Grigor SHASHIKYAN Գրիգոր Շաշիկյան (pen name Grig) Գրիգ (fiction writer, literary critic; Armenia) is the author of three books, two of which — Հիսուսի կատուն [Jesus' Cat] (2015) and Friedensdorf [Peace Village] (2023) — have been bestselling books in Armenia for years. He has received more than a dozen national and international awards, the most notable of which include: “Youth Prize of the President of the Republic of Armenia,” “HOTLIST independent publishers competition,” and “Coburger Rückert-Preis.” He is currently working on a collection of short stories. His participation is made possible thanks to the generous support of Hugh F. Culverhouse, Jr. and other donations made to the International Writing Program. -- U. of Iowa International Writing Program