Poetry
Poets Against the War Reading, November, 2005
This reading was organized in conjunction with the national grassroots movement, Poets Against the War (www.poetsagainstthewar.org), and features poets associated with the Writers’ Workshop and the International Writing… more
Ted Kooser Reading, October, 2005
Ted Kooser reads various poems in honor of the release of his collection of poems entitled Delights and Shadows.
Kooser explains his tradition of annually sending postcards inscribed… more
John Kinsella Poetry Reading, September, 2005
Poet John Kinsella reads from two of his recent publications, Peripheral Light: Selected and New Poems and The New Arcadia. Kinsella describes how his experience of growing up and living… more
Josef Haslinger, Kiki Petrosino, and Dr. Ma Thida: IWP/Writer’s Workshop Joint Reading, September, 2005
Josef Haslinger reads an excerpt from his short story, “The Battle for Vienna.” Writers’ Workshop student Kiki Petrosino reads a selection of poems organized, she explains, around the theme of… more
W.S. Merwin Q & A, May, 2005
W.S. Merwin answers questions from an audience. He discusses how politics and the media can intervene in the life of an individual. Merwin also identifies poets that have influenced his… more
Eleni Sikelianos Reading, March, 2005
Eleni Sikelianos reads a selection of prose and poetry from her two most recently-published books, The Book of Jon and The California Poem. Sikelianos fields questions from the audience. She… more
Steve Healey and William Waltz Reading, February, 2005
Steve Healey reads selections from his collection of poetry entitled Earthling. Waltz then reads selections from his own collection of poetry entitled Zoo Music.
During a brief question… more
Timothy Liu and Bruce Beasley Reading, October, 2004
Timothy Liu and Bruce Beasley read selections from their various poetry collections. During a short question and answer session, Liu and Beasley discuss the allusions to visual art that frequently… more
Rebecca Wolff and Catherine Wagner Reading, September, 2004
Poet Rebecca Wolff reads a selection of poems from her collection, Figment, and also reads a few new, unpublished poems. Catherine Wagner reads a selection of poems from her collections… more
Ilya Kaminsky Reading, September, 2004
The tape begins with Christopher Merrill in the process of introducing the Russian poet Ilya Kaminsky. Kaminsky reads selected poems from his work Dancing in Odessa. The poems read include… more
Michelle Glazer Reading, September, 2004
Michelle Glazer reads a selection of poems from Aggregate of Disturbances and poems from her first book, It Is Hard to Look at What We Came to Think We’d Come… more
IWP and Writers’ Workshop Reading at Prairie Lights, September, 2004
Christopher Merrill introduces each of the speakers. Michal Horvecký from Slovakia begins by reading from his short story “Suede.” Kurt Folch from Chile then reads some of his poems, including… more
Helon Habila and Kofi Awoonor Reading, September, 2004
Christopher Merrill introduces Sandra Barkan who then introduces the African writers Helon Habila and Kofi Awoonor who are speaking as part of the Year of the Arts and Humanities… more
The Year of the Arts and Humanities Kickoff Celebration: The Case Against Poetry, September, 2004
Christopher Merrill introduces Edward Hirsch who reads his poem “Krackow 6 A.M.” Hirsch discusses the history of arguments against poetry such as that of Plato’s. Hirsch believes that poetry uses… more
Gina Franco Reading, June, 2004
Gina Franco reads selection of poems from The Keepsake Storm. Franco explains how both her upbringing in a Latino culture, and later her study of the traditional literary canon, informed… more
Christopher Merrill Reading, April, 2004
The author reads excerpts of Only the Nails Remain, a nonfiction book about his work and travels in the former Republic of Yugoslavia and his involvement with the literary demimonde… more
Robert Dana Reading, April, 2004
Robert Dana reads selections from his tenth collection of poems entitled The Morning of the Red Admirals. Robert mentions the poets James Galvin and Donald Justice at the start of… more
Jon Woodward and Oni Buchanan Reading, March, 2004
Jon Woodward and Oni Buchanan read selections from both published and unpublished works.
