“Four Corners Voices,” an anthology of written works from the Four Corners region, will be one of Colorado’s representative works of literature for the 2026 National Book Festival of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Chuck Greaves, a mystery author and president of Four Corners Writers, a Cortez-based nonprofit that supports regional literary talent.
The free Aug. 22 event at the Washington Convention Center hosts best-selling authors and literature fans alike and includes author talks, panels and book signings. Last year’s festival drew tens of thousands of attendees, and this year’s celebration marks a special occasion as the nation honors its 250th anniversary.
Greaves, who selected and edited the short stories submitted for publication in the anthology, said the book originated with the intent of providing local writers with an outlet for their work, something he said is often lacking in the rural Southwest.
“This area attracts a lot of creative people,” Greaves said.
The book, published in 2024, received 140 submissions, which editors narrowed to 12 short stories, 13 essays and 24 poems. In 2025, it received a Colorado Book Award, and Four Corners Writers released a second edition due to overwhelming interest from Four Corners authors who wanted to showcase their work.
“It’s a great read as evidenced by the Colorado Book Award,” Greaves said. “You’ll get a glimpse into the kind of writing talent that we have in the community.”
The particular artistic flair unique to the Four Corners region is evident in the area’s vibrant music and arts scene, and now its literary one. The works published in “Four Corners Voices” are by authors from the region or authors writing about the region, both of whom draw inspiration from the area’s culture.
“People feel a deep connection to the area, the landscape, the history,” Greaves said.
Beyond the two successful anthologies, Four Corners Writers works to cultivate that connection through monthly writers workshops, hosted free to the public at ZU Gallery Arts, 48 W. Main St., on the third Wednesday of each month. The book festival will be a significant step onto the national stage for the group.
The Library of Congress will release updates on the festival schedule at loc.gov/bookfest as the date approaches. Information on purchasing “Four Corners Voices” can be found at fourcornerswriters.com.
avanderveen@the-journal.com
