2026 Mountain Stories Literary Festival
Presented by Center for the Arts Evergreen & the Jefferson County Library Foundation
SEPTEMBER 25 + 26, 2026
Originally launched in 2014 as the Rocky Mountain Literary Festival, Mountain Stories returns as a reimagined gathering — bringing readers, writers, and curious minds together through shared stories and meaningful connection.
Collaborative Author Panel
Crisosto Apache
Colorado’s 11th Poet Laureate (2026–2027), is an award-winning poet, educator, and advocate for Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer communities. A Pushcart Prize nominee and Associate Professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Apache is the author of Ghostword and is(ness) and a recipient of the Lucas Artists Fellowship.
Megan E. Freeman
A New York Times bestselling author, award-winning poet, and longtime educator, this Colorado writer is best known for the acclaimed novels Alone and Away. A Colorado Book Award winner and nationally recognized speaker, she has spent decades inspiring readers and writers of all ages. Her new young adult novel, The Secret to Belonging, will be published in 2026.
Adrian Miller
A two-time James Beard Award-winning culinary author based in Denver, whose work explores African American and presidential foodways. A former White House staffer, Miller brings history to life through engaging storytelling. His latest book, Cooking to the President’s Taste, was published in 2025.
Jenny Shank
Her story collection Mixed Company won the George Garrett Fiction prize and the Colorado Book Award, and her novel The Ringer won the High Plains Book Award. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Prairie Schooner, Missouri Review, and McSweeney’s.
TICKETS
Choose Your Festival Experience
VIP Combo Ticket
Enjoy the complete festival experience with admission to the Friday Author Happy Hour and Saturday Literary Festival. Includes a boxed lunch on Saturday.
$75
Friday Author Happy Hour
Enjoy a private happy hour with Literary Festival authors. Admission includes drinks and light appetizers.
$50
Saturday Festival Ticket
Includes Saturday author presentations, panel discussion, and a boxed lunch.
$40
SCHEDULE
Friday Evening
Author Happy Hour
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Kick off the Mountain Stories Literary Festival with an intimate evening alongside this year’s featured authors. Enjoy drinks and light appetizers while mingling with fellow readers, meeting the authors, and getting a head start on the weekend’s conversations.
Saturday Festival Schedule
9:15 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presented by Sara Miller and Jo Schantz Hall
9:30 AM
Author Panel
Moderated by Melissa Payne
10:15 AM
Author Presentation
Adrian Miller
11:00 AM
Break
11:15 AM
Author Presentation
Jenny Shank
12:00 PM
Lunch Break
Boxed lunch provided for ticket holders.
1:00 PM
Author Presentation
Megan E. Freeman
1:45 PM
Author Presentation
Crisosto Apache
2:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Presented by Sara Miller and Jo Schantz Hall
2:40 PM
Author Book Signing
Meet the authors, purchase books, and have them signed.
2026 Mountain Stories Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Download our Mountain Stories Sponsorship Packet to explore partnership opportunities and benefits.
Questions? Contact Sara at sara@evergreenarts.org.