a generative workshop\, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations\, passions\, or interests. \nGriffin Rockwell is a queer poet who often writes about gender\, science\, pop culture\, and unusual connections. Xe is the author of the chapbooks listen— (Interstellar Flight Press)\, body in motion (perhappened press)\, and Lexicon of Future Selves (VA Press). Their work has also appeared in AGNI\, Okay Donkey\, Santa Fe Review\, Poet Lore\, Whale Road Review\, HAD\, and elsewhere. They earned their MFA at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and their MLitt at the University of Dundee \nFor more information visit the websites of Iowa City Poetry and/or PorchLight Literary Arts Center!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/free-generative-writing-workshop-for-july-griffin-rockwell/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Free-Gen-Griffin.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260817T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260817T103000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260714T160440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260714T160440Z
UID:5684-1786962600-1786962600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Write Now - Community Supported Writing Group
DESCRIPTION:PorchLight’s Write Now Writer’s Group provides community\, and learning opportunities for beginning to intermediate writers. At their monthly meetings\, share short craft lessons\, generate writing from prompts\, and\, on occasion\, provide responses to participants’ work in progress. Writers working in any genre are welcome. \nThis is a great group for writers who have not had the time or opportunity to pursue a traditional MFA. \nRSVP one week in advance on their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-write-now-community-supported-writing-group/2026-08-17/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-14-at-10.57.53-AM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260821T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260821T190000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260811T153541Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T153541Z
UID:5832-1787338800-1787338800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Send It In!
DESCRIPTION:Curious about where and how to submit your writing to journals or contests? Would some camaraderie help you finally send off that finished piece or complete that residency or fellowship application? Putting your work out there can be hard in a discipline in which rejection is par for the course. \nEach session a different writer will present on an aspect of the submission process. Then\, browse through PorchLights resources or find a cozy chair and get to work! \nThis session’s host will be Scott Russell Morris\, who will talk about poetry versus prose submissions\, how to manage simultaneous submissions\, and how to find the right literary journal for your work. Scott is a writer and enthusiast. He is the author of Points of Tangency: Essays (Cornerstone Press\, Sept 2024) and is the editor and creator of Magpie Zines\, a zine about tarot\, magpies\, and found meaning. He is the Poet Laureate of Mt Vernon\, IA\, and an Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing at Cornell College. \nDrinks and snacks will be served. \nThis session is just for members.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-send-it-in/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/82ce62_2ae9848d0c414570ad07b7eff8da91dbmv2.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260826T183000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260819T152425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T152425Z
UID:5938-1787769000-1787769000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Survivor’s Stories with Margaret Yapp
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the first writing class of DVIP/RVAP’s new initiative: Survivors’ Stories\, a series of five writing classes between August 2026-July 2027. All are free and open to the public\, and survivors are encouraged to attend.  \nAll classes will be trauma-informed\, and focused on themes of reclaiming one’s story\, releasing shame\, healing\, resilience\, and building community. Each workshop will last approximately 1.5 hours and conclude with an optional sharing opportunity for participants who wish to read their work aloud.  \nA trained DVIP/RVAP advocate will be present at each session to provide support if needed.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-survivors-stories-with-margaret-yapp/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/82ce62_1ce30bc39c0741bba7a3270e9d5bc0d1mv2.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260830T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260830T153000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260811T152941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T152941Z
UID:5823-1788103800-1788103800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: The Prose Exchange
DESCRIPTION:Ready to get some eyes on your work? This group provides careful readings and positive\, descriptive feedback on works-in-progress. They meet twice a month and workshop two submissions of up to 20 pages at each meeting.  \nThey are currently open to adding one or two more members.  \nThey advise sitting in on a session to determine if this is the workshop for you.  \nFor more information on how to join\, visit their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-the-prose-exchange-2/2026-08-30/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/82ce62_8350b311c14c44f8b461627d4c759adcmv2.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260905T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260905T130000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260811T154540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T154540Z
