This is quite the honor! Black Smoke is one of two books that will represent Colorado at the 2023 National Book Festival. Here’s the press release from Colorado Humanities and The Center for the Book:
July 24, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Books by local authors selected to represent Colorado at the 2023 National Book Festival.
Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book has selected two books to represent Colorado’s local literary heritage for the National Book Festival’s Great Reads from Great Places project. The project strives to celebrate the local literary heritage of the 56 states and territories.
During the 2023 National Book Festival on Saturday, August 12 at the Washington Convention Center, Center for the Book representatives from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Marianas will staff tables to promote their book selections and other literary works reflective of their unique locations. The Roadmap to Reading is the area in the convention center where these 56 tables will be assembled and has been a part of the festival since 2002.
The selected titles to represent Colorado in the Adult and Youth categories are:
Adult: Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue by 2022 Colorado Book Awards History winner Adrian Miller
Commenting on the selection of his book for the Festival, Miller said: “I’m thrilled that Black Smoke will be featured at the 2023 National Book Festival! My book highlights and celebrates the significant contributions that Black people have made to America’s beloved barbecue culture. I’m honored to share their stories with people unfamiliar with this fascinating culinary history. Thank you to Colorado Humanities for recommending Black Smoke!”
Youth: Rise of the Red Hand by 2022 Colorado Book Awards Young Adult Literature winner Olivia Chada
Chada said: “I’m honored that Rise of the Red Hand was selected to represent the youth category in Colorado at the National Book Festival. The novel centers on themes that are local and international including climate change, class conflict, and the future of AI. I am grateful for the opportunity to share Rise of the Red Hand with audiences far and wide with hopes that the book’s central message of empathy can inspire readers of all ages.”
Colorado Humanities’ Center for the Book is an affiliate of the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book, a community of 56 affiliated centers promoting reading, libraries, and literacy across the country. https://www.loc.gov/programs/center-for-the-book/about-this-program/
Colorado Humanities, a 501(c)(3), joins with hundreds of program partners statewide to design and provide community-based educational resources and programs in history, reading, and writing, as well as offering opportunities for informed civic dialogue and conversation about challenging issues.
Learn more at coloradohumanities.org, or call 303.894.7951.
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