Blog Posts by Milkweed Staff

During our Kickstarter campaign, one of the promises we made was to support emerging writers—those with just a debut or second book to their name. Emerging writers often struggle to reach readers in the marketplace because it favors guaranteed sales from proven authors, so we pledged to read, stock, and celebrate their books in part by devoting an entire section of Milkweed Books to their work. Our front display (the first thing you see when you walk in the door!) is dedicated to these important books, but that’s not the only place you can find them. Shelf talkers noting “Debut Author!” punctuate…

Milkweed Editions, in partnership with Riva Ariella Ritvo-Slifka and the Alan B. Slifka Foundation, is pleased to announce the inaugural Max Ritvo Poetry Prize. The winning poet will receive publication by Milkweed Editions in April 2018 and $10,000, making the Max Ritvo Poetry Prize the most lucrative first-book prize.

Feeling a lack of meaningful connection to their cultural roots—Lurie as the son of a reticent Holocaust survivor, José attempting to access a communal histroy obliterated by centuries of oppression—Canoeing with José is the story of two men who embark on a two-thousand mile paddle from Breckenridge, Minnesota to the Hudson Bay. Faced with mosquitoes, extreme weather, suspicious law enforcement officers, tricky border crossings, and José’s preference for Kanye West over the great outdoors„ the trip becomes an oddysey of self-discovery and companionship.

Their friend, Markus Hoeckner, produced a short documentary about their friendship.

“I can see, looking back…

Today marks the official U.S. publication of Tim Winton’s acclaimed memoir, Island Home. The author of twenty-eight books for adults and children, Winton is known worldwide as one of Australia’s most acclaimed novelists. Island Home offers readers a more intimate view of Winton’s relationship to his home—to the sea, scrub, and swamp as vital to him as the blood relations of family.

St. Paul resident Caitlin Bailey is the winner of the 2017 Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry. Her manuscript, Solve for Desire, was chosen from more than two hundred collections of poets across the Upper Midwest by this year’s independent judge, Srikanth Reddy. Bailey will receive $10,000 as well as publication by Milkweed Editions. She is the sixth recipient of this annual prize.

We are pleased to announce the finalists of the 2017 Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry! Presented in partnership by Milkweed Editions and the Lindquist & Vennum Foundation, the Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry seeks to support outstanding poets residing in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota and bring their work to a national stage. This year, we received more than 200 submissions.

We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Letters from Max, a book including the correspondence between Max Ritvo and Sarah Ruhl. Letters from Max tells the story of the relationship between a young poet diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma and a celebrated playwright who began as his teacher and became, over the course of an extended correspondence, his friend, and finally, his student.

Milkweed Editions is deeply saddened to report that Richard Wagamese passed away in his home on Friday, March 10, 2017. He was 61. Wagamese was the author of more than 15 books ranging across fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, including the novels Medicine Walk, Dream Wheels, and Indian Horse. Much of his work drew from his own struggle with family dysfunction that he attributed to the isolating government- and church-run schools, attended by his parents and extended family members. Wagamese called himself a second-generation survivor of these experiences.

We’re proud to be part of the independent publishing community, promoting titles that breed independent minds, break the mold, and dare to be different. In support of our fellow independents, we’ve teamed up with a few presses to draw attention to big books from smaller publishers across the country. This month, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day. What books are you reading to celebrate? Join the conversation and use the hashtags #ireadindie and #InternationalWomensDay.

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Milkweed Editions at Open Book!

Join us for an evening honoring poets, their vital place in our culture, and their unique capacity to imagine, enliven, connect, and delight.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

At 5:30 p.m., join poets and poetry fans for a party in the Milkweed Editions office suite featuring poetry-themed drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Ticketed reception: $25 General Admission | $10 Student Ticket | FREE for Poets.

At 7:00 p.m., the party continues with a reading in the Target Performance Hall featuring the finalists for this year’s $10,000 Lindquist & Vennum…