Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature

09/15/2026

We're excited to partner with Refocus Film Festival to present filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun at the Iowa City Book Festival, where they will discuss their novel, PUBLIC ACCESS AFTERWORLD. This is a ticketed event through Refocus, with a very limited number of free tickets available day-of. If you want to see this, be sure to visit the Refocus website to ensure you have a seat!

JANE SCHOENBRUN: PUBLIC ACCESS AFTERWORLD
In Conversation
Refocus Film Festival Showcase Event
Saturday, October 24, 4:30pm
Masonic Lodge / General Admission

Trailblazing filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun will join Refocus Film Festival for a reading and conversation to discuss their latest creative project, Public Access Afterworld, their first novel. Schoenbrun will visit Iowa City as the first stop on a promotional book tour.

Tickets to this festival Showcase Event are available first to festival passholders with an additional purchase of a book. Passholders should login using their pass number to purchase a book and reserve admission to this event. Public tickets include a book plus additional festival cost of admission to the conversation. These public tickets will be available on October 9.

Presented in collaboration with Prairie Lights Bookstore and Iowa City Book Festival

09/04/2026

IOWA CITY HAS IT ALL THIS FALL!

Experience the literary, visual, and performing arts with this vibrant lineup of festivals as they unfold throughout downtown. Encounter something unexpected, explore new ideas, connect with others, and celebrate the creative energy that shapes our community.

's Infinite Dream | September 24–26
Book Festival | October 18–25
| October 22–25
| November 5–7

Festival passes and tickets are on sale now.
Iowa City Book Festival events are free and open to the public.

Learn more at hancher.uiowa.edu/ic-festivals

08/26/2026

Christopher Merrill has been named the 15th recipient of the Paul Engle Prize, presented by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization.

The prize, established in 2011, honors an individual who, like Paul Engle, represents a pioneering spirit in the world of literature through writing, editing, publishing, or teaching, and whose active participation in the larger issues of the day has contributed to the betterment of the world through the literary arts.

Merrill, who retired at the end of 2025 after 25 years as the director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, will receive the award at a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Oct. 18, at the Coralville Public Library.

The event, which kicks off the 2026 Iowa City Book Festival, is free and open to the public.

More: www.iowacityofliterature.org/christopher-merrill-named-2026-paul-engle-prize-winner/

08/25/2026

We were saddened to learn of the death of David Morice, otherwise known as Dr. Alphabet, one of the most colorful, creative residents of our City of Literature. We worked with David off and on over the years, hosting him at the Book Festival or speaking with him for historical information about the Actualists or his amazing projects (wrapping buildings in poetry, writing a 10,000 page book in 100 days, and more). One of our favorite projects was an early collaboration with the Krakow City of Literature in Poland. They took poems from other Cities of Literature, translated them, and projected them on a building in their town square. We thought Morice was a perfect representative of Iowa City, so for a few days anyone walking near Krakow's Główny train station was enlightened for a moment with a few deceptively deep yet whimsical thoughts from Dr. Alphabet. He will be missed.

08/25/2026

What a great pairing! We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Firefly Books, and now are thrilled to hear about the return of the Iowa Youth Writing Project in the store's North Liberty space. We are eager to hear more details about both!

Independent bookstore Firefly Books is targeting a grand opening in North Liberty in October 2026. Founded by local residents Leigha Garcia-George and Ashley Shewmaker, the store—located at 1085 Liberty Way, Suite 2—will feature fiction and nonfiction for all ages, with a focus on children’s l...

08/12/2026

Check out this international writing residency opportunity with Kirjanduslinn Tartu UNESCO City of Literature!

08/12/2026

One day to go!

‘The Black Angel’s Lament’ is a multi-medium piece by Josie Nabhan-Warren and Max Worth. Produced for the Notts X Iowa MusicIC Collaboration, it celebrates the links between music and literature, drawing inspiration from this year’s MusicIC Festival!

The piece will go live as part of our International Youth Day celebrations, and you can join us for free online August 12 at noon (6pm UK time)!

Hosted by Mia Hagues, Project Coordinator, this is a chance to be one of the first to watch the piece, take part in a Q&A with the artists, and learn more about the work of our cities of literature…

Claim your spot at this event https://nottinghamcityofliterature.com/projects/musicic-collaboration/ We can’t wait to see you there.

08/10/2026

We’ve been busy filming for the launch of ‘The Black Angel’s Lament’
Filmed at the Department of Music by , Nottingham’s contribution to the Notts X Iowa MusicIC Collab is something to get excited about!

The piece is a collaboration between Notts-based musician Max Worth, and Iowa-based poet Josie Nabhan-Warren, inspired by this year’s MusicIC festival.

So, join us for our Launch Party, August 12 at noon (6 p.m. UK time)!

Hosted by Mia Hagues, Project Coordinator, this is a chance to be one of the first to watch the piece, take part in a Q&A with the artists, and learn more about the work of our cities of literature.

Claim your spot at this free, online event, and learn more about the project, through the link in our bio or at musicic.org! We can’t wait to see you there.

08/10/2026

‘The Black Angel’s Lament’ is a multi-medium piece by Josie Nabhan-Warren and Max Worth. Produced for the Notts X Iowa MusicIC Collaboration, it celebrates the links between music and literature, drawing inspiration from this year’s MusicIC Festival!

The piece will go live as part of our International Youth Day celebrations, and you can join us for free online on August 12 at noon, (6 p.m. UK time)!

Hosted by Mia Hagues, Project Coordinator, this is a chance to be one of the first to watch the piece, take part in a Q&A with the artists, and learn more about the work of our cities of literature…

Claim your spot at this event https://nottinghamcityofliterature.com/projects/musicic-collaboration/ We can’t wait to see you there.