Local Author Resources
The Aurora Public Library District supports local authors as a part of our Strategic Plan. We house a Local Author collection at the Santori Library to promote a reading culture in Aurora and to support the local arts community. To partner with the library or host a reading please submit a program proposal form here.
Be a Part of the Library's Local Author Collection
This is a donation-based collection. To submit your work to the library you must:
- Be an Illinois resident.
- Complete the online form.
- Donate a physical copy of your work.
Works should be sent to the Selection team by bringing a copy to one of the Aurora Public Library District branches or sent via mail to:
Selectors
Aurora Public Library District
101 S. River Street
Aurora, IL 60506
Please note that the Local Author Collection is subject to the collection development and maintenance criteria as outlined in the Collection Development Policy.
Helpful links for local authors
A suite of resources are available to everyone in Illinois for free. They allow authors to design and export your own e-book using Pressbooks software. Once you share your e-book you can submit it for inclusion.
Indie Author Project Select
A nationwide Library Journal reviewed collection of self-published fiction.
The Indie Author Project (IAP) is a publishing community that includes public libraries, authors, curators, and readers working together to connect library patrons with great indie-published books. 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. Most importantly, the project has worked with top curation partners and librarians to identify hundreds of these as the best indie eBooks available to readers—so they can be sustainably circulated to library patrons with confidence.
Indie Illinois
A statewide collection of independently published Illinois authors.
This unique anthology brings you the best books you've never heard of and delivers them to you electronically. Modern and historical novels comprise the "Fiction" collection while everything from business guides to personal memoirs make up the "Nonfiction" collection. From vibrantly illustrated books for children and relatable chapter books for young adults to international thrillers and mysteries for adults, the Indie Illinois: Discover Local Authors Anthology can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
Be sure to check out the highlights to discover the best reads from your local authors as selected by Library Journal!
inkie.org
Access inkie.org to read the works created by independently published authors using the Biblioboard website. No holds, checkout limits, or borrow limits!
Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project
An annual author contest.
Through the Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project, libraries are helping connect local indie authors with readers. This exciting, library-driven initiative is the genesis for the national Indie Author Project.