By Steven Spencer
Steven Spencer/Jersey County Journal
Colton Skinner recently received second place at the 2022 Colorado Independent Publishers Association for his book “Life’s a Journey: Hardships to Blessings.”
Local author Colton Skinner recently received national recognition for his book “Life’s a Journey: Hardships to Blessings” at the 2022 Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY Awards.
Skinner said he was honored to be awarded second place in one of the longest-running award competitions in independent publishing which receives entries from around the world.
“It was super exciting,” Skinner said. “Being a first-time author, I would have never dreamed of it.”
Skinner said it was a long process, but felt the urge to begin writing his story after the death of his brother.
“I started writing the book shortly after the pandemic started,” he said. “I had no one to talk to. I had lost my brother to cancer and I felt like I had no one to talk to, so I started writing the book.”
“Life’s a Journey: Hardships to Blessings” is about Skinner’s life from birth until the present day and hopes people can find inspiration from his story.
The book’s description reads: When throughout life you are facing one hardship after another, it would be easy to just give up. Follow one boy’s life journey as his hardships transform into countless blessings. His story of living life to its fullest will inspire you to live each day with gratitude, courage and faith.
“While people are reading my book, I hope they can look at their life and figure out that they can do anything they want to. Just put your mind to it,” he said.
Skinner said he plans to continue writing and has already started working on his next book, but in the meantime will still be selling “Life’s a Journey” and doing book signings when possible.
Skinner’s book “Life’s a Journey: Hardships to Blessings” is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Walmart.com. Physical copies can also be purchased through Skinner directly who will be at the Apple Festival Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Jersey County Historical Society.
