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

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

Events

Art & Write Night promotional image

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 promotional image

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.
Art & Write Night promotional image

Art & Write Night

Friday, March 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...

All Events