UW-Stevens Point’s Cornerstone Press celebrates a year full of nationally recognized titles

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Cornerstone Press, one of five publishing houses in the United States staffed by undergraduate students, celebrated a standout year with dozens of titles being published and receiving national literary recognition.
 
During the 2025-2026 academic year, the publishing house saw 22 titles receive awards and recognition from 20 different contests and organizations both regionally and nationally, for a total of 45 citations (winners, finalists, shortlists, longlists and notable selections). This more than doubles what the press achieved the previous year.
 
“Our books are making an impact in the wider literary landscape,” said Cornerstone Press Director and Publisher Ross Tangedal. “This is a testament to the excellent writers on our list, as well as the dedicated staff and students who work for the press to bring out quality books that matter and make a difference. We are thrilled to receive industry recognition for our efforts.”
 
The Cornerstone Press is a university trade press, publishing collections of short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, as well as recipients of prizes for first novel and first poetry collection. The only press of its kind in the University of Wisconsin system, Cornerstone Press is one of five undergraduate, student-staffed presses in the United States.
 
Awarded titles include:
 

• “The Continental Divide” – Named one of Literary Hub’s 100 Notable Small Press Books 2025, PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize Longlist, American Fiction Award Winner, Indiana Author Award Shortlist, Society of Midland Authors Award Finalist, Storytrade Book Awards Finalist, National Indie Excellence Award Finalist
• “Close to a Flame” – Named one of Literary Hub’s 100 Notable Small Press Books 2025, Midwest Book Awards Runner-up, American Fiction Awards Finalist, Society of Midland Authors Awards Finalist
• “The Plan of Chicago” – Foreword INDIES Book Awards Finalist, William Saroyan International Prize Finalist, American Fiction Awards Finalist, Storytrade Book Awards Finalist, National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist
• “American Animism” – Named one of Literary Hub’s 100 Notable Small Press Books 2025, Eric Hoffer Book Awards Winner, Storytrade Book Awards Finalist, National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist
• “The Hopefuls” – National Indie Excellence Awards Winner, Independent Publisher Book Awards Runner-up
• “Signs of the Imminent Apocalypse” – Chicago Writers Association Book Awards Winner
• “An Ignorance of Trees” – Michigan Notable Books Winner, Michigan Author Award Winner
• “Dining on Salt” – North American Poetry Book of the Year Winner
• “No Trouble Staying Awake” – Foreword INDIES Book Awards Finalist
• “These Are My People” – Wisconsin Writers Awards Finalist
• “Never Stop Exiting” – Wisconsin Writers Awards Finalist, American BookFest Awards Finalist
• “In the Room at the Top of the World” – Wisconsin Writers Awards Finalist
• “ Trust Issues” – International Impact Awards Winner, Eric Hoffer Awards Finalist
• “We Should Be Somewhere By Now” – Association for Mormon Letters Awards Finalist
• “ Keeping What’s Best Left Kept Secret” – Chicago Writers Association Book Awards
• “The Caged Man” – National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist
• “tic tic tic” – Nautilus Book Awards Silver Medal
• “Even the Sky” – Eric Hoffer Awards Honorable Mention and Grand Prize Finalist
• “Table Talk & Second Thoughts” – Big Other Book Awards Finalist
• “Adult Children” – Eric Hoffer Awards Finalist
• “Burner” – Storytrade Book Awards Finalist
• “Wildfire” – Colorado Book Awards