Membership
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We invite you to join Aspen Words, Colorado’s oldest literary center and a program of the Aspen Institute. By becoming an Aspen Words member at any level, you join a community built around a shared love of reading, writing and storytelling. Your annual tax-deductible membership helps sustain programs for writers and readers of all ages. Through well over thirty annual events taking place virtually and in-person, we serve several thousand literary enthusiasts. The majority of our youth programming is offered free-of-charge, and we provide scholarships and fellowships for emerging writers to participate in workshops and other programs. Your membership support makes all of this possible!
How Your Support Helps
Your membership dues provide vital funds for our seven year-round programs that annually serve several thousand literary enthusiasts. Members of Aspen Words enjoy direct access to the brightest lights in the literary world.
National Council
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National Council members make up our most engaged community of supporters nationwide. Membership dues provide vital funds for our seven year-round programs that annually serve several thousand literary enthusiasts. Through an annual donation of $2,500 or more, National Council members have a direct impact on all of our programs. Members receive unparalleled access to the greatest contemporary writers of our time, including passes and best-of-house reserved seating to Winter Words and Summer Words, along with invitations to private dinners with our award-winning and bestselling authors.
Join the National Council and feel the immediate impact of your giving.
National Council Benefits Include:
- Two complimentary passes to Winter Words, a series of author talks taking place virtually and in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado.
- Winter Words book bundle shipped to you from Explore Booksellers.
- Opportunity to attend dinners with authors in private Aspen homes.$2,500 = 1 Dinner; $5,000+ = 2 Dinners; $10,000+ = Advance opportunity to select dinners
- Premier reserved seating at all events held in Paepcke Auditorium.
- Invitation to a private dinner preceding the Aspen Words Literary Prize in New York City.
- NEW! Invitation to a private cocktail party at the Aspen Literary Festival in September, featuring 40 different authors. Two tickets and reserved seating at 3 keynote events.
- Two complimentary passes to the Summer Words public panels featuring authors and publishing experts.
- 20% discount on books purchased at Explore Booksellers
- Advance registration for Book Ball, the annual gala in Aspen, CO.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
Join the National Council and feel the immediate impact of your giving.
Membership Levels & Benefits
Wordsmith – $100
- Discounts on select AW events, including 25% discount to all Winter Words virtual and in-person passes.
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
Aspen Writers’ Network (AWN), $150
AWN is designed to provide mutual support and networking opportunities for writers and aspiring writers in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. If you have a serious commitment to writing, the Aspen Writers Network is the group for you! JOIN AWN HERE.
- Access to monthly, informal, AWN-exclusive meetings (typically on the third Thursday of the month at Bonfire Coffee in Carbondale). Includes complimentary beer, wine, snacks and other refreshments.
- Access to quarterly AWN-exclusive events with a specific program and guest speaker. Examples of past events include informational meetings on how to market yourself as a writer, a pitch practice session and events featuring literary agents and editors discussing the publishing industry.
- Access to the AWN Facebook group, which serves as a resource for writers as well as a place for writing groups and informal gatherings to form organically.
- Highly discounted rate for a one-day writing workshop hosted by Aspen Words annually.
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- 25% discount to Winter Words virtual and in-person passes.
- Free admission to all Writer in Residence and Community Read events.
- Private consultations with literary agents and editors at the Summer Words conference in June.
Scribe – $250
- Discounts on select AW events, including 25% discount to Winter Words virtual and in-person passes.
- One ticket to a Summer Words or Winter Words public event of your choosing (as long as tickets are not sold out) (email aspenwords@aspeninstitute.org for your ticket).
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
Bard – $500
- Discounts on select AW events, including 25% discount to Winter Words virtual and in-person passes.
- Two tickets to a Summer Words or Winter Words public event of your choosing (as long as tickets are not sold out) (email aspenwords@aspeninstitute.org for your tickets).
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
Literati – $1,000
- Discounts on select AW events, including 25% discount to Winter Words virtual and in-person passes.
- Two tickets to a Summer Words public event AND a Winter Words public event of your choosing (as long as tickets are not sold out) (email aspenwords@aspeninstitute.org for your tickets).
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
Publisher – $2,500+
- Membership in Aspen Words National Council, our most engaged community of supporters nationwide.
- Two complimentary passes to Winter Words, a series of author talks taking place virtually and in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado.
- Winter Words book bundle shipped to you from Explore Booksellers.
- Opportunity to attend one private dinner with a Winter Words author or Writer in Residence annually.
- Invitations to National Council-exclusive events, including a private dinner preceding the Aspen Words Literary Prize in New York City.
- Two complimentary passes to the Summer Words public panels featuring authors and publishing experts.
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Advance registration for Book Ball, the annual gala in Aspen, CO.
- Premier reserved seating at all events held in Paepcke Auditorium.
- Invitations to select Aspen Institute Society of Fellows events.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
Laureate – $5,000
- Membership in Aspen Words National Council, our most engaged community of supporters nationwide.
