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The Writing University Podcast Network

At the Writing University, we're devoted to delivering the most enlightening, educational and entertaining podcasts from the University of Iowa's creative writing programs. We gather all our offerings together here for you to peruse and enjoy!

Latest Articles

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5Q Interview: University of Iowa Press Author Tom Mitchell

Thursday, June 19, 2025

5Q Interview: Stephanie Krzywonos, MFA Graduate of the Nonfiction Writing Program

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Sad Me of the Past // Episode 16: Srikanth Reddy

Monday, June 16, 2025

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Upcoming Events

Live from Prairie Lights | Lee Cole - 'Fulfillment'

Monday, June 23, 2025 7:00pm

Prairie Lights Books

Iowa Writers' Workshop alum Lee Cole will read from his newest novel, Fulfillment. Set in contemporary Kentucky and featuring both the successes and failures of two half brothers returning home, Fulfillment is praised by Publishers Weekly as "An evocative tale of ambition, lust, and sibling rivalry in western Kentucky," while Kirkus Reviews says, "Cole mixes the angst and insecurity of class and poverty to craft a Molotov cocktail he lobs with exacting precision."Lee Cole was born and grew up in...

Live from Prairie Lights | Michelle Huneven - 'Bug Hollow'

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 7:00pm

Prairie Lights Books

Iowa Writers' Workshop alum and former visiting instructor Michelle Huneven will read from her newest novel, Bug Hollow. Featuring and examining the lives of a family rocked by the tragic death of their oldest child Ellis shortly after he graduated from high school, Bug Hollow is praised by Booklist as "a gift" and "a family story that speaks of the joys, sorrows, and surprising possibilities of human connection," while Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Hello Beautiful, says, "Reading the...

Live from Prairie Lights | Madeline McDonnell in conv with Stephen Lovely - 'Lonesome Ballroom'

Wednesday, June 25, 2025 7:00pm

Prairie Lights Books

Iowa Writers' Workshop alum Madeline McDonnell will read from her newest novel, Lonesome Ballroom, and will be joined in conversation with fellow Writers' Workshop alum and current director of the Iowa Young Writers' Studio, Stephen Lovely. Set in a bar in the early-aughts and featuring a far-ranging conversation between patron/protagonist Betty Block and bartender Lizzie about everything from "gender’s relationship to popular aesthetics that swirls from ancient epics to turn-of-the-millennium...

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News Highlights

Two University of Iowa English faculty named Roy J. Carver Professor

⮑ University of Iowa

CLAS Magid Writing Center director wins National Jewish Book Award

⮑ University of Iowa

The ‘US News & World Report’ 2025 ranks UI graduate programs in top 25

⮑ Iowa Now

Garth Greenwell's novel Small Rain wins the PEN/Faulkner Award

⮑ PEN/Faulkner website

UI Playwright brings Iowa historical figure to life

⮑ https://stories.uiowa.edu

‘Sad Me of the Past’ podcast connects Iowa writers to their younger selves

⮑ The Daily Iowan

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Share Your News!

Are you connected to the University of Iowa's writing programs and have news to share? We want to hear about it! If you have a book coming out, or are teaching a class, or doing a talk or lecture, or anything else -- we want to know and share in your success. Send us an update!