Any author who’s serious about being successful in the indie publishing world should learn about the Indie Author Project (IAP). The IAP is a publishing community that includes public libraries, authors, curators, and readers. The goal of the IAP is to make more indie-published books available in libraries, thus helping to widen indie authors’ reach and broaden library patrons’ horizons. Based on their website,
“IAP has helped hundreds of libraries engage their local creative community and assisted in getting more than 12,000 indie authors into their local libraries… Through this publishing community, authors are able to submit eBooks directly to their local public library to then be vetted by industry editorial partners (such as Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and others) and regional library editorial boards. Being selected by these curators can lead to expanded discovery, marketing, and networking opportunities.”
Books that are selected by IAP curators may also opt into a non-exclusive, royalty-paying program by which ebooks are sold in curated collections via library platforms such as OverDrive, The Palace Project, and more. The books selected by IAP curators will become available alongside other great indie books in participating libraries throughout North America.
Authors may also submit their books to their local IAP-hosted contest. IAP contests have grown since 2018, and they are now available in 17 states across the US each spring. A winner is selected in each region, and from that pool of winners, industry professionals select the Indie Author of the Year. From the website:
“The winners of this contest will receive:
- $1,000 each in adult and young adult categories
- Minnesota winners will receive $2,000 each
- Honors at the 2023 Indie Author Day Reception
- Opportunities to promote your book(s) at public libraries
- Inclusion in a full-page print spread in Library Journal
- Opportunities to earn royalties through the IAP Select collection (ePUB format required for eligibility)
- Additional prizes and opportunities vary by region”
The Indie Author Project is legit, having support from IngramSpark and other major members of the industry, and has been extremely helpful to the indie author community. Of course, making sure your book has been professionally produced is a large part of how successful your book will be, including when it comes to the IAP. So, before you submit your work, make sure it’s in top shape. You can learn more about the IAP by visiting their website (click here for information specific to authors), and for information about their contests, including eligibility, click here and here.
