Distinguished Achievement Award
Each Year MWPA presents an outstanding individual with an award for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts. MWPA intentionally shies away from calling this a “lifetime achievement award” because we choose to recognize individuals who have done a lifetime of work but still have much more to give to Maine’s literary community.
2023
Molly McGrath, for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts as Publications Director at the Telling Room, helping to publish more than 200 books and chapbooks and 4,500 young writers from all over Maine. Presented by Gibson Fay-LeBlanc.
2022
Daniel Minter, for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts as an award-winning artist and illustrator, and co-founder of the Indigo Arts Alliance. Presented by Samara Cole Doyon.
2021
Carolyn Chute for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts as a fiction writer. Presented by Ron Currie, Jr.
2020
Betsy Sholl for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts as a poet and teacher. Presented by Gibson Fay-LeBlanc.
2019
Barbara McDade for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts.
Presented by Linda Lord.
2018
Monica Wood for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts.
Presented by Richard Russo.
2017
Ashley Bryan for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts.
Presented by Daniel Minter.
2016
MWPA cofounders Agnes Bushell and Lee Sharkey for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts. Presented by Joshua Bodwell.
2015
Presented to Longfellow Books co-founder Stuart Gersen (1951-2015) for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts. The award was accepted by his children, Ari and Julia Gersen.
2014
Presented to journalist and writer Bob Keyes for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts. The award was presented by Aimsel Ponti.
2013
Presented to bookseller Barbara Kelly for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts. The award was presented by author Monica Wood.
2012
Presented to Jennifer Bunting, publisher of Tillbury House, for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts. The award was presented by University of Southern Maine professor and author Reza Jalali.
2011
Presented to poet Robert Chute for exceptional and steadfast contributions to the Maine literary arts. The award was presented by fellow poet Wesley McNair.