NEW MEXICO-ARIZONA BOOK AWARDS 10TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK NEW MEXICO BOOK CO-OP 925 SALAMANCA NW • LOS RANCHOS, NM 87107 Front Cover: Covers of books that have won the Best of Show Award, New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards, 2010-2016 The New Mexico & Arizona Book Awards The First 10 Years In the past ten years, the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards has given out 1,968 awards, recognizing 1,210 titles/authors. Quite an accomplisment for an entirely volunteer collaborative organization. In ad- dition, the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards has donated almost 10,000 books to libraries and literacy programs. Introduction It was one of those things that had to be done industry in New Mexico to the forefront and to because everyone around us had a book awards acknowledge the largest book publisher in New programs. We do celebrate books in New Mexico. Mexico. Pat Hodapp won for her support of the The Enchanted Book Awards by the New Mexico Santa Fe Libraries, other libraries in New Mexi- Library Association honors books from anywhere. co, and New Mexico books. She also is a staunch The New Mexico Press Women’s Association has advocate of reading. The awards have been called: books (a few categories) in their Communications Friends of New Mexican Books, Friends of New Contest. But there was no book awards in all cat- Mexican Authors, and the New Mexican Literary egories for New Mexico Books. The New Mexico Award. Radio shows, websites, and book reviewers Book Association Design Awards came about years have also been honored. later. In 2012, the Arizona book publishers group So ten years ago, the New Mexico Book Awards unexpectedly went belly up. With just a few weeks was begun. The criteria to enter is the books must notice, the New Mexico Book Awards brought in have been written by a New Mexico author, pub- Arizona, to celebrate the Arizona and New Mexico lished by a New Mexico publishing company, or Centennials. Arizonians took to it so complete- significantly about New Mexico. Five years later ly that it has remained in the Awards with some Arizona was added to the mix. As part of the pro- ONLY Arizona categories. Books are judged on gram, awards are given to people, organizations, their own merit with almost 100 judges all over the and bookstores that have gone above and beyond. country. Ebooks were added in 2015. Iconic New Mexico authors are honored like Tony A group of authors, publishers, and bookstore Hillerman, Anne Hillerman, Denise Chavez, Ru- experts devised the judging sheet and categories. dolfo Anaya, David Morrell, Nasario Garcia, Max A group of advisers vote on each year’s special Evans, and Don Bullis, among others. awards. Each book is judged by at least three judges Bookstores that pride themselves on having and as many as nine. There are even children judg- local authors talk and sign are honored like Book- es for the kid’s books. The scores are entered into works, Treasure House, and Derek Buschman of a computer and the results are printed out. Covers the defunct Borders chain. SouthWest Writers are judged by a group of judges at a restaurant in won for their help for beginners. UNM Press’ July-August. No judge ever judges their own book. John Byram won for bringing the book publishing Individuals or publishers may enter the Awards 1 Program. The Finalists are announced in Septem- the trophies to the winners of each category. Gloria ber at the New Mexico Book Co-op lunch then put Bullis, Sabra Brown Steinsiek, Jill Lane, and recent- online. All Winners except Friends of New Mexico ly Loretta Hall are the “Vannas.” Paul Rhetts has Authors and Books and Literary awards are a secret acted as the MC every year; Gary Herron and the and announced at the banquet in November. late Terrie Q. Sayer pitched in at two of the awards First time authors, self-published authors, banquets. books from big book publishers in New York City, Businesses, authors, publishers, organizations, books from small publishers, and local book pub- and libraries sponsor a category to donate money lishers have all gotten awards. All books are treated to make the Awards work. Without them it would equally. Single authors and groups working on a be expensive to send books to judges. book have been honored. It doesn’t matter who the Another accident is the auction that has grown author is. The only consideration is if the book is and the money raised defrays the costs of tro- good or great. Winners receive a tasteful trophy phies and postage. All entered books are donated and have the opportunity to buy stickers as do to libraries in Arizona and New Mexico, literacy Finalists. One dog has won three awards – Travelin’ programs, the Historical Society of New Mexi- Jack. co, Native American libraries, and schools. One Winners are celebrated and announced at the year, books were donated to a Louisiana library November banquet. The banquet has been held with hurricane damage. NO BOOK IS THROWN at MCM Elegante Hotel, Hotel Albuquerque, and AWAY. now Tanoan Country Club. The “Vannas” were a The New Mexico & Arizona Book Awards cele- pleasant accident that has remained. They pass out brate the best in books for the region. It is our way of saying don’t ignore local books. 