We the Interwoven Series
We the Interwoven is the state’s first book series written by emerging writers who are immigrants and non-native Iowans. The series is a testimonial to the story of today’s Iowa—a uniquely beautiful tapestry woven from people of many backgrounds, many of whom are experiencing America for the first time through the lens of our state. This new story needs to be told, especially by the voices of those who are experiencing it firsthand, so that we can all gain new perspectives of who we are as Iowans.
The series is created through the Bicultural Iowa Writers’ Fellowship (BIWF), which offers space and time for writers to explore their multilayered identities and the platform to share their stories with a state-wide audience. It offers education, support, and resources from the renowned literary community of Iowa.
Featuring
Voices of seventeen bicultural and immigrant writers
Translations into eight different languages: Arabic, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Bosnian, Spanish, Tagalog, Telugu, Vietnamese
Availability in over 80 libraries across the state, with accompanying complimentary resources for community conversations
A Community of Writers
Each year, we choose our fellows and writers based on both the public value of the stories they have to tell and the potential they show toward the written word. We work to help them learn writing skills and develop their stories on their own, and where they need help with story arc or prose, we provide mentorship and assistance. We are dedicated to providing this platform for the stories that the writers wish to tell and assisting in ways that best meet their needs.
The inaugural BIWF fellows were Chuy Renteria, Mexican-American from West Liberty; Melissa Palma, Filipino-American from Waterloo; and Sadagat Aliyeva, Azerbaijani-American from Des Moines. Volume 2 introduced seven new voices—three fellows and four honorable mentions—Antonia Rivera, Dawson Davenport, Ajla Dizdarević, Hieu Pham, Rana Hewezi, Sarah Elgatian, and Anthony Mielke. Volume 3, which will be released in late 2020, will introduce seven new voices: Shalini Jasti, George Khal, Salma Salama, Hibbah Jarmakani, Dhuha Tawil, Eyad Said, and Vanessa “Cueponicihuatl” Espinoza.
The Power of Story
Today more than ever, we need to hear stories from all corners of society. We believe that the owners of those stories need to be the voices that share them. The writing and publishing industry is one of the most difficult to break into—and as it stands, it is incredibly difficult for marginalized voices to find their way into the American reader’s hands.
At The Iowa Writers’ Foundation, we seek to remove all barriers to publication and enable new voices to find their way to the minds and hearts of readers. Ultimately we seek to create books that write a new chapter of our state—one that includes a thriving bicultural and immigrant presence. We the Interwoven is helping Iowans better understand and discuss challenging issues, and find ways toward a more connected tomorrow.
The Bicultural Iowa Writers’ Fellowship is fostered through the Iowa Writers’ House and has been made possible by grants in the first two years of the program from the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the National Endowment for the Arts. As our program and the opportunity for greater impact grow, we continue to need new sources of support. Donations and sponsorships allow you or your organization to make a difference in the lives of others. They also help additional stories to come into the world and allow more voices to be heard.
