Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book assigns selectors and judges to create panels of diverse readers (e.g., scholars, librarians, booksellers, teachers, and writers) from across the state. Participating as a selector or judge provides you with an opportunity to see firsthand what leading members of Colorado’s book community are creating in a category. For the best chance to be considered, please submit or update your application by December 1, 2023.

The Book Awards judging process has two parts:

Selection of finalists typically occurs from late January to late March. Selectors read all books submitted in their assigned category and work on a three-member committee to choose three finalist books. The number of books assigned to a selector varies based on the number of entries submitted in each category.  If selectors cannot come to agreement, final overall scores will be used in determining a finalist.

Judging of finalists typically takes place from early April to mid-May. Judges read the three finalist books in their assigned category and work on a three-member committee to choose a Colorado Book Award winner. If judges cannot come to agreement, final overall scores will be used in determining a winner.

Selectors and judges do not receive compensation for serving but will receive a complimentary ticket to the Colorado Book Awards celebration for the year they select or judge and may keep the books they review. 

There is no limit to how many years a selector or judge may serve on a committee; however, in most cases, selectors and judges cannot serve in consecutive award years on the same category committee. An individual may serve as both a selector and judge in any given awards year, provided s/he adjudicates different categories. In the spirit of community, efforts will be made to accommodate all who wish to volunteer.

The Colorado Book Awards program coordinator will guide selectors and judges through the adjudication process and lead committee discussions. Selectors and judges are asked to come prepared to both contribute and listen in a civil discussion, demonstrating respect for fellow selectors, judges, authors, and publishers. The information about books entered, the adjudication process, and all discussions about entries are considered strictly confidential.

Selectors and Judges will receive hard copies of all entries, but if an emergency arises, we will give access to a PDF version of the book. To review such digital books, aside from having a verified email address, you will need Internet access and a computer, iPad, Nook, Kindle, or other e-reader that handles a PDF file format. 

If you have any additional questions please email mary@coloradohumanities.org.

If you are interested in booking one of our Speakers Bureau presenters, please complete the following application at least 8 weeks prior to your desired event date. Our speakers include 2023 Colorado Book Awards finalists and winners and 2023-2027 Colorado Poet Laureate finalists. They can read from their work, lecture, lead workshops, or join book club discussions about their work. Please visit https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/ccftb-speakers-bureau/ for a complete list.

Our mission at the Colorado Center for the Book is to encourage a love of reading and books among people of all ages through diverse cultural activities. For more information, contact Mary Hickey, 303.894.7951 x19, mary@coloradohumanities.org.

Thank you for entering the Colorado Book Awards! The 33rd annual Colorado Book Awards season begins September 1, 2023 for books published for the first time between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023. Submission deadline is January 5, 2024.

We are particularly interested in receiving and reviewing works created by authors of communities that have been historically marginalized and excluded. A primary contributor to the book must be a current Colorado resident engaged in ongoing literary work in the state, or with a personal history, identity, AND literary work that reflect a strong Colorado influence. Independently published work is welcome.
 

Reprinted editions or books previously published in another form do not qualify UNLESS at least 50% of the book’s content is new (further documentation will be required). All submitted books must have a printed ISBN, and we strongly recommend that books be professionally edited. The entry fee is $60.00. For all submission guidelines and requirements, please visit: https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-book-awards/

Submission instructions:

1. Complete the online submission form.  
2. At the end of the form, where it says "Add files," please attach:       
    a.  a 300 dpi jpeg (.jpg) of your book's front cover       
    b.  a 300 dpi jpeg of author/contributor headshot        
    c.  a 300 dpi jpeg of author/contributor with book   
3. Click the "submit" button to upload your files.    
4. Enter your payment information.    
5. Mail FOUR copies of your book to Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book, 7935 E Prentice Avenue, Suite 450, Greenwood Village, CO  80111, postmarked by January 5, 2024. Important: if your book is nominated as a finalist, CH staff will contact you requesting three (3) additional copies of your book for the second round of judging.

Questions? Please contact Mary Hickey, Director of Programs & Center for the Book, at mary@coloradohumanities.org

Thank you for entering the Colorado Book Awards! The 33rd annual Colorado Book Awards season begins September 1, 2023 for books published for the first time between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023. Submission deadline is January 5, 2024.

We are particularly interested in receiving and reviewing works created by authors of communities that have been historically marginalized and excluded. A primary contributor to the book must be a current Colorado resident engaged in ongoing literary work in the state, or with a personal history, identity, AND literary work that reflect a strong Colorado influence. Independently published work is welcome.
 

Reprinted editions or books previously published in another form do not qualify UNLESS at least 50% of the book’s content is new (further documentation will be required). All submitted books must have a printed ISBN, and we strongly recommend that books be professionally edited. The entry fee is $60.00. For all submission guidelines and requirements, please visit: https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-book-awards/
 

Submission instructions:

 1. Complete the online submission form.  
 2. At the end of the form, where it says "Add files," please attach:       
     a.  a 300 dpi jpeg (.jpg) of your book's front cover       
     b.  a 300 dpi jpeg of author/contributor headshot        
     c.  a 300 dpi jpeg of author/contributor with book   
 3. Click the "submit" button to upload your files.      
 4. Mail FOUR copies of your book to Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book, 7935 E Prentice Avenue, Suite 450, Greenwood Village, CO  80111, postmarked by January 5, 2024. Important: if your book is nominated as a finalist, CH staff will contact you requesting three (3) additional copies of your book for the second round of judging.

Payment instructions:

Send payment by check for $60 to the same address listed in #4 and make checks payable to Colorado Humanities.

 Questions? Please contact Mary Hickey, Director of Programs & Center for the Book, at mary@coloradohumanities.org