Writers@Grinnell brings to campus writers of all kinds: poets, novelists, memoirists, essayists, radio essayists, columnists, graphic memoirists, playwrights, and short story writers.

“Interacting with writers, hearing them not only read from their work but also talk about their achievements and struggles, helps us to see that literature is a living tradition,” says Ralph Savarese, professor of English and director of the program. “Writers@Grinnell works its magic in the way that the College does generally: by allowing students to discover and cultivate a passionate commitment to engaged living. Students learn that carefully and beautifully crafted words matter.”

The program is not designed just for student writers. “The program serves interdisciplinary learning by showcasing writers who take up matters of politics or history or science, for example — the latter is a loose but common thread in the work of a number of this year's visitors," Savarese says.

Fall Schedule of Events

All events are free and open to the public.

Benjamin Percy

Roundtable: 4:15 p.m., August 31, Rosenfield Center, Room 209
Reading: 6 p.m., August 31, Pioneer Bookshop

Roy Scranton

Roundtable: 4:15 p.m., September 7, Rosenfield Center, Room 209
Reading: 8 p.m., September 7, Burling Library Lounge

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

Reading & Welcome Reception: 8 p.m., September 14, Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, Room 101

Kiese Laymon & R. Dwayne Betts

Roundtable: 4:15 p.m., September 28, Rosenfield Center, Room 101
Reading: 8 p.m., September 28, Rosenfield Center, Room 101

Jamaal May & Tarfia Faizullah

Roundtable: 4:15 p.m., October 5, Faulconer Gallery, Bucksbaum Center for the Arts
Reading: 8 p.m., October 5, Faulconer Gallery, BCA

Carmen Machado & Alissa Nutting

Roundtable: 4:15 p.m., November 2, Rosenfield Center, Room 209
Reading: 8 p.m., November 2, Rosenfield Center, Room 101

Lynn Powell

Roundtable: 4:15 p.m., November 16, Rosenfield Center, Room 209
Reading: 8 p.m., November 16, Rosenfield Center, Room 101

The Grinnell Review

Reading: 8 p.m., December 7, Faulconer Gallery

The Grinnell Review is the College's mainstream journal of art and literature, published each semester.

Spring Schedule of Events

(Additional events will be added as details are finalized.)

All events are free and open to the public.

Ocean Vuong

Reading: 8 p.m., February 22, Rosenfield Center, Room 101

Mark Montgomery and Irene "Tinker" Powell

Reading: 8 p.m., March 8, Rosenfield Center, Room 101

Distinguished Author: Marlon James

Roundtable: 4:15 p.m., April 5, Rosenfield Center, Room 101
Reading: 8 p.m., April 5, Rosenfield Center, Room 101

Armando Montaño Memorial Reading

Roundtable: 4:15 p.m., April 10, Rosenfield Center, Room 101
Reading: 8 p.m., April 10, Rosenfield Center, Room 101

The Grinnell Review

Reading: 8 p.m., May 3, Faulconer Gallery

The Grinnell Review is the College's mainstream journal of art and literature, published each semester.