Minted Prose publisher Linda Purpura attended the 66th Annual National Book Awards Ceremony presented by the National Book Foundation on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, at Cipriani, Wall Street, New York City. Master of Ceremony Andy Borowitz kicked off the gala affair, introducing Carmen Farina, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, who presented the 2015 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community to author James Patterson. Patterson urged the audience to “innovate more, much more” and along the way provided a short synopsis of his long road to publishing. He said his first novel was turned down by 31 publishers (it went on to win the Edgar in 1977).

Author Jennifer Eagan warmly introduced Don DeLillo, winner of the 2015 Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, calling the scale of his inquiry “global and epic.” On to the main event, announcing the winners, and one of the judges captured the feeling everyone must have had that night: “There were just too many books to love.” Read about the winners here. We look forward to the 67th National Book Awards in 2015 where we hope to meet and hear many fascinating authors and book professionals once more.

 

(Left to right) Minted Prose Publisher Linda Purpura
with writer and National Book Awards Host Andy Borowitz