Attention Book Illustrators and Cover Designers!

Colorado Authors League has long been about the business of storytelling, and now we’re opening our membership to include those who tell stories through art!

Book Illustrators and Cover designers, we invite you to apply for membership and take advantage of the rich benefits that CAL provides its members from friendship to promotion

to a chance to win your very own CAL award for Illustration or Cover Design!

We want to promote your work, click HERE to see just one of the ways.

Read CAL's Statement on AI

UPCOMING EVENTS

Nov. 1 CAL Awards Open for Submissions

Dec. 7 Holiday Party

Retail Opportunities Calendar

Colorado Conference Calendar

Aug 23, 2025 Castle Rock Writers Conference

Sept 26-28, 2025 RMFW Colorado Gold

Oct 16-18, 2025 Women Writing the West Conference

Feb. 5-7, 2026 Superstars Writing

April 17-19, 2026 Pikes Peak Writers Conference

June 2-5, 2026 Glen Eyrie Fiction Writers Retreat and Conference

Introducing the CAL Speakers' Bureau

Are you searching for a speaker for your special event or book club? Look no further! Click HERE to find a Colorado author to fit your needs.

Lifetime Achievement and Author Advocate Award Winners Announced

Watch the CAL Awards Celebration HERE

Denny Dressman has been selected as CAL's 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Dressman enjoyed a long career with the Rocky Mountain News where he worked as reporter, executive sports editor, newsroom administrator and ultimately Director of Labor where he managed a workforce of 1,250. He keeps his hand in journalism as a weekly sports columnist for The Villager.

As author, he's published 16 titles with his 17th due this summer. Titles include Eddie Robinson: He Was The Martin Luther King of Football, Orchids and Butterflies, Game 163: The Epic '07 Wild Card Tiebreaker, and the Rockies Team that went to the World Series, and Living Vows. HIs impressive history includes his contribution to 20 additional books as either editor, contributor or ghost writer. Dressman, a past president of the Colorado Authors League, the Denver Press Club and the Colorado Press Association is the recipient of multiple honors and awards including a Pulitzer Prize nomination. He's also taught writing and editing classes at the University of Denver and is a popular speaker.

Amie Pilla Named as CAL's 2025 Author Advocate

Author Advocate winner Amie Pilla is being recognized for her many efforts in promoting local authors through book clubs associated with the Berthoud Community Library, as well as via the Berthoud Literary festival. "I loved how this festival brought our community together through books and created meaningful discussions as well as putting Berthoud on the literary map," her nominator explained. Pilla also hosts "This is Berthoud," a podcast featuring local authors.

Both Amie and Denny will receive their awards at the 84th Annual CAL Awards in July.

Congratulations CAL Awards Finalists

Winners in Red

Children's Book Cover

Always Flying Bobby

by C.S. Boyll

Cover Design by Jessica Santiesteban

The Year Santa Took the Toys Back

by Sheri Cobb South

Cover Design by Flo Minowa

SKIPPY Farm Dog of the Year

by Anna-Maria Crum & Laura Adams

Cover Design by Anna-Maria Crum

Children's Book Illustration

The Year Santa Took the Toys Back

by Sheri Cobb South

Ilustrated by Flo Minowa

The Ofrenda That We Built

by Jolene Gutiérrez

& Shaian Gutiérrez

Illustrated by Gabby Zapata

Boo Bear's Light

by Catherine Ann Russell

Illustrated by Jessica Robin Harkey

Children's Book: Story

The Year Santa Took the Toys Back

by Sheri Cobb South

Little Lou and Just Being You

by Leslie Mitchell Assini

Cat & Rabbit

by J.B. Stockings

Early Reader

Mother Cabrini

A Heart for the World

by Claudia Cangilla McAdam

The Miracle of the August Snow

by Claudia Cangilla McAdam

Skippy

Farm Dog of the Year

by Anna-Maria Crum & Laura Adams

Magic on the Mountainside

by Nancy Godbout Jurka

Articles

"Early Medieval Art of the British Isles:

Celtic or Anglo-Saxon?"

by Kathleen Guler

"House of Mirrors"

by Carol Ann Wilson

"The Day the Asteroid Changed the World!

