Books in Bloom 2026
Join us for lively author presentations, and delight in a delicious brunch spread with fellow book lovers! We are excited to announce three amazing authors this year: River Selby, Amanda Skenandore and Allen Eskens!
River Selby, a nonbinary and autistic writer, was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. They worked as a wildland firefighter for seven years, stationed out of California, Oregon, Colorado, and Alaska. River is currently a Kingsbury and Legacy Fellow at Florida State University, where they are pursuing their PhD in Nonfiction with an emphasis in postcolonial histories, archival research, and post 20th Century Literature and Culture.
River, a first generation high-school and college graduate, has been an avid reader and writer since childhood, though they didn't seriously pursue the craft until 2012, when they ended their career in fire and began undergraduate studies at Syracuse University. Their debut hybrid memoir, Hotshot: A Life on Fire, was chosen as a Best Nonfiction Book of 2025 by Kirkus Reviews. River's work has been published in High Country News, Vox, Allure, Tricycle Buddhist Review, and Autostraddle. Their short story, "How Certain Fires Burn," won the Boulevard Magazine short fiction award for emerging writers. River is currently working on a novel.
Amanda Skenandore is an award-winning author of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into multiple languages and garnered accolades from the American Library Association, Reader’s Digest, Silicon Valley Reads, and Apple Books. In 2024, she was awarded the Nevada Arts Council Literary Fellowship. Her writing explores lesser-known corners of history and, drawing on her 16 years as a registered nurse, often includes themes of medicine, justice, and belonging. Amanda grew up in the Colorado Rockies and now lives in Las Vegas with her husband and their pet turtle, Lenore.
Allen Eskens is the bestselling author of The Life We Bury, The Guise of Another, The Heavens May Fall, The Deep Dark Descending, The Shadows We Hide, Nothing More Dangerous, The Stolen Hours, Forsaken Country, Saving Emma, and his latest novel, The Quiet Librarian.
He is the recipient of the Barry Award, Minnesota Book Award, Left Coast Crime Award, and Silver Falchion Award and has been a finalist for the Edgar® Award, Thriller Award, Anthony Award and Nero Award. His books have been translated into 23 languages.
Allen has a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from Hamline University. After law school, he studied creative writing in the M.F.A. program at Minnesota State University-Mankato, as well as the Loft Literary Center and the Iowa Summer Writer’s Festival. Allen grew up in the hills of central Missouri. He now lives with his wife, Joely, in greater Minnesota where he recently retired after practicing criminal law for 25 years.
Join us at CMC in Edwards, Colorado at 10 AM. CMC at Edwards is also searchable as Colorado Mountain College Vail Valley. Located near Battle Mountain High School and Rocky Mountain Freedom Park at 150 Miller Ranch Rd, Edwards, CO 81632.
Books in Bloom is an annual event presented by Eagle Valley Library District that brings exceptional authors to you! The event includes author presentations, author book signings, food and beverages, and a chance to mingle with other book lovers.
Delight in a fabulous brunch event! The event will start at 10 AM, with a chance to enjoy some food and coffee or tea before the author presentations begin. Book signings will be held after all the authors have presented.
