The Soon To Be Famous Blog

Geralyn Hesslau Magrady, the 2016 winner of the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project, recently took to Facebook to celebrate the tenth anniversary of her victory for her novel, Lines.

Reflecting on the impact of the Illinois library contest, Magrady shared: “Winning this award was an incredibly positive experience for me.” She highlighted the joy of engaging with book clubs, speaking at libraries, and appearing on various podcasts, noting that the recognition served as a vital inspiration to continue her writing journey. Geralyn's Facebook post.

As the project celebrates these success stories, the current committee—Eva Baggili, Jeffrey Fisher, Gretchen Murphy, Denise Raleigh, Lucy Tarabour, and Nicole Zimmermann—is thrilled to announce a major evolution. Leadership of the Soon to Be Famous project is moving to the next level under the guidance of Jennifer Lizak, Coordinator of Special Projects at the Chicago Public Library.

At a recent transition meeting that also included Nash Steele of supporter Lyrasis, organizers agreed that moving this over 12-year-old, library-run contest to the Chicago Public Library system—with its expansive network of 80 branches—will significantly amplify its visibility. This move is designed to further bridge the gap between Illinois’ talented self-published authors and a growing community of local readers.

“Chicago Public Library is thrilled to be able to build upon the important work of the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project committee and continue the Project's legacy of uplifting indie authors and showcasing the vibrant, diverse voices of Illinois. We are looking forward to growing this program and continuing to encourage Illinois authors in their writing careers!” said Jennifer Lizak.

 This Year's Winner 

The selection committee is excited to announce the winner for the 2025 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project: Breathe by Sara Fujimura (Schaumburg Township District Library). The other two finalists were The Bag Ladies of Ebondale by Michelle Davis-Newell (University Park Public Library District) and Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX (Rockford Public Library). Congratulations! They were among 82 authors who submitted their work for consideration in 2025.  

2026 Contest Is Open - Call to Authors

Authors can submit their self-published books for next year’s contest here. 

We’re looking for the best adult and YA fiction and memoirs by Illinois self- and indie-published authors for a chance to win a cash prize and statewide recognition. Through our annual contest, we’re helping Illinois libraries connect local authors with readers. Beyond prizes and perks, a nod from the library community provides essential credibility and helps authors stand out in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace.

Many of these self-published books are then available via libraries through an online, easy-to-use BiblioBoard collection.

Judged exclusively by Illinois library staff members, the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project contest is a powerful way for authors to elevate their careers and writing goals, powered by the library community. In addition to prizes and perks, being recognized by librarians creates credibility and visibility for authors, setting them apart in a growing marketplace of digital content and self- and indie-published books.

Your next great read is here!

The Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project is proud to announce that the winner of our 2025 contest is BREATHE by Sara Fujimura of Schaumburg. This outstanding work of historical fiction “intricately weaves the seriousness of the Spanish Flu [and] World War I and the hopefulness of women on the cusp of having their right to vote recognized with the exhilaration of falling in love and following your dream into a tapestry of events that influences Ginny, a headstrong seventeen-year-old. You will root for her all the way!" (Amazon review)

Fujimura was thrilled to receive this news. She commented, “BREATHE originally launched to very little fanfare, so it brings me immense joy that this book is finally finding its audience. Thank you!” Learn more about Sara Fujimura at sarafujimura.com.

As winner, she will receive a cash prize courtesy of sponsor BiblioBoard plus increased promotion opportunities and visibility for her book.

The Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project, now in its 14th year, is perpetually on the hunt for the best adult fiction, YA, and memoirs from Illinois’ indie-published community. Judged exclusively by library professionals, the contest offers a powerful platform for authors to elevate their careers. Our 2026 contest is now open and accepting submissions.Get details here.

Beyond prizes and perks, a nod from the library community provides essential credibility and helps authors stand out in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace.  Winners also have the opportunity to compete for national recognition through the Indie Author Project.

For more information on the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author project, visit soontobefamous.info.  For more information about the Indie Author Project, visit indieauthorproject.com.

Calling all Illinois self- or indie-published authors!

We are now accepting entries for the 2026 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project contest. The 13th annual contest recognizes excellence in self- or indie-published books of adult or young adult fiction, and memoirs. Submissions will be accepted from April 1 through May 31, 2026.

With entries judged by Illinois library staff members, this unique contest captures the power of libraries and librarians to connect readers with great reads and to raise the profiles of Illinois authors.

For complete information about contest requirements, entry information, prizes, and to enter, click here.

Note: An earlier version of this article mentioned a children's picture books category. This contest and category are part of the Indie Author Project (details here) and not the 2026 Soon to Be Famous contest. We apologize for any confusion.

The 2025 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project Contest Finalists Have Been Selected.

