GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Local poet Luis Lopez joined the ranks of esteemed writers Rudolfo Anaya and Louise Erdrich last week when he received the American Book Award for his collection of poetry titled “Each Month I Sing.”

Lopez, a Mesa State College English professor, said he was “shocked” when he got the call notifying him of the award.

“I had no idea,” he said.

It’s a prestigious award given by other writers, Lopez said.

The Before Columbus Foundation, based in San Francisco, established the American Book Awards in 1978 to recognize outstanding literary achievement. Award winners range from well-known and established writers to the first works of under-recognized authors.

Lopez will travel to San Francisco Dec. 28 to receive the award.

The book is comprised of 12 poems for each month, beginning with a poem about the month’s name.

The second poem is inspired by the month’s gem, the third by its flower, the fourth by the zodiac sign the month enters under, and the fifth and sixth poems are about a famous writer and painter born in the month.

The months’ other six individual poems are written about Lopez’s own observations and experiences.

“Each Month I Sing” is Lopez’s third published collection of poetry. “A Painting in Sand” was inspired by Ghost Ranch, N.M., and “Musings of a Barrio Sack Boy,” for which Lopez won a national award from Writer’s Digest in 2000, is about growing up in Albuquerque.

Lopez will sign copies of “Each Month I Sing” from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble. He’ll join other local authors, including MSC professor and poet Jerry Moorman, who will also be signing copies of his new book of poems, “A Body Less Perfect” — about his experiences living with cerebral palsy.

Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.