Kenyon Review Honored for Excellence
The award is based on editorial achievement by an Ohio-based magazine or journal that relates to literature, the arts, the humanities, or other cultural endeavors. Established in 1979, the award was also won by the Kenyon Review in 1980.
"I think it's a recognition of the value of the Kenyon Review to the reputation of the College and to the cultural life of our community," said Lynn, a professor of English. "I'm very pleased.
"Too often the Kenyon Review and Kenyon tend to be overlooked by some Ohioans because our aspirations are so large," he said. "We're obviously known as an international journal, but this (award) means a lot to me because in recent years we've made inroads in the regional community."
Timing of the award fits well with the Kenyon Review Literary Festival scheduled for November 9-10 in Gambier, Lynn said. The festival follows the November 8 event in New York City that marks the sixth annual Kenyon Review Award for Literary Achievement, which this year has been earned by Margaret Atwood. Atwood will travel to Gambier to participate in the literary festival built around seminars and readings.
Lynn became editor of the Kenyon Review in 1994 and his work in establishing the literary-achievement award, the Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers, publication of the Best of the Kenyon Review, growth of funding sources for the journal, and the strength of writing workshops for adults and young adults was mentioned by the Ohioana association.
The nonprofit association maintains the Ohioana Library Collection of about 45,000 books and 10,000 pieces of sheet music in a building shared with the State Library of Ohio in Columbus. Items in the collection are written by Ohioans or about Ohio or Ohioans. The association also publishes Ohioana Quarterly.
Winners of the award for editorial excellence and awards for children's literature, decorative arts, fiction, music, nonfiction, and poetry among others will be honored on October 27 in Columbus.