Curbstone Press Records

Curbstone Press, a non-profit press and literary arts organization, was founded in 1975. Located in Willimantic, Connecticut, Curbstone's founders and Co-Directors Alexander “Sandy” Taylor and Judith Ayer Doyle focused the organization's activities on bridging creative literature and social issues and publishing works that encouraged a deeper understanding between world cultures. Curbstone's mission encompassed two goals: to publish creative literature that promotes human rights and cultural understanding, and to bring writers and programs deep into the community to promote literacy and an appreciation of literature.

Curbstone published 8 to 10 books a year, brought authors into Connecticut high schools in year-round programs, and formed community partnerships to stimulate reading and creative writing with many community and service organizations in the Windham/Willimantic, Connecticut area.

Throughout its history the award-winning Curbstone Press was dedicated to literature that reflected a commitment to human rights and social change, with some emphasis on writing from Latin America and Latino communities in the United States. Following the death of Sandy Taylor and subsequent retirement of his wife and business partner, Judy Doyle, in 2007, the Curbstone Press Foundation formed a partnership with Northwestern University Press which acquired the Curbstone Press backlist in 2009.

Major Awards to Curbstone Press include the following: 1981: Connecticut State Arts Award for Outstanding Service to the Arts 1989: Carey-Thomas Award for Creative Publishing 1995: National Hispanic Academy of Media Arts and Sciences for Achievement in Publishing 1996: New England Booksellers Association for Publishing Excellence 1996: Literacy Volunteers of America- Connecticut Star in Literacy Award 2000: Ed Hogan Award for Literary Editing 2001: ALTA Award for Dedication to Translation 2002: Connecticut Center for the Book Award for Lifetime Achievement in Service to the Literary Community 2004: The PEN Gregory Kolovakos Award for commitment to Hispanic Literature and expanding its English-language audience 2006: Hartford Independent Media Center’s Media and Activism Award 2007: PEN New England “Friends to Writers” Award.