2018 Washington Book Awards

WOW! THERE WE WERE! THRILLING!!!

It was incredible to have our book, Mary’s Dust by Melinda Mueller with music by Lori Goldston selected as one of this year’s Poetry finalists.

There is no doubt I am competitive and it is true I want all of our books to win all the awards. But working with so many generous and kind authors and artists has mellowed my grim dark heart—  as well as understanding how difficult of every step of book publishing and getting books noticed and read is. So only three years into this, I would like to say, “WOO! WOO!”

Now, we did not win. A heartfelt congratulations to Lena Khalaf Tuffaha and the awards did what it should do which is highlight a Washington State poet get you to add their book to your reading list. I am certainly adding, “Water & Salt” to mine!

And a congratulations to all the winners and finalists! You can see the whole list and learn more about the Washington Center for the Book at the Seattle Public Library here.