This year’s second annual Indie Author Project regional contests ran in 13 states and one Canadian province and fielded thousands of submissions from authors of all types. In partnership with literary organizations and libraries across North America, these contests reflect an ongoing and expanding effort to encourage strong relationships between indie authors, public libraries, and readers. Out of all of the submissions, these winning titles reflect the best indie-published eBooks each region has to offer in adult and young adult fiction. These books— and hundreds of other top indie titles— are available with unlimited, multi-user access in the Indie Author Project Select collections on BiblioBoard Library, DPLA Exchange, cloudLibrary, OverDrive, and more.
Out of this year’s winners, one overall Indie Author of the Year will be chosen by a panel of industry experts. Along with the prizes that come with their regional award, this Indie Author of the Year will also receive an additional $1,000, professional audiobook production, and a myriad of marketing and promotional opportunities throughout the year. Stay tuned for the big announcement, and in the meantime, see what 2019 Indie Author of the Year, Ran Walker, has been up to.
“To have a life dream validated in such an amazing way is mind-blowing to say the least. Not only that, but I was surrounded by librarians throughout Illinois when receiving this award… These people are backing authors and charging ahead with life-changing moves in the publishing and book worlds.”
Lauren Eckhardt
2019 IL Author Project YA Winner
Fantastic news! Congratulations, Karen M Cox for regional win in Kentucky. “Son of a Preacher Man” is so deserving of every good thing!
Be sure to read Coyote Alibi! It is just the good book to read you are looking for! It was perfect for vacation! I predict it will be a movie in the neafuture! I have been lending it out to friends and they were delighted that it was unpredicatable!
I am not only thrilled to have Upside Down in a Laura Ingalls Town represent North Carolina, but I am proud to be a part of such a talented group of authors. Libraries have held a special place in my heart since the summer I was six. I grew up in Western Maryland (the land of cows and corn), and my mother did not have a car. No trips to the local library only six miles away. Thankfully, the bookmobile came to our neighborhood once a week. I would take a laundry bag and fill it with as many books as was allowed. Each day, after playing house or telling tales to the neighborhood kids, I’d climb my favorite tree with a book. Getting through the stack became a weekly challenge for me. This memory is a part of my psyche not only as a writer, but as a reader. Now, I get to share my own books through my local libraries. I guess I have found a way to give back after all these years! Can’t wait to meet y’all in Nashville!