About the Hall
The Mission of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame is to honor and promote the works of outstanding published authors from all genres and generations to ensure their legacies will not be lost and the impact of their work is recognized.
The Hall encourages emerging authors through scholarships and by example and is a Resource of support for the writing community and published authors. The application form is within this tab, Scholarship. Other author and related organizations within Colorado are identified that include multiple professional organizations serving authors and writers.
How It All Started...
Judith wanted to celebrate authors and writers who had made a difference; who were courageous in tackling taboo topics; who were pioneers in publishing their words that broke barriers; who displayed courage in the face of critics; who created fabulous storytelling for young and old; and yes, acknowledge the well-known who dominated the bestseller charts and those who never had a chance to break through, yet created memorable and important work. The year was 2014.
First on the list was registering with the State of Colorado a name: Colorado Authors Hall of Fame. Done. Obtaining an EIN from the IRS. Done. Then Judith reached out to friend and CPA Bruce Hellerstein, “Can you help me figure out what’s needed to apply to the IRS for a 501c3 filing.” With a “Yes” from Bruce, the beginning structure was initiated to fill in the form, getting it filed and approved. Done. Mission statements; skeleton criteria for nominees along with a skeleton board, dissolution letters, responsibilities of the board, and so much went into a folder. Done. She then reached out to graphic designer Nick Zelinger and asked if he would create a mockup of a logo. Done.
And then, life went on for a few years with little action.
In 2018, Judith felt the “get it done” siren calling to her. The time was ripe to go forward and get the domain; write the content for the website; create the website; revive and add to the Board; and plan the formal launch. She revisited the original criteria for Nominees and added to it. The Nomination process was initiated and a formal launch was slated for the fall with Nominees being announced in the spring of 2019 and an Induction Gala that September. We were sold out at 170, to a foreign event that everyone raved about.
The following year the pandemic arrived and plans had begun for the 2022 Induction, not knowing if we would be able to hold it. Surprisingly we did. With over 200 in attendance, with a caveat that everyone had to be vaccinated. To our delight, the event was a huge success and not person got ill.
The board began to wonder, what's next? And the idea of creating scholarships for Aspiring Authors was birthed. With the first awarding of $2000 each to five unpublished authors, plus a one-year mentorship program.
As with most things, someone starts with an idea. And others appear as needed to get it birthed. It’s how things get done.
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