Beginning with its first publication, Under the Sun has received recognition by Best American Essays.

Congratulations to the following writers:

2023 Elizabeth Bird, “Interlude i941″(notable)
2023 Teresa Janssen, “Learning to Whistle” (notable)
2023 Anne McGrath, “Revolving Doors” (notable)
and earlier:
2022 Alida Winternheimer, “The Sun Still Shines on the Worst Day of Your Life” (notable)
2022 Alison Townsend, “Genius Loci” (notable)
2022 Mel Livatino, “Just What is an Essay?” (notable)
2021 Dan Brubaker, “Bands of Time” (notable)
2021 Tim Bascom, “Hiking into the Unknown” (notable)
2021 K.J.Hanlon, “On Plumbing” (notable)
2020 Joe Kraus, “My Mother is a Cat” (notable)
2020 Mel Livatino, “A Dream Deferred” (notable)
2020 Paul Swehla, “White Man Sweating” (notable)
2019 Catherine Jagoe, “The Ambassador and the Assassin” (notable)
2019 Jacqueline Kolosov, “Cassatt and Caretaking” (notable)
2019 Genia Blum, “Slaves of Dance” (notable)
2017 Emily Woodworth, “All the White” (notable)
2017 Kirie Pedersen, “Getting a Life–Coming of Age with Killers” (notable)
2017 Mel Livatino, “Golf Dreams” (notable)
2016 Cindy Bradley, “Death, Driveways, and Dreams” (notable)
2016 Mel Livatino, “Going Home Again” (notable)
2015 Emily Hipchen, “Hush” (notable)
2015 Jeffrey Hammond, “Eight-Per-Five” (notable)
2014 Lee Patton, “Howling Grounds and Scorched Earth” (notable)
2014 John S. O’Connor, “The Ice House” (notable for both Best American Essays and Best American Sports Writing)
2014 Mel Livatino, “The Lost Friend” (notable)
2014 Jacqueline Kolosov, “Wherefore” (notable)
2014 John E. Keats, “Dream of the Butcher’s Daughter” (notable)
2013 Ann Markle, “You Never Expect The Call” (notable)
2013 Naton Leslie, “My Criminal Past” (notable)
2012 Ana Maria Spagna, “Where You’d Rather Be” (notable)
2012 Priscilla Long, “Studio” (notable)
2012 Deborah Cummins, “Names: Remaking the Calendar” (notable)
2012 Catherine Reid, “Catch and Release” (notable)
2011 Mel Livatino, “The Perfect Raincoat” (notable)
2011 Rachel Peckham, “Apple, Daydream, Memory” (notable)
2010 Priscilla Long, “Balancing Act” (notable)
2010 Mel Livatino, “A Spy in the House of Experience” (notable)
2009 Ana Maria Spagna, “The Seam” (notable)
2009 Leslie Hsu Oh, “Between The Lines” (notable)
2008 Michael L. Johnson, “Math” (notable)
2008 Sue Eisenfeld, “The Empty House” (notable)
2008 Marilyn Abildskov, “Looking at the Moon” (notable)
2007 Priscilla Long, “Dressing” (notable)
2007 Joan Connor, “Colonel Andreas Van Kuijk” (notable)
2006 Renée E. D’Aoust , “Blue Mao Hat” (notable)
2005 Naton Leslie,”Roadside Attractions” (notable)
2005 Linda Hall, “In Praise of Skunks” (notable)
2004 Walter Cummins, “Fade Far Away” (notable)
2003 J.E. Keats, “The Punished” (notable)
2002 Bram Gunther, “Urban Rustic” (notable)
2001 Richard O’Mara, “Iceman” (notable)
2000 Heather King, “Lush Life” (notable)
2000 Gary Fincke, “God of Our Fathers” (notable)
1999 Nancy Anderson, “Hoop Scenes” (notable)
1998 Barbara F. Lefcowitz, “Wandering and Serendipity” (notable)
1998 Susan Kushner Resnick, “Tag Team” (notable)
1997 Maureen Stanton, “Dreaming of No Grass” (notable)
1997 Hollis Seamon, “The Last Case of Polio in New Jersey” (notable)
1996 Lukie Chapman Reilly, “My Father” (published)