Literary Map of Colorado: Authors/Works

Author

life

Titles/topics

Pub date

Genre

Location

Awards

Importance to CO lit (1-5)

source

Adams, Andy

1859-1935

westerns

Colorado Springs

Arps, Louisa Ward

Denver in Slices

Denver

Arvin, Nick

2005 COBA

Atherton, Nancy

Aunt Dimity mystery series

mystery novelist

Colorado Springs

Ault, Sandi

Wild Inferno

Colorado mystery

Bacigalupi, Paolo

Windup Girl, Ship Breaker

science fiction, fantasy, short stories

Paonia

Backus, Harriet Fish

Tomboy Bride

autobiography

Telluride

Bailey, Alfred Marshall

1894-1978

200 publications

ornithologist, nature writer

Denver

Bailey, Linda

self pub?

Ballard, Todhunter

The long trail back

1960

Barker, Jane Valentine

1997 COBA

Barr, Nevada

Ill Wind, Winter Study

Colorado mysteries

Bates, Katherine Lee

America the Beautiful

songwriter

Pikes Peak

Beachy-Quick, Dan

1973-

poet, novelist

Fort Collins

Berg, Carol

fantasy, historical fiction

2003 COBA, Geffen 2005

Beshoar, Baron

Hippocrates in the Red nest, Out of the depths

Trinidad

Bickham, Willie J.

?1940-2003?

at Blair-Caldwell Research Lib

biography “Poet of Peace”

Bird, Isabella

1831-1904

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains

1881

memoir

Estes Park

Black, Michelle

The Second Glass of Absinthe: a mystery of the Victorian West

Colorado mysteries

Bohlen, Teague

2006 COBA

Borland, Hal

Country Editors Boy, The Seventh Winter, High Wide and Lonesome

autobiographies, poetry, novelist

Flagler

Brockett, D.A.

historical fiction

Grand Junction

Brown, Harry Clifford

Sundays in August

1997

novelist

Grand Junction

Burroughs, John Rolfe

surveyed SS and NW CO for illust books

Steamboat Springs

Caine, Leslie

Poisoned by Gilt, Holly and Homicide

Colorado mystery

Campbell, Greg

The Road to Kosovo, Blood Diamonds, Flawless

journalist, non-fiction

Fort Collins

Cather, Willa

The Professor’s Wife, Song of the Lark

1915

novelist

Mesa Verde, Moonstone (fictional)

Pulitzer

Chase, Mary Coyle

Harvey

playwright

Pulitzer

Churches, James E.

Pirate of the Potomac or the Squid (Green Man Publishing)

976270404

childrens picture book

Nederland

Clifford, Peggy

journalist, novelist

Aspen

Coel, Margaret

1937-

fiction and non-fiction

Boulder

Cole, Jameson

1996 COBA

Crow, Mary

poet

Fort Collins

COPL x-2010

Cummins, Ann

novelist

Durango

Davis, T. Neil

1932-

non-fiction about Alaska

novelist and nonfiction

b.Greeley

Denver, John (Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr)

1943-1997

“Rocky Mountain High” (CO state song)

2007

poet, songwriter

Aspen

1977 COPL

Derouin, R.E.

self pub?

Dietz, Denise

Beat up a Cookie

Colorado mystery

Ducker, Bruce

1938-

Dizzying Heights: The Aspen novel

novelist, short story, poet

Denver

1995 COBA

Dunnagan, Curley

Scenes from the mind of a drifter

2004

self pub?

western Slope

Dunning, John

1942-

Cliff Janeway mysteries, others

fiction and non-fiction

Denver

Eisenhower, John S.D.

1922-

military history

b.Denver

Eldridge, Edward F.

The Doctor’s Reverie

1902

poet, physician

Grand Junction

“GJ’s poet laureate”

125 GJ People book

Ellis, Anne

Life of an ordinary woman

bio about life in mining town

Bonanza

Erickson, Mary

Fante, John

1909-1983

novelist, short story, screenwriter

b.Denver

Fay, Abbott

12 books on CO history

history

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

Ferguson, Mary (b.Marilyn Louise Grasso)

1938-2008

The Aquarian Conspiracy

1980

non-fiction

Grand Junction

Ferril, Thomas Hornsby

1896-1988

poet

Denver

COPL

Foote, John Taintor

1881-1950

novelist, playwright, short story, screenwriter

b.Leadville

Foote, Mary Hallock

Fowler, Gene

A Solo in Tom-Toms, Timberline

semi-autobios, journalist

Denver

Frazee, Steve

More Damn Tourists

Salida

French, Emily

womens work, laundress

Garcez, Antonio R.

CO ghost stories

short stories

Gavignon, Richard A.

