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The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 26

And now we've passed $5,000 raised. Thanks so much!

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 26

Thank you to everyone who has donated to support the IWP as part of this year's #1DayForIowa event! We've already raised more than $3,000 thanks to your generous support. Please help share the word, and if you're able, donate at 1dayforiowa.org/IWP-25.

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The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 26

We're thrilled to say that we've already raised more than $2,500 dollars thanks to the generous support of 28 donors. We appreciate it so much! Contribute to the cause at 1dayforiowa.org/IWP-25.

#1DayForIowa

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The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 26

Today is #1DayForIowa, the University of Iowa's annual online giving day and celebration, and the IWP needs your help! Our recent loss of State Department funding makes every donation especially important. You can donate at 1dayforiowa.org/IWP-25!

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Garth Greenwell @garthgreenwell.bsky.social · Mar 14

I wrote about the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, which was a crucial part of my literary education. It’s now fighting for its future after losing its funding last week. Free post; no paywall.

garthgreenwell.substack.com/p/a-city-of-... @uiiwp.bsky.social

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Christopher Merrill @clmerrill.bsky.social · Mar 13

IWP’s work is in the national interest
www.thegazette.com/staff-editor...

Opinion: IWP’s work is in the national interest

Annabel Shu of Atlanta, Ga. reacts to a pot of dolma, a traditional Armenian dish, during a cooking session for …

www.thegazette.com

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The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 10

A memorial fund has been established in her honor: www.legacy.com/us/obituarie...

Shelly Criswell Obituary and Online Memorial (2025)

Shelly Criswell Obituary and Online Memorial (2025). Share your favorite memories Shelly and celebrate their life with the Criswell family on their online obituary.

www.legacy.com

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 10

The staff of the International Writing Program mourn Shelly, whose years of service on behalf of writers and readers around the world as Fall Residency coordinator (2020–2025) were deeply impactful on the program’s participants and their extended communities.

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The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 10

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of Shelly J. Criswell’s passing. Shelly was in her home, surrounded by her family, when she died on Saturday, March 8, after a prolonged battle with cancer.

A photo of Shelly, her son, and Christopher Merrill smiling at the 2023 Fall Residency closing celebration.

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Laura Belin @laurarbelin.bsky.social · Mar 7

The State Department terminated its longstanding support for the University of Iowa's International Writing Program, which has existed since 1967 (involving 3 Nobel Prize winners).
U Iowa's canceling several programs and searching for new funding sources.
now.uiowa.edu/news/2025/03...

US Department of State halts International Writing Program funding

The U.S. Department of State notified the University of Iowa International Writing program on Feb. 26 that its grants through the department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs were being ter...

now.uiowa.edu

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Alex aka Muscato @cafemuscato.bsky.social · Mar 6

This is heartbreaking and infuriating.

One of the US’s longest-standing cultural partnerships, hugely effective in dozens of countries, ended.

As a diplomat, I saw first-hand what a powerful tool the IWP has been in furthering American interests. A mortifying shame—like so much else right now.

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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claudia cavallin @ccavallin.bsky.social · Mar 7

Terrible e injusto

"We are devastated by the abrupt end of this 58year partnership and are working closely with University of Iowa General Counsel and Grant Accounting to review the terminations, understand their full impact, and respond in the best interest of the organization"
@uiiwp.bsky.social

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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Erika Dreifus @erikadreifus.bsky.social · Mar 7

Among this week's finds for the #WritingCommunity: @authorsguild.bsky.social's new tracker; @uiiwp.bsky.social announcement; RIP, Peter Elbow; paperback paucity. www.erikadreifus.com/2025/03/publ...

Finds for Writers - Erika Dreifus

Gleanings from the past week.

www.erikadreifus.com

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Nicky Agate @terrainsvagues.bsky.social · Mar 6

GAH. For me as a translation MFA student in the early 2000s, the community & camaraderie of @uiiwp.bsky.social was pure magic. To have the chance to collaborate with Malagasy poets & Argentinian short story writers, to debate with Polish philosophers & laugh with Irish journalists—what a gift.

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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Reposted by The International Writing Program (IWP)

Christopher Merrill @clmerrill.bsky.social · Mar 6

The end of an era...
now.uiowa.edu/news/2025/03...

US Department of State halts International Writing Program funding

The U.S. Department of State notified the University of Iowa International Writing program on Feb. 26 that its grants through the department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs were being ter...

now.uiowa.edu

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The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

We appreciate this story by Vanessa Miller at the Gazette.

State Department: UI International Writing Program no longer of ‘national interest’; terminates grants

After 58 years of collaborative diplomacy, the U.S. Department of State has notified the University of Iowa’s esteemed International Writing Program that it is terminating its grants because they “no ...

www.thegazette.com

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Ian Denning @ian-denning.com · Mar 6

The IWP does great work and will continue to, but this is still such a blow

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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Reposted by The International Writing Program (IWP)

Sam Ferree @samferree.bsky.social · Mar 6

In 2005, I remember one of the visiting writers saying (paraphrasing), "Even if I spend just a week visiting a country, I feel like I've lived there. I develop a deep personal attachment to people and places." How many future writers will be deprived of this enriching, irreplaceable experience?

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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Reposted by The International Writing Program (IWP)

Sarah Zimmerman @sjzimmerman.bsky.social · Mar 6

This is devastating...

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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Reposted by The International Writing Program (IWP)

Lissie Jaquette @lissiejaquette.bsky.social · Mar 6

This is devastating. IWP's impact on international writing and translated literature can't be understated. I have no words.

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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Reposted by The International Writing Program (IWP)

Elise Wang @elisewang.bsky.social · Mar 6

This is devastating. For almost 60 years, the IWP has hosted translators and writers from around the world, especially young and emerging ones. I spent a glorious summer at their events and it’s why I ended up studying literature.

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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Reposted by The International Writing Program (IWP)

David DeGusta @davidwrites1.bsky.social · Mar 6

The US State Department has canceled the grants that provide much of the support for the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. 90% of those funds are spent in the US, & the program is top-notch, hosting 3 future Nobel laureates. @uiiwp.bsky.social

now.uiowa.edu/news/2025/03...

US Department of State halts International Writing Program funding

The U.S. Department of State notified the University of Iowa International Writing program on Feb. 26 that its grants through the department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs were being ter...

now.uiowa.edu

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Reposted by The International Writing Program (IWP)

Jennifer Feeley @jenniferfeeley.bsky.social · Mar 6

This is devastating. The IWP is the crown jewel of the U of Iowa & has done so much for literature around the world, but it's also done so much for Iowa. This update feels especially sad coming one week after a beautiful tribute to the program's co-founder, the incomparable Hualing Nieh Engle.

The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

🧵Dear Friends: We write today with a difficult update. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the International Writing Program (IWP) learned that its grants with the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, were being terminated.

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The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

To support the IWP as we begin to rebuild, please visit this website: bit.ly/support-iwp

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The International Writing Program (IWP) @uiiwp.bsky.social · Mar 6

Despite this disappointing turn of events, the IWP’s mission to promote mutual understanding through creative writing and literature remains unchanged; with the help of a limited number of other partners, we will still hold a 2025 Fall Residency even while pursuing new sources of funding.

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