{{Short description|American nonprofit literary publisher}} {{Infobox publisher

| image = | parent = | status = | founded = 1980 | founder = Emilie Buchwald and R.W. Scholes | successor = Daniel Slager | country = [[United States]] | headquarters = [[Minneapolis]] | distribution = [[Publishers Group West]] | keypeople = | publications = [[Book]]s | topics = | genre = fiction, nonfiction, poetry | imprints = | revenue = | numemployees = | nasdaq = | url = {{URL|http://www.milkweed.org}} }}'''Milkweed Editions''' is an independent nonprofit literary publisher that originated from the '''''Milkweed Chronicle''''' literary and arts journal established in [[Minneapolis]] in 1979. The journal ceased and the business transitioned to publishing. It releases eighteen to twenty new books each year in the genres of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Milkweed Editions annually awards three prizes for poetry: the Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry,<ref name=":0" /> the Jake Adam York Prize (in collaboration with ''Copper Nickel''), and they are a partner publisher for the National Poetry Series. In 2016, Milkweed Editions opened an [[independent bookstore]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/70313-milkweed-editions-to-open-indie-bookstore.html|title=Milkweed Editions to Open Indie Bookstore|newspaper=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/NBCC_2007_Sandrof_Awardee_Emilie_Buchwald_of_Milkweed_Editions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100929050859/http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/NBCC_2007_Sandrof_Awardee_Emilie_Buchwald_of_Milkweed_Editions/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2010|title=National Book Critics Circle: NBCC 2007 Sandrof Awardee Emilie Buchwald of Milkweed Editions - Critical Mass Blog|website=bookcritics.org|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> Since this first publication, the press has published more than three hundred and fifty titles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/68479-milkweed-editions-raises-1-5-million-for-its-35th-anniversary.html|title=Milkweed Editions Raises $1.5 Million For Its 35th Anniversary|newspaper=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/realestate/commercial/30books.html|title=With Books as a Catalyst, Minneapolis Neighborhood Revives|last=Chamberlain|first=Lisa|date=2008-04-30|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> They named the warehouse, the [[Open Book Minneapolis|Open Book]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goodthings.com/02_02_milkweed.asp |title=The Mighty Pen |first=Turner |last=Wood |date=2001-11-01 |accessdate=2015-09-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130124105629/http://www.goodthings.com/02_02_milkweed.asp |archivedate=2013-01-24 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/51596-the-maturing-of-milkweed.html|title=The Maturing of Milkweed|newspaper=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref> In 2016, the press opened a bookstore, Milkweed Books.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/why-do-bookstores-matter/|title=Why Do Bookstores Matter?|date=2016-08-29|newspaper=Mpls.St.Paul Magazine|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/new-independent-bookshop-coming-to-open-book-center/379267171/|title=Milkweed Editions to open new chapter, bookshop in Open Book building|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lithub.com/why-indie-presses-are-opening-bookstores/|title=Why Indie Presses Are Opening Bookstores {{!}} Literary Hub|website=lithub.com|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref>

==Milkweed Prizes==

The '''Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry''' was established in 2011 by Milkweed Editions and the [[Lindquist & Vennum]] Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/49484-milkweed-announces-10-000-regional-poetry-prize.html|title=Milkweed Announces $10,000 Regional Poetry Prize|newspaper=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2016-10-13}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/second-milkweed-poetry-prize-announced/202545491 |title=Lindquist & Vennum Prize For Poetry |work=Minneapolis Star Tribune |first=Laurie |last=Hertzel |date=2013-04-11 |accessdate=2015-09-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/the-bookmark-the-latest-from-the-local-scene/134119253/|title=THE BOOKMARK: The latest from the local scene|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=2016-10-13}}</ref> Previous winners have included Patricia Kirkpatrick,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/kirkpatrick-wins-milkweed-edition-s-poetry-prize/147193105/|title=Kirkpatrick wins Milkweed Edition's poetry prize|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=2016-10-13}}</ref> Rebecca Dunham,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/second-milkweed-poetry-prize-announced/202545491/|title=Second Milkweed poetry prize announced|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=2016-10-13}}</ref> Michael Bazzett,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-poet-wins-lindquist-vennum-prize/257171221/|title=Minneapolis poet wins Lindquist & Vennum Prize|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=2016-10-13}}</ref> Jennifer Willoughby,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/review-beautiful-zero-by-jennifer-willoughby-winner-of-the-lindquist-vennum-prize-from-milkweed/370987231/|title=Review: 'Beautiful Zero,' by Jennifer Willoughby, winner of the Lindquist & Vennum Prize from Milkweed|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=2016-10-13}}</ref> and Chris Santiago.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/st-paul-poet-chris-santiago-wins-the-2016-lindquist-vennum-prize/377595581/|title=St. Paul poet Chris Santiago wins the 2016 Lindquist & Vennum Prize|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=2016-10-13}}</ref>

