IC Book Fest 2018: Paul Engle Prize

Published: Oct. 4, 2018, 10 a.m.

Dina Nayeri has been named the seventh recipient of the Paul Engle Prize, presented by the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature organization. The prize includes a one-of-a-kind work of art and $10,000 and was presented during a special ceremony as part of the Iowa City Book Festival at the Coralville Public Library.

The annual Paul Engle Prize from the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature honors an individual who, like Paul Engle, represents a pioneering spirit in the world of literature through writing, editing, publishing, or teaching, and whose active participation in the larger issues of the day has contributed to the betterment of the world through the literary arts. The Paul Engle Prize is made possible through the generous support of the City of Coralville, which is home to 11 permanent sculptures with artistic and literary ties to Iowa.

Paul Engle (October 12, 1908 -- March 22, 1991), though best remembered as the long-time director of the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop and founder of the UI's International Writing Program, also was a well-regarded poet, playwright, essayist, editor and critic.

The award seeks to recognize a writer, like Engle, who makes an impact on his or her community and the world at large through efforts beyond the page. It also seeks to raise awareness about Engle and his works.

Past recipients include: James Alan McPherson, longtime instructor at the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Elbow Room; Kwame Dawes, Chancellor Professor of English at the University of Nebraska, and Editor of Prairie Schooner; Luis Alberto Urrea, author of The Devil's Highway and Queen of America, Sara Paretsky the author behind the bestselling Chicago-based V.I. Warshawski mystery series, Roxane Gay, professor, editor, commentator and author of the short story collection Ayiti, the novel An Untamed State, and the essay collection Bad Feminist, and novelist, activist, essayist, and professor Alexander Chee.

For more information about the 2018 Iowa City Book Festival, please visit iowacitybookfestival.org.

For information about Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature and future events, visit iowacityofliterature.org.