In an effort to further encourage strong relationships between indie authors, local libraries, and readers, we have partnered with curators and libraries across the U.S. and Canada to find the best indie-published books.
Indie Author Project
The Indie Author Project (IAP) is a publishing community that includes public libraries, authors, curators, and readers working together to connect library patrons with great indie-published books. IAP has helped hundreds of libraries engage their local creative community and assisted in getting more than 12,000 indie authors into their local libraries. Most importantly, the project has worked with top curation partners and librarians to identify hundreds of these as the best indie eBooks available to readers—so they can be sustainably circulated to library patrons with confidence.
Through this publishing community, authors are able to submit eBooks directly to their local public library to then be vetted by industry editorial partners and regional library editorial boards. Being selected by these curators can lead to expanded discovery, distribution, and networking opportunities.
“…we want you to know how important it is to us as indie authors to receive this kind of recognition, and to have the opportunity to be connected with libraries throughout Wisconsin… This is truly an amazing effort and an incredible opportunity for independently published authors throughout the country.”
“…we want you to know how important it is to us as indie authors to receive this kind of recognition, and to have the opportunity to be connected with libraries throughout Wisconsin… This is truly an amazing effort and an incredible opportunity for independently published authors throughout the country.”
IAP Contests
In addition to IAP’s ongoing curated indie collections, each spring the Indie Author Project hosts local contests trying to find the best indie titles in each participating region.
Mirroring the success of the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project, the inaugural 2018 Indie Author Project contests launched in eight states and saw thousands of submissions from authors of all types. Carrying this momentum over to 2019, the Indie Author Project contests expanded to 14 regions, with each contest representing a unique opportunity for libraries to empower and develop their local writing community, and grew again in 2020 with contests taking place in 15 regions across North America. In 2022, we introduced another new region to the mix, Alberta, CA, as well as a second contest in Illinois geared towards Spanish-language fiction! From the regional winners, each year industry professionals select an Indie Author of the Year, the first of which went to Virginia author, Ran Walker, in 2019.
The 2023 contests will open on April 1st in 17 regions across North America. Stay tuned for more information regarding this year’s contests!
Get Involved
Are you ready to place your library at the heart of the #IndieAuthorMovement?
Note: this form is intended for libraries to express their interest in the involvement of this community. If you are an author, please see our authors page.