WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) Instructional Specialist Kella Thornton is among the contributors being recognized after Lingering Inland: A Literary Tour of the Midwest won top honors in the Humanities category at the 2026 Midwest Book Awards.
Published by the University of Illinois Press, the anthology features essays from more than 70 writers examining the literary landscapes of the Midwest, including Thornton’s essay on author Kate Chopin’s connection to St. Louis.
The honor was announced at the Midwest Book Awards Gala on June 13 at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
For Thornton, the recognition was both exciting and unexpected.
“I’m thrilled to be a small part of this!” she said. “Such a cool and unexpected win.”
Edited by Andy Oler, Lingering Inland invites readers on a literary journey across the Midwest, exploring places connected to some of the region’s most influential writers and works. Through essays, reflections, and literary criticism, contributors examine how geography, history, and community continue to shape storytelling throughout the region.
Thornton’s contribution, “Kate Chopin, St. Louis, Missouri,” explores the celebrated author’s connection to St. Louis and the ways the city influenced her life and writing. Originally published in The New Territory Magazine, the essay places Chopin’s work within the cultural and physical landscape that helped shape one of America’s most important literary voices.
Lingering Inland highlights a diverse range of perspectives on Midwestern literature while exploring the enduring relationship between place and storytelling.
Thornton’s inclusion in the collection reflects a broader body of work examining literature, history, culture, and place. Her essays, criticism, and creative nonfiction have appeared in nationally recognized literary publications, and her work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, Best Microfiction, and a James Beard Award. Across genres, her writing often explores the relationship between people, communities, and the places they inhabit.
For Thornton, however, the award is as much a recognition of the anthology as it is of any individual contribution.
“It is such an honor to be included as one of the writers in this amazing anthology,” she said.
At CAPS, Thornton works as an instructional design specialist, partnering with faculty to create engaging learning experiences and support student success. She has also brought her passion for writing directly into the classroom, teaching humor writing through CAPS and the Prison Education Project. Outside of her work, she continues to contribute to literary conversations through her writing and scholarship.
The Midwest Book Awards, presented by the Midwest Independent Publishers Association, recognize excellence in independent publishing across the region. By winning top honors in the Humanities category, Lingering Inland joins a distinguished group of books that celebrate the people, places, and stories that define the Midwest.