UI Press books marked an exceptional year in 2025, earning national recognition for fiction, poetry, and scholarly work, including a Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize. These achievements continue to strengthen Iowa’s reputation as the “Writing University.”

"Ultranatural," a new novel published by UI Press and written by Candice Wuehle of the UI Honors Program, arrives in bookstores April 14. It’s one of Iowa Magazine’s three current BookShelf Picks from UI authors, along with "Canon," by UI assistant professor of English Paige Lewis, and "Partially Devoured," by UI alum Daniel Kraus. Learn more about each book.

When Tennessee Williams was a student at the University of Iowa in the late 1930s, still referring to himself by his birth name, Tom Williams, he completed a rarely-heard gothic sketch for radio called “The Strangers.” Williams’ play appears this week in The Strand Magazine, which has previously published little-known works by Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner and John Steinbeck.

The history and African American Studies professor published her first book in June.

The Daily Iowan was named a national Newspaper Pacemaker winner by the Associated Collegiate Press for 2024–25, marking the 10th time the college newspaper has received the recognition.

Christopher Merrill, longtime director of the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (IWP), is marking 25 years as director and has announced he will step down at the end of the year. Since 2000, Merrill has been the architect of IWP’s modern era—expanding its global reach, stewarding the program through transformational partnerships, and championing literary exchange in Iowa City and around the world.

Four University of Iowa graduates — Angela Flournoy, Kevin Moffett, Joy Williams, and Yiyun Li — are listed among the authors being considered for the prestigious National Book Award. Finalists are announced in October and the winners in November.

Out of hundreds of submissions, Jungin Angie Lee and Ajay Patri were among the 12 awardees of Patterson’s “Go Finish Your Book!” grants.