How to Nominate a Writer

The INTERNATIONAL WRITING PROGRAM (IWP) does not offer funding for its residents. We may refer eligible candidates to contacts at U.S. Embassy or Consular offices abroad, or to one of the cultural agencies with whom we hold exchange agreements (including U.S.-based foundations and the arts councils of other countries). Please visit Fall Residency Questions for further information.

Who is a qualified writer?

  • The candidate should be primarily a writer of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, drama, screenplays, or graphic novels. Literary translators, journalists, and biographers have also participated, but those candidates must also display a comparable track record in one of the creative genres (listed earlier).
  • The candidate should have at least one published book or volume, or a sizable number of works in significant publications (anthologies, journals, literary magazines) over the last two years.
  • The candidate should also display forms of national or local recognition for their literary work.
  • The working language of the program is English, and visa issuance requires that candidates are proficient speakers of English.
  • The candidate must also be comfortable with cross-cultural dynamics and interested in close interaction with artists from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
  • The candidate should not be a resident of, nor currently residing in, the United States.
  • The candidate must provide:
    • 10 to 15 pages of work in both the original language and as translated into English that gives a good sense of the writer’s strengths and style.
    • A literature-based CV or resume.

 

For further information please email iwp-fall-residency@uiowa.edu.

Happening Now

  • Congratulations to our colleagues Jennifer Croft and Aron Aji, who are among those serving as judges for the National Book Awards this year, in their case in the category of translated literature.

  • Ranjit Hoskote’s speech at the 2024 Goa Literary Festival addresses the current situation in Gaza.

  • In NY Times, Bina Shah worries about the state of Pakistani—and American—democracy.

  • “I went to [Ayodhya] to think about what it means to be an Indian and a Hindu... ”  A new essay by critic and novelist Chandrahas Choudhury.

  • In the January 2024 iteration of the French/English non-fiction site Frictions, T J Benson writes about “Riding Afrobeats Across the World.” Also new, a next installment in the bilingual series featuring work by students from Paris VIII’s Creative Writing program and the University of Iowa’s NFW program.

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