DRC Writers’ Conference Starts in Less than 2 Weeks! Slots still available

MWC and The David R. Collins Writers’ Conference (formerly known as the Mississippi Valley Writers’ Conference) are thrilled return to the campus of Augustana College this summer, June 25-27. Featuring our stellar Conference Faculty leading three-day workshops, two public readings, a concluding luncheon, and more. 

There’s still time to register either by using the registration portal on our site or by making a donation to Birdies for Charity. The schedule of events is below, and complete info can be found on the Conference page. Please contact MWC with any questions: mwc@mwcqc.org or 309-732-7330.

SPECTRA Reading Series: Young Emerging Writers 20th Anniversary Showcase 

The Quad Cities’ longest running reading series celebrates 20 years of The Young Emerging Writers Program (YEW) with a showcase of selected YEW 2025 interns and staff on Thursday, July 24 at Rozz-Tox (2108 3rd Ave. Rock Island, IL).  

The event will start at 6pm with a social hour, followed by the Young Emerging Writers showcase. First, ten of this year’s 23 interns, selected by their peers, will read at 7:00 p.m., previewing some of the work that will appear in The Atlas annual literary magazine published by YEW each year, which will be released on August 14 (pre-orders will be available). Then, YEW staff will be close out the reading at 8:00 p.m. Back issues of The Atlas will be available for $5/copy, as well as other MWC Press books.