Fiction, poetry, and creative writing applicants to the Iowa Young Writers' Studio should complete the form below and upload your Writing Sample and Statement of Purpose. Letters of recommendation can be uploaded by your recommender by following the "recommendation letter" upload link. Questions may be addressed by scrolling down this page and clicking "Technical Help" or by e-mailing the Studio at iyws@uiowa.edu .
TV Writing applicants to the Iowa Young Writers' Studio should complete the form below and upload your Writing Sample and Statement of Purpose. Letters of recommendation can be uploaded by your recommender by following the "recommendation letter" upload link. Questions may be addressed by scrolling down this page and clicking "Technical Help" or by e-mailing the Studio at iyws@uiowa.edu .
Playwriting applicants to the Iowa Young Writers' Studio should complete the form below and upload your Writing Sample and Statement of Purpose. Letters of recommendation can be uploaded by your recommender by following the "recommendation letter" upload link. Questions may be addressed by scrolling down this page and clicking "Technical Help" or by e-mailing the Studio at iyws@uiowa.edu .
Minds Matter students who are applying to the 2025 Iowa Young Writers' Studio in-person Summer Residential Program should complete the form below and upload a creative writing sample. The Iowa Young Writers' Studio will select four Minds Matter applicants to receive a full $2,500 scholarship to a session of the Summer Residential Program. The sessions will take place June 15-28, 2025 (Session 1) and July 13-26, 2025 (Session 2) on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Travel expenses for scholarship award winners will be paid by their Minds Matter chapters. Questions may be addressed by scrolling down this page and clicking "Technical Help" or by e-mailing the Studio at iyws@uiowa.edu. We're excited to read your writing!
Dear Recommender,
One of your students is applying to the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio’s Summer Residential Program. During each of two, two-week sessions we'll offer an immersive writing experience that will include core courses in fiction, poetry, personal essay, TV writing, and playwriting; readings by exciting published writers; workshops and discussions on writing-related subjects taught by expert staff; as well as open mics, talent shows, social gatherings, icebreakers, and other events specifically designed to allow students to connect with other young writers like themselves.
We are looking for talented, creative students with a real desire to write. Our application process is designed to help us get to know our applicants as well as we can.
We are not simply concerned with a student's academic abilities; we are trying to form a community, so we are interested in how you think he or she will interact with the other writers in the program. Include any specific stories or other evidence that will help introduce us to this student.
In your letter, please comment on your student's writing ability, dedication to his or her studies, and his or her maturity level in the classroom. Does this student truly enjoy writing? Will they participate fully in the Iowa Young Writers' Studio? Is this an opportunity that they will make the most of at this time, or is it an opportunity better offered in the future? If the choice were up to you, would you ask this student to join the Studio?
Please upload your letter using Submittable, our application management software, using this form. Because of the large volume of submissions, we can no longer accept letters of recommendation via e-mail. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you for your time and attention. If you have any questions about the letter of recommendation or would like more information about the Iowa Young Writers' Studio please contact:
Stephen Lovely, Director, iyws@uiowa.edu
Questions may be addressed by scrolling down this page and clicking "Technical Help" or by e-mailing the Studio at iyws@uiowa.edu .