It is of little surprise that the UI, famous for its Writers’ Workshop, and Iowa City, a UNESCO City of Literature, are playing an important role in a new national initiative that celebrates writing.

The U.S. Senate has declared Oct. 19 as the National Day on Writing — a national celebration that also signifies the opening of the National Gallery of Writing website. Made up of groups organized by state, genre, and topic, the website’s goal is to serve as a public forum for the American writer.

Through the UI National Council of Teachers of English Student Affiliate, all Iowa residents can participate by submitting their work to a “University of Iowa” website: http//galleryofwriting.org/galleries/172173.

Bonnie Sunstein, the UI director of undergraduate writing and program chairwoman of English education, has been elected as one of three new members to the national steering committee for the National Day on Writing.

Today, she will attend the initiative’s national ceremony in New York City, which will culminate with a gala hosted by the editors of the New Yorker. The evening will feature prominent authors including Joan Didion and will also honor writers Toni Morrison, David Halberstam (posthumously), and the winners of the Norman Mailer Writing Awards for college and high-school students.

Prairie Lights Books employee Terry Cain said he isn’t surprised by the event’s local connection.

“Iowa’s influence on American literature is obvious,” he said. “Even if a writer who participates in one of the numerous workshops does not become financially successful and have her or his name engraved on granite, her or his experience here permeates the rest of her or his life — whether it be as a teacher or just as a civilian.”

— by Colin Doherty