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Joe Nigg named 2021 Lifetime Achievement Winner!

Joe Nigg’s books have garnered multiple awards and have been translated into more than twenty languages. Jeff VanderMeer, The New York Review of Science Fiction said of Joe: “Nigg has done for the world of fantastical animals what Joseph Campbell did more generally for the world of myth.”

Nigg joined the Colorado Authors’ League in 1980 and has remained an active member ever since. He served on the CAL Board both as publicity and membership chairs. He counts many CAL Writing Awards among his awards. 

Among his popular titles are: The Book of Gryphons, A Guide to the Imaginary Birds of the World, Wonder Beasts, The Book of Fabulous Beasts: A Treasury of Writings from Ancient Times to the Present, The Book of Dragons & Other Mythical Beasts, How to Raise and Keep a Dragon, Sea Monsters: A Voyage Around the World’s Most Beguiling Map, and The Phoenix: An Unnatural Biography of a Mythical Beast.

“Griffins, the Phoenix, dragons, unicorns, and other traditional animals of the imagination are all around us in words and images, “Joe said. “But when you delve into the histories of these creatures, you’ll find an incredible wealth of cross-cultural lore intertwined with history, myth, religion, art, literature, science, and specialized areas such as alchemy and heraldry. While looking beyond the popular presence of mythical beasts, you’ll discover as much about the history and dreams of the human race as about our animal creations.”

Bloomsbury Review published Joe’s “Master of Mythology” interview with Joseph Campbell, the piece was later included in the Living in Words collection. He participated in the Ancient Mysteries “Dragons” segment on the Arts & Entertainment network and served as the show’s historical consultant. Joe was a guest speaker for the 2008 Dragons: Between Science and Fiction exhibit at Edmonton’s Royal Alberta Museum.

Joe remains circumspect about his success. He insists his good fortune in writing can be assigned to luck as much to skill. He adds, with a wry smile, that the Harry Potter series certainly gave his books a boost.

Congratulations to all 2021 CAL Award Finalists!


Watch the Awards Video right here!


Fiction:
Mainstream/Literary

1 agoraphobic man

+ 1 vivacious delivery woman

= a whole new life


Wesley Yorstead Goes Outside

by Stephanie Harper


Amazon

1st Place Winner!!

An absurd, lyrical, satirical parable.


The Perfect Stranger

by Gregory SETH Harris


Amazon

The legendary gunman reimagined.


Billy (the Kid)

by Peter Meech


Amazon


Fiction:

Mystery

(Cozy)

A killer comic mystery!


The Last Hurrah

by Judilee Butler & GaGa Gabardi


Amazon

1st Place Winner!!

One sour grape could kill her business!


Killer Chardonnay

by Kate Lansing


Amazon

A serial killer is on the loose.


The Mervin Gardens Murders

by Irv Sternberg


Amazon


Fiction:

Mystery

(Crime, Suspense)

Murder stalks the rugged

Colorado high country.


Hanging Falls

by Margaret Mizushima


Amazon

1st Place Winner!!

A savage killer on the loose in Denver.


Gone to Darkness

by Barbara Nickless


Amazon

Can Pickett prevent his half-brother's hanging?


Brother, Can You Spare a Crime?

by Sheri Cobb South


Amazon


Fiction:

Action, Adventure

When you look like the

Brazilian queen of diamonds.


The Diamond Diva Vendetta

by Jodi Bowersox


Amazon

1st Place Winner

A Bow Street runner isn't supposed to work against the law


Brother, Can You Spare a Crime?

by Sheri Cobb South


Amazon


Danger under the Arctic ice.


Operation Ice Breaker

by Robert G. Williscroft


Amazon


Fiction: 

Historical

She crossed an ocean,

why not a continent?


Custodian of the Spirits

by Bronwyn Long Borne


Amazon

The clash of life;

The mystery of death.


Mariano's Woman

by David M. Jessup


Amazon

1st Place Winner

When coming of age comes too soon.


Falling Forward

by Pat Benedict Jurgens


Amazon


Fiction:

Romance

1st Place Winner

A case of mistaken identity turns a Brazilian vacation deadly.


The Diamond Diva Vendetta

by Jodi Bowersox


Amazon


Misconceptions, revelations, intrigue, ghosts, and love.


The Mars Heir

by Jodi Bowersox


Amazon

Taking risks is how love begins.


Tearza

by Pete Carlson


Amazon


Fiction:

Sci Fi

He never wanted what his grandfather left him--his resort on Mars.


The Mars Heir

by Jodi Bowersox


Amazon


1st Place Winner

Not your average Sasquatch story!


