The 2026 Iowa City Book Festival runs October 18–25. These four events offer starting points for readers drawn to literary history, fiction, speculative worlds or international writing.
Literary history and the Paul Engle Prize
Readers interested in Iowa City’s literary history can begin with Christopher Merrill Receives the 2026 Paul Engle Prize on October 18 at 2 p.m. at Coralville Public Library, 1401 5th Street, Coralville. The free public ceremony honors Merrill and includes an interview with Loren Glass.
A contemporary ghost story
Fiction readers can choose Bonnie Jo Campbell: The Spirits on October 20 at 6 p.m. at Prairie Lights, 15 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City. The event focuses on Campbell’s contemporary holiday ghost story.
Science fiction, fantasy and horror
Readers who prefer speculative fiction can attend Weirdos Writing for Weirdos: A Contemporary Approach to Speculative Fiction on October 22 at 7 p.m. at Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room A, 123 S. Linn Street. The panel features Ben Wolf, Darby Harn, and Seth McDuffee.
Writers across Cities of Literature
The International Writing Program: Writers from Cities of Literature brings an international focus on October 23 at noon at ICPL Meeting Room A. Sarah Gilmartin, Zodwa Nyoni, Ingeborg von Zadow, and Yaiza Berrocal Guevara discuss writing across UNESCO Cities of Literature.
Festival details and additional programs are available through the official Iowa City Book Festival schedule.
