Come celebrate the Chinese New Year at Prairie Lights! Writers' Workshop alum Aaron Hwang will read from and talk about his books The Chinese Zodiac: And Other Paths to Luck, Riches & Prosperity and a brand new children's version, A Kid's Guide to the Chinese Zodiac: Animal Horoscopes, Legendary Myths, and Practical Uses for Ancient Wisdom. In the books, Hwang explains that the Lunar New Year is an ideal moment to celebrate a new year, the coming of spring—and the new Zodiac animal that governs...

Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award-Winning author Kij Johnson will read from her short story collection, The Privilege of the Happy Ending, published by Small Beer Press. "Ursula Le Guin comes immediately to mind when you turn the pages of Kij Johnson's first book of short stories, her debut collection is that impressive. The title piece has that wonderful power we hope for in all fiction we read, the surprising imaginative leap that takes us to recognize the marvelous in the everyday."—Alan...

Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry. Teen and adult writers in all genres are welcome. Write at the Stanley meets every fourth...

Writers' Workshop alum Kevin Clouther will read from his latest short story collection, Maximum Speed. Booklist enthuses, "These wonderfully evocative, interconnected stories are about growing up, growing apart, and how modern communications technology enables distant figures from the past to suddenly be brought into the present." Author Frances de Pontes Peebles writes, "With meticulous craft and profound compassion, Kevin Clouther conjures this vibrant collection of connected stories of...