The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Photo contributed by Jonathan Wells

Ask The Author | Jonathan Wells

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter January 28, 2024

Jonathan Wells is the author of three poetry collections, “Train Dance” (2011), “Debris” (2021), and “The Man with Many Pens” (2015). His poetry can be seen in The New Yorker, AGNI, Ploughshares,...

Photo contributed by Ted Anton

Ask the Author | UI alum Ted Anton discusses new book ‘Programmable Planet: The Synthetic Biology Revolution’

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter January 17, 2024

An alum of the University of Iowa, Ted Anton has written for The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Publishers Weekly, Chicago, The Chicago Tribune, and more. His novel, “The Longevity Seekers,” published...

John J. Waters reads a passage from his book “River City One,” at Prairie Lights bookstore in Iowa City on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

Ask the Author | John J. Waters

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor November 8, 2023

John J. Waters graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in English literature in 2009. Not long after, the Nebraska-born author served in the Marine Corps for nearly seven years. A week...

Chuck Palahniuk signs a copy of his new book Not Forever, But For Now at Prairie Lights in Iowa City on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. Palahniuk is a novelist publishing fiction, nonfiction, and adult coloring books.

Prairie Lights hosts Chuck Palahniuk for a live signing

Emma Gaughan, Arts Reporter September 24, 2023

Prairie Lights Bookstore hosted “Fight Club” author Chuck Palahniuk on Thursday who signed copies of his latest book, “Not Forever, But For Now.” The novel was released Sept. 5, and tells the...

Photo illustration by Matt Sindt

Six spring break book recommendations for a week of reading and relaxation

Grace Westergaard, Arts Reporter March 6, 2023

Whether students plan on traveling or staying home for spring break, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of the free time and entertain yourselves with some great reading. These book recommendations...

Audience members file into Englert Theatre during day three of the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Anne Lamott examines hope, service, and laughter ahead of visit to Englert

Charlotte McManus, Arts Reporter November 9, 2022

Anne Lamott’s writing has been praised for years as refreshingly straightforward, sweet, and funny. With her short dreads, big earrings, and thick glasses, Lamott herself comes off just like her...

The stage is surrounded by seats and an eerie backdrop for writers to perform on, on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at Riverside Theatre.

Riverside Theatre’s “Ghost Light” debut delivered frights and delights on Halloween night

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter November 1, 2022

Riverside Theatre in Iowa City could not have been spookier on Halloween night as shadows danced across the walls in the eerie glare of a single light poised at center stage. The otherwise pitch-black...

Contributed by Rachel Mans McKenny.

2022 Adult All Iowa Reads selection author to read from debut novel, ‘The Butterfly Effect,’ at Prairie Lights

Anaka Sanders, Arts Reporter October 14, 2022

Author Rachel Mans McKenny wrote her first book when she was in the fourth grade in a Mead notebook over recess about summer camp. “I filled up about 90 pages,” McKenny said. “Then I lost...

Photo illustration by Matt Sindt

Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature’s 2022 Book Festival to put big ideas and local authors into the spotlight

Vaishnavi Kolluru, Arts Reporter September 27, 2022

Iowa City’s contributions to literature are innumerable and brilliant. Renowned writers have found inspiration and support in Iowa City, and institutions dedicated to the pursuit of literature thrive...

Panel for Iowa City’s Black authors to be held at Prairie Lights as part of Soul & Blues Festival

Panel for Iowa City’s Black authors to be held at Prairie Lights as part of Soul & Blues Festival

Vaishnavi Kolluru, Arts Reporter September 20, 2022

  Eliza David struggled to find Black female protagonists in the stories she read. So she started writing them herself. As a self-publishing novelist and blogger, librarian, and current University...

Ask the Author | David DeGusta

Ask the Author | David DeGusta

Parker Jones, Arts Editor September 20, 2022

David DeGusta is a second-year MFA student in fiction at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. On Sept. 25, he will take part in a conversation at Prairie Lights bookstore as part of the International Writing...

University of Iowa MFA candidate Ann Kreitman and creator of the podcast “I’m Writing to You Today” poses a portrait on the IMU Footbridge in Iowa City on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. The podcast takes listeners on a small journey through Iowa City, including on the footbridge, while detailing LGBTQ history.

UI MFA candidate Ann Kreitman expands the medium of theater

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter August 4, 2022

Soon after Ann Kreitman came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she happened upon a book of queer love letters. For years, Kreitman said she felt like an outcast in her identity, never seeing...

Load More Stories