About the Reading Series

All Shelterbelt readings are free and open to the public. Invite your friends! For more information on the program, check out Shelterbelt Reading Series’ or our Facebook page.

As a part of the English and Modern Languages Department at UIS, The Shelterbelt Reading Series brings writers of national reputation to UIS each semester. Visiting writers give readings from their work, discuss the writing (and publishing) life, and visit UIS classes. Recent visiting writers include Jenny Xie, Amy Sayre Baptista, Emma Wilson, Daniel Crocker, Megan Giddings, and Eloisa Amezcua. Other visiting writers have included Angel Garcia, Kaveh Akbar, KMA Sullivan, Justin Phillip Reed, Ross Gay,  Natalie Eilbert, Mathew Minicucci, Richie Hofman, Michael Robins, Lily Hoang, Ada Limón, Stuart Dybek, Erin Elizabeth Smith, T.A. Noonan, Stephen Frech, Mary Jo Bang, and Bonnie Jo Campbell.

Gallery

To help support Shelterbelt, please donate through the UIS Division of Advancement.  

  • Michael Robins and Ada Limon
    Poets Ada Limon (Poet Laureate) and Michael Robins visit UIS to read in the Shelterbelt Series
  • Angel Garcia
    Ángel García reading from Teeth Never Sleep
  • Kaveh Akbar
    Kaveh Akbar answering questions about his work My Kingdom of Murmur of Fanfare
  • Natalie Eilbert
    Poet Natalie Eilbert answers questions about the writing process.
  • Michael Robins
    Michael Robins reading his poetry at UIS.
  • Lily Hoang
    Lily Hoang talks about creative nonfiction and her collection of essays.
  • Matthew Minicucci
    Poet Matthew Minicucci reading his work at UIS.
  • Richie Hofmann
    Richie Hofmann reading from his latest book of poetry.