(And left Its Mark In a Colorado State Park)"

by Mary Taylor Young

Essays

"Unexpected Visitors"

by Lou Dean

"On Mystery:

Fragments About Art, Religion, and Philosophy"

by Joachim Glage

"Trust"

by Carol Ann Wilson

Short Stories

"The Purgatory of Emily Gray"

by Fleur Bradley Visscher

"A Place to Heal"

by Cassi Clark

"Subversive"

by Collin Irish

Single Poems

"Collaring the Wolves"

by Dan Guenther

"Tracking the Lynx"

by Dan Guenther

"Through the Pane"

by Petra Perkins

YA/Adult Book Cover

Tales of the Incorrigible:

A Song of Wood and Meat

by Kevin Bowersox

Cover Design by Tristan Bowersox

Four Corners Voices

edited by Mark Stevens, Lisa C. Taylor & Chuck Greaves

Cover Design by Jody Chapel

A Warrior's Path

by Steve Stratton

Cover Design by Momir Borocki

Middle Grade

Coal Dust and Dreams

by M.J. Evans

Skyriders

by Polly Holyoke

Keeper of the Gremkat Key

by John Lyon & Brad Lyon

Young Adult

Dogs Don't Cry

by John F. Andrews

Dead Girl

by Kerrie Faye

Unmasked

by Kendra Merritt

Fiction: Mainstream/ Literary

Chacolata

by Jerry Fabyanic

The Wild Road Home

by Melissa Payne

Burying Norma Jeane

by Leah Rogin

Fiction: Historical, Pre-20th Century

Fairest of the Fayre

by Sheri Cobb South

The Ring of a Bell

by Ellen Kingman Fisher

King of the Gulls

by Stefan Scheuermann

& Paul Alexander

Fiction: Historical,

Post-19th Century

An American Nurse in Paris

by John F. Andrews

Our Desperate Hour

by John F. Andrews

Blossoms on a Poisoned Sea

by Mariko Tatsumoto

Fiction: Fantasy/ Paranormal

Bane of Giants

by Todd Fahnestock

Slayter and the Dragon

by Todd Fahnestock

The Death Bringer

by Kendra Merritt

Fiction: Romance

Fairest of the Fayre

by Sheri Cobb South

Perfect Office Pact

by Tricia Copeland

Cole and Laila are Just Friends

by Bethany Turner

Fiction: Sci Fi

Messenger

by Collin Irish

Epoch:

A Poetic Psy-Phi Saga

by Dave Jilk

KEID: A Lost Civilization

by Robert G. Williscroft

Fiction:

Cozy Mystery

Court Human

by Hawkings Austin

Lawyers, Dogs, and Money

by Tracy Carter

Murder, Mystics, and Menopause

by Theresa Crater

Fiction: Amateur Sleuth Mystery

The Suicide Detective

by WL Bach

Wild Ride

by Lenore Mitchell

Trailridge

by Kevin Wolf

Fiction: Law Enforcement Mystery

A Well too Full

by Daniel Ginsberg

Kakuloa: The Downhill Slide

by Alastair Mayer

Lethal Blues

by R. Weir

Fiction: Thriller

Black Dog Escape

by W.L. Bach

A Warrior's Path

by Steve Stratton

Operation Vela Redux

by Robert G. Williscroft

Nonfiction: Memoir

The Mountains We Climb:

Walking Through Life’s Peaks and

Valleys with My Dad and My Father

by Erin Boydston Kohler

Falling to Fly:

The Book to Read Before You Give Up on Your Writing Dreams

by Todd Fahnestock

A Tree with My Name on It:

Finding a Way Home

by Victress Hitchcock

Nonfiction: General

In the Land of Forgetfulness:

Meditations on Dementia Care as Spiritual Formation

by Wayne A. Ewing

Fiddler on the Roof of Africa:

How to Fail Successfully as a Peace Corps Volunteer

by Derek Lowstuter

The December Dilemma:

U.S. Christmas Stamps 1962-1972

by Jody L. Pritzl

Anthology

Colorado Mystery Merge

by Sisters in Crime

Colorado Chapter

Four Corners Voices

edited by Mark Stevens, Lisa C. Taylor, & Chuck Greaves

At Home in Nature:

The History of Colorado’s State Parks

by Mary Taylor Young

Poetry Collection

Liberties

by Constance E. Boyle

Good Ash

by Kika Dorsey

This Visible Speaking:

Catching Light Through the Camera’s Eye

by Kathryn Winograd

Prose Collection

Return to Sender:

A Book of Poetry, Prose, and Otherwise Unsent Letters

by Alice Allis

The Devil's Library

by Joachim Glage

Congrats to CAL members who are Colorado Book Award Finalists!

Winners in Red

Anthology

Four Corners Voices

edited by Mark Stevens & Lisa C. Taylor

Sci Fi / Fantasy

The Future Lies

by John Be Lane

Romance

Cole and Laila Are Just Friends

by Bethany Turner

Romance

Fairest of the Fayre

by Sheri Cobb South

Mystery

Play of Shadows

by Barbara Nickless

Mystery

Death Valley Duel

by Scott Graham

Young Adult

Unmasked

by Kendra Merritt

Children

Adela's Mariachi Band

by Denise Vega

CAL Authors Release New Books!

