Indie Authors in Your Local Library
If you’re an Indie author, you know how hard it is to market your book and get it in a library collection.
Now public libraries have gotten together and created The Indie Author Project. Authors are able to submit their e-book 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.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? And it’s free!
In addition, each submitted e-book is eligible for yearly contests in their state and nationwide.
Here are Florida’s 2020 Contest Prizes and Eligibility:
The winners of this contest will receive:
- $500 each in adult and young adult categories
- Honors at the 2021 spring IAP Reception
- Opportunities to promote your book(s) at Florida public libraries
- Inclusion in a full-page print spread in Library Journal
- Opportunities to earn royalties through the IAP Select collection
Each book that is submitted to the contest must be:
- Indie-published
- In an adult fiction or young adult fiction genre
- Written by a Florida resident
- Available in either ePUB or PDF file
Unfortunately, the 2020 contest is closed, but 2021 should open up soon.
In addition, IAP presents free monthly webinars for beginning, or soon-to-be authors at any stage of the writing process. The webinars are archived and available HERE.
Sadly, not every state is part of IAP, but if you live in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Texas, Virginia or West Virginia , you’re one of the lucky ones to have this library program.
If you’re full of questions and want to know how the royalties work, check out the FAQ.
