After our recent finalist announcement for the 2023 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project contest, our three authors had this to say:

“When I saw the email from the Soon to Be Famous Project telling me I was a finalist, at first I wondered if it was a scam! Then I realized that I do know these folks at the STBF project, and I actually was a finalist,” commented Michael Pickard who was chosen for his detective mystery novel Creative Deductions.

Michelle Cox, author of A Spying Eye responded, "I'm absolutely floored and delighted!  Truly honored to be a finalist!" 

Angelique Burrell, author of A Mark in the Road was also “sincerely honored” to be chosen as a finalist.

These finalists in the statewide Illinois writing competition were chosen to advance in the competition by a team of volunteer librarian judges. We'll announce the winner later in January 2024.

Of the many book competitions in existence, the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project is unique because it was created and is run exclusively by librarians and other library staff. No other group is more in tune with what appeals to readers than librarians, and no other group is more trusted to make good recommendations. Past winners have enjoyed increased book sales, opportunities to appear at author events at public libraries, and the opportunity to include their books in a select collection of ebooks available to the public through their libraries.