Writer-in-Residence
Manuel Iris

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library’s 2023 Writer-in-Residence is ready to share his writing experience in his new role.

The Library Foundation named poet and essayist Manuel Iris the 2023 Writer-in-Residence. Iris is coming off winning the 2022 Ohioana Reader’s Choice Book Award for The Parting Present / Lo Que Se irá in July. He was Cincinnati’s second poet laureate emeritus (2018-2020).

“Combining my love for my adopted hometown and expressing myself through language, learning and writing, well, that intersection is the Library,” Iris said. “To get a year to be the local Library’s ambassador and share my passion, that’s a wonderful opportunity to share my passion.”

During his year as Writer-in-Residence, Iris serves as the Library’s ambassador in the local literary arts scene, fosters engagement between the Library and regional writers, and provides instruction on the craft of writing, both online and in-person. The Writer-in-Residence also hosts the Library podcast Inside the Writer’s Head, writes for the Library’s blog and newsletter, holds office hours, and leads workshops and other events to engage readers and writers of all ages.

“Writing has always been a way for me to define things difficult for me to understand completely,” Iris said. “Poetry is a translation of the silence. I look forward to sharing my journey and my process to inspire others to share their experiences through writing or other ways.”

You can find upcoming events with Manuel here.

Past Writers-in-Residence 

Special thanks go out to the WIR Selection Committee: Mike Boberg, Kaya Burgin, Susan Cranley, Staci Dennison, Marilyn Duke, Naomi Tucker Gerwin, Dan Hurley, Ed Loyd, Jessica Strawser and Kathy Y. Wilson.