Writers' Workshop | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | The University of Iowa

The Iowa Writers' Workshop

For more than 80 years writers have come to Iowa City to work on their manuscripts and to exchange ideas about writing and reading with each other and with the faculty. Many of them have gone on to publish award-winning work after graduating. With the spirit of an arts colony and the benefits of the research University of which we are a part, the Writers' Workshop continues to foster and to celebrate American literature in all its varied forms.

About the Writers' Workshop

How to Apply

Program News

Iowa Writers Revisit Their Origin Stories in Sad Me of the Past Podcast

Friday, October 17, 2025

Megan Magee

Iowa Magazine

Andrea Brady receives 2025 Truman Capote Award

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

4 Iowa alums longlisted for National Book Award

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Office of Strategic Communication

Iowa Writers’ Workshop student, alumna receive grants from James Patterson to finish books

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Office of Strategic Communication

All Program News

Upcoming Events

Book Matters: Jamel Brinkley in conversation with Stephen Lovely

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Prairie Lights Books

Join us for a special Book Matters celebrating acclaimed author Jamel Brinkley, recipient of a 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship and a 2022–2023 Rome Prize in Literature.

Provost Kevin Kregel will recognize Brinkley for his external awards. Brinkley will read a selection from his work and then join Stephen Lovely, novelist and director of the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, for conversation and audience Q&A.

“Jamel Brinkley is one of the best story writers we have…Read everything this man writes, and know...

Art & Write Night

Friday, February 6, 2026 6:00pm to 8:00pm

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History

Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces.

Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists.

Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session and...

Isidore String Quartet at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 1:00pm

Dey House

The Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Hancher Auditorium, and the Iowa String Quartet Residency Program present the Isidore String Quartet for an intimate hour-long afternoon concert at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop Frank Conroy Reading Room.

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