Take a break from it all and join award-winning spiritual writer Lori Erickson as she re-imagines writing not as a world of solitude, but instead as a sacred place of self-discovery. As anyone who’s sat staring at a page or a computer screen waiting for inspiration can attest to, writing can be a lonesome practice. But that solitude also has great spiritual potential. Join us in this workshop to learn how to access inner inspiration and self discovery through your writing.  

What are writers always telling us they need?
Dedicated time to write. A space without distraction. A regular writing practice. We're excited to announce a new program to support our writing community in just this very way: Zen Write Nights.

What are writers always telling us they need?
Dedicated time to write. A space without distraction. A regular writing practice. We're excited to announce a new program to support our writing community in just this very way: Zen Write Nights.

How do you get started as a freelance writer? Is it possible to turn freelancing into a full-time job? Nicole Dieker is in her seventh year of full-time freelancing, and she’ll teach you everything she knows about how freelancers make money: how to pitch (even when you don’t have clips); how to build a freelancer schedule that combines writing, pitching, networking, and administrative work; and how to grow your earnings over time.

In this half-day workshop, we’ll talk about the practice of poetry, read some sample poems,  and do a bit of writing in the form of an exercise or two designed to generate first drafts.  The workshop is open to all, regardless of experience with poetry.

What are writers always telling us they need?
Dedicated time to write. A space without distraction. A regular writing practice. We're excited to announce a new program to support our writing community in just this very way: Zen Write Nights.

What are writers always telling us they need?
Dedicated time to write. A space without distraction. A regular writing practice. We're excited to announce a new program to support our writing community in just this very way: Zen Write Nights.

This reading will feature the 2018 Bicultural Iowa Writing Fellows, with their collection “We The Interwoven: An Anthology of Bicultural Iowa.”

The Iowa City Book Festival annual book fair is the place to meet and mingle with Iowa City's network literary organizations. Join us at the Iowa Writers' House table for swag, signings, and to get all the information on our fall programs.

This course will outline all of the available paths to publication for both fiction and nonfiction writers, offer the pros and cons of each, and give you actionable next steps for whichever path you choose.

As part of International Welcoming Week Iowa City, join us for a reading of stories written by immigrants and first generation Iowans in the recently published collection, We the Interwoven: An Anthology of Bicultural Iowa as well as a reception and exhibition of artwork from visual artist Maegan Tyrell’s “Photovoice Project.”

The Witching Hour is hosting a fundraiser at the Iowa Writers’ House this Wednesday, September 12th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Please consider attending this event. Your support will help us produce an amazing festival and continue the annual tradition of exploring the unknown, celebrating the creative process, and discussing new work.

These readings focus on the Bicultural Iowa Writers’ Fellows's final collection, WE THE INTERWOVEN. There will be a reading and a signing at the Des Moines Arts Festival, Sunday, July 24th, 2018. This is a free event, not including a copy of the book.

These readings focus on the Bicultural Iowa Writers’ Fellows's final collection, WE THE INTERWOVEN. There will be a reading and a signing at the Des Moines Arts Festival, Sunday, July 24th, 2018. This is a free event, not including a copy of the book.

Join us for a special community writing event at the Iowa Writers' House in partnership Honoring Your Wishes and Iowa City Hospice. Inspired by the themes of love, forgiveness, and gratitude, the Love Letters Project invites writers to gather together for a special afternoon of community writing. 

The event is free and open to the community. Spaces are limited and seats are available on a first come first served basis. 

Portland-based indie press YesYes Books presents a reading by Khadijah Queen, Kayleb Rae Candrilli, and KMA Katherine Sullivan.

FREE and open to the public.

Literary magazines and independent publishers from across the country, and right here in Iowa City, will set up shop at The Mill in Iowa City for the 8th year in a row, representing some of the most exciting work in publishing today.

A graphic memoir can be the ultimate way to “show rather than tell.” In this workshop, we’ll learn about graphic novels and focus on the unique ways images can help tell a story.

Maybe you have a brilliant idea for a non-fiction story or perhaps there is an essay, hidden like a jewel in your files, the only trouble is, you don’t know how to get published. This intensive three-hour course, is designed to take you from idea, to pitch, to publication.