Gavin, Henry

The Long Slide

mystery novelist

Gilchrist,

2001 COBA

Gill, Len

Ginsberg, Allen

1926-1997

poet and novelist

Boulder

Gooch, Brison Dowling

1925-

19th c European history

Silverton

Greer, Robert

CJ Floyd series

mysteries

Denver

2009 COBA

Hafen, LeRoy

history, founder of Colorado Magazine

Hamlin, Garland

The Captain and the Gray-Horse troop, winter in the upper heights of the Bear Tooth Range is a glittering desolation of snow with a flaming blue sky above

1902

Haruf, Kent

1943-

Plainsong

1999

novelist

High Plains

2004 COBA

Hasburgh, Patrick

Aspen Pulp

Aspen

Hatch, Thom

history, novelist

Cimmarron

Henty, G.A. (George Alfred)

1832-1902

In the heart of the Rockies: a story of adventure in Colorado

1894

Rocky Mtn National Park

Hershey, Laura

1962-2010

disability rights

poet, journalist

Englewood

Hill, Alice Polk

1849-1921

poet and historian

Denver

COPL

Hobbs, Will

children and young adult literature

Durango

Hogan, Linda

1947-

poet, novelist, playwright, short story

b. Denver

Guggenheim

Hunsinger, J.A.

Hutchens, Paul

1902-1977

36 novels

Christian fiction

Colorado Springs

Hyde, Elisabeth

The Abortionist’s Daughter

Colorado mystery

Jackson, Helen Hunt

Manitou Springs

Jenkins, Steve (& wife Robin Page)

children’s nonfiction picture books

Boulder

Johnson, Monica (aka Monica McGowan Johnson)

1946-2010

comedy

novelist and screenwriter

b. in CO

Jordan, Kathy

Heart of the City: North Seventh Street Historic Residential District

2005

history

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

Joseph, Diana

Happy or Otherwise

short fiction (edits Pinyon Press, teaches at Mesa State College)

King, Stephen

Colorado Kid

Nederland

Kyle, Ayrn

1978-

novelist and short story writer

Grand Junction

Lamm, Richard

1935-

current politics

writer, novelist

Denver

38th Gov of CO 1975-1987

Larsen, Deena

1964-

electronic lit/hypertext

writer

Denver

Laube, Clifford J.

1891-1974

Catholic writings

poet, journalist, publisher

Rico

Lavender, David

1910-2003

One Man’s West

1956

Telluride

Lavender, David

The Rockies

Telluride

Lebowitz, Josiah

Guardian of the Stone

self pub?

Grand Junction

Lee, Mabel Barbee

1884-1979

Cripple Creek Days, Back in Cripple Creek (about Winfield S. Stratton)

novelist and nonfiction

Cripple Creek

1958 Spur Award

Lindsey, Ben

The Beast

expose on political corruption in CO, judge

Look, Al

1894-1992

more than 17 books, pamphlets

regional history and bios, nicknamed "Old Man of the Mountain"

Grand Junction

Lopez, L. Luis

A Painting in the Sand, Each month I sing, Musings of a Barrio Sack Boy

poetry (teacher at Mesa St)

Grand Junction

Mackel, Kathryn

The Hidden

Colorado mystery

Mason, David

1954-

poet

Colorado Springs

COPL

Maynard, Frank H.

1853-1926

Cowboy’s Lament: A life on the Open Range

posthumously pub 2010

writer

Colorado Springs

McCreanor, Emma Louise

Mesa County, Colorado: A 100 Year History (1883-1993)

history , script writer

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

McGovern, George

The Great Coal Field War

non-fiction, senator of CO

Ludlow

Michener, James

1907-1997

Centennial

1974

novelist

Centennial

Miller, Nellie Burget

19875-1952

poet

Colorado Springs

COPL

Mills, Enos A.

books to preserve

Rocky Mtn National Park

Milofsky, David

2000 COBA

Minor, Will C.

Footprints in the trail

1950

Western memoirs

Fruita

Minor, Will C.

More Footprints in the trail

1973

Western memoirs

Fruita

Monnett

Colorado Profiles: men and women who shaped the Centennial State

Moody, Ralph

Little Britches

Littleton

Myracle, Lauren

Fort Collins

Nelson, Kent

2003 COBA

Newell, Coke (Clayton Corey)

Morman topic

novelist and nonfiction

sw of Denver

Nizalowski, John

Hooking the Sun

prose, poetry (fiction editor for Pinyon magazine, teaches at Mesa St)

Grand Junction

Nordenskiold, Gustaf

Cliff Dwellings of Mesa Verde

non-fiction, first report on Arch digs in MV

Mesa Verde

Overholser, Wayne D.

