McDugan's Barn
About the Work
In 1984, as a Freshman at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, David Boles' short story won the Mari Sandoz Prairie Schooner Award for Fiction from the Department of English.
The Mari Sandoz Award honors the legacy of Nebraska's celebrated author, recognizing excellence in fiction that captures the spirit of the Great Plains. This award-winning story reflects the formative years of Boles' distinctive voice in American letters.
Historical Context
The Prairie Schooner, founded in 1926, stands as one of America's oldest literary magazines. Named for the covered wagons that carried settlers westward, the journal has long championed voices from the heartland while maintaining a national literary presence.
Mari Sandoz (1896-1966) was a Nebraska author whose works chronicled the history and people of the Great Plains. Her books, including Old Jules and Cheyenne Autumn, established her as a vital voice in Western American literature. The award bearing her name recognizes emerging writers who demonstrate similar commitment to authentic storytelling.