moreBarbara Cully and Ann Cummins Reading, February, 2004
Barbara Cully reads poems from her collection entitled Desire Reclining. Ann Cummins then reads the title story from her collection of short stories entitled Red Ant House. During a very… more
G.C. Waldrep Reading, February, 2004
G.C. Waldrep reads a selection of poems from his book, Goldbeater’s Skin. In a question and answer session that follows, Waldrep recounts the story-telling traditions from the rural South and… more
IWP and Writers’ Workshop Prairie Lights Reading, October, 2003
Vasugi Ganeshananthan reads from a short story influenced by the tradition of magical realism, describing a mystical and isolated society of women. Shimon Adaf reads poetry from his collections Metamorphosis… more
Truman Capote Award Ceremony for Seamus Heaney, September, 2003
Frank Conroy is master of ceremonies, UI President David Skorton gives welcoming remarks and the reading is introduced by poet James Galvin, a faculty member of the workshop. Nobel Prize-winning… more
Taha Muhammad Ali and Peter Cole Reading, September, 2003
Peter Cole gives a introduction to Taha Muhammad Ali, a well known leader of the Palestine literary scene, and gives an extensive background of the poet’s past. Ali reads from… more
Leopoldo Brizuela, Matthias Göritz, Anne O’Reilly Reading, September, 2003
IWP participant Leopoldo Brizuela reads an excerpt of his novel, Red Moon, and IWP participant Matthias Göritz reads a selection of poems. Writers’ Workshop student Anne O’Reilly reads a short… more
Venus Khoury-Ghata Reading, September, 2003
Julie Englander hosts the reading and Christopher Merrill introduces Lebanese poet and novelist Venus Khoury-Ghata. Venus Khoury-Ghata was born in Lebanon, but has lived for over 30 years in… more
Denisa Comanescu, Kim Young-Ha, and Broc Russell Reading, September, 2003
IWP participant Denisa Comanescu reads a selection of her poems. Writers’ Workshop student Kim Young-Ha reads one of his short stories. IWP participant Broc Russell reads a selection of poems.… more
Eddin Khoo, Xomxayphol Bounthanong, Guillermo Martinez, and Elie Rajaonarison Reading, October, 2002
The writers each read several examples of their work.
moreMichael Zeller, Mahmoud Abu Hashhash, Cristian Gomez Reading, September, 2002
This is the first Shambaugh House reading hosted by the IWP. Christopher Merrill introduces the readers. Michael Zeller is the first speaker and begins by reading some of his poems.… more
“China Night:” Jiang Yun, Li Rui, Liu Jun (Xi Chuan), Hualing Nieh Engle, September, 2002
The tape begins while the readings are already in progress. Jiang Yun is speaking, but what she is reading is inaudible. After Jiang Yun reads in Chinese, Christopher Merrill reads… more
Derek Walcott Reading, September, 2002
Christopher Merrill introduces the Nobel Prize-winning poet, Derek Walcott. Walcott describes the process of writing his epic poem Omeros, and then reads from Omeros. He discusses themes of post-colonial identity… more
Derek Walcott Reading, September, 2002
Christopher Merrill introduces the Nobel Prize-winning poet, Derek Walcott. Walcott describes the process of writing his epic poem Omeros, and then reads from Omeros. He discusses themes of post-colonial identity… more
Janusz Bardach Memorial Reading, September, 2002
The second half of a memorial reading honoring Janusz Bardach, a long-time faculty member at the University of Iowa and IWP contributor. Katie Gleeson who helped Bardach pen his memoir,… more
Lost and Found: The Art of Translation, October, 2001
Christopher Merrill introduces the poet William S. Merwin who is speaking as part of the annual Paul Engle Day celebration that honors the memory of the IWP’s co-founder. Merwin reads… more
Sarah McCann, Zachariah Rapola and Ji-Woo Hwang Reading, November, 2000
Writers’ Workshop student Sarah McCann reads a selection of her poems. IWP participant Zachariah Rapola reads a short story, “Street Features.” Poet and IWP participant Hwang Ji-Woo also reads a… more
Eduardo Corral, Yves Emmanuel Dogbé, and Hẚo Võ Thị Reading, October, 2000
Writers’ Workshop poet Eduardo Corral reads a selection of recent work. IWP participant Yves Emmanuel Dogbé introduces the reading of his poetry. Hao Vo Thi, also an IWP participant, sings… more
David Rosenthal, Nu Nu Yee, and Piotr Sliwinski Reading, October, 2000
Writers’ Workshop student David Rosenthal reads poems from his manuscript, Tickling Catastrophe. Burmese fiction writer Nu Nu Yee greets the audience in English and Burmese, and shares the events that… more
Aaron McCullough and Viktoriíà Fomina Reading, October, 2000
Aaron McCollough reads a selection of poems from his series Enough Windfall. He characterizes these poems as “prayers of thanksgiving.” Viktoriíà Fomina reads two short fiction pieces. She reads the… more
H.S. Shivaprakash and Jacinda Townsend Reading, September, 2000
Jacinda Townsend reads from her short story, “Waterloo.” H.S. Shivaprakash reads from his poetry, some in his native language. He reads using a variety of poetry styles including narrative and… more
Faith Adielé, Ogaga Ifowodo, and Abubakar Gimba Reading, September, 2000
The recording begins in the middle of Workshop student Faith Adiele’s reading. The title of her story is therefore unknown. She is followed by Ogaga Ifowodo, who reads a selection… more
Writers’ Workshop and IWP Reading, September, 1999
IWP participants and Writers’ Workshop students read selections of fiction and poetry in a joint reading at Prairie Lights bookstore.
