As many of our library partners know, independent and self-publishing circulation numbers continue to rise among readers. There are so many wonderful self-published authors waiting to be discovered, including writers living in your community! As more libraries embrace the growing popularity of independent authors, we know that navigating the content and selecting the best titles can feel daunting which is why we are so excited to announce that the Indie Author Project is back.

Released last year as SELF-e Select, the Indie Author Project is a collection of independent titles hand-selected by Library Journal, Black Caucus of the ALA (BCALA) and a network of hundreds of librarians participating in the IAP’s regional indie ebook contests.

The Indie Author Project offers our library partners a collection of handpicked titles as a free Simultaneous Use package. Under the simultaneous use plan, titles will be available without waitlist or holds. Along with the base package of 50 titles, this year the Indie Author Project also includes an additional 60 genre titles that you can add. Included in that are 20 titles each from YA, Romance, and Science Fiction & Fantasy. Or add all 110 Indie Author Project titles to your digital library, all for free!

These expertly curated packages are available as a one-year sample collection. Enrollment begins on July 1, 2019 and ends October 1, 2019. A library that participates in the Indie Author Project will have the collection available to patrons for twelve months from the date the collection was added to their OverDrive site.

To enroll in the pilot program, simply visit the Simultaneous Use page in the OverDrive Marketplace during the enrollment period, select the Indie Author Project catalog, and complete your free purchase! Contact your OverDrive Account Manager with any questions.