A University of Iowa poet and creative writing professor will be in central Iowa tomorrow (Wednesday) to promote her debut novel, which reimagines the definition of an epic poem. Paige Lewis is in her fifth year of teaching at the Iowa City institution and her book, “Canon,” took her almost eight years to complete.
Lewis’ collection of poems, “Space Struck,” was named one of the Best Books of 2019 by Book Riot. Lewis says poetry continues to have a healthy following, though it sometimes frightens off potential readers before they can truly grasp all it can encompass.
Lewis will be appearing at the Ankeny campus of Des Moines Area Community College along with her poet-husband, U-I English professor Kaveh Akbar (KAH-vay ACK-bar), whose debut novel, “Martyr,” became a New York Times best seller in 2024. In a Radio Iowa interview, Lewis was asked if it’s any reflection on poetry that she and her spouse have both turned to writing novels.
Lewis says she’s working on a new collection of poetry as well as a science fiction novel. In her creative writing course at the U-I, she says there’s an emphasis on “creative,” as poetry shouldn’t be confined to rhymes, for example.
Lewis and Akbar are scheduled to speak at DMACC at 11:15 AM as part of the Ankeny campus’ Celebration of Literary Arts Festival. While supplies last, there will free books available from both authors.
