Texas Tech Press Books Rake in Awards

Several authors published by Texas Tech University Press recently have received national awards.

From murder to poetry to children’s books, the wide variety of works honored illustrates the scope of books published by Texas Tech University Press.

"Texas Tech University Press’s goal has always been to serve the university’s broadest constituency," says Judith Keeling, editor-in-chief. "That means making the stories of our region--Texas and the greater Southwest--available in as many formats as it takes to reach our audiences."

"Getting Away with Murder on the Texas Frontier," by Bill Neal, has been named the 2007 Book of the Year by the National Association for Outlaw and Lawman History.

"Harvey Girl," Sheila Wood Foard’s novel for young readers, won the 2007 Willa Award from Women Writing the West.

Melodie Cuate, whose "Journey to the Alamo" and "Journey to San Jacinto," bring history alive for middle-school readers, and their teachers, received the 2006-2007 Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

ForeWord Magazine, which honors books from independent publishers, selected three Texas Tech titles. "Quarry," by Susan Cummins Miller, was the gold medalist for mystery. "Twilight Innings: A West Texan on Grace and Survival," by Robert A. Fink, and "Our House on Hueco," a young-adult novel by Carlos Nicolas Flores, were each silver medalists.

"Quarry" is also a 2007 Willa finalist in contemporary fiction.

"Burning Wyclif" by Thom Satterlee was named a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award in Poetry and a 2007 ALA Notable Book.

"We have the continuing good fortune of working with some wonderful authors who are both passionate about their subjects and eloquent," Keeling says. "It’s rewarding just to work with them, but the recognition is truly affirming."

"Getting Away with Murder on the Texas Frontier" is a collection of stories from across Texas featuring sensational crimes and celebrated trials of years past. Neal, who practiced criminal law for 40 years in Texas, lives in Abilene.

"Journey to the Alamo" and "Journey to San Jacinto" are part of an ongoing series, Mr. Barrington’s Mysterious Trunk, which carries its characters back in time to major events in Texas history.

"Our House on Hueco" is the poignant yet often humorous story of a Hispanic family’s struggles for a better life 1950s El Paso and their son’s coming of age in two cultures.

"Quarry" is the third of the Frankie MacFarlane Mysteries, featuring a geologist who solves mysteries she encounters during her field research.

"Twilight Innings" explores the author’s memories of Vietnam; the satisfaction he finds in running; the beauty, order and grace of baseball and the necessity of laughter.

"Burning Wyclif" is a volume of poetry looking at the life, death and struggles of John Wyclif, a 14th-century English theologian and early proponent of reform in the Catholic Church.

CONTACT: Noel Parson, director, or Judith Keeling, editor, Texas Tech University Press, (806) 742-2982.