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Today—two days after Donald Trump ordered a media blackout at all government agencies, and one day after employees of those government agencies launched “rogue” social media accounts—#climatefacts is trending worldwide on Twitter. The Twitterstorm is organized by 350.org, the international environmental organization founded by Bill McKibben. A statement from 350.org reads, “Denying climate change is irresponsible and will put millions of people at greater risk of harm from pollution, climate disruption, and fossil fuel extraction … Help defend science and the welfare of people everywhere.” To get involved, 350.org has compiled a variety of resources and vetted facts.

As readers, writers, and…

Join Milkweed Editions at #AWP17 in Washington, DC from February 8–11! At the largest annual conference for writers and publishers in the U.S., join us for author signings, special discounts and giveaways, over 25 panels featuring Milkweed staff and authors, and to talk submissions, internships, and more. Don’t miss our full schedule of activities»

“Gratitude compels the recognition that we exist because of the gifts of others, that we are all connected. And gratitude reminds you that you already have everything you need, and is thus a restraint on consumption. Practicing gratitude in a consumer society is a powerful act of resistance.” —ROBIN WALL KIMMERER

In many respects, 2016 feels like a year that has mostly taken: from the notable artists we’ve lost—including two of our own, Max Ritvo and Phebe Hanson—to the countless assaults on the bodies and fundamental rights of our brothers and sisters, our environment, and our democracy. At this moment, when the losses are so tangible and when consumerism is at its height, we offer our deepest gratitude for all you have given in 2016.

We believe that independent publishers and booksellers serve an invaluable role in America today. We provide a means by which readers discover different perspectives and new points of view, encouraging empathy and a sense of common humanity. As a nonprofit organization, we are empowered to make decisions about the books we publish based on our mission, not a bottom line.

If you believe, as we do, that the authors we support and books we publish are more essential than ever, please consider giving a year-end gift to Milkweed Editions today to help us continue to create beautiful, meaningful books. Click HERE to donate now.

Most bookstores do year-end lists and highlight the titles their booksellers have enjoyed selling over the past year. But given the fact that we (as Milkweed Books booksellers) have only been here for the past ten or so weeks, we’ve taken a slightly different approach. I’m happy to present this baker’s dozen of books as a fair offering from us as a brand-new bookselling team. We have a shared love of quirky and well-done YA and science fiction. We’re into food and plants as both filling and illuminating. A mix of fiction and nonfiction and poetry.

As our stock grows and…

One of the largest annual regional poetry prizes, the Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry celebrates a region rich with poetic heritage and seeks to support poets residing in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Srikanth Reddy has been named as the 2017 judge. Submissions for the prize, now in its sixth year, will be open from January 2–February 15. There is no fee to submit.

As 2016 comes to a close, our staff is eagerly looking to 2017—and new submissions periods! In order to facilitate a timely response, we will open separately for each genre. Additionally, Milkweed Editions participates in three annual poetry prizes—two of which offer $10,000 purses: the Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry, the National Poetry Series, and (in collaboration with Copper Nickel) the Jake Adam York Prize. For complete guidelines and access to our Submittable page, hop over to our submissions page: milkweed.org/submissions.

We are excited to take a risk at Milkweed Books on stocking great literary writing and engaging new audiences in inventive ways. Here’s a look at all we have in store, and how you can get involved.

One Friday afternoon this past May, I received an email from Martha Collins. She asked me to consider a manuscript by a young poet named Max Ritvo. Jean Valentine had selected his work for a chapbook competition, Martha explained, and Lucie Brock-Broido had selected some of the poems in the manuscript for publication in the Boston Review. Martha added only that there was some urgency, as an illness had thrust this young man into what would become the final stage of his life.

A couple months ago, we announced plans to open Milkweed Books—a new nonprofit, independent bookstore with big ambitions. At Milkweed Books, we’ll be selling our books alongside others published by our fellow independent and nonprofit presses, who, like us, are working to bring groundbreaking literary art to the marketplace.