The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library literary nonprofit organization has awarded Stu Abraham, the founder of the Midwestern-based commission rep group Abraham Associates, this year’s Kay Sexton Award for his significant contributions to Minnesota’s literary community. The Kay Sexton Award is, a release stated, “presented annually to an individual or organization in recognition of longstanding dedication and outstanding work in fostering books, reading, and literary activity in Minnesota.” Last year's recipient was Fiona McCrae, who retired as director of Graywolf Press in 2022.
Abraham has been a publishers’ sales rep servicing Midwestern accounts for numerous publishers for more than 40 years, including FSG, Candlewick Press, and Chronicle Books, as well as the companies distributed by Consortium Book Sales & Distribution. Previously a PGW house rep based in Chicago, Abraham formed Abraham Associates in 1992 after moving to Minneapolis. He is slowly easing into retirement, working out of the group’s Minneapolis headquarters. John Mesjak, PW’s 2018 Rep of the Year became head of group in 2021.
Abraham will officially receive his award at the Minnesota Book Awards gala at the Ordway Theater in downtown St. Paul on May 2. The event will also be livestreamed.
