CAL Awards Finalists Announced

Each category's finalists are listed in alphabetic order by the author's last name.

Book Cover Design: Children

Tap and Rap, Move and Groove by Connie B. Dow; Cover Design by Colleen Pidel

Oski Becomes a Service Dog by Chris Mandeville; Cover Design by L.B. Hayden

Book Cover Design: Adult-Suspense

Time Agents: Complications by Jodi Bowersox; Cover Design by Tristan Bowersox

The Other Side of the Rainbow by Julie Cordova

True Crime Redux by Stephanie Kane

Book Cover Design: Adult-General

Unexpected Riches by C.S. Boyll; Cover Design by Jacqueline and Ariane Peveto

Raven Woods: Smoke Signals by Denise Gard

Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other by Bethany Turner; Cover Design by Sandra Chiu

Illustration

Tap and Rap, Move and Groove by Connie B. Dow: Illustrated by Debbie Palen

Too Much! An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutierrez; Illustrated by Angel Chang

Poop Theory: Find Your Pony by Andrea Rudolph

Articles

“Dwight Eisenhower: America’s First Pilot President” by Penny Rafferty Hamilton

“Respiratory Distress in Pets: Helping Clients Understand the Dangers and Signs” by Roxanne Hawn

“Antidote to Truth” by Carol Ann Wilson

Essays

“Memento Mori: Eulogy For Marilee” by Catherine Underhill Fitzpatrick

“Memento Mori: Eulogy For My Father” by Catherine Underhill Fitzpatrick

“Just Like Your Father” by Carol Ann Wilson

Single Poems

“Contemplating a Statue of the Reclining Pan, Nimbin, 2012” by Dan Guenther

“Sunrise on the Shortgrass Prairie” by Dan Guenther

“HEAT” by Petra Perkins

Short Stories

“Casting Grand Titans” by Leah Angstman

“The Light Ages” by Leah Angstman

“Anika & Edward” by Stefan Scheuermann

“Kami’s Curse” by Benjamin M. Weilert

Children/Early Reader

Monsters in the Briny by Lynn Becker

Too Much! An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutierrez

Cats by J.B. Stockings

Middle Grade

Hawk’s Cry: The Story of a Cheyenne Hero by Louann Koester

Control Freaks by J.E. Thomas

Katie Cooper, Time Traveler by Bill E. Wright

Young Adult

Finding Fionn by M.J. Evans

Charting the Course by Leslea Wahl

Spirited: No Accidents by S. M. Webb

Nonfiction: Biography Memoir

Dr. Martha Cannon of Utah: The Unexpected Victorian Life of America’s First Female State Senator by Joan Jacobson

True Crime Redux by Stephanie Kane

Bluebird Seasons: Witnessing Climate Change in My Piece of the Wild by Mary Taylor Young

Nonfiction: History

Dr. Martha Cannon Of Utah: The Unexpected Victorian Life of America’s First Female State Senator by Joan Jacobson

Disneyland on the Mountain: Walt, the Environmentalists, and the Ski Resort That Never Was by Kathryn Mayer & Greg Glasgow

Gold-Fated Family: J.J. Brown—Husband of Unsinkable Margaret “Molly” Brown by Jody L. Pritzl

Nonfiction: General

Grace in the Wound: Finding Hope in Long Term Grief by Kathleen Hendricks

Photography and Schizophrenia by Jean Manthei

Culturally Responsive Reading: Teaching Literature for Social Justice by Durthy A. Washington

Fiction: Mainstream/Literary

Paradise Undone: A Novel of Jonestown by Annie Dawid

As Joan Approaches Infinity by Kika Dorsey

The Lions Den by Jerry Fabyanic

Fiction: Mystery-Cozy/Amateur Sleuth

Brittle Bones by Paulla Hunter

Dying to Ride by Lenore Mitchell

The Killer Without a Face by Helen Starbuck

Fiction: Mystery-Law Enforcement

Hunting the Truth by Kathleen Donnelly

Mamie’s Well by Daniel Ginsberg

Play of Shadows by Barbara Nickless

Fiction: Thriller

Time Agents: Complications by Jodi Bowersox

Wyonation by Dallas Jones

Sinai Surrender by Jeff Lelek

Fiction: Fantasy/Paranormal

Personal Demons by L.R. Braden

Rhenn the Traveler by Todd Fahnestock

The Truth Stealer by Kendra Merritt

Fiction: Historical

Louise and Vincent by Diane Byington

Esperanza’s Way by Cindy Maynard

After Anne: A Novel of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Life by Logan Steiner

Fiction: Romance

Time Agents: Complications by Jodi Bowersox

Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other by Bethany Turner

The Do-Over by Bethany Turner

Fiction: Sci Fi

Crystal of Tears by A. James

Surviving Daybreak by Kendra Merritt

Minimum Safe Distance by X. Ho Yen

Novellas

The Adventure of the Speckled Band…REVISITED by Daniel Ginsberg

A Home For Christmas by Jean Jacobsen

Promise Me Christmas by Gini Rifkin

Registration now open for The 2024 CAL Awards Celebration

When: Sunday, July 21 @ 3:00

Where: Washington Park Boathouse, 701 S. Franklin, Denver

Cost: $30 (this goes toward paying for the venue, tables, chairs, tablecloth rentals, and food)

How to Register: The link to register is at the top of the homepage, but you must be logged in to see it.

Please register yourself and your guests by July 13. Don't delay, space is limited.

