Indie Author Project

Our Lives Matter – The Importance of Writing Memoirs
2023-10-19 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual Event
When 2022 Indie Author of the Year Pascuala Herrera wrote and self-published Not Always a Valley of Tears: A Memoir of a Life Well-Lived, she never dreamed of the benefits that reading about other people’s life experiences could have. Come and listen to this author’s journey in writing a memoir about her life story and the impact this decision has had on her and others. As a Mexican immigrant woman with a physical disability due to childhood polio, Pascuala inspires readers in many ways by simply sharing how her life matters! Pascuala will share her process, how she benefited personally, and the incredible results of simply being herself. Come and get encouraged to share your story too!

Indie Author Project Expert Session: The Benefits of Kirkus Editorial and Kirkus Indie
2023-12-07 15:00 - 16:00
In this webinar on The Benefits of Kirkus Editorial and Kirkus Indie, Marinna Castilleja, senior production editor–Kirkus Editorial; Robin O’Dell, senior production editor–Kirkus Editorial; and Chaya Schechner, President of Kirkus Indie, will talk about how Kirkus Editorial and Kirkus Indie work. Marinna and Robin will outline Kirkus Editorial’s pricing, the different editing tiers, and what might work best for you, and the benefits of having your manuscript professionally edited and formatted. Chaya will cover the basics of obtaining a Kirkus Indie review, including pricing, timelines, and genres, as well as how to use a Kirkus Indie review to catch the attention of editors, booksellers, librarians, and readers. Learn how to give your book professional polish and exposure!
Marinna Castilleja is a senior production editor at Kirkus Editorial and Kirkus Book Prep, where she manages independent author projects through the editorial, formatting, and cover design process. Prior to joining Kirkus, Marinna worked in design and production at Hachette Book Group, finance at Harvard Education Publishing Group, and graduated from Emerson College with an MA in publishing and writing.
Robin O’Dell is a senior production editor at Kirkus Editorial, where she manages Kirkus’s publisher clients and a large team of freelance editors and oversees the production of books throughout the editorial process. Prior to joining Kirkus, Robin was a freelance editor, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading hundreds of manuscripts for clients ranging from Harlequin to Harvard University Press.
Chaya Schechner is the president of Indie at Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Indie curates independently published titles to help consumers and industry influencers discover books they may otherwise never find. Prior to Kirkus, Chaya was the senior editor at the American Booksellers Association, where she worked with indie booksellers for nearly a decade, and an editor at the Lambda Literary Foundation.

Understanding Foreign Rights and the Opportunities for Indie Authors
2024-03-21 15:00 - 16:00
Have you ever wondered how books get picked up by international rights buyers for print, audio, TV, and film? Curious about how your book can be adapted, translated, and sold in the global market in multiple languages? Join Roseanne Cheng, author, book marketer, and Director of Business Development at DropCap Rights Agency, to learn about the world of international rights, what the global rights market is currently looking for, and the opportunities YOUR book has worldwide.

Book Marketing for Indie Authors with Bedside Reading
2024-06-06 15:00 - 16:00
You published a book; now what? Everyone promises to make your book a bestseller. Everyone has a “social media plan.” Everyone pledges to pitch their book to the Today Show, and on and on. Let’s cut through the clutter and discuss what works and how to make it cost-effective! Jane Ubell-Meyer is an award-winning entrepreneur, former TV producer (GMA, ET, WSJ), film producer, and founder of Bedside Reading.
For the past seven years, she’s been placing books in luxury hotels and the media. She’s the publisher of Bedside Reading Magazine and a consultant to two publishing companies. Her book marketing programs are in demand and integrated into the book marketing campaigns of traditional publishers (Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Macmillan, and others), hybrid publishers (She Writes Press, Thought Leadership Academy Publishing), as well as indie authors. Her book marketing “system” can be used for any book, any time – and she’s here to share it all.

Indie Authors and Libraries: A Perfectly Bookish Match!
2025-02-27 15:00 - 16:00
Libraries have undergone significant transformations over the past century, evolving from quiet, restrictive strongholds of books into welcoming community centers where people are encouraged to gather, explore, and learn. The relationship libraries and librarians have with indie books and authors has also changed significantly over time. Join Melissa Bobe, 2024 Indie Author of the Year, as she leads this session focusing on how these changes have impacted the presence of indie authors in libraries. She will offer advice for both authors and librarians on how to make the most of what can be a mutually beneficial and truly wonderful relationship.

