Local Authors to Speak at New York Literature Conference

By Elijah Hill

Bestselling author Amalie Howard and debut middlegrade author J.E. Thomas are gearing up to head to New York to speak at the Kweli (QWAYlee) Color of Children’s Literature Conference in March. The Kweli conference is one of the largest gatherings of diverse authors of children’s and young adult books in the country.

This year’s panelists include MacArthur Fellow Jacqueline Woodson, National Books Critics Circle Fiction Prize winner Edwidge Danticat, Printz Award and Morris Award winner Angeline Boulley, National Book Award winners Ibram Kendi and Malinda Lo, and 2022 Newbery Honor winner Donna Barba Higuera, to name a few.

“Our goal is to host a forum where diverse writers from around the world can meet esteemed authors, illustrators, publishers, editors and agents,” said Kweli Founder and Executive Director Laura Pegram, noting that this is the first time the event has had two authors from Colorado.

Howard lives in Fort Collins and has written more than 20 books. Denver-based Thomas will publish her novel in May.

“I’ve lived all over the world, from growing up in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, studying in France and Maine, working for many years on Wall Street in Manhattan, before ending up in Fort Collins nearly a decade ago,” Howard says. “Colorado is such an inspirational place to be a writer with all its open spaces, beautiful lakes, and the gorgeous Rocky Mountains in the background. I feel very lucky to live here. In fact, before we moved from New York, I wrote a young adult science fiction novel with parallel universes that was set in Fort Collins! I suppose that was a kind of kismet.”

For Thomas, a lifetime of living and working in Colorado definitely influenced her book. “I’m a Denver native,” she says. “I remember when Denver was so small that we didn’t have rush hours. It’s much larger now, but a lot of the small-town friendliness remains. I wanted people to see those qualities in my book.”

The award-winning writer says her book, “Control Freaks,” “explores what happens when scientists, mathematicians and others in STEM-related fields buy a Denver golf course with the intention of building Colorado’s best school on the land.” With Denver’s Park Hill Golf Course set for renovation in real life, her book offers readers an alternative of what might have been. She is working on her second middle-grade book and her debut young adult book.

Pegram hopes Colorado’s diverse writers travel to New York for the March 31 to April 2 conference to meet authors, publishers and agents in person, but she knows airfare and hotel costs may be difficult for many.

“The final day of our conference will be all-virtual,” she says. “Those who can’t travel can choose the virtual option and still enjoy the Kweli experience.”.

Editor’s note: For more information and to register, visit kwelijournal.org.

Denver Housing Authority Annual Open Contracting

Open House Virtual & In-Person Event

Denver Housing Authority presents its annual Open House as a virtual event on Wednesday, March 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

David Nisivoccia, DHA’s Chief Executive Officer, will kick off the morning with an overview of the agency’s plans for various housing developments in the pipeline.

Several workshops presented virtually by Division leaders have been designed to provide attendees with the basics of DHA contracting, guidance for accessing large and small housing maintenance opportunities, and the current needs of prime contractors dedicated to large

DHA building and modernization projects.

In addition, DHA’s 2023 Procurement Plan schedule for upcoming solicitations for construction, housing maintenance, supplies, and professional services will be provided for each participant.

A two-hour in-person networking session during the afternoon will present vendors with an opportunity to personally meet DHA senior leadership, buying staff, General Contractors, and Architects and get questions answered.

All participants must preregister to attend.

Editor’s note: For more information and to register, visit www.denverhousing.org

About Denver Housing Authority (DHA)

Denver Housing Authority is a quasi-municipal corporation with a portfolio of over 12,000 units and housing choice vouchers, providing affordable housing to more than 26,000 very low-, low- and middleincome individuals.

DHA has transformed public housing in Denver, creating vibrant, revitalized, sustainable, transit-oriented, and mixedincome community of choice. Today, DHA’s vision has been honed to reflect the goal that every individual or family shall have quality and affordable housing, in communities offering empowerment, economic opportunity, and a vibrant living environment.

Denver Housing Authority’s mission is to serve the residents of Denver by developing, owning, and operating safe, quality and affordable housing in a manner that promotes thriving communities. DHA is governed by a nine-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Denver and approved by the City Council.

For more information, visit www.denverhousing.org