Leveraging Your Finalist Designation

1. Send a picture of yourself with your book or magazine publication asap to jodi.bowersox@gmail.com for CAL social media promotion. If you don't have a physical copy, take a picture beside your laptop or holding printed pages. Hold it closer to your face--not at your waist.

2. Participate in a Social Media Blitz.

With other contest finalists, choose a date and time to post about your wins all using the same hashtag. Make it more than “I won,” which you have probably already done. Post a reading or a short excerpt or a “Meet the characters.” For non-fiction writers, what lead you to your topic? Why are you passionate about it?

3. Send a press release to local and hometown papers (template found under Member Resources on the website--change as necessary to fit your needs).

4. Announce your good news in your personal author newsletter

Again, you can make this more than, “Hey, I won!” Tell the story of what inspired your award-winning story or a particular character. Hold a celebratory raffle or turn your newsletter into a game and send them on a scavenger hunt for information or images on your website or the Pinterest board you made for your book. The prize could be a book, gift card, or the opportunity to name a character in your next book.

5. Post social media announcements

Spread out the news of your award over the next several months by sharing book hooks, excerpts, readings and tidbits about characters and inspiration. Where allowed, post to genre-specific Facebook groups.

6. Contact book clubs and schools

Volunteer to talk to a club or class about your book or writing in general.

7. Send a note to local independent bookstores to let them know of the award-winning book they might like to stock.

8. Newsletter swaps

Find someone who writes in a similar genre and swap book information to find a whole new audience.

9. Send the information about your contest's winners to two or more friends who love to read.

10. Trade book requests with a fellow writer—requesting each other’s books at your local library.

Congratulations to Colorado Book Award winner, Bethany Turner, for her romance novel, Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other.

For the entire list of winners go to ColoradoHumanities.org

Bowersox Backyard BBQ

When: Saturday, July 13 @ Noon

Where: 3922 Alemeda Circle, Colorado Springs, 80918

Plus ones are welcome!

Hosted by Jodi and Kevin Bowersox

Leave behind the writing, the publishing, and the marketing for an afternoon, and come on out for a summer CAL BBQ!

Meat, tea, water, and table service will be provided; you bring a picnic-type side dish.

Let Jodi know you're coming by July 7: jodi.bowersox@gmail.com

Wellington Manor Farmers Market and Book Fair

Every Sunday from June through October, Wellington Manor will be hosting an Artisan and Farmers Market on their beautiful property. And on the last Sunday of each month, it's your turn, Colorado Authors.

You will be the feature draw, sharing the spotlight with the market. All authors will have the opportunity to set up inside a stunning hall that can accommodate twenty-plus 8-foot table locations. Spillover attendees are welcome, but they will need to bring shelter for a space in the vast outdoor yard. Also, you can sell your books any Sunday. But the last Sunday is the official "Book Fair".

Attached to the Manor House is a covered patio where music will be provided. Across from the patio is a full bar, allowing attendees to stroll and shop vendor wares with a cold drink. The atmosphere could not be more appealing. Our Hosts are two charming ladies, dedicated to assuring the best and most relaxing experience possible.

Fees for the event are expected to be $35 each. If you want to be kept informed, join this meetup group for a chance to sell your books and meet other authors!

In addition, the organizers are looking at starting an author podcast/public tv show to bring the spotlight to local writers.

https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-wellington-manor-book-fair/

It's time to register for CAL's Co-op Christmas Booth

Jodi, donning aviators: "I'm not kidding around, folks. There's not much more time to register your participation in the CAL Booth at the Denver Christmas Show."

When: Nov. 22-24

Where: Western Stock Show Building, 4655 N, Humboldt, Denver

How does it work: Find all the deets on the CAL website under CAL Books>Co-op Christmas Booth. You must be logged in to find the registration link.

There is no other single sales event in the state that rivals the crowds of the Denver Christmas show. Sign up to be a part of CAL's Christmas Co-op Booth today!

Save The Date

You won't want to miss CAL's first-ever Wine & Read!

When: Sat., Sept. 21, 1:30-3:30

Where: The Lone Tree Hub, 8827 Lone Tree Pkwy, Lone Tree CO 80124

What to expect: Wine!! Also, authors who want to read a 5 min. excerpt from their latest publication will be entered into a drawing, and we will get through as many readings as we can in the time we have. Readings will start promptly at 2:00.

Cost: This event is $5 ea. UNLESS you bring a non-CAL guest (other than a spouse). Then it is FREE.

Spouses are welcome, but the same deal applies--$5 or a guest.

This will be a great way to introduce members and non-members to our writing!

Please note: Because of the wine being served, this must be a personal invitation to friends. It can't be advertised as a "come one, come all" on social media.

Registration for this event will open September 1.

Where To Send What

Send your information about new book releases or essay, article, and poem publications to

lauriemarrwasmund@gmail.com.

Send news (finalist designations, awards, magazine features and other big news) to

mcharlier2022@gmail.com

Send any Retail Opportunities you know of (craft fairs, makers markets, or cons) to

bradenwriting@gmail.com. Check out the new calendar on the homepage at the top under Events.

Send your FREE or .99 promotions to stefanjscheuermann@gmail.com.

Continue to send your book signings and other appearances to jodi.bowersox@gmail.com.

Send forum questions to cassileith@yahoo.com.

Did You Know...

that your book is more difficult to find on Amazon if the name on your book doesn't match the name in the description? Amazon's search engine is less than stellar, so don't make it harder to be found! Match those names today!