UID:5838-1788613200-1788613200@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Flash Forward
DESCRIPTION:Flash Forward is PorchLight’s monthly studio session for writers interested in short form writing: flash fiction\, micro essays\, prose poetry\, and more. Join them and learn more about these miniature marvels. Each session includes a discussion of short form works we love\, a generative writing prompt\, optional sharing\, and light positive feedback. \nWhether you’re new to these very short forms or an old hand\, they would love to have you! \nFirst meeting is free!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-flash-forward/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/82ce62_15977cbd84104d329b0338a9257e9979mv2.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260905T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260905T190000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260825T004809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T004809Z
UID:6007-1788634800-1788634800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: International Lights Salon Series
DESCRIPTION:Enjoy conversation\, connection\, and community over light snacks and wine. A collaboration with the International Writing Program\, the International Lights Salon provides a space for visiting International writers\, local artists\, university students\, and community members to engage in dialogue. \nSeptember 5th’s topic will revolve around queer aesthetics in writing and creating queer writing communities. The conversationalists will be: \n \nNina Dragičević is a poet\, writer\, sound artist\, and sociologist\, the author of nine volumes of poetry\, essays\, and theory\, as well as numerous sound-poetry compositions and installations. Known for a distinct formal and stylistic hybridity\, linguistic precision\, and an articulated queer and feminist stance\, her work has been characterised by critics as “striking\,” “pioneering\,” and “majestic\,” as “strong\, powerful poetry that deserves a lot of attention.” \nDragičević is the recipient of the 2025 Lastovka Award\, the 2023 Werner Düttmann Fellowship (Akademie der Künste\, Berlin)\, the 2023 Dr Ana Mayer Kansky Award (University of Ljubljana)\, the 2021 Jenko Award\, the 2020 Župančič Award\, two 2018 Knight of Poetry Awards\, and was a 2018 Palma Ars Acustica finalist. \nAmber Esau is the author of Hungus\, her debut poetry collection published earlier this year\, and co-editor of a queer poetry anthology\, Spoiled Fruit (2023). She has performed her poetry extensively\, and her work has been published in various journals and anthologies in Aotearoa-New Zealand. She is working on a mixed media speculative fantasy novel set in the South Pacific. \nJun Li is a Hong Kong writer director. His film works include Tracey (2018)\, Drifting (2021)\, and Queerpanorama (2025). He won Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director at the 58th and 62nd Golden Horse Film Awards for the latter two. His theatre works include Song of Grief (2018-2019) and In a Perfect World (2025)\, which is nominated for Best Production and Best Play at the Hong Kong Drama Awards. \nSangyoung Park is a prominent South Korean novelist and screenwriter\, internationally recognized for his sharp emotional insight\, wit\, and nuanced exploration of urban life\, intimacy\, and identity. His bestselling novel\, Love in the Big City\, has been translated into more than twenty languages and was longlisted for the International Booker Prize\, the Dublin Literary Award\, and the Prix Médicis étranger. Beyond the page\, Park has established himself as a versatile creator\, serving as the writer and creator for the global television adaptation of his own work. \nElizabeth Rodriguez Fielder is a scholar of twentieth and twenty-first century transnational American literature and culture. Her teaching and research interests include multiethnic literature and culture\, (specifically African American and Latinx Studies)\, performance studies\, women of color feminism\, southern studies\, and social movement activism. She received her PhD from University of Mississippi in English; an MA in American Studies from Columbia University; and a BA in English/Creative Writing from SUNY Binghamton. Her book project “Cultural Activism and the Civil Rights Movement” is a multidisciplinary study of creative activism and performance by minority artists and revolutionaries in the 1960s and 70s. This book engages in the role of creativity in social movements and argues that the aesthetics of cultural production shaped civil rights politics. Rodriguez Fielder presents a vision of social movement activism where the collaborative production of performances and of experimental media overlapped with quotidian activities\, such as farming okra and sewing quilts.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-international-lights-salon-series/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ea1687_4a0ed3f546e94a9494a69e94ab145901mv2.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260906T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260906T100000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260708T155437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T155437Z