The Sasquatch Series

by L.V. Ditchkus


Amazon

Two deaths should be quite sufficient for any genius to endure.


A Twice-Dead Genius Comporting with Misunderstood Abominations

by R. Gary Raham


Amazon


Fiction:

Fantasy

1st Place Winner

What's a bit of blood among friends?


Tower of the Four Episodes 1-3

by Todd Fahnestock


Amazon

The memories of Fire Island

haunt her still.


Gods of the Bay

by Jo Fontana


Amazon

A Bow Street runner encounters his own "Wonderful Life."


Nowhere Man

by Sheri Cobb South


Amazon


Fiction:

Supernatural, Horror

Bullets fly and sparks ignite as the past and the present collide.


Key to the Past

by Iona Morrison


Amazon

Be careful what you wish for...


Nowhere Man

by Sheri Cobb South


Amazon


1st Place Winner

A haunted hotel with lingering guests.


Ghost Tour

by Claryn Vaile


Amazon


Anthology

1st Place Winner

Glimpses of God from

Life's Roller Coaster.


Beauty From Ashes

by Kristen Paris


Amazon

"imaginative, riveting, superbly crafted..."


The Best of James Van Pelt

by James Van Pelt


Fairwood Press


Observations at the intersection of humanity and nature.


Slow Arrow

by Kathryn Winograd


Amazon


Poetry Collection

1st Place Winner

A landscape ravaged by war.


Occupied

by Kika Dorsey


Amazon

A journey through life and death.


Bright Path Dark River

by Carol D. Guerrero-Murphy


Amazon

Medicine Poems for a Changing World


Soar Ready

by Valerie A. Szarek


Amazon


Non-fiction:

Biography/Memoir

1st Place Winner

Adapting to life with epilepsy


Grand Mal

by Robert V. Dodge


Amazon

A riveting account of

unimaginable neglect


Heartbreak Kennel

by Cary Unkelbach


Amazon

The Days and Flights of

a WWII Squadron Leader


Betty Gillies WAFS Pilot

by Sarah Byrn Rickman


Amazon


Non-fiction: History,

Science, Research

1st Place Winner

A treasury of toys from the last two centuries.


Exploring the History of Childhood and Play

by Susan A. Fletcher


Amazon

1st Place Winner

As instructive as it is harrowing.


Sand Creek and the Tragic End of a Lifeway

by Louis Kraft


Amazon


A remarkable story of humanitarian aid


Yanks Behind the Lines

by Jeffrey B. Miller


Amazon

A special time

in a special place.


That Championship Year

by Jody L. Pritzl


Amazon


Non-fiction:

Lifestyle, Travel, How-To

1st Place Winner

Write better. Write faster.


Eight Weeks to a Complete Novel

by Becky Clark


Amazon

10 lessons from a jigsaw puzzle.


Peace by Piece

by Laurel McHargue & Nadine Collier


Amazon

A discovery and exploration guide.


Essential Denver

by Lisa J. Shultz


Amazon


Young Adult

One summer to live.


Summer of the Fetch

by Todd Fahnestock


Amazon

A clash between the "haves" and the "have nots."


Irish Town

by Matthew John Meagher


Amazon

Just one of those amazing WWII pilots.


Betty Gillies WAFS Pilot

by Sarah Byrn Rickman


Amazon

1st Place Winner

Fight together

or lose everything.


The Forge of Bonds

by Wendy Terrien


Amazon


Middle Grade

The healing power of kindness.


Mr. Figgletoes' Toy Emporium

by M.J. Evans


Amazon

It was the summer of 1943...


V de la victoria

by Teresa R. Funke

translation by Gloria Garcia Diaz


Amazon

1st Place Winner

A journey through

the aftermath of abuse.


When You Know What I Know

by Sonja K. Solter


Amazon


Children's Picture or Chapter Book

1st Place Winner

Everyone can dance.

Everyone.


I Will Dance

by Nancy Bo Flood


Amazon

Diversity appreciation,

now with activities!


Wings & Feet Activity Book

by Lisa Reinicke


Amazon

Tongue twisters that teach.


