The Washington Center for the Book will honor Ursula K. Le Guin with the Maxine Cushing Gray Fellowship for Writers, for her distinguished body of work. The 2006 Washingt
The Maxine Cushing Gray Fellowship for Writers, or so the press release goes, was created in Gray's honor by a group of her friends who thought it would be a fitting tribute to her, to recognize and support writers. Gray (1909-1987) began as a music and dance critic for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, served as arts editor for The Argus for 20 years, and was publisher and editor of Northwest Arts from 1975 to her death. The recipient of the Maxine Cushing Gray Award must be a writer of poetry or prose, a playwright, journalist, or critic; a writer of serious intent and noteworthy talent; and a resident of the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho, Western Montana).
Ursula K. Le Guin has published more than 60 books of poetry and prose, a libretto, a screenplay, and many chapbooks. She is a renowned poet, short story writer, novelist, and critic. Her many awards include the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, Pushcart Prize, National Book Award, PEN/Malamud Award for Short Fiction, James Tiptree Jr. Award, Harold Vursell Award from the American Academy & Institute of Arts & Letters, and a Newbery Silver Medal. Her books have been finalists for the American Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.
Le Guin is particularly recognized for her groundbreaking speculative/science fiction novels, which include The Left Hand of Darkness, The Dispossessed, and The Lathe of Heaven. Through her work and her advocacy of other writers, Le Guin has helped the world awaken to the serious beauty of science fiction writing at its best and to its possibilities as world-changing art. Her work has also inspired and guided generations of women writers.
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Yay! I'm going to have to see about getting tickets, I would love to hear her read.