Our Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project judges have completed their extensive review of the 2025 contest submissions of indie-published books by Illinois authors and have narrowed down the entries to these top three finalists (listed below in alphabetical order by author’s last name):

The Bag Ladies of Ebondale by Michelle Davis-Newell (University Park Public Library District)

Breathe by Sara Fujimura (Schaumburg Township District Library)

Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX (Rockford Public Library)

Congratulations to these three finalists who now compete in the final judging round where only one will emerge as 2025's winner. Watch this blog for the winner announcement later this year.

Calling all Illinois self- or indie-published authors!

On April 1, the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project will kick off its 12th annual contest which recognizes excellence in self- or indie-published books. Works of adult or young adult fiction as well as memoirs will be accepted from April 1 through May 31, 2025.

With entries judged by Illinois library staff members, this unique contest captures the power of libraries and librarians to connect readers with great reads and to raise the profiles of Illinois authors.

For complete information about contest requirements, entry information, and prizes, click here. 

Our contest winner will receive a $2,000 prize, state-wide recognition and publicity, plus opportunities to promote their book at Illinois libraries, and the choice to make their book available to a select ebook collection which may earn royalties.

Also, all entrants will have the opportunity to enter the Indie Author Project contest. This a separate event that is open to self- and indie-published authors worldwide. Authors entering the Illinois contest will automatically be given the option to simultaneously enter the Indie Author Project contest which selects one winner and two honorable mentions in each of the following genres: Mystery/Thrillers, Romance, SciFi/Fantasy, Historical Fiction, General/Contemporary Fiction, Memoir, and Young Adult. Click here for more information about this exciting opportunity.

Past winners of the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project contest have enjoyed increased sales, more visibility through appearances at Illinois libraries, and the credibility that comes from recognition by members of one of the most trusted professions around—librarians.

For the tenth consecutive year, Illinois librarians have uncovered literary gems missed by the traditional publishing world through the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project contest.

This year’s outstanding winner is The Fallen Woman’s Daughter by Michelle Cox of Grayslake. Upon learning of her win, Michelle said, "I'm absolutely thrilled that my first truly indie book has been honored with this award.  I'd like to thank the judges and librarians who selected my book, but also to all the thousands of librarians who make a difference to so many in their community. I applaud you!"

Cox will receive a cash prize as well as opportunities to promote her book at Illinois libraries, and the opportunity to make her book available to Illinois library users through the online collection, Indie Author Project Select on the platform inkie.org. 

Called “an addictive read” by Kirkus Reviews, The Fallen Woman’s Daughter tells the story of eight-year-old Nora who along with her sister arrives at the Park Ridge School for Girls in 1932, certain that there has been some mistake. When their mother fails to rescue them week after week—and cruel house matron, Mrs. Morris drops hints that their mother may be a “fallen woman”—Nora begins to doubt they will ever see her again. The story that unfolds uncovers secrets of a tragic choice Nora’s mother was forced to make, and the attempts by the daughters and their mother to seek reconciliation and forgiveness.

Learn more about this book and other works by Michelle Cox on her website.

Congratulations Michelle!

Once again, our Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project judges have completed their review of the 2024 contest submissions of indie-published books by Illinois authors. They've narrowed down the entries to these top three (listed below in alphabetical order by author’s last name):

The Fallen Woman’s Daughter by Michelle Cox - Grayslake Area Public Library

The Crimson Court by Brendan Noble - Rockford Public Library

Abigail’s Song by Alina Rubin - Niles Public Library

Congratulations to these three finalists who go on to compete in the final round of judging where one will emerge as 2024's winner. Watch this blog for the winner announcement later this year.

Authors from across the state submitted a total of 27 manuscripts to this year’s Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Manuscript Project (STBF). Librarians across the state volunteered their time and expertise to judge these entries and are proud to announce this year’s winner: Patti Sherry-Crews of Evanston for her story The Wizard of Odd.

The story follows the life of Miles, a successful voice-over actor in crisis, who flees his life in L.A. to take a job as a house and dog sitter on small Todd Island, Odd Island as the residents sometimes call it. There, he unwittingly becomes an agent of chaos when the inhabitants start coming to him with their problems, subconsciously mistaking his soothing, recognizable voice as someone who gives a damn, which he doesn’t. But in the end, Miles is the character who goes on a spiritual journey and comes out transformed at the conclusion.

Patti shared that her book, The Wizard of Odd, like the classic the Wizard of Oz, explores, “…how people will sometimes give more weight to advice or opinions of others over their own instincts. Taking a page from my own book, I deliberately didn’t show any version of this manuscript to anyone, which was a first for me. The first sets of eyes on The Wizard of Odd were the judges of the Soon to be Famous Contest. I knew the story I wanted to tell and how I wanted to tell it. Like the inhabitants of Todd Island, I know I’m susceptible to the opinions of others, and that would’ve made a hash of my story the same as Miles made a hash of the lives of residents of Todd Island.”

