The University of Iowa

Vince Gotera

Vince Gotera is a Professor of English at the University of Northern Iowa where he served as Editor of the North American Review (2000-2016). He is now the Editor of Star*Line, the print journal of the international Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association. His collections of poems include Dragonfly, Ghost Wars, Fighting Kite, and the upcoming Pacific Crossing and The Coolest Month. Recent poems appeared in the science-fiction poetry anthology Multiverse (UK), Proud to Be: Writings by American Warriors (Volume 6), and Hay(na)ku 15: A Commemorative 15th Year Anniversary Anthology, as well as the journals Abyss & Apex, Altered Reality Magazine, The American Journal of Poetry, Crab Orchard Review, Crooked Teeth Literary Magazine, The Ekphrastic Review, Eye to the Telescope, Grievous Angel, Parody Poetry Journal, Philippines Graphic (Philippines), Rosebud, Silver Blade, and Voices de la Luna. He won the 2017 Veterans’ Writing Prize from Stone Canoe journal and his art was featured on the covers of Killjoy Literary Magazine, Mobius: The Journal of Social Change, and Dreams and Nightmares. He blogs at The Man with the Blue Guitar (vincegotera.blogspot.com). 

 

Instructor Events

Wilderness Map: Beginning Poetry Writing

Weeklong June 14 to June 19 2020
Instructor(s): 
Vince Gotera

In his poem “A Course in Creative Writing,” William Stafford wrote that students of poetry “want a wilderness with a map.” In this beginning poetry workshop, we will begin to explore the wilderness of poetry writing with three basic elements: image, sound, and form. This class will provide a map for poets who are starting out, as well as those who have written a bit and would like to expand their skills. Before we meet, you will send me five poems—yes, even if they are your first poems ever—and during our week together you will write a poem or two.

Dragons and Rayguns: Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry

Weekend June 27 to June 28 2020
Instructor(s): 
Vince Gotera

Speculative literature—science fiction, fantasy, horror—explores our world and our lives through asking “What if?” This all-consuming question is a mainstay in contemporary popular culture. One notable example is the zombie craze: the blockbuster TV series The Walking Dead will soon finish its tenth season.