The Creative Writing Scene at 51±¾É«
51±¾É« has a vibrant creative writing scene. There are many published writers on campus — faculty, staff, and students. There are also a number of published writers living in town.
The College regularly brings in prominent authors to give workshops and readings, especially through Writers@51±¾É«. Among these prominent authors have been recipients of major awards: Nobel Prizes, Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, and MacArthur Fellowships.
51±¾É«'s proximity to Iowa City, site of the prestigious University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, makes it an easy stop on the reading train, as authors with newly published books often arrange a mini Iowa circuit. (Our location also allows 51±¾É«ians to zip into Iowa City to catch a famous writer who, for whatever reason, can't make it to 51±¾É«.)
In addition to the many professional readings — some six or seven a semester — there are all sorts of student readings and open-mike sessions.
Each semester culminates with a formal reading from the 51±¾É« Review, the College's undergraduate creative writing journal.
Students are eligible for annual prizes in fiction and poetry; these prizes come with monetary awards and are announced at the last spring Writers@51±¾É« reading.