Hundreds of Libraries and Thousands of Indie Authors Across North America will participate in the first annual Indie Author Day!
Mark your calendars! Libraries across North America will host local events for the first annual Indie Author Day on October 8, 2016, and will then come together at 2 pm Eastern for a digital gathering that will offer inspiration, information and advice for authors from publishing industry specialists. This event will bring the indie writing community together through the library system both physically and digitally.
As indie publishing continues to gain ground, there are many authors who are still struggling to find their footing in the publishing world and get discovered. By working with their local library to build an audience within their communities, authors are able to find local fans that will help carry them to greater renown. Through Indie Author Day, libraries are encouraged to support their local writers and authors are driven to make that crucial connection with the libraries in their communities.
“Participating in Indie Author Day helps libraries of all types and sizes leverage their expertise to connect their communities with unique titles and authors that they may not otherwise read. It provides the perfect opportunity for all of us to join together to position libraries as the go-to place to discover the next great read,” said Dee Brennan, Executive Director of Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS).
And now, with all of the tools and guidance now available in libraries and beyond including SELF-e, Pressbooks Public, BookLife, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and more, libraries are in a better position than ever before to truly make an impact in the lives and careers of local writers. As the self publishing and indie industries grow, writers who might not have been discovered through traditional channels are able to get their voices heard.
IBPA CEO Angela Bole
“Publishing your own work is more viable today than ever before and the Independent Book Publishers Association is honored to support those who choose this entrepreneurial path,” said Angela Bole, IBPA CEO. “Indie Author Day will provide a chance to discuss publishing options, learn best practices and celebrate successes with a tribe of forward thinking writers, publishers and librarians.”
With a growing list of partners including IBPA, Publishers Weekly’s BookLife, Library Journal’s SELF-e, Pressbooks Public, RAILS, Massachusetts Library System (MLS), Soon to Be Famous, Where Writers Win and BiblioLabs, libraries and authors participating in Indie Author Day will gain support from all walks of the book publishing industry.
“Library Journal is proud to be involved in helping libraries engage their local writing communities and help them find the best indie books,” said David Greenough, General Manager & Group Publisher of Library Journal. “Over the past three years, we’ve seen this movement grow and evolve, and Indie Author Day will be the first instance of bringing this whole community together on one day to raise awareness of self-published books and demonstrate its place as a vibrant part of the publishing ecosystem.”
“We expect over 400 libraries to participate in the first year of this annual event, which is pretty amazing”. – Mitchell Davis, BiblioLabs
Bibliolabs’ Mitchell Davis
“We have been amazed at the level of engagement so far,” said BiblioLabs founder and CBO Mitchell Davis. “Over 70 libraries have already signed up to host local events even before the site has launched and the official announcement has gone out. We expect over 400 libraries to participate in the first year of this annual event, which is pretty amazing. Indie Author Day comprises a super group of partners and is an inspiring project to be a part of.”
“Behind most great authors is a great local library, which is why BookLife.com is excited to be part of Indie Author Day. BookLife offers terrific resources for indie authors, including free Publishers Weekly reviews, but there is no substitute for the type live, in-the-flesh community and support a great library provides,” said Carl Pritzkat, VP Business Development at Publishers Weekly.
Many of the partners will have staff participating in local events at their own libraries. The details on who will be featured in the digital panel presentation that will take place at 2 pm EST on Indie Author Day will be announced mid-June. This panel of industry experts will offer insights on the publishing industry to participating libraries and authors.
For more information on Indie Author Day, please visit IndieAuthorDay.com. If you are interested in being a partner on Indie Author Day contact [email protected].