LEAD ME HOME: Missouri Author Project 2019 Adult Fiction Winner

I received an early holiday present this year. In mid-November, I learned that my novel Lead Me Home was selected as the 2019 winner in the Missouri Author Project adult fiction contest.

Earlier this year, I came across Jane Friedman’s suggestion that indie authors consider listing their books in SELF-e, a site sponsored by Library Journal and Biblioboard that libraries can use to find well-written independently published books. Most libraries obtain their ebooks through Overdrive, but it is difficult for indie authors to get their books listed on Overdrive.

I am a huge fan of libraries, and I want my books available to library patrons. So, even though I thought the chance of ever seeing royalties through SELF-e was slim, I decided to list my books on the site.

As I was uploading my books to SELF-e, I found a link to the Indie Author Project contest for Missouri independently published authors.

The Indie Author Project (IAP) is a partnership between libraries, BiblioBoard, and Library Journal designed to bring librarians, authors, and readers together. The purpose is to connect library patrons with well-written independently published books. IAP helps libraries select the best indie e-books for their readers. And in addition to curating indie authors’ books, IAP sponsors a contest for independently published authors (like me) in several states.

When I listed my books on SELF-e, I also entered them in the 2019 IAP contest for Missouri authors. I was delighted to find out that Lead Me Home won in the adult fiction category.

It is hard for indie authors to receive validation of their work. During a recent discussion on publishing I attended at the Woodneath Branch of the Mid-Continent Public Library, one author stated she would not self-publish her work because she wanted recognition from agents and editors—she wanted someone to confirm her writing was good enough to publish.

I understood her concern. However, I’ve decided that for myself, the advantages of speed to market and control over the end product outweigh the greater recognition that traditionally published authors often receive in the literary world.

Still, it does take a fair amount of self-confidence for authors to independently publish their work. We indie authors have to believe our books are as good as or better as traditionally published books. And then we have to wait for sales and reviews to prove us right—which sometimes happens and sometimes does not.

That’s why contests like the Indie Author Project are important. Librarians—and what author doesn’t want validation from librarians?—judge the IAP contest. Winning a contest like the Indie Author Project provides a way for self-published authors to confirm their own admittedly biased opinions of their work.

I know that winning this contest will boost my confidence for many months to come.

Thank you, Indie Author Project!