Literary Magazines Thrive on University of Iowa Campus

From romance to speculative fiction, Iowa City's literary scene offers diverse outlets for student creativity.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:39pm

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The University of Iowa, located in the literary-rich city of Iowa City, is home to a thriving ecosystem of student-run literary magazines. These publications showcase a wide range of creative writing and artistic expression, from romance and children's literature to experimental speculative fiction and faith-based reflections.

Why it matters

Iowa City's status as a UNESCO City of Literature has fostered a vibrant literary culture on the University of Iowa campus. These student-led magazines provide valuable platforms for emerging writers and artists to share their work, build community, and explore diverse perspectives and genres.

The details

The University of Iowa campus hosts over a dozen literary magazines, each with its own unique focus and approach. Some, like earthwords and Ink Lit, feature work exclusively from undergraduate students, while others, such as Wilder Things Magazine, accept submissions from college students worldwide. Magazines like Boundless and The Fount celebrate multilingualism and faith-based expression, respectively, while Venus Magazine and Catharsis specialize in romance and nonfiction, respectively. Many of the magazines also host events, workshops, and open mics to engage the broader community.

  • The University of Iowa has fostered a thriving literary magazine scene for decades.
  • Newer magazines like Horizon Magazine and The Fount have launched within the past 5 years.

The players

Boundless

The literary magazine of the Translate Iowa Project, Boundless is an annual publication that features creative pieces written in a diverse array of languages, encouraging cultural inclusivity and creativity.

Jessica Pfeifer

The editor-in-chief for the most recently published 29th edition of Ink Lit Magazine, which publishes work solely from first-year UI students and Iowa Writers' Workshop Living Learning Community alumni.

Madeline Riske

The editor-in-chief of Catharsis, a literary magazine that exclusively publishes nonfiction pieces exploring the human experience.

Josh Schrader

The fiction editor for The Broken Clock, a literary magazine focused on the theme of time.

Geneva Campus Ministry

The Christian group that launched The Fount, the first all-faith-based literary magazine at the University of Iowa.

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What they’re saying

“The mission of Ink Lit Magazine is to provide experience and support to undergraduate students who are interested in learning about publishing and having their work read by a larger audience. We believe in creativity, in work that advances the possibility of the written word, and we are committed to reading work from all writers, regardless of genre — openly, honestly, and fairly.”

— Jessica Pfeifer, Editor-in-Chief, Ink Lit Magazine

“Our aim is to showcase nonfiction writing that explores the human experience. We encourage the exploration of nonfiction as a genre of literature and a vessel for interpreting your reality. Anybody can express their honesty through our confessions at any time, and we hope they can find catharsis through this action.”

— Madeline Riske, Editor-in-Chief, Catharsis

“One writer could have a positive outlook on time and write a story about happy memories and tender moments. Another could take a much darker view and meditate on the inevitability of death and impermanence. The possibilities are endless, and I always enjoy the opportunity to see what people end up creating.”

— Josh Schrader, Fiction Editor, The Broken Clock

What’s next

Several of the literary magazines, including Cave Writing and Horizon Magazine, are preparing to launch new print editions in the coming year, expanding their reach and visibility on campus.

The takeaway

The diverse array of literary magazines at the University of Iowa reflects the vibrant creative writing community on campus. These student-led publications provide valuable outlets for emerging writers and artists to share their work, build community, and explore a wide range of genres and perspectives.