2 Special Awards: 2007=2016 For the past ten years, the New Mexico Book Awards Program honored special New Mexico authors/publishers for their special contributions to New Mexico’s book community. Here are these honorees: 2016 2011 James McGrath Morris, Author Max Evans, Author New Mexico Literary Award Friends of New Mexico Books Karen Villanueva, Book Promotion Sabra Brown Steinsiek, Reading New Mexico Friends of New Mexico Books Friends of New Mexico Books 2015 Anne Hillerman & Jean Schaumberg, WordHarvest Danielle Foster & Wyatt Wegrzyn, Bookworks Friends of New Mexico Books Friends of New Mexico Books David Steinberg, Book Reviewer Pat Hodapp, Director Friends of New Mexico Books Santa Fe Public Library System New Mexico Literary Award 2010 Nasario Garcia, Author 2014 Friends of New Mexico Books Margaret Aragón/Reading Albuquerque, KKOB Friends of New Mexico Books Demetria Martinez, Author Friends of New Mexico Books Jim & John Hoffsis, Treasure House Books Friends of New Mexico Authors Derek Buschman, Manager, BordersBookstore Friends of New Mexico Books John Byram, Director of Univ of New Mexico Press New Mexico Literary Award 2009 Michael McGarrity, Author 2013 Friends of New Mexico Books Don Bullis, Author New Mexico Literary Award Joe Sando, Author Friends of New Mexico Books 2012 SouthWest Writers Howard Bryan, Author Friends of New Mexico Authors Friends of New Mexico Books John Stafford, Museum of New Mexico Foundation Joe Wesbrook, University of New Mexico Press Friends of New Mexico Books Friends of New Mexico Books 3 2008 2007 Denise Chavez, Author Tony Hillerman, Author Friends of New Mexico Books Friends of New Mexico Books David Morrell, Author Rudolfo Anaya, Author Friends of New Mexico Books Friends of New Mexico Books Ruth Francis, Book Consultant Friends of New Mexico Books 4 10th Anniversary Sponsors The following individuals and organizations generously donated monies to help produce this anniversary book: Platinum Level Gold Level Artemesia Publishing Nancy Bartlit Tom Corbett & Lee Marmon Joanne Bodin Nasario & Jan Garcia Sue Boggio Pat Hodapp Corrine Brown Rio Grande Books Nick Buffington, In Memory of David & Aimee Thurlo Evelia Cobos Maxine Davenport Five Star Publications Diamond Level Loretta Hall Karen Balch Teresa Horner Sherry Fletcher Norma Libman Judith McLaughlin & Daniel Godfrey Jane Lipman New Mexico Book Association David Lovato Diane Thomas Gerald McFarland University of New Mexico Press Phyllis Morgan Judy Nickell Mare Pearl Slim Randles Sally Severino Rose Spader Maida Tilchen Pat Wood Special Appreciation Special thanks go out to Ruth Francis and Loretta Hall for help in proofing this book and to John Byram for guidance in the creation of this book. 5 Category Sponsors The following individuals and organizations have sponsored categories in the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards over the past ten years: 3: A Taos Press Dexter Cirillo Los Alamos Historical Society A Twist of Karma Entertainment Diane Layden LPD Press & Rio Grande Books Aakenbaaken & Kent Publishers Dr. & Mrs. John Zeigler Maida Tilchen Alamosa Books Elizabeth Ann Galligan Marcia Rosen Albuquerque The Magazine Enchantment Lane Publications Mare Pearl Andrés Armijo Evelia Cobos Mark Fleisher Anima Cabin Rental Five Star Publications Marlene Hawkes Ann Dallman Florence Weinberg Mary Beal Bercham April Radbill Friends of the Albuquerque/Ber- Mary Girsch-Bock Arcadia Publishing nalillo Co Public Library Mary Kay Stein Archdiocese of Santa Fe Friends of the Library of Rio Mary Neighbour, MediaNeigh- Arizona Press Women Rancho bours Arizona Professional Writers G.M. Malliet Mary O’Gara Artemesia Publishing Gaon Books Mayor Tom Swisstack Author Connect Gibbs Smith Miche Bags New Mexico AZRO Press Green Knees Mining Sacred Ground Bathtub Row Press Historical Society of New Mexico Moonlight Mesa Associates Beatlick Press Hope Kiah-Santa Fe Web Design Mr & Mrs Randy Lumpp Blessingway Author Services Humanist Society of New Mex- Museum of New Mexico Foun- Bookworks ico dation C.C. Harrison Institute for Analytic Journalism Museum of New Mexico Shops Candace Jordan Russell Isabel Bucher Nancy Marshall Carla Ward Jane Lipman New Mexico Book Association Carol Vaughn Jean & Ross Van Dusen New Mexico Book Co-op Casa de Snapdragon Publishing Jenna Hiott New Mexico Breeze Newspaper Center for Southwest Research