Aspen Words

Aspen Writers Network Third Thursday Meeting | Perfect Your Pitch a.k.a. Find the Heart of Your Story | April 16
2026-04-16 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver)
Aspen Writers Network Third Thursday Meeting
Perfect Your Pitch a.k.a. Find the Heart of Your Story
Identifying and being able to clearly articulate the heart of your story is key to writing and finishing your book, as well as selling it (to a publisher or the public). This workshop will help you tighten up your narrative arc to make your story more readable and more publishable.
April 16 | Bonfire Coffee (433 Main St, Carbondale) | 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Become an Aspen Writers Network member today!
Upcoming Third Thursday Meetings
May 21

Aspen Words Literary Prize Winner Announcement on April 23, 2026
2026-04-23 17:00 - 18:30
ABOUT THE PRIZE
The Aspen Words Literary Prize is a $35,000 annual award for an influential work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture.
Annually, open to authors of any nationality, the award is one of the largest literary prizes in the United States, and one of the few focused exclusively on fiction with a social impact. Past winners include Mohsin Hamid (2018 for “Exit West”), Tayari Jones (2019 for “An American Marriage”), Christy Lefteri (2020 for “The Beekeeper of Aleppo”), Louise Erdrich (2021 for “The Night Watchman”), Dawnie Walton (2022 for “The Final Revival of Opal & Nev”), Jamil Jan Kochai (2023 for “The Haunting of Hajji Hotak”), Isabella Hammad (2024 for “Enter Ghost”) and Tommy Orange (2025 for “Wandering Stars”). Eligible works include novels or short story collections that address questions of violence, inequality, gender, the environment, immigration, religion, race or other social issues.
2026 TIMELINE
Thursday, November 13, 2025 – Longlist announcement
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 – Shortlist announcement
Thursday, April 23, 2026 – Winner announcement & reception – April 2026 in New York City

Aspen Writers Network Third Thursday Meeting | May 21
2026-05-21 18:00 - 20:00
Aspen Writers Network Third Thursday Meeting
April 16 | Bonfire Coffee (433 Main St, Carbondale) | 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Become an Aspen Writers Network member today!
Upcoming Third Thursday Meetings
June 18 | Member Readings with Optional Feedback and July 16 | Summer Soiree

2026 Summer Words Writers Conference
2026-06-21 08:00 - 2026-06-26 17:00 | Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection, 100 Elbert Ln, Snowmass Village, CO, 81615, United States
Summer Words Writers Conference 2026: June 21-June 26
Aspen Words is excited to welcome writers back to Snowmass Village for the 2026 Summer Words Writers Conference. We look forward to gathering once again for a week of craft, creativity, and connection.
Applications for the Emerging Writer Fellowships open December 10, 2025 and close January 12, 2026.
Juried Workshop applications open January 12, 2026 and close February 26, 2026.
We hope you will join us for another exceptional year. If you have any questions about the application process or general Summer Words inquiries, please reach out to aspenwords@aspeninstitute.org.
Learn more about the Summer Words Writers Conference here!

Aspen Words Book Ball | July 10, 2026
2026-07-10 17:30 - 21:00 | Aspen Meadows Resort Doerr-Hosier Center, 870 Meadows Rd, Aspen, CO, 81611, United States
Book Ball | July 9, 2026 | The Aspen Meadows Resort
with Jonathan Franzen
We are honored to welcome bestselling author Jonathan Franzen as the keynote speaker for Book Ball 2026.
We hope you will join a vibrant and passionate community to celebrate writers and readers, and to connect through the power of stories on July 9, 2026, at Aspen Meadows.
This special evening raises vital funds to support Aspen Words programs, including the Aspen Literary Festival, Writers in the Schools, scholarships for emerging writers, and community talks with Pulitzer Prize–winning authors.
Learn more here!

Aspen Literary Festival 2026: September 25-27
2026-09-25 08:00 - 2026-09-27 17:00
The Aspen Literary Festival returns this fall.
Join us for an unforgettable (LIT)erary weekend in Aspen—filled with dynamic panels, lively parties, engaging conversations, and unexpected delights. Over three inspiring days, dozens of acclaimed authors will gather in Aspen to celebrate stories, ideas, and the power of words.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Stay up to date on all things ALF, including author announcements, ticket releases, and special events.
Visit the official festival website to learn more:https://www.aspenliteraryfestival.org/
