English

Iowa graduate Lizzie Buehler will read from her debut novel, The Obsessed, and will be joined in conversation by Julia Conrad. Described as "A bighearted portrait of the anxieties of desire [that] explores the trials of modern dating, the strange ennui of academia, and the question of how to create a world for yourself within and without the confines of your influences," The Obsessed is praised by Forbes.com as "[A] delectable novel about obsession and dating in the modern age," while Debutiful says: "You will obsess over The Obsessed...It’s sad. It’s weird. It’s horny. You’ll yearn while reading Buehler’s brilliant writing."

Nonfiction Writing Program faculty Melissa Febos and Sarah Minor offer a reading of their work

The 2024 Paul Engle Prize winner and celebrated poet Camille T. Dungy will read from her newest poetry collection, America, a Love Story, and will be joined in conversation with University of Iowa Associate Professor and poet, Donika Kelly. Described by publisher Wesleyan University Press as a "powerful testament to living and loving as a Black woman and mother in today's America, and her first book of poetry in almost a decade," America, a Love Story is praised by Charley Burlock of Oprah Daily as an "electrifying new collection [that] arrives just on time, offering a version of patriotism capable of meeting the present moment and carrying us through to a brighter future," while award-winning poet and novelist Kaveh Akbar says: "What a great fan I am of Camille Dungy's work. I've spent so much time sitting at the foot of her language, just sort of learning what I can in slack-jawed wonder."