Milkweed Editions

History

Milkweed Chronicle was co-founded in 1979 as a literature and art journal by Emilie Buchwald and R.W. Scholes in Minneapolis. ''Milkweed Chronicle'''s first issue was published in 1980. Buchwald served as editor and Scholes as art director. The journal ran for 21 issues until 1987. It featured local and national writers and artists.

In the mid-1980s, the publication ceased and the business transitioned to publishing. Milkweed Editions published its first book and ceased publication of the journal. Since this first publication, the press has published more than three hundred and fifty titles.

In 1999, 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.

In 2007, Daniel Slager was named Publisher & CEO of Milkweed Editions. Since his arrival, Slager has focused the press on the publication of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and has focused on publishing more work in translation. In 2016, the press opened a bookstore, Milkweed Books.

Milkweed Prizes

The Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry was established in 2011 by Milkweed Editions and the Lindquist & Vennum Foundation. Submissions for this regional prize are accepted only from poets residing in the states of the Upper Midwest. The winner receives a $10,000 cash prize and a publishing contract. Previous winners have included Patricia Kirkpatrick, Rebecca Dunham, Michael Bazzett, Jennifer Willoughby, and Chris Santiago.

In 2017, Milkweed Editions announced the Max Ritvo Poetry Prize, a US$10,000 award supported by the Alan B. Slifka Foundation. Grady Chambers was the Inaugural winner award of this prize, announced December 2017.

Awards and media recognition

Milkweed Editions was the 2021 winner of the AWP Small Press Publisher Award given by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs which "acknowledges the hard work, creativity, and innovation of these presses and journals, and honors their contributions to the literary landscape through their publication of consistently excellent work." The press has been further recognized by media attention in interviews and features, including Literary Hub and Publishers Weekly.

Notes

References

1. "Milkweed Editions to Open Indie Bookstore". PublishersWeekly.com.
2. "National Book Critics Circle: NBCC 2007 Sandrof Awardee Emilie Buchwald of Milkweed Editions - Critical Mass Blog".
3. "Milkweed Editions Raises $1.5 Million For Its 35th Anniversary". PublishersWeekly.com.
4. Chamberlain, Lisa. (2008-04-30). "With Books as a Catalyst, Minneapolis Neighborhood Revives". The New York Times.
5. Wood, Turner. (2001-11-01). "The Mighty Pen".
6. "The Maturing of Milkweed". PublishersWeekly.com.
7. (2016-08-29). "Why Do Bookstores Matter?". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.
8. "Milkweed Editions to open new chapter, bookshop in Open Book building". Star Tribune.
9. "Why Indie Presses Are Opening Bookstores {{!}} Literary Hub".
10. "Milkweed Announces $10,000 Regional Poetry Prize". PublishersWeekly.com.
11. Hertzel, Laurie. (2013-04-11). "Lindquist & Vennum Prize For Poetry". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
12. "THE BOOKMARK: The latest from the local scene". Star Tribune.
13. "Kirkpatrick wins Milkweed Edition's poetry prize". Star Tribune.
14. "Second Milkweed poetry prize announced". Star Tribune.
15. "Minneapolis poet wins Lindquist & Vennum Prize". Star Tribune.
16. "Review: 'Beautiful Zero,' by Jennifer Willoughby, winner of the Lindquist & Vennum Prize from Milkweed". Star Tribune.
17. "St. Paul poet Chris Santiago wins the 2016 Lindquist & Vennum Prize". Star Tribune.
18. (2017-06-06). "Max Ritvo Poetry Prize". Milkweed Editions.
19. (2017-12-15). "Grady Chambers Wins Inaugural Max Ritvo Poetry Prize". Milkweed Editions Staff.
20. "AWP: Small Press Publisher Award".
21. "AWP: Small Press Publisher Award Winners".
22. (February 19, 2021). "Interview with an Indie Press: Milkweed Editions".
23. Kirch, Claire. "Milkweed Editions Raises $1.5 Million For Its 35th Anniversary".
24. Loeppky, John. "Milkweed Editions Announces Disability-Focused Literary Series".