Thursday, August 27, 2026
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14 Colorado Unpublished Authors Winners Earn Aspiring Author Scholarships
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| August 27, 2026, Denver, Colorado. The Colorado Authors Hall of Fame (the Hall) will deliver 14 $15,000 scholarships to aspiring and unpublished Colorado residents. Each scholarship consists of a cash award and an intensive one-year coaching-mentoring program created by the Hall. The scholarships are part of its commitment to encourage, support, and nurture Colorado-connected writers. | | | | | | | The 2026 Scholarship recipients include: The 2026 full Scholarship Winners to be honored are: Mallory Decker, Emma
Needell, Molly Heines, Tiffany Neislanik, and Sam Rosewilde.
The three runners-up to be honored include: Erin Jones, Jim Roome, and Stacey Naughton.
The six Finalists to be honored include: Lucas Cunningham, Susan Loriho, Emily Richardson, Terry Schultz, Farrah Yeganeh, and Zachary Walker. | | | | | Sponsored by the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame, the first round of scholarships was awarded in 2022. Five of the winners have now published with two more expected within the next six months. They will be honored at a luncheon celebration on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the Denver Inverness Golf & Resort in Englewood, Colorado. Tickets are available on the Hall's website, www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org. One of the main sponsors of the scholarships is Barnes & Noble. The public is invited.
The Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Scholarship is open to applicants in even-numbered years who: - have not had their work published in a book
- did not use AI
- are over 20;
- are legal Colorado residents
- have a desire to succeed as an author and in the field of publishing
- must include a sampling of their already written work of at least 20 pages and an essay of why they want to become an author.
Part of the application process included writing an essay of up to 1,000 words on the topic: "Why I Want to Write and Become an Author," along with how they intend to use the money. Essays were evaluated for excellence of writing, creativity, and yes, grammar by a panel of judges consisting of writing coaches, industry professionals, and published authors.
One of the previous winners, Julia Juxsun, will speak at the special event about her experience in publishing and representation in a variety of independent bookstores in Colorado and New Mexico.
The scholarships were envisioned by the founder of the Hall, Dr. Judith Briles. She shares, "Writing and publishing a book is like climbing one of our Rocky Mountain 'fourteeners'. It requires years of preparation, unbelievable stamina, and courage. Facing that blank page is like starting an ascent. When you reach the top by completing the book, authors can suddenly see farther than ever before. This vision from the pinnacle is the gift authors give their readers. Now, the Hall would like to give a gift back to Colorado's authors who desire to reach the publishing summit. Their impact on countless readers in providing entertainment, enlightenment, and solutions is immeasurable."
The organization is an all-volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is "to honor and promote the works of outstanding published authors from all genres and generations with a vibrant connection to Colorado, to ensure their legacies will not be lost."
Information about the application process, nomination criteria for the 2027 Hall of Fame Induction that will be held next year celebrating successfully published Colorado-connected authors, donations, events, and board members can all be found at www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org. | | |
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