The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center

The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center cultivates a global community of writers, translators, and readers. Through a variety of curated programs and events, we bring world literature to America and American literature to the world. The Center was founded in 2016 at George Mason University and named for the late American writer and cultural commentator, who taught at Mason for nearly 30 years. In the words of Alan Cheuse, we “read as much as we can, write as much as we can, and love as much as we can.”

By connecting the global and the local, we aim to spark new and meaningful conversations. We pursue a deep commitment to a just society and a shared humanity. To this end, we amplify and celebrate marginalized voices around the world. Many of the writers we bring to audiences are at risk; some live in exile from their homeland. 

We believe that world literature is essential for meaningful lives. We read to connect with others. We read to understand. We read to survive.