Niwot author honored with Colorado Book Award

Niwot-based author R.L. Maizes' latest book, Other People's Pets, has something new to celebrate. On June 26, her latest book was named as the winner of the 2021 Colorado Book Award for General Fiction.

The novel tells the story of an animal-loving young woman who was raised by her burglar father and turns to robbery to pay for legal fees after he is caught. She justifies her way of life by taking care of the pets in the homes she robs.

As the story progresses, page by page it delves into what it means to overcome the difficulties in your past and recognize love wherever it comes from.

Maizes was thrilled to receive the award. "It was a complete surprise to be nominated and to win. In some ways, writers are insecure folks. I think that's true across the board, but I can certainly say so for me. It's wonderful to get that recognition from your peers. It says to you that if you put in the work, you can do it."

The Colorado Book Award win isn't the first accolade the book received. When it was released in hardback in 2020, it was named Best Debuts of Summer-Fall by the Library Journal, which gave it a starred review. The Washington Post named it as one of its favorite books of the year, praising its "lively voice and unexpected characters."

Other People's Pets has also been added to regional, national and international book clubs, including one from Colorado Public Radio, Hadassah, and The Women's League.

As a writer who has been published in The New York Times, O Magazine, and The Washington Post, Maizes isn't new to being recognized for her writing. When she thinks back on the reception of her latest book in the past year, she simply calls it "lovely." She discusses the book humbly, but with passion.

She recounted how the 2020 timing of the book's release affected the experience of getting it in front of readers. "The book came out right in the middle of the pandemic. That was challenging, because a lot of the events and readings I'd planned for different Colorado bookstores were cancelled."

She added that that challenge came with an added benefit. "A lot of online venues opened up. People were stuck in their homes, looking for things to do. They were happy to connect with me online."

Maizes said that people connected with her from all over the world. "From England and Canada to Israel. It was remarkable. You would never, absent the pandemic, have the chance to meet readers from so many countries."

Although the hardcover version was released in 2020, the paperback edition came out earlier this month. That should give a second chance for it to be in front of readers who couldn't get out to stores last year. Paperback versions can also be preferred by people who want to spend less for what they read or want to choose something that's lighter and easier to tote around.

While Maizes is still not jumping into holding in-person events due to concerns about the Covid-19 Delta variant but she's eager to let readers know where her book is available. Signed copies of the book can be found currently at the Boulder Book Store and at other retailers. Anyone who prefers digital download audio books can get electronic copies through their local, independent bookstores or through Amazon.com.