Milkweed Editions
Encyclopedia
Milkweed Editions is an independent, non-profit publishing company
based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
. Milkweed's goal is to make a positive impact on society
through the transformative art
of literature
. Milkweed is sometimes called the largest independent, non-profit literary publisher in the United States
. It publishes fiction
, nonfiction, poetry
, and children's books.
Milkweed combined forces with Minnesota Center for Book Arts
and the Loft Literary Center to purchase an old warehouse in downtown Minneapolis to house each organization. They named the warehouse the Open Book
. Ruminator, an independent bookstore
, also called Open Book home until 2003 when it closed the Open Book store. Open Book has been fondly referred to as a "literary incubator."
In 1993, Milkweed initiated a program for young readers to reach out to elementary school children and encourage reading habits. The program provides books, teachings guides, and writing activities.
Buchwald retired in 2003 and H. Emerson Blake
was hired as editor-in-chief to work alongside managing editor Hilary Reeves. Blake stepped down in June 2005 for personal reasons and was succeeded by former Harcourt
editor Daniel Slager. Slager was named Publisher and CEO in 2007.
Milkweed publishes between 15-20 books each year. It is estimated that there are currently more than one million Milkweed books in circulation.
The Milkweed Prize Milkweed Editions periodically awards two prizes for fiction writing: the Milkweed National Fiction Prize and the Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature. The prizes are awarded for the best general fiction and for the best fiction for middle-grade readers, ages 8 to 13, by a writer not previously published by Milkweed.
Winners
Winners
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. Milkweed's goal is to make a positive impact on society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
through the transformative art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
of literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
. Milkweed is sometimes called the largest independent, non-profit literary publisher in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It publishes fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
, nonfiction, poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, and children's books.
History
Milkweed was co-founded in 1979 by Emilie Buchwald and R.W. Scholes. Buchwald initially started Milkweed as a journal called The Milkweed Chronicle as a venue for local writers and artists in Minneapolis. By the mid-1980s the project evolved into Milkweed Editions and gradually grew into a nationally known independent publishing company.Milkweed combined forces with Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Minnesota Center for Book Arts is the largest and most comprehensive independent non-profit book arts center in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, MCBA is a nationally recognized leader in the celebration and preservation of traditional crafts including hand papermaking,...
and the Loft Literary Center to purchase an old warehouse in downtown Minneapolis to house each organization. They named the warehouse the Open Book
Open Book
Open Book is the third solo album from Christian hip hop artist Da’ T.R.U.T.H., released on July 10, 2007. It debuted 2 in the Billboard/Soundscan Gospel Chart, 1 on the Soundscan Christian Hip Hop Chart and ranked in the Top-8 on the iTunes Christian & Gospel Album Chart...
. Ruminator, an independent bookstore
Independent bookstore
An independent bookstore is a retail bookstore which is independently owned.-Literary and countercultural history:Author events at independent bookstores sometimes take the role of literary salons. The bookstores themselves, "have historically supported and cultivated the work of independent...
, also called Open Book home until 2003 when it closed the Open Book store. Open Book has been fondly referred to as a "literary incubator."
In 1993, Milkweed initiated a program for young readers to reach out to elementary school children and encourage reading habits. The program provides books, teachings guides, and writing activities.
Buchwald retired in 2003 and H. Emerson Blake
H. Emerson Blake
H. Emerson Blake is the editor-in-chief at Orion Magazine, executive director of the Orion Society, former editor-in-chief at Milkweed Editions, editor of many books, and an ecologist. He has served as a visiting faculty member at Sterling College.-Biography:Blake is originally from Philadelphia...
was hired as editor-in-chief to work alongside managing editor Hilary Reeves. Blake stepped down in June 2005 for personal reasons and was succeeded by former Harcourt
Harcourt (publisher)
Harcourt was a United States publishing firm with a long history of publishing fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. The company was based in San Diego, California, with an Editorial / Sales / Marketing / Rights offices in New York City and Orlando, Florida.In 2007, the U.S...
editor Daniel Slager. Slager was named Publisher and CEO in 2007.
Milkweed publishes between 15-20 books each year. It is estimated that there are currently more than one million Milkweed books in circulation.
The Milkweed Prize Milkweed Editions periodically awards two prizes for fiction writing: the Milkweed National Fiction Prize and the Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature. The prizes are awarded for the best general fiction and for the best fiction for middle-grade readers, ages 8 to 13, by a writer not previously published by Milkweed.
