Mission Statement
Association of Iranian American Writers (AIAW)

The Association of Iranian American Writers is a member-based organization dedicated to promoting the work of fiction and non-fiction writers, essayists, poets, journalists, photojournalists, and artists who work with words. Iranian heritage and/or Iranian history and culture are important aspects of our work, although not necessarily our essential subject matter.

OUR goals are to:

:: Recognize and dialogue with established and emerging Iranian American writers, and writers whose work deals with Iran and/or Iranian Americans
:: Offer members a professional network
:: Urge and support members in publishing their work in mainstream publications
:: Promote and publicize the work of our members through our website www.iranianamericanwriters.org
:: Create an online forum (members blog) where we can engage in constructive dialogue with one another about issues that arise from our writing and publishing
:: Encourage and mentor Iranian American youth writers
:: Support fellow writers in Iran, Afghanistan, and the Arab world, as well as Afghan American and Arab American writers in North America
:: Hold annual or biennial conferences, readings, gatherings and workshops

The Association of Iranian American Writers is a professional organization largely concerned with English-medium literary works and professionals working in English. We therefore aim to develop strong, professional ties with North American English language institutions, whether journals, universities, publishers, editors, agents or writers.

We seek to “represent” ourselves as a diverse, open, and progressive voice in the American community. To this end, we seek to promote the building of coalitions and to collaborate with other groups and networks engaged with the arts, writing
and publishing.

We recognize that literature is an invaluable tool for crossing cultural, national and linguistic boundaries and for accessing parts of the human experience that might otherwise be obscured by powerful political agendas, prejudice and fear. We stand in the tradition of writers of conscience in times of war, understand the significance of our voices, and aim to use them in the pursuit of a more humane world.

We believe in critical engagement and freedom of speech. We encourage thoughtful interactions that promote and support each other's efforts to bring Iranian-American voices to the North American arts scene.