Every year since 2004 the Library of Michigan has publicized as many as 20 Notable Michigan books "reflective of Michigan's diverse ethnic, historical, literary, and cultural experience."
But that diversity seems to have a major blind spot. No book with major LGBT content has ever been among the books annually celebrated and publicized statewide. That fact was confirmed to me by one of the judges, who had no explanation.
The 2016 Library of Michigan press release had this to say about the awards for 2015:
"The MNB selections clearly demonstrate the vast amount of talent found in writers focusing on Michigan and the Great Lakes region," State Librarian Randy Riley said. "The list continues to offer something for everyone - fiction, short story collections, history, children's books, politics, poetry and memoirs."
Well, something for almost everyone.
The awards program actually stretches all the way back to 1991 under different names. It sponsors statewide author tours for the winning authors, so it's a big deal. And the scope is very wide:
Every year, the Library of Michigan selects up to twenty of the most notable books, either written by a Michigan resident or about Michigan or the Great Lakes. The selected books are honored in the year after their publication or copyright date. Each selected title speaks to our state's rich cultural, historical, and literary heritage and proves without a doubt that some of the greatest stories are found in the Great Lakes State.
What does it mean if you're a winner? Here's how the Detroit Free Press puts the impact of being chosen:
While no cash award comes with making the list, there is a real economic reward for writers and publishers in terms of increased sales. Emily Nowak, marketing and sales manager at Wayne State University Press, said appearing on the list can lift sales by several hundred copies. For regional titles with small press runs of between 1,000 and 3,000 copies, that's a significant boost and could push a title into a second printing. Many Michigan libraries often buy multiple copies of books that appear on the list.
And then of course there's the free publicity, which has no valuation, and the invitations to speak that an award generates, and the prestige.
But evidently since 1991 there hasn't been a single book with major LGBT content published by a Michigan press or written by a Michigan author living here or elsewhere worthy of recognition.
Think about it: No notable LGBT books by talented Michigan authors in almost twenty-five years the judges of this program thought deserved being honored. Not one, when an average of 300 are submitted each year, according to the Library of Michigan's web site.
The site claims that the awards "help build a culture of reading here in Michigan." Perhaps so, but the culture being built is limited in its diversity.
Before the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, Rolling Stone rated Michigan as one of the five worst states in the country for gay rights because of hate crimes, but there are other forms of discrimination.
Isn't it well past time that the judges of the Michigan Notable Books stepped into the 21st century and broadened their conception of diversity?
Update 2/25: Lansing's City Pulse reports that in response to issues raised by this blog, the Librarian of Michigan is "confident" the Michigan Notable Books committee will "take steps to create a more inclusive....program."
Lev Raphael is the author of 25 books in genres from memoir to mystery.