The Writing University website hosted an online chat with Australian writer and International Writing Program alum Alice Pung at today 2:00 p.m. (CST). Alice discussed her experience as a resident at the IWP, her place in the international writing community, as well as other literary topics.

The Writing University website hosted an online chat with South African writer and International Writing Program alum Maxine Case at 3:00 p.m. (CST). Maxine was joined by Zuki Wanner. They discussed the international writing community, as well as other literary topics.

The Writing University website hosted a live discussion with Fedosy Santaella, a participant in the IWP (International Writing Program), and Roberto Echeto, at 2:00 (CST). This is the first conversion to take place entirely in Spanish. This is a transcript of the English version.

Poet Dean Young, a former faculty member of the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, received a life-saving heart transplant on April 15, just a few days before the publication of his collection "Fall Higher." To show their affection and support for Young -- and to help offset the tens of thousands of dollars of his annual medications that are not covered by insurance -- UI poets will read at a special benefit event at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, in Prairie Lights Books.

The Library of Congress named University of Iowa Writers' Workshop alumnus and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Levine--whose work addresses the joys and sufferings of industrial life--the 18th U.S. Poet Laureate on August 10th, 2011. Levine, who recently participated in the Iowa Writers' Workshop 75th anniversary alumni reunion, will take up his duties as Poet Laureate in the fall, opening the library's annual literary season with a reading of his work at the Coolidge Auditorium in Washington D.C. on Oct. 17. (Read the official announcement at http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2011/11-143.html)