Iowa Writers Community

Iowa is nationally known as "the writing university." The Iowa Writers Living-Learning Community provides the opportunity for first-year students interested in all types of writing to become acquainted with one another and to explore all the writing resources that are available at Iowa.

This community is ideal for students interested in any number of different styles and applications of writing, including:

  • literary writing (poetry, short stories, novels);
  • nonfiction writing (essays, memoirs, science writing, technical writing);
  • translation;
  • drama and film;
  • graphic novels;
  • comic books;
  • public relations; and
  • the teaching of writing.

The community (IWLLC) is located close to the Dey House, home of the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

Required course

Community members will enroll in a course called Writing Commons: A Community of Writers during Orientation.

Activities

As a member of the Iowa Writers Living-Learning Community, you'll participate in a variety of activities focused on writing, from attending readings to talking with authors, and learn about how best to prepare for a successful career in writing.

Past events include:

  • Spooky Story contests
  • End of the year writing contest
  • Table Talks with local authors
  • Group visits to Prairie Lights Books for readings
  • Regular workshops facilitated by students from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and the Nonfiction Writing Program
  • Research advising with a personal librarian
  • Outstanding welcome and closing events
  • Frequent community dinners
  • A community literary magazine
  • Master classes with internationally acclaimed visiting writers
  • Information sessions for students in the undergraduate creative writing track
  • Opportunities to meet faculty in the undergraduate creative writing track
  • Opportunities for community outreach through creative writing
  • And much more!

Accepts first-year students only

Applicants must be members of the entering first-year student class. This community does not accept transfer students.

How to apply

Select this living-learning community as your priority assignment on your housing application, which will be available online through yourAdmissions Profile on ISIS beginning in early November 2011 for students admitted for fall 2012.

For more information

For more information, contact Daniel Khalastchi at daniel-khalastchi@uiowa.edu, 319-335-2096.