In Durango, Colo., is a wonderful local bookstore called Maria’s Bookshop.
Now living near Cortez, Colo., (west of Durango) is a wonderful author named Chuck Greaves.
In Southwest Colorado are wonderful nonprofit organizations dedicated to everything from helping people to helping the environment to helping mustangs.
Also in Southwest Colorado – the entire region – are wonderful authors who support the people, the environment and the creatures that call this place home.
On Dec. 7, Maria’s will host the Giving Back Gang holiday party from 6 to 8 p.m. at the shop, 960 Main Ave., right downtown.
From Maria’s website:
“Join us for a fun holiday event celebrating some of our most talented and generous local writers! Maria’s Bookshop will host The Giving Back Gang Holiday Party, a showcase of 18 authors who have each selected a local nonprofit organization to support by donating a share of the proceeds from the sale of their books between December 1st and 7th.
“Please join us for this festive event, which will provide an opportunity to meet the authors, talk with them about their work, and learn about the regional nonprofits they’re supporting. Holiday cookies will be provided by the authors, and the range of titles includes great gift ideas for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
Support local writers as they support local groups working to make our communities stronger and better!”
Now why do you suppose I singled out Chuck, one of those 18 authors?
Because proceeds from Chuck’s book Hard Twisted, a historical fictional account of an actual event (or, really, series of events) that took place in this region in the 1930s, have been designated to benefit the Colorado chapter of the National Mustang Association, which benefits our Spring Creek Basin herd!
Chuck and his wife, Lynda, are long-time supporters of the Spring Creek Basin herd, and Lynda is on our NMA/CO board. Chuck’s first published novel was Hush Money, a fantastic read about murder and lawyers and international show jumping (yes, horses!).
Read a review of Hard Twisted in The Durango Herald.
If you’re in Durango or Southwest Colorado, please consider stopping by Maria’s on Friday evening to meet Chuck and some of us from NMA/CO and buy Hard Twisted to benefit our mustangs!
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Thanks, TJ –you’re the best!
That award goes to Chuck for choosing NMA/CO! I keep waiting for “down time” to start Hard Twisted – ha. Hope there’s a great turnout at Maria’s! I know there will be.
TJ, how close is Spring Creek to Durango?? My friend’s son attend Ft. Lewis. I was just out there in this spring.
Only about 2.5 hours. Middle of nowhere (just like we like it), but relatively easy to get to and get around in the basin. In dry weather, 4wd isn’t absolutely necessary, but high clearance probably is to get all the way around the main loop.