Our Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project 2025 Winner Ceremony featuring Sara Fujimura will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 3:00PM – 4:00PM at the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago, IL. Join us for a ceremony and reception in honor of this year's winner.
Sara Fujimura is the American half of her bicultural Japanese-American family and spends about a month each year in Japan. She started as a journalist, so it is no surprise that Sara’s young adult books contain a lot of facts to go along with the fiction. Whether you want to know about Japan (TANABATA WISH), the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 (BREATHE), what it’s like to be an Olympic-caliber skater (Every Reason We Shouldn't), or how unscripted television works (Faking Reality), Sara takes readers on swoony journeys to unusual places. She is a creative writing teacher and literacy advocate who is excited to support the next generation of authors. If you go to anime cons, you may also see Sara as her alter ego, The Obento Lady. She is an active member of SCBWI and the Chicago-North Romance Writers. EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T was named an NPR Best Book of 2020.
Fujimura's award winning book, BREATHE, is an outstanding work of historical fiction, and as winner, Sara 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 winner will be announced in the fall.
Chicago Public Library requests registration for this event. Click here to get started.