Fabulous Gunman, Lone deputy

1952, 1957

Page, Jean

From Hoof to Wheel: The History of Grand Junction, CO

1982

illustrated radio scripts (history)

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

Papanikolas, Zeese

Buried Unsung: Louis Tikas and the Ludlow Massacre

1982

history

Ludlow

Parker, Ann

Silver Lies, Leaden Skies

Colorado mysteries

Paulson, Beth

The Company of Trees, The truth about thunder

poetry, columnist for Ouray Plainlander

near Ouray

Peterson, Tracie

1959-

Colorado Wings

2000

Inspiration fiction

Denver

Piper, Autumn

self pub?

Pritchett, Laura

Prosser-Armstrong, Judy

credited by over 1,000 books

researcher, historian, journalist

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

Rait, Mary

Development of Grand Junction and the Colorado River from 1881-1931

history, prof/admin Mesa Jr College

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

Ramos, Manuel

Chicano crime fiction (Blues for the Buffalo)

novelist

Denver

1993 COBA

Ramthun, Bonnie

The Thirteenth Skull

Colorado mystery

Ransick, Chris

poet

Denver

COPL

Reid, T.R. (Thomas Roy)

health care

journalist, non-fiction

Denver

Resau, Laura

young adult literature

Fort Collins

Ripley, Henry

Hand-clasp of the East and West

1914

Robinson, Alphonse

at Blair-Caldwell Research Lib

autobiography 1966-1988

Robinson, Elizabeth

1961-

poet, novelist

Denver

Rockwell, Wilson

Western Slope regional history

Crawford

Rosen, Danny

Western Colorado poet

Western Slope

Runyon, Damon

Pueblo Chieftain, Guys and Dolls, Blue Plate Special, Money from Home

Pueblo

Ruxton, George Frederick

Manitou Springs

Salter, James

Aspen

Schanbachar, Gary

2007 COBA

Schwartz, Steven

1998 COBA

Sefton, Maggie

A Killer Stitch

colorado mystery

Seger, Linda

screenwriting coach, non-fiction

Cascade

Short, Luke (real name: Fred Glidden)

1908-1975

western novelist

Aspen

Silbernagel, Bob

Dinosaur Stalkers: Tracking Dinosaur Discoveries of Western Colorado and Eastern Utah

1996

archaeology history

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

Simmons, Dan

1999 COBA

Sinclair, Upton

1878-1968

The coal war: A secret to King Coal

1976

history

Ludlow

Singleton, Elyse

This side of the sky

2010

journalist, novelist

Denver

2002 COBA

Smith, Duane

24 pop books

history, prof Fort Lewis College

Smith, Suzi Q.

1979-

poet, spoken word

Denver

Speaight, Frank

author, poet, dramatist of Dickens

Sprague, Marshall

Newport in the Rockies

history

colorado Springs

Stegner, Wallace

Angle of Repose

novelist, poet, essayist

Leadville

Pulitzer

Stiles, Bert

1920-1944

short stories, journalist

Denver

Stone, Michael

The low end of nowhere

Colorado mystery

Taylor, Morris

Thompson, Hunter S.

1937-2005

Gonzo journalism

journalist, novelist

Woody Creek

Tope, Richard E.

Objective History, Grand Junction, Co

~1957

history, prof, school superintendant

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

Trumbo, Dalton

1905-1976

Eclipse (novel), Johnny Got His Gun, Roman Holiday, The Brave One (play)

1935

novelist, screenwriter

Grand Junction

2 Academy Awards, 1939 NBA

Turnbull, Belle

1906-1975

poet and novelist

Breckenridge

COPL

Urban, Helle

C is for Centennial

2007

childrens picture book

Parker

Van Relt, James

Summer of the Apocalypse

teaches at Fruita High, Mesa St

Wadlow, Mary Eddy

History of Colorado Cowbelles

history

Grand Junction

125 GJ People book

Warman, Cy

poetry

Creede

Waters, Frank

1902-1995

Southwest topic

novelist and history

b.Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek

Watson, Elmo Scott

1892-1951

journalist

Denver

Weber, Lenora Mattingly

1895-1971

short stories, novelist

Denver

White, Michael K.

1961-

playwright, poet, novelist

b.Pueblo

White, Stephen

1951-

Dr. Alan Gregory series

thriller fiction

Boulder

Whitfield, Grant

Whitney, Louise Doak

C is for Centennial

2007

childrens picture book

b.CO

Williams, John

Butchers Crossing

novelist, U of Denver prof

?Fairplay?

Willis, Connie

science fiction write

Greeley

Wilson, James Q.

1931-

political science, textbooks

b.Denver

2003 Presidential Medal of Freedom

Wolle, Muriel Sibell

Stampede to Timberline

sketch of mining towns

Central City

Wright, Harold Bell

The winning of Barbara Worth

1911

Wroblewski, David

1959-

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

2008

novelist

CO ?

2008 COBA, 2008 Oprah

Yancey, Philip

1949-

Christian author

Rockies?

Zelsterman, Dave

Bad Karma

Colorado mystery

Pages

Authors/Works