In 2017, Milkweed Editions announced the [[Max Ritvo]] Poetry Prize, a US$10,000 award supported by the [[Alan B. Slifka Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://milkweed.org/max-ritvo-poetry-prize|title=Max Ritvo Poetry Prize|date=2017-06-06|work=Milkweed Editions|access-date=2017-06-17|language=en}}</ref> Grady Chambers was the Inaugural winner award of this prize, announced December 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://milkweed.org/blog/grady-chambers-wins-inaugural-max-ritvo-poetry-prize|title=Grady Chambers Wins Inaugural Max Ritvo Poetry Prize|date=2017-12-15|work=Milkweed Editions Staff|access-date=2017-12-15|language=en}}</ref>

==Awards and media recognition== Milkweed Editions was the 2021 winner of the [[List of winners of the AWP Small Press Publisher Award|AWP Small Press Publisher Award]] given by the [[Association of Writers & Writing Programs#Small Press Publisher Award|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."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.awpwriter.org/|title=AWP: Small Press Publisher Award|website=www.awpwriter.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.awpwriter.org/|title=AWP: Small Press Publisher Award Winners|website=www.awpwriter.org}}</ref> The press has been further recognized by media attention in interviews and features, including [[Literary Hub]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lithub.com/interview-with-an-indie-press-milkweed-editions/|title=Interview with an Indie Press: Milkweed Editions|date=February 19, 2021}}</ref> and ''[[Publishers Weekly]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/68479-milkweed-editions-raises-1-5-million-for-its-35th-anniversary.html|title=Milkweed Editions Raises $1.5 Million For Its 35th Anniversary|first=Claire|last=Kirch|website=PublishersWeekly.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/87205-milkweed-editions-announces-disability-focused-literary-series.html|title=Milkweed Editions Announces Disability-Focused Literary Series|first=John|last=Loeppky|website=PublishersWeekly.com}}</ref>

==Notes== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.milkweed.org/ Milkweed Editions Homepage] * [http://www.independentpublisher.com/article.php?page=2125&urltitle=Milkweed%20Editions Independent Publisher Interview-Daniel Slager] * {{cite book|last=Editors of Writer's Digest|title=Writer's Digest University: Everything You Need to Write and Sell Your Work|publisher=F&W Media|isbn=9781599632568|pages=[https://archive.org/details/writersdigestuni0000unse/page/435 435, 458, 468, 479]|url=https://archive.org/details/writersdigestuni0000unse/page/435}} * {{cite book|last=Anderson|first=Byron|title=Alternative Publishers of Books in North America|date=October 2006|isbn=978-0-9778617-2-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/alternativepubli0006unse/page/95 95]|edition=6th|url=https://archive.org/details/alternativepubli0006unse/page/95}} * [http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/10/08_combsm_smallpresses/ Minnesota: land of long-lasting small presses] by Marianne Combs, Minnesota Public Radio October 8, 2004

[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Minnesota]] [[Category:Publishing companies established in 1979]] [[Category:Book publishing companies based in Minnesota]] [[Category:Literary publishing companies]] [[Category:Poetry publishers]] [[Category:Non-profit publishers]]