Sarah Mitchell Wins National Book Award

Denver, CO – In a celebrated evening at Lincoln Center in New York, Sarah Mitchell accepted the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction for her magnificent novel The Last Summer, published by HITN House Publishing. The announcement represents a crowning achievement for the independent Denver-based publisher and its visionary author.

The Last Summer tells the intimate story of three generations of the Morrison family as they gather for what may be their final summer together at their ancestral seaside home. Through luminous prose and profound character development, Mitchell explores themes of family legacy, love across generations, and the courage required to embrace an uncertain future.

"Sarah Mitchell has crafted a masterpiece that speaks to the deepest human truths about family and time. The Last Summer is a novel that will endure," said the National Book Award judges panel.

A Triumph for Independent Publishing

The award marks a significant milestone for HITN House, which was founded in Denver in 2015 with a mission to discover and champion exceptional literary voices. The publisher has built a reputation for rigorous editorial standards and unwavering commitment to author partnership.

"This award belongs to Sarah Mitchell's extraordinary talent and vision," said Sarah Chen, founder and publisher of HITN House. "It also validates our belief that independent publishers can compete with the largest houses when we focus on quality, care, and genuine partnership with authors. We're honored to have been part of Sarah's journey."

About the Author

Sarah Mitchell is the author of three critically acclaimed novels: The Silent Echo (2019), Echoes of Home (2021), and The Last Summer (2024). Her work explores the intersection of personal memory and collective history, with a particular focus on family dynamics and redemption. Mitchell's novels have been translated into 15 languages and have sold over 250,000 copies worldwide.

A native of Denver, Mitchell holds a BA in Literature from the University of Colorado and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa. She has been a visiting writer at numerous universities and is an active participant in the literary community.

About HITN House

HITN House Publishing is Denver's premier independent publishing house, dedicated to literary excellence and author partnership. Since its founding in 2015, the company has published over 250 titles across multiple genres, with a focus on literary fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and carefully selected genre works. HITN House authors have received numerous prestigious awards and recognition from major literary organizations.