Would You Like A

Giant Ginger Garbula?

by Virginia K. White


Amazon


Book Cover Design

Green Horses on the Walls

by Cristina A. Bejan


Cover Design by Cristina A. Bejan and Elizabeth Maines McCleavy


Amazon

The Diamond Diva Vendetta

by Jodi Bowersox


Cover Design by Tristan Bowersox


Amazon


1st Place Winner

Irish Town

by Matthew John Meagher


Cover Design by Kateri Kramer


Amazon

Short Fiction

 

"Molly"

by Daniel Ginsberg

MysteryTribune

 

"Wild Tales"

by Barb Lundy

ShotGunHoney.com

 

1st Place Winner

"Farhi and the Crystal Dome"

by Daniel A. Willis

DXVaros

Poetry (1-3 poems)


Carolyn Evans Campbell

"Darwin and Me and the Sea"

Quadrant

"Hop-Along Hunter"


1st Place Winner

Valerie A. Szarek

"Soar Ready"

PoetVal.com

"There's No Place"

"Christmas Cactus"


Kathryn Winograd

"To the Three Ducks Flying Beneath the Dog Star"

CascadiaPublishingHouse

Non-Fiction Articles

(Journalism, Research, Scholarly)

 

"Two Colorado Women and

an Invisible Rabbit"

by Mimi Pockross
ColoradoHeritageMagPg20

 

1st Place Winner

"Chosin Reservoir Campaign:

Battle Perspectives from Marines

Who Were There"

by Irv Sternberg
MCA-Marines

 

"Weird Bird Parts"

by Mary Taylor Young

Essays

 

"My Pegasus"

by Lou Dean
Magzter

 

"The Viral Life of Plants... and Everything Else"

by R. Gary Raham

ColoradoGardener

 

1st Place Winner

"The Girl from Coke"

by Carol Ann Wilson
UnderTheGumTree

Blogs

 

1st Place Winner

"Lame History Classes, Meeting O.J., and My Reckoning with Racism"

by Eliza Cross
Blog post

 

"An Elegant Haunt"

by Buffy Gilfoil
Blog post

 

"Mudlarking"

by Sheri Cobb South
Blog post

Two CAL Members To Be Inducted Into The Colorado Authors' Hall of Fame

Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D.

A longtime member of the Colorado Authors League, Penny Rafferty Hamilton's writing reflects her passions–aviation, Western heritage, and women's history. Penny calls Granby, Colorado home.


A world-record-setting aviator, Penny focuses on aviation and aerospace. She authored America's Amazing Airports, Inspiring Words for Sky and Space Women, and 101 Trailblazing Women of Air and Space. Hamilton earned numerous journalism, education, business, and aviation awards. For more than 25 years, her "Penny the Pilot" program has been a cornerstone in many schools teaching preschoolers and elementary children about the history of women in aviation and she received the Champion of

Aviation Education Award for her work. Penny also authored the popular Western history book, A to Z: Your Grand County History Alphabet. She donates 100% of this popular book's net proceeds to promote local history projects. ABC-TV in Denver recognized her with its Everyday Hero award in 2009.


Penny's ground-breaking Teaching Women to Fly Research Project findings were published in the Human Resource Development International proceedings and in the International textbook, Absent Aviators: Gender Issues in Aviation. Penny is a Laureate of both the Colorado Aviation and Women's Halls of Fame. Books of note include: Arcadia Images of America Around Granby and Absent Aviators: Gender Issues in Aviation.

Patricia Raybon
Patricia Raybon says her father wouldn’t say no.

No, you can’t be a writer. No, you can’t climb a mountain. No, you’re a brown-skin girl in a color-struck world. So go for something safe. Something small. Something easy. Instead, her Dad bought her a typewriter. Shiny blue plastic. A Christmas surprise. Better than a Barbie. Or ice skates. Instead, she got the plastic blue Remington. That sealed it. 

Lifelong Colorado resident Patricia is an award-winning author, essayist, and novelist who writes top-rated books at the daring intersection of faith and race. Her notable books include My First White Friend, her racial forgiveness memoir, which won the Christopher Award; I Told the Mountain to Move, her prayer memoir on her struggle to learn to pray, a Book of the Year Finalist in Christianity Today Magazine in 2006. Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace, written with her younger daughter, educator Alana Raybon.

Patricia’s newest writing adventure is writing mystery series about a prim, clever, Black female theologian, solving murder and crime in Colorado’s dangerous Klan era. All That Is Secret, An Annalee Spain Mystery, releases October 2021, from Tyndale House. Patricia’s essays on faith and race have been published in the New York Times magazine, Newsweek, USA Today, USA Weekend, Guideposts, In Touch magazine (In Touch Ministries), Christianity Today, the Washington Post’s Acts of Faith and aired on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition. Patricia lives with her husband Dan, a retired educator. They love movies, gardening, and biking with their two grown daughters, a son-in-law, five
grandchildren and their “grand dog” Max.
CAL Authors Release New Books!



A Catholic ABC

Find it on Amazon


Can she trust new friends

while hiding her power?

Buy it on Amazon

A short story collection

Check it out on Amazon

When a straightforward job goes wrong.

