In an effort to further encourage strong relationships between indie authors, local libraries, and readers, BiblioBoard and Library Journal partnered with librarians across the country to launch the inaugural 2018 Indie Author Project statewide contests. Mirroring the success of the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project, these contests ran in 7 additional states and received hundreds of submissions from authors of all types. Out of all of the submissions, these winning titles reflect the best indie and self-published eBooks each state has to offer in Adult and Young Adult Fiction. These books—and many others—can be found in the Library Journal curated SELF-e Select collections on BiblioBoard Library.

For libraries, these contests are a fantastic opportunity to foster a community of local authorship and provide patrons with access to a growing collection of diverse and exciting new literary voices. For indie authors, these contests are a powerful way to elevate their careers and writing goals, all through the library. Along with the accolade of the award and its perks, being recognized by librarians creates credibility and visibility in the growing marketplace of digital content and self-published books.