At the University of Iowa, we love our writers, our programs, we love our graduates and our students -- and we love the wealth of literature that they gift us, simply by being here.

We have created "5 Reads for Friday" as an easy, laid-back series, compiling a short list of inspirational, helpful and fun treasures from our family to yours. Enjoy what you find, take what you need, and be well.

 

• From the University of Iowa: Hollywood U - How Iowa became the training ground for many of TV and film's greatest storytellers
  
  Far from the Hollywood Hills and the bright lights of Broadway, the entertainment industry has found an unexpected hotbed for storytelling in the heart of the Midwest.
   

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  From the Iowa Review archives: However, Jane Mead, 1999
  
  "I know what wind knows. / Tearing across the prairie, / bits of grit riding its cold storm -- / grit like coal-dust, or like ashes"
   

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  From The Iowa Youth Writing Project: Follow their Writing Prompts on Twitter
  
  "Looking for something new to write about? Check out the IYWP’s writing prompt. Write a letter from the perspective of a tree!"
   

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•  From our Free Online Courses: #Flashwrite Teen Poetry MOOC

  
  Designed for teen students but open to writers of all ages, this MOOC-Pack offers a study of basic and essential elements of writing poetry.
   

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  From the Departments of English and Theatre Arts: Jennifer Buckley wins Outstanding Book Award from Association for Theatre in Higher Education
  
  "Jennifer Buckley, associate professor in the Departments of English and Theatre Arts at the University of Iowa, has earned the 2020 Outstanding Book Award from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education."

And that's it!
We hope you enjoy. And check back each week for a new list.

^{Photo by Tom Barrett on Unsplash}