2009 PEN Southwest Book Awards

PEN Texas presented the 2009 PEN Southwest Book Awards to honor excellence in writing by PEN members on November 12, 2009, at the Awards Banquet in Dallas.

	FICTION David Stuart, The Angel of Vilcabamba   judge’s comments
	POETRY Arthur Sze, The Gingko Light   judge’s comments
	NON-FICTION Stephanie Elizondo-Griest, Mexican Enough   judge’s comments
	TRANSLATION Sean Cotter, Lightwall, by Liliana Ursu   judge’s comments

2009 Finalists

Fiction:

Nash Candelaria, A Daughter’s a Daughter (Bilingual Press / Editorial Bilingue)

David Stuart, Flight of Souls (University of New Mexico Press)

Poetry:

James Hoggard, Triangles of Light (Wings Press)

Nancy Wood, We Became As Mountains (Western Edge Press)

Non-Fiction:

Rudolfo Anaya, The Essays (University of Oklahoma Press)

David Stuart, The Ancient Southwest (University of New Mexico Press)

Translation:

James Hoggard, Ashes in Love by Oscar Hahn (Host Publications)

PEN Texas has decided the short list of finalists for each category of the 2009 Southwest Book Awards. The winner of each category will receive a $500 prize. The winners will be announced at the PEN Texas awards banquet, 7:00 PM, November 12, at the Dallas restaurant Celebration (please visit www.celebrationrestaurant.com for location information).

Fiction:

Nash Candelaria, A Daughter’s a Daughter (Bilingual Press / Editorial Bilingue)

David Stuart, Flight of Souls (University of New Mexico Press)

David Stuart, Angel of Vilcabamba (University of New Mexico Press)

Poetry:

James Hoggard, Triangles of Light (Wings Press)

Arthur Sze, The Ginko Light (Copper Canyon Press)

Nancy Wood, We Became As Mountains (Western Edge Press)

Non-Fiction:

Rudolfo Anaya, The Essays (University of Oklahoma Press)

Stephanie Elizondo Griest, Mexican Enough (Simon & Schuster)

David Stuart, The Ancient Southwest (University of New Mexico Press)

Translation:

Sean Cotter, Lightwall by Liliana Ursu (Zephyr Press)

James Hoggard, Ashes in Love by Oscar Hahn (Host Publications)

PEN Texas invites all members of PEN in the Southwestern states to participate in the 2009 contest for excellence in writing in the categories of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and literary translation. The winner in each category will receive a $500 prize, co-sponsored by PEN USA and PEN Texas.

The contest is open to full (regular) members of PEN USA and PEN America living in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. It is also open to Associate Members of PEN Texas. Entries must be books published between May 15, 2007 and August 1, 2009. Self-published books are eligible. Translations must be into English.

Entries must be received no later than October 1, 2009.

Please submit three copies of each title, with the combined entry form / receipt of payment obtained by using the Paypal button:

Entry form and fee

Please be sure to fill in the title, author, and genre, clicking the light blue “plus” sign underneath the words “Entry Fee.”

Mail to Dr. Sean Cotter, School of Arts and Humanities MS JO 31, The University of Texas at Dallas, P.O. Box 830688, Richardson, TX 75083. The books will be retained by PEN Texas. For acknowledgement of work received please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard. Do not send fourth class book rate unless ample time for delivery is assured. Identify submissions on the package as “PEN SOUTHWEST BOOK AWARDS.”

“gracious, hard-edged, generous, and moving”
–Tomas Salamun

“beautifully clear and precise”
–Mark Strand

“a true joy for readers”
–Nina Cassian

LILIANA URSU, acclaimed Romanian poet, journalist under Communism, interpreter of American culture, will visit Dallas for two PEN Texas events:

APRIL 4: PEN Texas Salon
1:00, at the home of Joan Howell, 3131 Maple Ave., Terrace House 7c, Dallas, 75201

Correction, please note: the apartment is 7c

Join us for an intimate, relaxed, and practical discussion of poetry translation, with Ursu and her translator, UT-Dallas professor Sean Cotter. Open to PEN Texas members and associates. To become a member or associate, visit our membership page.

APRIL 7: Public reading
7:30, at Legacy Books, 7300 Dallas Parkway, Plano, 75024

Come hear Ursu and Cotter read from her new book, Lightwall.
Free and open to all.

Naomi Shihab Nye

PEN Texas hosted a poetry reading, in honor of Judge Barefoot Sanders

Naomi Shihab Nye read from her work, Tuesday, November 11, at 7:30

Southern Methodist University Faculty Club
3034 Daniel Ave., Dallas TX 75275

Admission was free

This event was presented with support from PEN Center USA, The University of Texas at Dallas School of Arts and Humanities, and Marshall Terry