Third time has proven to be the charm for Ecotone, UNCW’s national literary magazine. Having been nominated in 2018 and 2020 for a Firecracker Award from the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses, this year it took top honors in the category of “Magazines, General Excellence.”
The awards are given annually to honor publications and publishers for their contributions to literary culture. The winners were announced on June 22 during a virtual ceremony.
“I want to give a big thanks to our contributors for doing the good work -making vital writing and art, and sharing it with us and our readers,” said Anna Lena Phillips Bell, who is in her 10th year as editor. “Thanks to everyone who has read or subscribed to the magazine – your support makes our work possible. And many thanks to the University of North Carolina Wilmington for its ongoing support.”
She also expresses appreciation to CLMP “for its crucial advocacy on behalf of small-press publishing.”
Founded in 2005, the semiannual literary magazine features writing and art that reimagines place. Produced by UNCW faculty and MFA students, it champions innovative and underrepresented work.
The judges reviewed Issue 32, which includes stories, poems and essays edited by MFA alumni and editors emerita Cass Lintz ’22, Kaylie Saidin ’22 and Emily Lowe ’22 and interior spreads by Publishing Laboratory teaching assistants. Their review is below:
“Ecotone is a wonderful journal, whose consistent excellence is all the more impressive for its continued thematic focus. As befits a magazine with a focus on place, the visuals and layout of the print journal are compelling and enhance the written work while standing on their own. There aren’t many publishers taking on the challenge of amplifying incredible environmental and political pieces, and the editors’ attention to diversity among the contributors is clear. Ecotone is carving out their own lane with ease!”
Winners receive $1,000 and a national publicity campaign from CLMP. Awards details are available at www.clmp.org/programs-opportunities/firecracker.
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