About Us!

Welcome to Once Upon a Time in Iowa, a space born out of friendship, creativity, and a shared love for the written word. 

We’re a diverse group of young writers from nine different countries—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Morocco, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Cameroon, Slovakia, and the United States—who found an unexpected home together during the summer of 2024. 

We met at the Between the Lines program hosted by the Iowa International Writing Program, a transformative experience that connected us across continents and cultures. For two unforgettable weeks, we lived and breathed literature, sharing our stories and perspectives in workshops led by inspiring mentors like Jose Olivarez and Mansoura Ez-Eldin. 

We laughed over late-night snacks in Catlett Hall, marveled at fireworks on warm summer nights, celebrated surprise birthdays, and bonded over endless conversations that carried us into dawn. Those nights spent watching Wes Anderson films, going on impromptu Target runs, and pulling all-nighters deepened our understanding of each other and the world around us. When it all came to an end, we cried like a family—because, in a way, that’s exactly what we had become. 

Our journey together culminated in our work being featured in the BTL Anthology, now available at Iowa’s beloved Prairie Lights bookstore. But the end of the program wasn’t the end of our story—it was only the beginning. This blog is our way of continuing the conversation, of reaching beyond borders, and of bridging the distances between us. 

Once Upon a Time in Iowa will showcase our writing—poetry, prose, essays, and reflections—alongside videos, commentary, and insights from our lives and communities. While most of our content will be in English, expect posts in many languages, each capturing the unique voice of its author. Here, we hope to make sense of the complexities of modern life and explore the issues we face as young adults navigating a rapidly changing world. We invite you to join us as we share our perspectives and experiences, bringing pieces of our countries and cultures to your screen. This is a place for dialogue, for discovery, and for celebrating the power of words to connect us all. 

With love and inspiration, 

The BTL Gang