SPECTRA Lives!

Join us at Rozz-Tox for two SPECTRA events on 10/13 (featuring writers from the University of Iowa International Writing Program) and 10/20 (featuring Skylar Alexander and Lauren Haldeman, who each are celebrating the release of new books).

Midwest Writing Center is excited to welcome poet Salvatore Marici to MWC for a pair of events this October. First, Marici will give a poetry reading from his new book, Sneezing Coyotes and his previous books (all published by Ice Cube Press) as part of our Brown Bag Series on Wednesday, October 12 at 12:00 p.m.

Then, on Saturday, October 22, Marici will be leading a workshop called “Balancing Tension” — seating will for the workshop will be limited, and the cost for the workshop will be $15 for MWC Members, $20 for non-MWC Members.

The Foster-Stahl Chapbook Series, which looks to publish outstanding short collections of poetry, prose (fiction or nonfiction), or hybrid work from poets and writers living in the upper Midwest region (this includes the following states served by Arts Midwest: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, ND, OH, SD, WI). Submissions for the third year of the series are open now.

MWC is accepting workshop proposals from the public for dates between Oct. 1, 2022 and May 31, 2023!

Anyone is welcome to send a proposal! Details in the slides!

Thank you to all the terrific poets and writers who shared their manuscripts with us for the second year of the Foster-Stahl Chapbook Series. We are grateful for everyone who gave us the opportunity to read and consider their work. The range, variety, and excellence of the submissions made them thrilling to read, and provided the series editors with an extremely difficult task in selecting a manuscript.

In the end, two manuscripts were selected for publication: one manuscript for the Series, and a second manuscript selected for publication as an Editors’ Choice. Below are the complete results, include the finalists…

Join the Rock Island Public Library and the Midwest Writing Center for their annual “Banned Books Reading!” Please note: this event is after library hours, so please arrive no later than 6 pm.

Local authors, librarians, and guests will read passages from their favorite challenged/banned items to celebrate our Freedom to Read. Everyone welcome to attend; content might not be suitable for some attendees. It’s time we “ban”d together” against censorship!