The 2010/2011 Finalists: Literature

In 2010, 18 potential protégés across six artistic disciplines were selected from 120 candidates from around the world. The finalists – eight women and 10 men from 15 countries – will meet the mentor in their discipline. Each mentor will choose the finalist who seems best suited for the year of guidance and inspiration.

Please meet the Literature finalists:

Luke Kennard

Luke Kennard, 28, is a poet and short story writer from the United Kingdom whose comic writing has been winning awards since he began publishing in 2005.

Dinaw Mengestu

Dinaw Mengestu is a 31-year-old best-selling author. Born in Ethiopia, he grew up in Chicago and now lives in France.

Tracy K. Smith

Tracy K. Smith, 37, is an American poet. She is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Princeton University.