- Two complimentary passes to Winter Words, a series of author talks taking place virtually and in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado.
- Winter Words book bundle shipped to you from Explore Booksellers.
- Opportunity to attend up to two private dinners with a Winter Words author or Writer in Residence annually.
- Invitations to National Council-exclusive events, including a private dinner preceding the Aspen Words Literary Prize in New York City.
- Two complimentary passes to the Summer Words public panels featuring authors and publishing experts.
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Advance registration for Book Ball, the annual gala in Aspen, CO.
- Premier reserved seating at all events held in Paepcke Auditorium.
- Invitations to select Aspen Institute Society of Fellows events.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
Silver Quill – $10,000
- Membership in Aspen Words National Council, our most engaged community of supporters nationwide.
- Two complimentary passes to Winter Words, a series of author talks taking place virtually and in the Aspen, CO.
- Winter Words book bundle shipped to you from Explore Booksellers.
- Opportunity to attend up to three private dinners with a Winter Words author or Writer in Residence annually.
- Invitations to National Council-exclusive events, including a private dinner preceding the Aspen Words Literary Prize in New York City.
- Two complimentary passes to the Summer Words public panels featuring authors and publishing experts.
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Advance registration for Book Ball, the annual gala in Aspen, CO.
- Premier reserved seating at all events held in Paepcke Auditorium.
- Invitations to select Aspen Institute Society of Fellows events.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
- Gifts at this level and above can be specified.
Golden Quill – $25,000+
- Membership in Aspen Words National Council, our most engaged community of supporters nationwide.
- Four complimentary passes to Winter Words, a series of author talks taking place virtually and in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado.
- Winter Words book bundle shipped to you from Explore Booksellers.
- Opportunity to attend up to four private dinners with a Winter Words author or Writer in Residence annually.
- Invitations to National Council-exclusive events, including a private dinner preceding the Aspen Words Literary Prize in New York City.
- Four complimentary passes to the Summer Words public panels featuring authors and publishing experts.
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Advance registration for Book Ball, the annual gala in Aspen, CO.
- Premier reserved seating at all events held in Paepcke Auditorium.
- Invitations to select Aspen Institute Society of Fellows events.
- Recognition in select AW marketing materials.
- Gifts at this level and above can be specified.
Platinum Quill – $100,000+
- Membership in Aspen Words National Council, our most engaged community of supporters nationwide.
- Four complimentary passes to Winter Words, a series of author talks taking place virtually and in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado.
- Winter Words book bundle shipped to you from Explore Booksellers.
- Opportunity to attend up to four private dinners with a Winter Words author or Writer in Residence annually.
- Invitations to National Council-exclusive events, including a private dinner preceding the Aspen Words Literary Prize in New York City.
- Four complimentary passes to the Summer Words public panels featuring authors and publishing experts.
- 20% discount on Winter Words and Summer Words titles by purchasing books at Explore Booksellers or Bookbinders Basalt in advance of the events.
- Complimentary access to all Writer in Residence & Community Read events.
- Advance registration for Book Ball, the annual gala in Aspen, CO.
- Premier reserved seating at all events held in Paepcke Auditorium.
- Invitations to select Aspen Institute Society of Fellows events.
- Recognition in AW marketing materials.
- Recognition in press materials when gift is specified for a particular event or program.
- Gifts at this level and above can be specified.
More Information
Please contact Caroline Tory at 970-925-3122 ext. 3 with questions about sponsorship and underwriting, membership levels and benefits, and for information about a gift of stock, a scholarship grant or planned giving.