UID:5673-1788688800-1788688800@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Writing Grief
DESCRIPTION:Grief Writing – A monthly exploration of loss and heartbreak \nJennifer 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 ongoing group; you’re welcome to attend once or each time. No writing experience is needed.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-writing-grief/2026-09-06/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Porch3.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260912T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260912T103000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260708T152842Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T152842Z
UID:5659-1789209000-1789209000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Poetry Exchange
DESCRIPTION:This writer guided critique group offers poets the chance to receive carefully considered feedback\, and find writerly community.  \nWriters share drafts of work in advance so readers have enough time to provide considered feedback. Feedback is mostly positive\, and descriptive\, but writers can ask for proscriptive feedback if they wish. This workshop model centers the writer\, and gives them control over the amount and type of feedback they receive. \nFor more information on how to join\, visit their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-poetry-exchange/2026-09-12/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Porch.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260912T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260912T130000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260708T153803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T153803Z
UID:5664-1789218000-1789218000@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Queer Writers' Check In
DESCRIPTION:Similar to their Long Project Check In\, 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. \nVisit their website to RSVP!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-queer-writers-check-in/2026-09-12/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Porch1.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260913T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260913T153000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260811T152941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T152941Z
UID:5824-1789313400-1789313400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: The Prose Exchange
DESCRIPTION:Ready to get some eyes on your work? This group provides careful readings and positive\, descriptive feedback on works-in-progress. They meet twice a month and workshop two submissions of up to 20 pages at each meeting.  \nThey are currently open to adding one or two more members.  \nThey advise sitting in on a session to determine if this is the workshop for you.  \nFor more information on how to join\, visit their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-the-prose-exchange-2/2026-09-13/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/avif:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/82ce62_8350b311c14c44f8b461627d4c759adcmv2.avif
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260919T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260919T190000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260913T221307Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260913T221307Z
UID:6123-1789844400-1789844400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: International Lights Salon Series
DESCRIPTION:Enjoy conversation\, connection\, and community over light snacks and wine. A collaboration with the International Writing Program\, the International Lights Salon provides a space for visiting International writers\, local artists\, university students\, and community members to engage in dialogue. \n \nJoin online or in person. For a zoom link email Jennifer at jennifer@porchlightliterary.org \n \nSeptember 19th’s topic will revolve around queer aesthetics in writing and creating queer writing communities. The conversationalists will be: \n \nIván HOCHMAN (b. 1994\, Buenos Aires\, Argentina) is an actor\, writer\, screenwriter\, director\, and teacher. His play Decir te amo es un atentado received a National Playwriting Award from the Teatro Nacional Cervantes and was presented at the Bienal de Arte Joven. He was selected for the Cannes Writers Club at Canneseries (2024) for his work as a screenwriter. His first novel\, Por qué te vas (Milena Caserola\, 2020; Alfaguara\, 2023)\, was included in the Mapa de las Lenguas collection (2024). His second novel\, Años luz que no brillamos\, is forthcoming from Alfaguara. He starred in the Netflix series Love After Music\, for which he received several acting awards. He is currently working on a science fiction short story collection and two feature films. He teaches creative writing and mentors long-form literary projects. \nHidayat Nordin is a Singaporean writer\, theatre director\, and cultural practitioner working across fiction\, poetry\, performance\, and film in Malay and English. In 2025\, he won the Golden Point Award — Singapore’s most prestigious literary prize — taking both First Prize and Honourable Mention in short fiction in the same year. He was appointed Duta Bahasa (Malay Language Ambassador) by MBMS in 2025\, in recognition of his sustained contribution to the Malay language and literary arts in Singapore. \nHis poetry has appeared in publications across Singapore\, Malaysia\, and Australia\, including a solo collection\, Optimis (2020)\, supported by the National Arts Council. