Silvia Pettem’s fascination with women who had disappeared into history led to her research for “In Search of the Blonde Tigress.”

Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book
Melissa Payne uses small towns to explore and explode stereotypes
Melissa Payne’s novel “A Light in the Forest” began with a single character who ultimately pulled the author in an unanticipated direction.
Pete Carlson wrapped a cartel thriller around the enduring theme of family
In “Deep Waters of Destiny,” author Pete Carlson explores one character’s discovery of his biological family — which the author based on a true story.
Sandra Dallas suddenly found interest in her Spanish Flu novel — amid COVID
When author Sandra Dallas sent “Little Souls” off to her agent several years ago, nobody cared. Finally, amid COVID, she got a call: “Remember that manuscript…?”
Chuck Greaves missed his protagonist’s wiseacre voice. “The Chimera Club” gave it back.
Chuck Greaves missed his protagonist from his mystery series, and so the latest Jack MacTaggart novel was born. Not exactly L.A. Noir, Greaves sets it in the evocative locale of the city’s Chinatown.
John Giordanengo turned a business school revelation into research on two global systems
The Occupy Wall Street movement and the Great Recession nudged author John Giordanengo to look at “Ecosystems As Models for Restoring Our Economies.”
Aimie K. Runyan found a nugget in research that inspired its own novel
Author Aimie K. Runyan’s shocking discovery while looking into Nazi wedding traditions created the framework for her novel “The School for German Brides.”
As Christina Holbrook delivered her novel to her agent, a brain tumor changed everything
Novelist Christina Holbrook’s romance “All the Flowers of the Mountain” eventually would win a Colorado Book Award. But she didn’t have time to play the publishing game.
Poets wondered: Is motherhood the enemy of art-making?
Is motherhood the enemy of art-making? A writing panel brought Emily Pérez and Nancy Reddy together — and the duo soon began “The Long Devotion,” a years-long anthology project to explore this and more.
Will Betke-Brunswick drew on small moments for story of unconditional love
Will Betke-Brunswick’s graphic memoir “A Pros and Cons List for Strong Feelings” juxtaposes their mother’s humor amid an ultimately fatal illness while also examining “messy life happening”