Aspen Words

Aspen Words Aspen Words encourages writers, inspires readers, and connects people through the power of stories.

Aspen Words, the nonprofit literary organization known for decades as the Aspen Writers’ Foundation, was founded in Aspen in 1976 as a cutting edge poetry conference and literary magazine. Today Aspen Words (AW) is one of the nation’s leading literary centers and a stage for the world’s most prominent contemporary writers. AW programs employ literature as a tool for provoking thought, broadening p

erspectives, fostering connections, inspiring creativity, and giving voice. Since 2009, we have partnered with the Aspen Institute, underscoring the highest humanistic ideals of Institute founder Walter Paepcke: to better understand human challenges by cultivating one’s inner life through the exchange of words, stories, and ideas.

Check out the 2026 Aspen Literary Festival schedule! 📚Join us on September 25–27 for three days of literary conversation...
08/28/2026

Check out the 2026 Aspen Literary Festival schedule! 📚Join us on September 25–27 for three days of literary conversations, book talks, parties, and more! General admission registration is free and main stage events are ticketed ($45). More details at the link in our bio.

Celebrate the Aspen Literary Festival with an unforgettable evening of food, cocktails, wine, music, and a variety show ...
08/25/2026

Celebrate the Aspen Literary Festival with an unforgettable evening of food, cocktails, wine, music, and a variety show featuring festival authors. Your ticket also helps keep the Aspen Literary Festival accessible and open to all!

Event Details:
September 26 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Paul JAS Center

Purchase an individual ticket ($300) or a Friends of the Festival pass, which includes a ticket to the party and more, at the link in our bio.

Meet the moderators for the 2026 Aspen Literary Festival! Tim Ehrenberg (Tim Talks Books) is the creator of Tim Talks Bo...
08/14/2026

Meet the moderators for the 2026 Aspen Literary Festival!

Tim Ehrenberg (Tim Talks Books) is the creator of Tim Talks Books, President of the Nantucket Book Foundation, which presents the annual Nantucket Book Festival, and the Marketing, Events, and E-commerce Director for Nantucket Book Partners. He is the co-host of the hit literary podcast Books, Beach, & Beyond with best-selling author Elin Hilderbrand.

Miwa Messer () is the creator, executive producer and host of the Barnes & Noble podcast “Poured Over,” a show for readers who pore over details, obsess over sentences and ideas and stories and character — readers who ask a lot of questions, just like her, a career bookseller who’s always reading.

Kate Tuttle is a book critic, essayist and editor. A past president of the National Book Critics Circle and judge for the National Book Award, she edits the books pages of the Boston Globe. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and elsewhere. A Kansas native, she now lives in New Jersey after stints in Boston and Atlanta.

Check out these books from authors that will be at this year’s Aspen Literary Festival! 📚 Join us on September 25-27 for...
08/13/2026

Check out these books from authors that will be at this year’s Aspen Literary Festival! 📚 Join us on September 25-27 for a three-day celebration featuring bestselling authors, book signings, parties, and more!

Visit our website at the link in our bio to see the full speaker lineup and registration details.

🎟️  Tickets are on sale for Aspen Literary Festival events at the Wheeler Opera House! All Wheeler Main Stage events req...
08/04/2026

🎟️  Tickets are on sale for Aspen Literary Festival events at the Wheeler Opera House! All Wheeler Main Stage events require an individual ticket ($45) or a Friends of the Festival pass to attend. Buy your tickets at the link in our bio.

Friday, September 25 | 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Robert Kolker (Bob Kolker) & Nelson Dellis (Nelson Dellis | Memory Coach)

Saturday, September 26 | 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Kate Bowler (Kate Bowler 🫶🏻 Hope when life is hard.) & Peter Reynolds (Peter H. Reynolds)

Saturday, September 26 | 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Veronica Roth (veronica roth) & Fonda Lee (Fonda Lee)

Sunday, September 27 | 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Ariel Lawhon (Ariel Lawhon) & Shannon Sanders () & Lisa See (Lisa See)  

Sunday, September 27 | 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Jennette McCurdy (Jennette McCurdy) & Maria Semple (Maria Semple)

Early bird pricing ends tomorrow, August 1! 📚Secure your Friends of the Festival Pass today for $695 and enjoy the ultim...
07/31/2026

Early bird pricing ends tomorrow, August 1! 📚
Secure your Friends of the Festival Pass today for $695 and enjoy the ultimate Aspen Literary Festival experience.
Your pass includes:
• Priority reserved seating at all Main Stage events
• Three lunch vouchers to enjoy at Festival Headquarters
• An invitation to After Words: The Party with festival authors
Your purchase supports Aspen Words’ mission to encourage writers, inspire readers, and connect people through the power of stories.
Get your pass before early bird pricing ends! ✨

Registration for the 2026 Aspen Literary Festival September 25-27 is officially open!Whether you’re joining us for one u...
07/30/2026

Registration for the 2026 Aspen Literary Festival September 25-27 is officially open!

