What was it like, being a finalist for the National Book Award?
KA: It was great. I was stunned. When Neil Baldwin, the Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, called me and said, “Your book has been selected,” I said, “What does that mean?” It was so inconceivable. I knew BOA had nominated me, as well as Lucille Clifton [who received the award for Blessing the Boats]. I was really grateful that they nominated me, because I knew it cost $100. And I thought that meant BOA must believe in this book. I was gratified that my publisher believed in my work and thought it was a good book. That was great. And then to actually become a finalist was amazing to me. LL: and it must have been wonderful to be in the company of the other [nominated] poets (Clifton, Galway Kinnell, Kenneth Koch, Bruce Smith). KA: Yes! And I was gratified again, because I thought, “Wow. My work spoke to these people. Something happened. They thought enough of it to do that.” That was just amazing to me. And also, I was surprised because of the subject matter of this boo
Related Questions
- was a finalist for the National Book Award. How did that honor (and others—you e one of The New Yorkers "20 Under 40" authors) affect your life as a writer, if at all?
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- Where Should We Announce the 2010 National Book Award Finalists?
