The Association of American University Presses (AAUP) selected a book published by the University of New Mexico Press for the 2016 AAUP Book, Jacket, & Journal Design Show. UNM Press Book Designer Lila Sanchez was honored in the category of Jackets & Covers for Finding Abbey: The Search for Edward Abbey and His Hidden Desert Grave by Sean Prentiss.
Also honored for their work were Managing Editor & Production Manager Maya Allen-Gallegos and Art Director & Senior Book Designer Lisa Tremaine.
The show debuts at the AAUP Annual Meeting, June 16–18, in Philadelphia. The books will then travel to participating presses from September 2016 through May 2017.
According to the AAUP, 348 jacket and cover designs, 258 books, and three journals were entered in this year’s competition, totaling 609 distinct submissions. Forty jackets and covers and thirty-seven books were chosen by jurors for their exceptional design.
“This award comes from a highly-esteemed, seventy-nine-year-old association with a competitive design show that has been active for fifty-one years,” Sanchez said. “It’s an honor for my work to be in the company of stunningly talented designers. Each book is a tangible representation of years of collaboration and hard work. So much effort goes into acquiring, writing, developing, and editing the manuscript prior to design. Afterward, more effort goes into marketing, selling, and distribution. This award ultimately reflects on everyone involved in publishing at UNM Press.”
Sanchez was also honored in the category of Jackets & Covers in the 2015 AAUP Book, Jacket, & Journal Design Show for Mono Lake: From Dead Sea to Environmental Treasure by Abraham Hoffman. The 2015 show is currently traveling to participating presses through June 2016. The 2015 exhibit will be on display at the University of New Mexico March 28–April 8, in the Zimmerman Library Waters Room.