Francesca Rendle-Short will read from her book Bite Your Tongue at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, in a free reading at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City. The reading, sponsored by the University of Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program, also will be streamed live on the UI Writing University website.

Bite Your Tongue is part fiction, part memoir, and explores what it was like growing up with a morals crusader as a mother. The Australian Book Review called it one of the best books of the year for 2011.

Rendle-Short is a writer of essays, memoir, and fiction. She has worked as a radio producer, teacher, editor, freelance writer, and arts journalist, as well as with a range of cultural and arts institutions. She is the recipient of the 2013 International Nonfiction Writers' Fellowship at the University of Iowa. She is an associate professor at RMIT University, program director of creative writing and co-director of the nonfictionLab. She lives in Melbourne.

The reading will be followed by a reception in Prairie Lights wine bar.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to attend this reading, call Jan Weissmiller at Prairie Lights in advance at 319-337-2681.

For a UI arts calendar and details about upcoming events visit the Arts Iowa website.