Texas Tech University Press Garners National Recognition

Several Texas Tech University Press books and authors have received national recognition, including back-to-back awards for the press’s series for young readers. “Journey to Gonzalez” by Melodie A. Cuatewon the 2009 Western Heritage Award for Best Juvenile Book.  This is the third book in Cuate’s Mr. Barrington’s Mysterious Trunk series which features modern day children who have travelled back in time through a magic trunk to find themselves part of Texas history. This is the second consecutive year Cuate has won the Western Heritage Award in this category, with “Journey to San Jacinto,” book two in the series, honored in 2008. Cuate’s latest book is “Journey to Goliad,” the fourth in the series. Cuate, who is from McAllen, also won the 2006−07 Linden Heck Howell Outstanding Teaching of Texas History Award. “From Guns to Gavels: How Justice Grew Up in the Outlaw West” by Abilene author Bill Neal has won the 2009 Rupert N. Richardson Award for the best book on West Texas History, presented by the West Texas Historical Association. Neal is the first back-to-back winner of the award, which he received last year for “Getting Away with Murder on the Texas Frontier: Notorious Killings and Celebrated Trials,” the first book in a planned trilogy on Western justice. The Richardson Award is given for the best nonfiction book on West Texas history published within the prior two years. Texas Tech University Press also received recognition for its book design in the 2009 Association of American University Presses (AAUP) Book, Jacket & Journal Show.   Texas Tech Press designer Lindsay Starr and design and production manager Barbara Werden were honored for two books. “Cowboy Park: Steer-Roping Contests on the Border’by John O. Baxter was one of only six book designs selected in the Trade Typographic category. “Xerophilia: Ecocritical Explorations in Southwestern Literature”by Tom Lynch was recognized in the Jackets and Covers category. The Texas Tech Press books will be part of the 2009 Book, Jacket, and Journal Show traveling exhibition to be released this summer. Texas Tech Press authors have also been named finalists in two major competitions. For the Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize, “The Death of Raymond Yellow Thunder and Other True Stories from the Nebraska-Pine Ridge Border Towns” by Stew Magnuson, and “Rights in the Balance: Free Press, Fair Trial, and Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart” by Mark R. Scherer are among six finalists. The winner will be announced May 6. In the ForeWord Book of the Year awards for 2008, “Aurora Crossing: A Novel of the Nez Perces” by Karl H. Schlesier, “Hoodoo” by Susan Cummins Miller, and “The Death of Raymond Yellow Thunder and Other True Stories from the Nebraska-Pine Ridge Border Towns” by Stew Magnuson are all finalists in their categories. Winners will be announced May 30. Texas Tech University Press publishes a variety of titles each year ranging from nonfiction titles in natural history and the natural sciences to works in costume and textile history and all aspects of the Great Plains and the American west — especially biography, history, memoir and travel. The press also publishes fiction, young adult and children’s titles, a mystery series and an annual poetry selection. For more information on any of the award-winning books or the many others published by the press or review copies of these books, contact Barbara Brannon, marketing manager, Texas Tech University Press, (806) 742-2982 or via e-mail at barbara.brannon@ttu.edu.