Creating Your Story as an Audiobook
2025-04-24 15:00 - 16:00
Join Kevin Stillwell, Head of Self & Indie Publishing and Distribution at John Marshall Media, for a discussion on navigating the waters of audiobook production and distribution for self-published authors and indie publishers. In this webinar he’ll cover what you’ll need, and what you’ll need to know to get into this booming market.About Kevin Stillwell:
Back in the late 20th century, Kevin Stillwell started his journey as an actor in Boston. His colorful career includes theatre, film, & television as an actor, director, teacher, fight choreographer and stuntman. Through his work in Shakespeare, he was introduced to the world of voice over work in general, and audiobook narration specifically.
Kevin now has 1,000 narration credits to his name, has directed 100 author narrations, and produced over 400 titles in all genres. He is a five-time Audiofile Magazine Earphones Award winner and is in high demand from both publishers and authors.
Kevin is now the Head of Indie Publishing and Distribution for John Marshall Media & Lantern Audio Distribution, where he is building the division into one of the premier studios for independent authors looking to have their works brought to life through narration. Kevin’s expertise on both sides of the microphone has brought about exceptional opportunities for his Self & Indie publishing clients and helped JMM’s growth in the audiobook industry.

Building unique audiences—yours for the creating
2025-08-21 15:00 - 16:00
No matter the form your novel takes, there are audiences to be had outside of the norm. Discover how you can use your novel’s themes and your passions—whether they be cooking, kite flying or dog breeding—to connect with readers beyond traditional genres. In this interactive workshop you’ll use worksheets and brainstorm affordable and free ways for reaching new readers that are as unique as the author you are.

About the speaker:
Debra Borchert is the award-winning author of the Château de Verzat series (Her Own Legacy, Her Own Revolution, Her Own War), its companion cookbook, Soups of Château de Verzat, and Give ’Em Something to Talk About, Word-of-Mouth Drives Book Sales, A Marketing Workbook for Spreading the Word. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Writer, among others. She is also a sought-after presenter.

Please note: our parent company, Lyrasis, hosts IAP Expert Sessions, and you may be asked to create an account with Lyrasis Learning to register for this free virtual event.

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The Seven Ps of Publishing Success
2025-09-23 15:00 - 16:00
Drawing from his rich experiences in both traditional and independent publishing, seasoned author and industry expert Mark Leslie Lefebvre will delve into the essential principles that underpin a successful publishing journey. Looking at the principles of Practice, Professionalism, Patience, Progression, Persistence, Partnership, and Patronage, Mark provides real-world examples, and insider knowledge that will equip you with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of the publishing world. Whether you are a budding author or an experienced writer looking to elevate your career, this talk will help you with ideas on how to take your publishing endeavors to new plateaus.

About Mark Leslie Lefebvre:
Mark Leslie Lefebvre is a Canadian author, speaker, and publishing consultant known for his extensive contributions to the digital publishing world. Born in Ontario, he has a background steeped in both traditional and independent publishing. Mark has authored numerous works of horror, science fiction, and non-fiction, blending a passion for storytelling with a keen understanding of the publishing industry. As a former director of self-publishing and author relations at Kobo, Mark has been instrumental in shaping digital publishing platforms. He continues to inspire writers through his books, podcasts, and seminars on writing and publishing success.
Please note: IAP Expert Sessions are hosted by our parent company, Lyrasis, and you may be asked to create an account with Lyrasis Learning to register for this free virtual event.

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Winning Recognition: How to Submit Your Self-Published Book for Awards
2025-10-16 15:00 - 16:00
Want to boost your book’s visibility and credibility? Winning a book award can help indie authors gain recognition, attract new readers, and enhance marketing efforts. Join Tiffany Duck, librarian and consultant, in this webinar where you’ll learn how to identify the right awards for your book, prepare a compelling submission, and avoid common pitfalls. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned indie publisher, this session will equip you with the tools to navigate the world of book awards with confidence. Join us and take the next step toward gaining well-deserved recognition for your work!

About Tiffany Duck:
Tiffany Duck is a librarian and consultant, as well as the owner of LitDext LLC, a company specializing in literacy and information services. She has thirteen years of experience as a public library manager in various library systems. Tiffany has served as the Co-Chair of the BCALA Literacy Awards Committee for the past eight years and the Chair of the BCALA Self-publishing eBook Awards for the past seven years. As an Executive Team member, she built long-lasting relationships with community partners.
She also facilitated many innovative and diverse initiatives that expanded the library’s reach into the community. Tiffany played a pivotal role in enriching the library’s offerings through diverse collections that reflect the community’s varied voices, and actively supported self-published authors by providing programming opportunities for writers, poets, and local talent. Tiffany is an adjunct instructor in the Library and Information Science programs at the University of North Carolina Greensboro and the University of Alabama.

