The U of iowa Writers’ Workshop was founded in 1936. That makes this institution a ripe 75 years old. Many do not even know of its existence even here in Iowa. Yet there has been some great great literature that has been written by students, faculty and graduates of the Iowa Writers Workshop.

No multiple choices this week, kids. You should recognize most of these folks.

1) Writers’ Workshop graduates have won some 16 Pulitzer Prizes since 1947. That year a former faculty member won the award for his story about the rise of a populist Louisiana governor in “All The King’s Men.” Who is this well-known American author?

2) This U of Iowa graduate was not a member of the Writers’ Workshop – it was barely in existence when he was in Iowa City in 1938. His short story “The Field of Blue Children” described a much different Iowa City than exists today. Known for plays such as “The Glass Menagerie” and “A Streetcar Named Desire”, this man is considered by many to be America’s greatest playwright. His name is….?

3) Well, the string of Pulitzers for the Writers’ Workshop continued in 2010 when this graduate had his first book win a Pulitzer. “Tinkers” tells the story of father and son clock makers in New England. Once more, who is this upcoming American writer?

4) This well-known man of words never graduated the University of Iowa even though he spent part of his undergraduate years in Iowa city “majoring in beer and co-eds.” He went on to graduate from his home state university in South Dakota and then to a distinguished career as NBC Nightly News anchor from 1982 to 2004. By now you must know this is…..?

5) The fifth question and we finally ask about a woman. In fact, this woman was instrumental in influencing the writer in question #3 to attend the Writers’ Workshop. Her novel “Gilead” won the Pulitzer in 2005. She is currently on the staff at the Writers’ Workshop. This highly accomplished writer is ….. ?

6) As he was just about ready to give up on writing as a career, thus guy was offered a faculty position at the Writers’ Workshop. While here his most recent novel “Cat’s Cradle” became a best seller – one of many he would write. Probably best known for “Slaughterhouse Five” this man died four years ago follwing a fall at home. Who is one of Amrica’s best known authors?

7) In 1998, he won the Pulitzer for “American Pastoral.” But this former Workshop faculty member became famous for his novella “Goodbye, Columbus” which became a very successful movie. A later novel “Portnoy’s Complaint” really propelled him to fame. His name is ….?

8) A Writers’ Workshop graduate, you may not recognize the name of his most famous book, but you may have visited the Iowa landmark that remained from the filming of the movie based on that novel. Remember the Field of Dreams baseball field near Dyersville. The book was titled “Shoeless Joe” and was written by ……?

9) Boy the late ’60s had some real talent on the U of Iowa campus. Along with others was this future best-selling novelist. His “World According To Garp” was a huge seller for years and was eventually made into a hit movie starring Robin Williams. Other big sellers included “the Hotel New Hampshire” and “The Cider House Rules.” Surely you know this best-selling author is …..?

10) This former Writers’ Workshop faculty member won the Puliter in 1979, beating out the author in the previous question. His compilation of short stories bearing his name won the Pulitzer. His career covered a long period and included such novels as “The Wapshot Chronicle” and “Falconer.” Can you name this former Workshop faculty memeber and Pulitzer Prize winner?

Let me add that I was also at the Iowa campus in the late ’60s. Doubt that added much to the talent pool that was there at the time. Well, happy birthday to the Workshop. Looks to me like you are off to a good start.

How’d you do? Were you a bit surprised that so many famous writers dropped into Iowa City for a while? Here we go:

1) Robert Penn Warren
2) Thomas (Tennessee) Williams
3) Paul Harding
4) Tom Brokaw
5) Marilynne Robinson
6) Kurt Vonnegut
7) Phillip Roth (now I can’t get that song out of my life)
8) W. P. Kinsella
9) John Irving
10) John Cheever