Program News

Program News Archive

Truman Capote wearing hat and glasses, A commercial airplane is partially visible in the background

Legendary Author Truman Capote’s Vision Benefits Iowa Writers

As the book world remembers Truman Capote on what would have been his 100th birthday Sept. 30, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop remains an important steward of his legacy through a partnership with the Truman Capote Literary Trust.
Lan Samantha Chang

Chang proud to be part of Iowa’s writing legacy

Thursday, April 25, 2024
Workshop Director Lan Samantha Chang will have a lot to celebrate next month. Chang, who also is a Writers’ Workshop alumna, is one of eight individuals who received an Arts and Letters Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters
Jamel Brinkley, Robyn Schiff and Justin Torres portrait collage

Workshop faculty and alumni named 2024 Guggenheim Fellows

Guggenheim Fellows this year include Assistant Professor of Fiction Jamel Brinkley, alumni Justin Torres and Robyn Schiff, and artist Lorraine O'Grady, who also attended the Writers' Workshop.
Ada Zhang, seated with forearms arms crossed across lap

Ada Zhang winner of a 2024 Whiting Award in Fiction

Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduate Ada Zhang among the recipients of the 2024 Whiting Award, prestigious literary award for emerging writers
W. Flemming Illustration of Diane Oliver

Diane Oliver’s Unfinished Story

Promising Iowa Writers’ Workshop student and Civil Rights Movement activist Diane Oliver died tragically just days before her graduation. Decades later, her newly rediscovered work has been heralded for its haunting look at African American life in the Jim Crow era.
A portrait of Justin Torres

Justin Torres wins the 2023 National Book Award for Fiction

Thursday, November 16, 2023
University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduate Justin Torres won the 2023 National Book Award for Fiction.
An image of Dove Rita on a graphic overlay

National Book Foundation to present Lifetime Achievement Award to Rita Dove

Saturday, September 9, 2023
Rita Dove, an Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate received the 2023 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.