Rockport-based Down East Books, a division of Down East Enterprises, publisher of Down East magazine, has been selected as a recipient of a 2008 New England Book Award.

The award, which is offered by the New England Independent Booksellers Association, recognizes New England-based authors and publishers "who have produced a body of work that stands as a significant contribution to New England's culture."

The awards will be given to the recipients during a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 18 at the association's annual meeting and trade show in Boston. Other winners include authors Alice Hoffman (for fiction), Nathaniel Philbrick (for non-fiction) and Tomie DePaola (for children's books). Go to www.newenglandbooks.org for more information.