Scholarships for Aspiring and Achieving Authors
Through your continued support, and generous donations to the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame, scholarships are awarded to underwrite the education, classes, and conferences to support authors’ and aspiring authors to achieve their publishing goals.
The total value of each scholarship is $20,000.
Submissions for the 2026 Aspiring Authors Scholarships will be open from November 30, 2025 to March 31, 2026.
The Colorado Authors Hall of Fame Scholarship is open to applicants who:
- over 20 years of age
- are a legal Colorado resident
- are an unpublished author, either in your name or a chosen pen name
- have not published publicly as a solo author in a traditional independent or self-published venue
- have a desire to become a successful author in the field of publishing
- in your submission essay, include "why you want to write and become an author" and "what you plan to do with my scholarship funds"
- include a sampling of your already written work of at least 20 pages
- will attend the awards luncheon in September of 2026
- will participate in a minimum of 75% of the mentorship workshop programs
- half of the financial scholarship will be delivered at the luncheon and the balance will be delivered when 50% of the workshops are completed
Essays will be evaluated for excellence of writing, creativity and yes, grammar by a panel of judges consisting of bookstore owners, librarians and published authors.
The winners will be announced in July and are invited to participate in the Colorado Authors Hall Aspiring Authors Scholarship luncheon in September to accept their scholarship. Scholarship recipients will be notified in July.
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Requirements:
- The Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame Scholarship is open to applicants who are at least 20 years of age and are legal residents of the state of Colorado.
- Applicants must be an unpublished author.
- Applicants must write an essay not to exceed 1,000 words on the topic “Why I Want to Write and Become an Author.” Essays will be judged for excellence of writing, creativity, and grammar. In addition, a brief statement of what you plan on doing with any moneys that you receive must be included.
- Applicants must include a sampling of their already written work of at least 20 pages. Samplings of chapters, articles, etcetera. Topic is the choice of the applicant. Work will be judged for excellence of writing, creativity, and grammar.
- In addition, a brief statement of what you plan on doing with any moneys that you receive must be included.
Do not include your name or any other identifying information on your essay and brief statement. All applications will be assigned a number tied to it so your name is not identified to judges who will receive the essay and brief statement of intended usage of any moneys awarded.
The Colorado Authors’ Hall of Fame reserves the right not to award the scholarships if no suitable applications are received.
Applications must be received by 11:30pm on March 31, 2026. Winners will be notified by July.