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Aras Theatre and co-founder of Meja Conteng\, a writers’ collective that has produced three publications and a nationwide poetry competition since its founding in 2024. A practitioner of dikir barat — a Malay oral performance tradition of call and response — he has also represented Singapore internationally at literary festivals in Jakarta\, Kuala Lumpur\, and Perak. \nLionel Ruffel is a French literary scholar\, publisher\, and writer. He is the author of three essays on contemporary literature and culture:  Le Dénouement (Verdier\, 2005)\, Volodine post-exotique (Cécile Defaut\, 2007) Brouhaha\, les mondes du contemporain (Verdier\, 2016\, Minnesota Press\, 2017)\, and three hybrid books that combine memoir\, literary essay\, and political fable: Trompe-la-mort (Verdier\, 2019)\, I Can’t Sleep (Sternberg Press\, 2021)\, and Trois éveils (Corti\, 2024). His next book\, Auto-évaluations\, will be published in January 2027. Since 2005\, he runs the chaoïd series (which focuses on new voices and emerging literature) at Verdier publishing house where he’s also an associate publisher. He is a professor of comparative literature and creative writing at Paris 8 University\, where he co-founded the master’s program in creative writing in 2013 and has been co-director ever since. \nJohanna Kasimow is an Iowa City-based director\, writer\, and performer in the field of theater and performance. Her recent creative research focuses on the interplay of clown and affect in performance in a new play titled The Grüb\, which probes the sensations of hiding\, trans-generational inheritance\, and the rhythms of survival in an underground pit. \nJohanna has worked with artists and companies across the US\, including: Pig Iron Theatre Company\, The Eva Steinmetz Project\, Antigravity Performance Project\, Tiny Circus\, New Paradise Laboratories\, Nell Bang-Jensen\, Talya Chalef\, Lily Kind\, and Alex Tatarsky. In 2023\, Johanna was a participant in the NEH Summer Institute for Preserving and Transmitting American Ensemble-Based Devised Theatre hosted by the Pig Iron Theatre Company. Recently\, Johanna premiered City In Heat\, a site-specific live cinema performance piece\, as part of the Open Air Media Festival at Public Space One in Iowa City. \nJohanna’s teaching and research has focused on clown and mask; civic and social practice art; community-based theatre; theatre of the climate crisis; and contemporary performance. Johanna received an MFA in Devised Performance from the University of the Arts/Pig Iron School in Philadelphia and is an Assistant Professor of Directing in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Iowa.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-international-lights-salon-series-2/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Sept-19-IWP-salon_slide.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260920T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260920T173000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260831T001439Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T001439Z
UID:6030-1789925400-1789925400@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: The Free Gen: Iowa City’s Original Generative Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Co-sponsored by PorchLight and Iowa City Poetry\, the Free Generative Writing Workshops provide a space for career writers\, curious beginners\, writers of all income levels and stages of life. Their goal is to make it easy to meet and learn from some of the most talented writer/teachers living in or passing through Iowa City. Every month a new writer leads a generative workshop\, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations\, passions\, or interests. The Free Generative Writing Workshops are offered in a hybrid format. \nRen Arcamone is an Australian writer living in Iowa City. She attended the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop\, and she’s a recipient of the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. Her fiction has appeared in Gulf Coast\, the Washington Square Review\, Electric Literature\, and elsewhere. She’s at work on a short story collection and a novel.
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-the-free-gen-iowa-citys-original-generative-workshop/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260921T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260921T103000
DTSTAMP:20260922T071306
CREATED:20260714T160440Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260714T160440Z
UID:5685-1789986600-1789986600@www.iowacityofliterature.org
SUMMARY:PorchLight: Write Now - Community Supported Writing Group
DESCRIPTION:PorchLight’s Write Now Writer’s Group provides community\, and learning opportunities for beginning to intermediate writers. At their monthly meetings\, share short craft lessons\, generate writing from prompts\, and\, on occasion\, provide responses to participants’ work in progress. Writers working in any genre are welcome. \nThis is a great group for writers who have not had the time or opportunity to pursue a traditional MFA. \nRSVP one week in advance on their website!
URL:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/event/porchlight-write-now-community-supported-writing-group/2026-09-21/
LOCATION:PorchLight Literary Arts Center\, 1019 E Washington St\, Iowa City\, 52240\, United States
CATEGORIES:General
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-14-at-10.57.53-AM.png
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