IWP/Writers’ Workshop Joint Reading, January, 1999
Sandra Barkan hosts the reading and introduces Rowena Torrevillas, who in turn introduces each of the readers. Mitch Cohen and Darrach Dolan, both Writers’ Workshop students, each read a short… more
Kofi Anyidoho Interview, January, 1998
Peter Nazareth interviews Kofi Anyidoho. Anyidoho discusses the close connection between poetry and music and the ways that language expresses metaphor, image and other communication tools. Anyidoho mentions the paradox… more
Kofi Anyidoho Interview, January, 1998
Peter Nazareth interviews Kofi Anyidoho, a poet from Ghana. Anyidoho talks about how his writing has been influenced by oral tradition. He feels a close connection between music and poetry;… more
Vasile Gârnet Interview, January, 1998
This program focuses on Vasile Gârnet and he sits down for an interview with Winston Barclay. Carrie Messenger from the Writers’ Workshop assists in some translation. Vâsile speaks of the… more
Critical Languages, October, 1997
Authors Lourdes Espinola, Chang Ta-Chun, and Alan Nagle discuss the role of criticism and its relationship to literature.
moreKote Kubaneishvili, Laurel Snyder, Lola Shoneyin, Oscar Casares Reading, January, 1997
IWP participants and Writers’ Workshop students read selections of their fiction and poetry. Hosted by Sandra Barkan.
Works Referenced: Kote Kobaneishvili reads the following poems: “It’s You;” “Georgian… more
Lew Poo Chan and Wong Yoon Wah Interview, January, 1996
This is an interview with a Chinese couple (husband and wife) from Singapore who are both poets. Wong Yoon Wah recounts his previous time during the 1970’s in Iowa City.… more
Liutauras Degėsys Interview, January, 1996
Degėsys discusses life in Lithuania during the Russian occupation and its influence as it affected academic and creative life.
moreGyörgy Spiró Interview, January, 1995
Clark Blaise interviews György Spiró, a novelist and playwright from Hungary. Spiró was ten years old at the time of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 and talks about his life… more
Teresa Arijón Interview, January, 1995
Arijón discusses challenges and difficulties in the translation process.
moreKarl Sinijärv Interview, January, 1995
Karl Martin Sinijärv talks to the interviewer off-camera about his impressions of Iowa and gives an overview of his work.
moreRanjit Hoskote Interview, January, 1995
Hoskote talks about the artist’s relationship to the state and the poet’s role in society. The writer reads from a number of his works and talks of writing in English… more
Influence and National Literatures, January, 1994
The recording begins near the end of Palestinian author Riyād Baydas’ presentation on his literary aesthetic. Boey Kim Cheng describes the politics of language in his polyglot homeland, which influenced… more
Into Markku and Choi Tong-Ho Translation Workshop, November, 1992
The translation class workshops the English translation of Into Markku’s poem “My Darling Is Driving the Coffin.” They compare the translator’s interpretation of the language, tone, and meaning of the… more
Markku Into and Soh Aono Interview, January, 1992
In this joint interview, Finnish poet Markku Into and Japanese novelist Soh Aono discuss a variety of topics relating to their homelands.
moreStruggle of Individual Imagination, October, 1990
Christopher Merrill introduces the panel discussion. Festus Iyayi talks about the repression of writers by the state and cites Sweden as a good example of the state letting authors writing… more
Jayne Cortez Reading, October, 1990
Poet and performance artist Jayne Cortez reads a selection of poems.
moreAnna Czekanowicz Interview, January, 1990
A discussion of the ten recent changes in Polish society with recent elections.
moreReclaiming Language, January, 1990
Panelists discuss how issues of language function within transitional or repressive political landscapes. They explore the ways in which language is affected by religion, politics and culture, and how poets… more
Joseph Brodsky Reading, November, 1989
Nobel Prize-winning poet Joseph Brodsky reads a selection of poems. He is accompanied by Daniel Weissbort, a poet and a translator of Brodsky’s work. Brodsky reads each poem in its… more
Hisaki Matsuura and Moyez Vassanji Interviews, January, 1989
Peter Nazareth and Japanese writer, Hisaki Matsuura discuss the differences and similarities between poets and philosophers. Matsurra says that he thinks his poetry abstract. He is a French professor, and… more
“Fantasy and Reality” Panel Discussion, October, 1988
Peter Nazareth introduces each member of the panel discussion. Felipe Valenzuela is the first speaker and his presentation is titled “Magical Realism: Fantasy in Reality and Reality in Fantasy.” Roberto… more
Images Part II, January, 1988
Russian author Alexander Tkachenko gives his first impressions of America and shares anecdotes from his stay in Iowa. He also talks about his travels within the country to California, Philadelphia,… more