Colorado Humanities announced on June 24^th the winners of the 20^th annual Colorado Book Awards, one of the oldest state book award programs in the country.  Sponsored in part by leading self-publishing and book marketing company Outskirts Press, the annual event is a way for the Colorado arts community to say “thank you” to the exceptionally gifted writers, editors, illustrators and photographers who bring the humanities to life in their Rocky Mountain state.

The Colorado Book Awards acknowledges the role these diverse artists play in helping others understand what it means to be human by documenting and interpreting human struggle, achievement, and community life in their publications.  Colorado Humanities envisions and promotes a Colorado that celebrates its heritage and its diversity by “passing on the knowledge of the past, the inspiration of the present and the hope for the future.”

“It is an honor for us to be able to contribute to the recognition these local artists so markedly deserve,” said Outskirts Press Vice President Kelly Schuknecht.  Outskirts Press has long been associated with Colorado Humanities and is a sponsor of the charitable, nonprofit organization.

The award ceremony on June 24^th was the culminating event of the Aspen Summer Words Literary Festival hosted at the Doerr-Hosier Center inAspen by the Aspen Writers Foundation.  Colorado Book Award finalists gave public readings of their work and John Y. Cole, National Director of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, was the special guest for the festival.

“Our panel of selectors was excited and challenged by the many works again this year,” said Program coordinator Jennifer Long.  A full list of the winners in each category is available on the Colorado Humanities website, www.coloradohumaities.org.

Awards were presented to the outstanding contributors in multiple publishing categories, including nonfiction, creative nonfiction, fiction, biography, children’s, young adult, poetry, pictorial art and history.  To be eligible for a Colorado Book Award, entrants must be current Colorado residents, individuals engaged in ongoing literary work in the state or authors whose personal history, identity or literary work reflect a strong Colorado influence.  All must be writers, editors, illustrators or photographers.  Entries for the 20^th annual awards had a 2010 publication date or were published in 2010 with a delayed, 2011 copyright.

The Colorado Book Awards are just one of many book contests Outskirts Press is affiliated with, either through sponsorship or submissions. Another is their own Best Book of the Year Award, with its $1500 grand prize. Details are available at http://outskirtspress.com/bestbook.html

Outskirts Press offers high-quality, full-service self-publishing and book marketing services for writers and professionals who are seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining 100% of their rights, 100% of their profits, and 100% of the creative control. www.outskirtspress.com.

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