Our Members
Member list last updated 3/8/2024
Platinum Quill – $50,000+
Anonymous |
Isa Catto and Daniel Shaw | Catto Shaw Foundation |
Lauren Johnson and Marissa Mandel |
Sallie and Thomas Bernard |
Golden Quill – $25,000+
Austin Memorial Foundation |
City of Aspen |
Arnold & Anne Porath | in memory of Denny Vaughn |
Stephen Kahn & Suzanne Bober |
Zibby Books |
Silver Quill – $10,000+
Terena Eisner | The Eisner Foundation |
Harry Gruner & Rebecca Henry |
William & Diane Hunckler |
The Robert and Soledad Hurst Family Foundation |
Melony & Adam Lewis |
Joshua & Elizabeth Mondry |
Allan and Nicole Mutchnik |
Wally and Helen Obermeyer |
Peter & Lynne Rigby |
Serena Koenig & Mark Tompkins |
Linda Vaughn |
Jeffrey & Amy Verschleiser |
Will Weathers |
Aspen Community Foundation |
Laureate – $5,000+
Claudia & Richard Balderston |
Edie Barvin |
Erin & Doug Becker |
Stuart & Elizabeth Bohart |
Christopher & Andrea Bryan |
Lisa & Michael Cader |
Tara Carson |
Ruth Carver & Jim Schmidt |
Laurel & John Catto |
Lauren & John Driscoll |
Les Dames d’Aspen |
Lawrence & Sharon Hite |
Sue & Ron Hopkinson |
David Jones & Mary Gwen Wheeler |
Wendy Larsen |
Marcella Larsen |
Michael Lipkin & Jody Gularnick |
Jennifer Moses & Ron Beller |
Julie & Gregory Pickrell |
Cecilia Roberts |
Lisanne & Jim Rogers |
Alpine Bank |
Mary & Patrick Scanlan |
Morgan & Shawn Stephenson |
Gloria Wallace-Greene |
Basalt Education Foundation |
Publisher – $2,500+
Douglas & Abby Brown |
Timothy Brown |
Jennifer Carr |
Gretchen Cole & Craig Corona |
Michael Woodrow & Kelly Doherty |
Bubba & Tracy Eggleston |
David & Alice Elgart |
Riley & Liam Kinney |
Melissa Kohner |
Penny Meepos & Stuart Rosenberg |
Laurie Michaels |
Susan O’Bryan |
Fred Venrick & Cathy O’Connell |
Blanca & Cavanaugh O’Leary |
Robin & Kenny Smith |
Judith Steinberg & Paul Hoenmans |
Danette Stephens |
Adam Sztykiel & Ellie Knaus |
Patsy Tisch | in honor of Hilary Tisch |
Curtis and Jill Kaufman |
Phillip and Heather Wilhelm |
Literati– $1,000+
Sarah C. & Richard W. Shaw | BP Foundation |
Mary & Loren Ryerson |
Julia Pirrung & Robert Bridger |
Karen Herrling & Daniel Porterfield |
Katherine Boone |
Laura Donnelley | Goodworks Foundation |
Jane & Allen Grossman |
Jaimie & David J. Field | in honor of Suzanne Bober |
Carolyn & Charles Thornton |
Barry & Jessica Dubin |
Margaret Atwood |
Lucas Warth |
Torrey Dill |
James Pastoriza |
Janice & Chip Marks |
Claire Dewar |
Scribe – $250+
Jennifer Causing & Peter M. Waanders |
Barbara Dills |
Jeannie Carter |
Francis Stuckens |
Lesley & Alexander Hill |
Pat & Michael Otte |
Lisa & George Baker |
Carolyn & Bob Glah |
Kathy & Carter Barger |
Jeffrey Howard Woodruff |
Bettina A. Slusar |
Debra Fitch |
Gabriel Finesilver |
Jessica Barnum |
Allison & John Pattillo |
Genna L. Moe |
Rana Dershowitz |
Jessica Starodoj |
Christine Goodendorf |
Townsend Walker |
Linda Lay |
Wordsmith – $100+
Pamela Cunningham |
Regina Torsney-Durkin, M.D. |
Amiee W. & D. Brian Beazley |
Timothy Ritter |
Jan Jennings |
Annie Garrett |
Alina Pittman |
Natalie Serber |
Patrick Curry |
Kristin Carlson |
Courtney Kunze |
Jean Campbell & Patrick Morrissy |
Jeanne Souldern |
Paige Kaptuch |
Rebecca Stirling |
Dave Teitler |
Nate White |
Ashley Herbert |
Jill Kingston |
Meghan & Jason Winokur |
Sara Striefel |
Beth Klein |
Corinne Neustadter |
Amanda Garrett |
Spencer Boyd |
Emma Murray |
Neysa DeMann |
Alison Rice |
Beth Shoemaker |
Sarah Melissa Evans & Joshua A. Rice |
Marilee & Gregg Rippy |
Jo Silverman |
Doc Eason |
Matthew Roeser |
Brownell Landrum |
Wes Stokes |
Dan Moschet |
Daniel Brabec |
John Ristine |
Debra Crawford |
Gabrielle & Bob Rafelson |
Emilia Cole |
Luisa Berne |
Thomas A. Stevens |
Kerry Schmidt |
Elizabeth Meador |
Julie Oldham |
Johanna Geary |
Susie Steiner |
Chloe Shirley |
Liz & John Bokram |
Sylvia Falk |
Dawn Shepard |
Nina Gworek |
Randy Lipton |
Kathryn Ryan |
Lynn Wiener |
Nancy Rappaport |
Pamela Mackey |
Laura Thielen & George Eldred |
Clare & Marius Sanger |
Maureen & Greg Poschman |
Lara and Marc Whitley |
Susan & John Cottle |
Becky & Craig Ward |
Christine Benedetti |
Marcia Butler |
Scott Lasser |
Toddi Gutner |
Jane Lowery |
Nancy and Mark J. Silverman |
Donna M. Perlmutter |
Molly Faath |
Lysa Reed |
Lilia Ashjian |
Elise Walton |
Joanne & James Steinback |
Patricia Bennan |
Stacy Meyer |
Shira Stutman |
Jane Pargiter |
Barbara Pitchford |
Katherine Roberts |
Caroline Tory |
Spencer Schiffer |
Marnie P. & John Bermingham Jr. |
Jacqueline Kaplan |
Cheryl Niro |
Laura Werlin |
Susan DeLuca |
Madelon Price |