Special to The Leader

The Texas Authors Institute of History is a museum dedicated to preserving works of the authors of Texas, related publishers, non-profits and others who support writing and reading in the State of Texas. While they do not have a permanent location, their website currently spotlights over 800 authors from the past 200 years.

Established in 2015, this is the first year in which they will be honoring Texans and non-profits who have contributed above and beyond, to improving the quality of life for residents in Texas through reading and writing programs.

First Lady Laura Bush is being honored with the “Outstanding Citizens Award for Promotion of Literacy” for her continued dedication and out-reach across Texas and the world in promoting education, with a heavy emphasis on reading and writing. During her tenure as First Lady of Texas, Mrs. Bush helped create the Texas Book Festival which is also an honoree this year.

The Texas Book Festival, has worked hard over the past 21 years, spotlighting reading programs and raising money for libraries across the state. They are awarded the “Outstanding Texas Non-Profit Award for Literacy” An ever-growing and changing publishing landscape has created new ways for outreach and promotion of authors.

Billy Dawson, is receiving the “Outstanding Social Impact Award” for his best-selling children’s book, “You Never Know.“ This is a book which addresses the issue of bullying, something this country singer knows about first-hand. He has dedicated his life and music career to helping combat this ever-present and growing issue, as seen in today’s politics and schools. He will be performing at the Lone Star Book Festival’s Squirl Scavenger Book Hunt where he will receive his award.

The Texas Author’s Institute of History’s website is constantly growing and changing as awareness expands of the estimated 8,000 plus Texas authors who currently reside in the state. It is estimated that these authors bring in approximately a quarter of a million dollars to the Texas economy, in addition to their contribution to education through their books, other writings and reading programs.