"A book for those who feel deeply, love wholly, and see the world in signs, in poems." - Devon Bohm

AVAILABLE NOW

An impetuous yet loyal dog named Peacemaker unleashes whimsical forces that lead to adventure.

AVAILABLE NOW

Wes left Addie at the altar two decades ago . . . and that was supposed to be the end of the story.

AVAILABLE NOW

Unlikely partners must outwit a crime family, corrupt police officers, and the feds...and hope to get away with murder.

AVAILABLE NOW

Jack Bailey is back and embroiled in some of the most notable events of the late 1800's.

AVAILABLE NOW

In this taut, terrifying thriller, a reformed serial killer searches for the imposter trading on his name.

AVAILABLE NOW

In a paradise built on buried truths, can one woman uncover the cost of justice before it's too late?

AVAILABLE NOW

Join the crew of the starship Mantis for daring adventures and feats across the galaxy!

AVAILABLE NOW

This touching true story offers readers the chance to see the unseen and believe the unbelievable.

AVAILABLE NOW

Book two in the "She Who Rides Horses" series continues the story of Naya, the first person to ride a horse.

AVAILABLE NOW

Can Veronica and her team decipher the sources of evil that have turned the Repentant River deadly?

AVAILABLE NOW

Each poem in this collection crystallizes a point in time that celebrates the mystery and wonder of our everyday lives.

AVAILABLE NOW

Drift into a world of gentle warmth and charm with this old Irish fairytale lovingly retold for today’s families.

AVAILABLE NOW

Penny Rafferty Hamilton's "Reflections on World War II Heroines" is included in MWSA's 2025 Reflections.

AVAILABLE NOW

Embark on a wonderful rhyming adventure as you learn the value of all living creatures, great and small!

AVAILABLE NOW

As part of the "Poop Theory" series, this book teaches the importance of composting and how to compost.

AVAILABLE NOW

Only with a bit of magic and support from their friends will Jessie and Matt stay alive long enough to say "I do."

AVAILABLE NOW

The series concludes with a harrowing tale of a fae queen’s attempts to secure Middle and Upper Earth.

AVAILABLE NOW

Join these teens on an unexpected journey toward new friendships, deeper faith, and solving a decades-old mystery.

AVAILABLE NOW

The nonstop action of this riveting political thriller will keep you turning pages late into the night.

AVAILABLE NOW

CAL is now an official Amazon Associate and may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

And Publish Plays, Essays, Articles, and Poems!

"Night of the Living ZomBees" by R. Gary Raham is currently featured in Colorado Gardener. Find the complete article HERE.

Lou Dean has a feature article in the May/June issue of Angels on Earth magazine. The piece, entitled "Help Me Help Her," is about the challenging situation of caring for an older sister who can no longer live alone at home.

An article written by Bethany Turner entitled "How to Find a Literary Agent as an Established Author" has been published in the August issue of SheWrites. The article can be found HERE.

Lou Dean's article "Where Did I Belong?" is featured in the July/August issue of Angels on Earth, a Guideposts magazine.

Linda Duval's essay, "In Memoriam: Author and Adventurer Stewart Green," can be read HERE in Rocky Mountain Reader.

An essay by Kathryn Winograd entitled, "Memories of a Suburban Naturalist," is now posted at Terrain.org, along with several of her original photographs.

CAL Racks in Colorado Springs, WestMinster, and Lakewood

5670 N. Academy Blvd

Colorado Springs

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Genre Pages.

Autographed books make a great gift year-round. Contact authors directly to get signed copies.

The CAL Awards

The CAL Awards is now closed but will reopen for a new submission year on Nov. 1, 2025

The CAL Awards isn't just about books. We also have categories for published Poetry, Essays, Short Stories, Articles, Illustration, Plays, Screen Plays, and Cover Design!

Find out more HERE

Finalists will be announced in June.

CAL Awards Celebration will be held in July.

Margi Evans was the 2024 CAL Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Margi at the CAL Awards

Watch past CAL Celebration videos

79th Annual CAL Awards, presented by Jodi & Kevin Bowersox

80th Annual CAL Awardss, presented by Jody Pritzl

81st Annual CAL Awards, presented by Jodi Bowersox, Laurie Marr Wasmund, and Claire Fishback

82nd Annual CAL Awards, presented by Jodi Bowersox, Laurie Marr Wasmund, and Kathryn Winograd

83rd Annual CAL Awards, presented by Jodi Bowersox, Laurie Marr Wasmund, and Judy White

84th Annual CAL Awards, presented by Jack Maher, Judy White, Todd Fahnestock, and Jodi Bowersox

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