November 10, 2025, Hartford, CT — The Mark Twain House & Museum hosted its annual Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award Ceremony on November 7, celebrating Ben Shattuck, author of The History of Sound, as the 2025 award recipient.
The evening honored Shattuck’s remarkable work for its resonance with the award’s mission: to recognize fiction that captures an authentic “American Voice” and reflects the diverse experiences and complexities of modern America—much as Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn did for his time.
The event began with an intimate VIP reception inside the Mark Twain House, where guests met Shattuck and New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci, who presented the award. The celebration continued with a lively social reception, featuring catering by DORO Restaurant Group and live music from The Nigel Regan Trio, followed by the formal award presentation and remarks.
The program also included participation from Rand Richards Cooper, critic, writer, and Chair of the 2025 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award judging panel, who helped guide this year’s selection process and joined in leading the on-stage discussion of the History of Sound.
During the evening, Baldacci reflected on Twain’s enduring influence and the importance of amplifying voices that tell America’s evolving story. Shattuck expressed gratitude for the honor and shared a reading from The History of Sound, a lyrical exploration of love, war, and memory.
The program also featured remarks from Cassie Goundrey, an apprentice with the Nook Farm Writers Collaborative at the Mark Twain House, who spoke about the power of creative writing and the inspiration she draws from Twain’s legacy.
Following the ceremony, Shattuck mingled with attendees during a dessert and coffee reception in the museum’s visitor center. Proceeds from the evening benefit the Mark Twain House & Museum’s literary and educational programs.
The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award is generously supported by Michelle and David Baldacci. The 2025 Award Celebration is sponsored by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Ares Management, The Hartford, Webster Bank, Hachette Book Group, Connecticut Public, Barnes, the Hartford Courant, with in-kind support from Cenaxo, LLC and Michael Genovese.
The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award honors an outstanding work of fiction published in the previous calendar year. The award celebrates literature that helps readers see themselves—and their country—more clearly through storytelling.
Previous winners of The Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award include Absolution by Alice McDermott (2024); Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh (2023); The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton (2022); The Only Good Indian by Stephen Graham Jones (2021); On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong (2020); Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (2019); Dodgers by Bill Beverly (2018); and The Harder They Come by T.C. Boyle (2017).
For more information about the award, past winners, and future literary events, visit MarkTwainAward.org.
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About The Mark Twain House & Museum
The Mark Twain House & Museum is the restored Hartford, Connecticut home where American author Samuel Clemens — Mark Twain — and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote his most important works during his years there, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. The museum offers tours of the restored Mark Twain House, along with a variety of programs that celebrate and promote Twain’s literary legacy.
Media Contact:
Albinko Hasic
Director of Marketing, Programs & Community Engagement
The Mark Twain House & Museum
Albinko.Hasic@marktwainhouse.org
(860) 247-0998