Milkweed National Fiction Prize
Milkweed seeks manuscripts of high literary quality that embody humane values and contribute to cultural understanding for the National Fiction PrizeWinners
- 2010 Orion You Came and You Took All My Marbles by Kira Henehan
- 2008 Driftless by David RhodesDavid RhodesDavid Rhodes is an English guitarist, songwriter, and composer. He is probably best-known for his extensive work with Peter Gabriel.-Biography:...
- 2007 The Farther Shore by Matthew Eck
- 2006 Visigoth by Gary Amdahl
- 2005 Crossing Bully Creek by Margaret Erhart
- 2004 Ordinary Wolves by Seth KantnerSeth KantnerSeth Kantner is a writer who has attended the University of Alaska and studied journalism at the University of Montana. He has worked as a photographer, trapper, fisherman, mechanic and igloo-builder and now lives in Kotzebue, Alaska. His 2004 book Ordinary Wolves tells the story of Cutuk, a boy...
- 2002 Roofwalker by Susan PowerSusan PowerSusan Power is a Standing Rock Sioux author from Chicago. She earned her bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a JD from Harvard Law School...
- 2001 Hell's Bottom, Colorado by Laura Pritchett
- 1999 Falling Dark by Tim Tharp
- 1998 Tivolem by Victor Rangel-Ribeiro
- 1997 The Tree of Red Stars by Tessa Bridal
- 1996 The Empress of One by Faith Sullivan
- 1995 Confidence of the Heart by David Schweidel
- 1993 Montana 1948Montana 1948Montana 1948 is a 1993 novel by Larry Watson. The novel focuses on the life of young Montanan David Hayden, his family and the fictional town of Bentrock, Montana, and focuses on the struggles of a family torn between loyalty and justice...
by Larry WatsonLarry WatsonLarry Watson is an American author of novels, poetry and short stories. He was born in 1947 in Rugby, North Dakota. He grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota. He earned both Bachelors and Masters degrees in fine arts at the University of North Dakota... - 1992 Larabi's Ox by Tony ArdizzoneTony ArdizzoneAnthony V. Ardizzone is an American novelist, short story writer, and editor.-Biography:Ardizzone was raised on the North Side of Chicago. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in 1971 and from Bowling Green State University with an MFA in 1975...
- 1990 Aquaboogie by Susan StraightSusan StraightSusan Straight is an American author and National Book Award finalist.-Background:Susan Straight has published six novels, a novel for young readers and a children's book...
- 1989 Blue Taxis by Eileen Drew
- 1988 Ganado Red by Susan Lowell
Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature
The goal of the Prize for Children's Literature is to encourage both writers of children’s literature and writers of books for adults to turn their attention to creating books for this discriminating and important group of readers. At this age, readers are ready for well-written books that range widely in subject matter, from fantasy, to fiction grounded in history, to books about everyday life.Winners
- 2010 The Hole in the Wall by Lisa Rowe FraustinoLisa Rowe FraustinoLisa Rowe Fraustino is an American writer and editor of children's literature.- Biography :In 1961 Lisa was born in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. She currently lives with her husband in Connecticut where she teaches at Eastern Connecticut State University....
- 2008 Discovering Pig Magic by Julie Crabtree
- 2007 The Linden Tree by Ellie MathewsEllie MathewsEllie Mathews is an author of fiction and nonfiction works including The Linden Tree...
- 2005 Trudy by Jessica Lee Anderson
- 2004 PerfectPerfect: A NovelPerfect written by Natasha Friend was published in 2004 by Milkweed Editions. Perfect won Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature award in 2004. This book is about a young girl’s struggle with the disease Bulimia nervosa.-Summary:...
by Natasha FriendNatasha FriendNatasha Friend is an American author. Her first three books are the award-winning, young adult novels Perfect, Lush, and Bounce.-Early life and education:... - 2001 Parents Wanted by George Harrar
- 2000 The $66 Summer by John Armistead
- 1999 The Ocean Within by V. M. Caldwell
- 1998 The Dog with Golden Eyes by Frances Wilbur
- 1996 Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura E. Williams
- 1995 The Summer of the Bonepile Monster by Aileen Kilgore Henderson
- 1994 A Bride for Anna's Papa by Isabel R. Marvin