The D.C. Public Library is looking to add books written and self-published by local authors to their online collection.
The DC Writers Project invites authors to send the library their fiction e-books through May 31. Library employees with a wide range of interests will review each submission.
Electronic Resources Librarian April DeRome hopes the library can add between 10 to 20 new titles from the submissions, then feature those books on the front page of the library's OverDrive site where 3,000 readers go for e-books each day.
"We want to support as much as we can," DeRome said. "We're really excited to bring a new selection of titles."
Anyone who has a D.C. library card can submit their work.
The DC Writers Project was inspired by a library in Portland who did something similar, DeRome said. Local authors frequently ask for their published books to be added to the D.C. library's collection, but reaching out like this is a new move.
"This is the first time that it's intentional, that we're reaching out to local authors in our community," DeRome said.
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It's a way for the library to support to local writer's community, and encourage readers, too, said library spokesperson George Williams.
"The District has a really vibrant community of writers. And because of that vibrancy, it is important that the library has an opportunity for those stories to be in their library," Williams says.
There's no prize money for authors, but the library will purchase author's titles through the self-publishing platform before adding them to the collection, Williams says.
Writers must have published their e-book on a list of approved platforms and fill out an application to be considered, the DC Writers Project website says.
On April 27, the library hosts the DC Author Festival which will help authors and future writers navigate the process of writing and publishing.