Libraries definitely have a special place in Patti’s heart. “This is the second time I’ve had a manuscript make it to the finals in this contest. I submitted a different manuscript a few years ago and making it to the finals in a contest judged by librarians changed my trajectory as a writer,” she commented, “and my favorite job was when I worked the Circulation Desk at Wilmette Public Library. I'm a big fan of the public library so this means a lot to me.”

As the winner, Patti will receive free line-editing and cover design services for her manuscript provided by STBF sponsor, Lyrasis. Also, if she decides to self-publish or indie-publish The Wizard of Odd,  it will be automatically entered in next year’s Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project contest.

The STBF Project, now in its 10th year, is entirely run by librarians and other library staff who volunteer their time. Their goal is to recognize and promote outstanding self- or indie-published adult fiction (and memoir for the book contest), to support local authors, and to bring more great reads to library patrons.

The 2024 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project Manuscript competition is proud to announce this year’s finalists:

• Nicky by Hailey Atwood (West Chicago Public Library District)
• The Wizard of Odd by Patti Sherry-Crews (Evanston Public Library)
• Expedition Noah by Jeremy Zentner (Fondulac Library District)

Authors from across the state submitted a total of 27 manuscripts to this year’s contest. Librarians across the state have volunteered their time and expertise to judge these entries and narrow the list down to these three outstanding finalists.

Fondulac Library District resident Jeremy Zentner commented, “To be honored as a finalist in a state-wide competition from the state that brought us Ray Bradbury and is home to Veronica Roth is especially endearing to me, as Expedition Noah is also a sci-fi adventure and I'm a major fan of sci-fi authors. Thank you to everyone who put in the work to make this competition happen!” 

Hailey Atwood from West Chicago was also thrilled to have her story selected. “Nicky is a psychological thriller that follows Adam, a self-proclaimed psychopath who hides behind his success as a respected anesthesiologist, until one day, a young woman dies mysteriously, leaving her dog Nicky behind as a witness. I developed the premise when I adopted my own dog from a rescue organization. He became absolutely terrified when I opened a bottle of wine, and I learned that his previous owner had died suddenly from something alcohol-related, and he discovered her body. It made me think about how little we know of everyone's backstory, and how people discover things about themselves and others.”

Patti Sherry-Crews shared that her book, The Wizard of Odd, like the classic the Wizard of Oz, explores “…how people will sometimes give more weight to advice or opinions of others over their own instincts. Taking a page from my own book, I deliberately didn’t show any version of this manuscript to anyone, which was a first for me. The first sets of eyes on The Wizard of Odd were the judges of the Soon to be Famous Contest. I knew the story I wanted to tell and how I wanted to tell it. Like the inhabitants of Todd Island, I know I’m susceptible to the opinions of others, and that would’ve made a hash of my story the same as Miles made a hash of the lives of residents of Todd Island.”

These three entries go to our final round of judging. We'll announce the overall winner later this summer. The winning author will receive free line-editing and cover design services provided by our sponsor, Lyrasis, for their manuscript. Should the winner decide to self-publish or indie-publish their manuscript, that book will be automatically entered in next year’s Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project Book Contest.

The goal of the STBF Project, now in its 10th year, is to recognize and promote outstanding self- or indie-published adult fiction (and memoir for the IAP contest) to support local authors and bring more great reads to library patrons.

We're pleased to release the list of our semi-finalists for the 2024 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Manuscript Project contest. Congratulations to these authors for being recognized by our judges for their work (in alphabetical order by author’s last name):

• Walkin’ the Edge by Cherie Carol (Chicago Ridge Public Library)
• Good Humor by Michael J. Elsey (Chicago Public Library
• The Things We Keep by Erich Keime (Sugar Grove Public Library District)
• The Ghost-Bind by Kendra Lindholm (Ela Area Public Library District)
• Sand, Sun, Hit-and-Run by Mary Kate Mandeville (Chicago Public Library)
• Nicky by Hailey Atwood (West Chicago Public Library District)
• The Apocalypse Plan by Ronnie Parrone (Washington District Library)
• The Ambulance Chaser’s Lament by Jeff Scheidel (Westmont Public Library)
• The Untimely Death of Erica Javitz by Barbara E. Schmidt (Lillie M. Evans Library District)
• The Wizard of Odd by Patti Sherry-Crews (Evanston Public Library)
• Expedition Noah by Jeremy Zentner (Fondulac Public Library District)

These semi-finalists now move into the next stage where our judges will select the top finalists. Watch for this announcement in June. For details about the contest, click here.