The Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance announces the finalists for the 2015 Maine Literary Awards. The awards, which honor books published during 2014, as well as adult and youth manuscripts in drama, fiction, nonfiction and poetry, brought in a record-breaking number of submissions:

Nearly 170 books were entered across the categories; in 2011, 70 books total were submitted

Over 100 manuscripts were submitted into the award’s Short Works Competition in the categories of drama, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry

Over 75 Maine students submitted work in the same categories in the award’s Youth Competition

While three finalists are usually announced in advance of the awards ceremony, jurors found submissions in several categories - including fiction, crime fiction, and poetry — so strong that four finalists are being announced

The 2015 Maine Literary Awards finalists list includes Richard Ford for “Let Me Be Frank With You,” nominated for a fiction book award; Kathryn Miles' “Superstorm” in the nonfiction category; Book Award for Anthology (editors), “Poets of Monhegan Island Voices II.”

For a complete list of finalists and more information, visit http://mainewriters.org.

The Maine Literary Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 28 at the SPACE Gallery in Portland. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. ceremony.

There will be a cash bar and a bookseller on hand at the awards ceremony selling copies of all finalists’ books.

The event is free to MWPA members with a suggested $5 donation for nonmembers.