Find it on Amazon


A power struggle under the Arctic ice.

Get it on Amazon

Embrace your Quality

Check it out on Amazon



If you were a skeleton,

what would you eat?

Find it on Amazon

There's trouble on the Emerald Isle

Get yours on Amazon



Toothbrushes at the ready!

Buy it on Amazon

Illuminating the Darkness

Check it out on Amazon

And Publish Essays, Articles, and Poems!

Jennie MacDonald is participating in this year's National Audio Theatre Festival, where her hardboiled detective monologue, "Late Night at Sam's," will be performed by the talented Guy Williams. Jennie's scary doll story, "Inheritance," is a part of One Night Stand Theatre's audio production.



Among the people who've placed flowers at the memorial outside a Boulder grocery store is poet Valerie Szarek of Boulder. She lost a friend in the shooting, Suzanne Fountain. Szarek was thinking about the tulips she placed. About the job she was asking them to do. The weight they'd carry. And she wrote a short poem about them -- in three parts. Tulips

Look for the Listen Now button in the upper right.

Recent Articles
CAL Member News

CAL Authors In Action

Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events

Helping Students

In 2020, CAL members joined together to create Prompts For Young Writers, a book to inspire and launch great stories. Our authors also provided writing tips in the book available in both English and Spanish. To download this FREE Resource, Click here: Prompts Book.

Helping the Community

In the difficult summer of 2020, CAL authors rose to the occasion with the Little Library Book Bomb!

Dozens of authors donated their books to Little Free Libraries all over Colorado. Way to go, CAL!


Watch our slideshow and read the Little Library article 2020 from the Denver Post

Slideshow
Book Bomb Participants
Where can I find CAL books?


CAL books are on GoodReads!


Click to find them all in one place!


CAL BOOKSHELF




CAL will participate in the 2021 Colorado Country Christmas Gift Shows in November. The Denver booth will be held Nov. 5-7 at the Convention Center. The Colorado Springs booth will be held Nov. 19-21 at the Event Center. Come on out and support Colorado Authors and buy some great books!


Note for authors: The booths are currently full, but we do have waiting lists started. Click for more details. 


Christmas Booth

Celebrating 90 Years

Marian Castle

Born in Illinois, in 1896, Marian (Johnson) Castle grew up in small Midwest towns. Her writing career began with a sixth grade story entitled What the School Clock Saw at Night. Castle took a year out from her studies at the age of 16 to teach in a county school in northern Wisconsin. In 1920, she received a Ph.B. (Bachelor of Philosophy) degree from the University of Chicago. Health problems brought Castle to New Mexico. There she met and married Edward Carrick Castle in 1924. They moved to Denver, Colorado soon after the wedding. She wrote western romance stories under the male pseudonym Monty Castle.  Read More  














Read about Thomas Hornby Ferril, first Colorado Poet Laureate.

William Edmund Barrett,
Early CAL Member

 

Barrett served as CAL’s president from 1943–1944. Born in 1900 in New York City, William published his first poem at age 15. Barrett attended Manhattan College. In 1916, he moved to Denver, Colorado. In 1923, Barrett became the Rocky Mountain advertising manager for Westinghouse, which he held until 1929. After that, Barrett wrote full-time.

Three of his novels became films: The Left Hand of God, Lilies of the Field, and  Pieces of Dreams, based on his novel, The Wine and the Music.Read More



Read about Lillian de la Torre

Mary Coyle Chase

Pulitzer Prize Winner


In 1944 the Colorado Authors League awarded Denver playwright Mary Chase with the William McLeod Raine Award for her blockbuster play about a slightly tipsy gentleman named Elwood P. Dowd and his six-foot invisible rabbit friend Harvey. The year after, she received the Pulitzer Prize in Drama over Tennessee Williams's iconic play The Glass Menagerie. Today she remains the only Coloradan to have received this honor. In her lifetime Mary Chase published fourteen plays, three screenplays, and two award-winning children's books. Read More

CAL Writing Awards




Submission period: Nov 1-Jan 31



Eligibility: You must be a CAL member to enter (See Membership tab above)



Categories: Multiple categories are judged from essays, articles, and poetry to full-length novels.



2021 Awards announcements: May 10

Virtual ceremomy: July 17



Contest Info & Entry

Mary Taylor Young,

recipient of the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award

Interview

Book Trailer




The Colorado Authors League held their first-ever virtual awards ceremony on the evening of June 7, 2020 to announce the winners of the 79th Annual CAL Writing Awards. You can see a complete list of finalists and watch the video right here!


Awards Finalists

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