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How to Use the Fundamentals of Role-Playing Games like D&D to Write Your First Draft in Record Time
2025-12-11 15:00 - 16:00
Want to write a novel but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve written a few pages, only to be waylaid by frustration, distraction, or boredom? Fear not, intrepid hero, for there is another way. In this presentation, award-winning urban fantasy novelist S.G. Tasz explains how you can borrow concepts from role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons to help get words on the page in record time.

About S.G. Tasz:
S.G. Tasz is a multi-award-winning fantasy novelist from Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to her published novels, her work has appeared in anthologies for the Nevada Humanities and the Henderson Writers Group. When she’s not working on her next book, she’s running critique groups for the Sin City Writers, appearing at local venues as a member of the Coffee House Tours book signing organization, or cheering on her favorite sports teams, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Green Bay Packers. For more information on her latest publications, visit www.sgtasz.com.
Please note: our parent company, Lyrasis, hosts IAP Expert Sessions, and you may be asked to create an account with Lyrasis Learning to register for this free virtual event.
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Interested in sharing your expertise in a future IAP Expert Session? Fill out this form to be considered as a presenter.

Traditional-to-Indie Publishing
2026-01-22 15:00 - 16:00
While many indie authors dream of “being discovered” – i.e., taking an indie-to-traditional publishing path – for some authors, it goes in the other direction. What does it take for a traditionally published author to go indie? Whether you’ve been published traditionally, indie, or you’re not yet published, in this session, 2025 Indie Author of the Year, Cynthia Swanson, will explore what goes into the indie decision, the pros and cons of this publishing method, and the must-have attributes of a successful independently published book.

About Cynthia Swanson:
Cynthia Swanson is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the psychological suspense novels The Bookseller, The Glass Forest, and Anyone But Her. In addition to being named 2025 Indie Author of the Year by the Indie Author Project, Cynthia has won the Indie Author Project contest in Mystery/Thriller, received the Colorado Book Award, the WILLA Literary Award, and been a finalist for the High Plains Book Award and the Colorado Authors League Award. She is also the editor of the Colorado Book Award-winning anthology Denver Noir. She lives with her family in Denver. Find Cynthia online at www.cynthiaswansonauthor.com and follow her on Bluesky (cynswanauthor) and Substack (The What If Journal).

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Interested in sharing your expertise in a future IAP Expert Session? Fill out this form to be considered as a presenter.

The Importance of Research for Novels and Memoirs
2026-03-26 15:00 - 16:00
Why is research important for writing novels and memoirs? What can it provide for the writer besides historical accuracy? What does it do for the reader? More importantly, what does research do for the writer? And what are the important kinds of research that a writer can do to make his story successful? Join Michael C. White, award-winning author and 2024 Indie Author Project Annual Contest Runner-Up, as he walks you through how to approach research in a way that enriches your writing and brings your story to life.

About Michael C. White:
Michael C. White is the author of seven novels, including Soul Catcher, A Brother’s Blood, a New York Times Book Review Notable Book; The Blind Side of the Heart, A Dream of Wolves and The Garden of Martyrs, which was made into an opera. His novel Beautiful Assassin won the 2011 Connecticut Book Award for Fiction. His last novel, Resting Places, was recently selected as a runner-up for the 2024 Indie Author Project General Fiction Award. A new novel, Skunktown, will be published by Regal House Publishing (2027). He was the founder and director of the Fairfield University MFA. Currently he works as a writing coach for novelists and memoirists.
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Interested in sharing your expertise in a future IAP Expert Session? Fill out this form to be considered as a presenter.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Indie Author Project
2026-05-21 15:00 - 16:00
Curious how the Indie Author Project (IAP) works, or how to get your ebook into libraries through IAP? In this introductory session, we’ll walk through the full IAP pathway, including how submissions work, how libraries access indie ebooks, how to potentially earn royalties, and how the annual contests fit into the program. We’ll also share tips for increasing your chances of being selected and leave plenty of time for live Q&A.

Register here for the event

About the 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 over 25,000 indie ebooks into their local libraries.
Please note: our parent company, Lyrasis, hosts IAP Expert Sessions, and you may be asked to create an account with Lyrasis Learning to register for this free virtual event.

Interested in sharing your expertise in a future IAP Expert Session? Fill out this form to be considered as a presenter.
