Wanted:

Talented, Undiscovered, Self-Published Illinois Author

In this statewide contest, librarians judge self-published fiction by Illinois authors to select and promote a winner.

The 2017 contest is now open. We are accepting nominations through January 8, 2018.

Librarians! Click the button below for details about the contest and how to nominate your local authors.

Authors! Click the button below for contest rules and to get started on submitting your book.

Details For Librarians »Details for AuthorsDownload Flyer »

Welcome to the Soon To Be Famous Illinois Author Project! Authors must be nominated by an Illinois library (public, academic, school, or special) and must reside in Illinois. Sponsored works must be self-published works in an adult fiction genre. In 2018, this exciting, library-driven initiative is entering its fifth year and just keeps getting better. Thanks to our ongoing partnerships with BiblioBoard, RAILS, and ILA, potential benefits to winning authors now include:
  • Statewide recognition by libraries as the top self-published book
  • $1,000 cash prize
  • Announcement of winner and finalists at Gail Borden Public Library event
  • Promotion and royalties through sales in the Indie Rock Stars module, alongside indie bestselling superstars
  • Print book sales to Illinois libraries
  • Inclusion in Popup Picks, a mobile media curation service offered by Reaching Across Illinois Library System, for three months
  • Book review in Library Journal
  • Book tour of Illinois libraries
  • Use the apply/nominate links above to begin the nomination process!