In the spring of 2015, a visionary founder recognized a glaring gap in the preservation and cultivation of Texas Authors' rich legacy. While smaller museums had emerged dedicated to specific genres penned by Texan authors, such as children's literature and Westerns, the overarching tapestry of Texas's literary heritage remained largely uncollected, devoid of both print and electronic preservation.
Enter B Alan Bourgeois, who saw an opportunity not just to safeguard this heritage but to revolutionize how Texas authors were recognized globally. From this vision was born the Texas Authors Institute of History, Inc., a nonprofit organization with a dual mission: to chronicle the profound history of Texas authors and to empower the present and future generations of literary talents.
However, this journey, once envisioned as straightforward, has been riddled with unforeseen challenges. This section unveils the institute's objectives achieved thus far while shedding light on the adversities faced along the path. It is important to note that the following pages offer a glimpse into the comprehensive history of TAIH, with a more exhaustive account available on its website at http://TexasAuthors.Institute.
The institute's inception in 2015 seemed promising, given Bourgeois's close ties with the Texas author community. Creating a website to spotlight the thousands of Texan authors and their works was a logical step. Yet, the real challenge lay in coaxing authors to submit their information for incorporation—a task that proved to be the museum's most formidable hurdle, then and now.
Even today, the notion of receiving free marketing through the website remains unfamiliar, met with anxiety or disregard by many Texas authors. The struggle to motivate approximately 77,000 authors to participate persists.
In 2017, the Lone Star Book Festival (LSBF) was conceived by Bourgeois, though its first iteration in Dallas was fraught with obstacles, leading to its suspension. A rebranded festival emerged in 2019, focusing on a multidisciplinary approach involving art, music, film, and authors. However, the pandemic thwarted plans for the festival in 2020 and 2022, deepening challenges.
Also in 2017, Bourgeois was able to arrange for the recognition of TAIH through a Texas State House Resolution. A total of 34 Texas Authors attended the event at the State House of Representatives. A copy of the resolution is available on the group’s website.
By 2022, TAIH faced dwindling income sources, particularly due to the pandemic's financial toll. Bourgeois's calls for support went unanswered, leading to the heartbreaking loss of storage units and a vast book collection accumulated over the years.
Undeterred, Bourgeois is resolute in his commitment to TAIH's future. The website has expanded to feature over 1,000 authors and their works, yet many authors remain reluctant to contribute their information.
TAIH stands as a testament to authors' authentic stories, bridging the gap between history and personal insight. The vision extends to a future physical museum, housing a diverse collection, offering writing classes, and serving as a hub for creators to flourish.
This journey continues, and your support is pivotal. Donations, both monetary and in-kind, are invaluable to TAIH's growth. Visit http://TexasAuthors.Institute to learn how you can play a vital role in preserving Texas Authors' legacy and nurturing future voices.