Whether you’re joining us for one unforgettable conversation or for the entire weekend of ideas, books, and connection, check out all the ways to experience this year’s festival:

📚 Friends of the Festival Pass (Early Bird | $695)
Our most immersive festival experience, including access to every Wheeler Main Stage event with priority seating, daily lunch vouchers, and admission to After Words: The Party with festival authors. Early-bird pricing is available through August 1.

📖 Free General Admission
Register for complimentary access to author conversations, festival headquarters, the Explore Books pop-up bookstore, and more. Advance registration is encouraged it lets the festival planners know you’re coming! Registration will remain open until the start of the festival so tell your friends and family to join us. Seating at free events is first come, first served.

🎟️ Wheeler Main Stage Tickets ($45/event)
Choose individual main stage conversations featuring some of today’s most compelling voices. Seating is limited.
This year’s main stage lineup includes:
✨ Robert Kolker & Nelson Dellis — Remembering and Forgetting
✨ Kate Bowler & Peter Reynolds — Make Your Mark
✨ Veronica Roth & Fonda Lee — Beyond the Known World
✨ Lisa See & Ariel Lawhon — Against the Tide
✨ Jennette McCurdy & Maria Semple — Bad Decisions, Great Stories

Register today through the links in our bio. See you in September!

Registration for the 2026 Aspen Literary Festival September 25-27 is officially open!!Whether you’re joining us for one ...
07/30/2026

Registration for the 2026 Aspen Literary Festival September 25-27 is officially open!!

Whether you’re joining us for one unforgettable conversation or for the entire weekend of ideas, books, and connection, check out all the ways to experience this year’s festival:

📚 Friends of the Festival Pass (Early Bird | $695)
Our most immersive festival experience, including access to every Wheeler Main Stage event, with priority seating, lunch vouchers, and admission to After Words: The Party with festival authors. Early-bird pricing is available through August 1.

📖 Free General Admission
Register for complimentary access to author conversations, festival headquarters, the Explore Books pop-up bookstore, and more. Advance registration is encouraged it helps us plan, tell friend and family and join us with your whole crew! All seating at free events is first come, first served.

🎟️ Wheeler Main Stage Tickets ($45/event)
Choose individual main stage conversations featuring some of today’s most compelling voices. Seating is limited.
This year’s main stage lineup includes:
✨ Robert Kolker & Nelson Dellis — Remembering and Forgetting
✨ Kate Bowler & Peter Reynolds — Make Your Mark
✨ Veronica Roth & Fonda Lee — Beyond the Known World
✨ Lisa See & Ariel Lawhon — Against the Tide
✨ Jennette McCurdy & Maria Semple — Bad Decisions, Great Stories

Register today through the link in our bio! See you in September!

Thank you to Foreword Retreats for being a Book Ball Live Auction sponsor. Our lucky winners can’t wait to attend their ...
07/28/2026

Thank you to Foreword Retreats for being a Book Ball Live Auction sponsor. Our lucky winners can’t wait to attend their writing retreats!
Follow Foreword Retreats to learn more about their wonderful offerings for writers.
Experience the joie de vivre of France and the enchanting hospitality of Ireland alongside bestselling authors and literary professionals.
Enjoy inspiring week long writing retreats filled with expert instruction, authentic regional cuisine, unforgettable cultural experiences, and breathtaking European destinations.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the 2026 Aspen Words Book Ball so magical! We were thrilled to host author Jo...
07/16/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made the 2026 Aspen Words Book Ball so magical! We were thrilled to host author Jonathan Franzen in conversation with Ron Charles for an evening celebrating the stories that connect us.
If you weren’t able to attend, you can still support our mission to foster a vibrant community of writers and readers.
Our online silent auction is live until TOMORROW, Friday, July 17, at 12:00 PM (MST).
Your support funds vital programs like Writers in the Schools, emerging writer scholarships, and community talks. Click the link in our bio to place your bids!

Address

110 E Hallam Street
Aspen, CO
81611

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19709253122

Website

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