Bio
Tara Labovich is a writer, editor, and lecturer of English and Creative Writing at Iowa State University. Raised overseas, their writing is often multi-cultural in mythos and inspiration. Their multi-genre creative work explores questions of identity, healing, and liminalities. In teaching, they work to help students discover their own unique creative process. Over 50 of their poems, essays, and short stories are published in nationally recognized magazines.
Courses
- ENGL 1500
- ENGL 3050 Creative Nonfiction
- HON 3210 Contemporary Poetic Forms and Practices
- ENGL 2500/H
Workshops
“Walking with the Prairie: A Writing Workshop”
“I Hold Surprise in High Regard: Craft of Extended Metaphor”
“Expand Your Creative Process with Radical Revision”
Research Areas of Interest
Poetry: Form. Creative practice. Ecopoetics.
Nonfiction: Lyric and braided essay. Inventive forms. Memoir. Researched CNF.
Fiction: Book structure. Ecogothic studies.
Other: Creativity studies. Collaborative art practices. Process based learning. Trauma informed teaching. Writing for survivors.
Selected Publications
“Radical Revision.” Brevity Blog. 2025.
“Iowa, Derecho, 2020.” Belt Magazine.2025.
“Petunia.” Salt Hill Magazine. 2021.
“Mad Wilderness: An EcoGothic Reading of the ‘Crazy Lesbian’ Trope in Machado’s ‘The Resident.” Mind the Gap Conference, 2023, London, England.
Recent Honors & Awards
Nominated for Best of the Net 2025
Semifinalist The St. Lawrence Book Award 2024
Finalist Stephen A. DiBiase Poetry Prize 2024
ISU Teaching Excellence Award 2023
Pearl Hogrefe Grant in Creative Writing 2023
The Albert L. Walker Excellence in English Award 2023
Fellow Sundress Poetry Retreat 2023
Semifinalist Black Lawrence Chapbook Prize 2022
Adelaide Bender Reville Prize for Creative Nonfiction 2019
Current Research Projects
Girl, Possessed! Poetry collection. Forthcoming.
[untitled] Poetry collection. Forthcoming.