# Upcoming Programs & Events for Writers
Get help writing, publishing and marketing your own book with FREE Writer's Lab workshops! We've also got a ton of free resources like Pressbooks and Indie Author Project that will help you find new readers and make self-publishing easier.
Speaking of which... Indie Author Project's Annual Contest is accepting entries starting April 1 through May 31, 2025. Along with the $2500 grand prize and other accolades and perks of the award, you work being recognized by librarians creates credibility and visibility as an indie author, setting you apart in a growing marketplace of digital content and indie-published books.
There's also an Open Call for self-publishers to table at the next Duval Comic and Zine Fest, happening Saturday, June 21, at the Main Library. If you have zines, comics or other self-published work and you want the chance to connect with new readers, submit your application to table by April 28.
# Upcoming Programs
Authors Roundtable: "Cultural Connections: Uniting People Through Diverse Genre"
Learn how to use different cultural perspectives and genres to create stories that resonate with and unite diverse audiences. This cross-cultural storytelling workshop is presented by Authors Roundtable of Northeast Florida - a 501c3 that supports authors reaching their highest potential. All genres are welcome. There is time for networking after the presentation.
10:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 5 | Main Library (Conference Level)
Writer's Lab: "Writing Wonder: Creative Nonfiction with Jennie Ziegler"
Hone your writing skills in this free workshop exploring the broad and varied field of creative nonfiction. Nonfiction is described, by its title alone, by what it is not. It is not fiction. And that is the only clue we have for this sprawling genre filled with voices from the culinary world, the travel world, the world of loss and laughter and... field guides? Participants will be brainstorming, writing and questioning closely an exciting genre that defies simplistic definition.
1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 | Pablo Creek Regional Library
Presenter Jennie B. Ziegler completed her M.F.A. in Nonfiction Writing at the University of Arizona and was a recipient of their Foundation Award. Her work has been previously nominated for a Pushcart and has been published in The Washington Square Review, Bat City Review, The Jacksonvillian, Roanoke Review, Bending Genres, MAYDAY Magazine, Squawk Back, Motherly, The Normal School, Essay Daily, Appalachian Review, Luna Luna Magazine, Crab Fat Magazine, Atlas and Alice, and Consilience, among other outlets.
She has forthcoming work in The Washington Square Review and the Roanoke Review and currently serves as the nonfiction advisor for The Talon Review. She often focuses on science, geography, the body, folklore, geology, botany, space, and regional identity across all genres of her work.
Looking for more free workshops?
# Cash Prizes for Indie-Published Authors
Are you an indie author looking for a chance to showcase your talent? The Indie Author Project Annual Contest is looking for the best indie-published e-book. Submit your work before May 31, 2025, for your chance to win $2,500 and other amazing prizes!
Each book that is submitted to the contest must be:
- Indie-Published
-
In one of the following genres*:
- Mystery/Thrillers
- Romance
- Sci-Fi
- Fantasy
- Historical Fiction
- General/Contemporary Fiction
- Memoir
- Young Adult
- Geared toward an adult or young adult audience
- Available in either ePUB (strongly recommended) or PDF format
- Also please note: there is no limit on publication date. All publication dates are allowed.
The winners of this contest will receive:
- $2,500 to the 1st place winner and $500 each to two runner-ups in each genre
- Honors at the 2026 Indie Author Day Reception at ALA Annual
- Opportunities to promote your book(s) at public libraries
- Inclusion in a full-page print spread in Library Journal
- Opportunities to earn royalties through the IAP Select collection (ePUB format required for eligibility)
Find out more about how you can participate, get the Author Rubric, and read the Frequently Asked Questions on the Indie Author Project Annual Contest guidelines page.
*Don’t see your genre included? Not a fiction author? Even if your books are in other genres, you can still gain exposure and new readership by submitting your e-book to the Indie Author Project. After submitting, your ebook can be shared with participating libraries throughout your state, and if your title is chosen by the Indie Author Project network of curators, it will also be available alongside other top indie reads in participating libraries all across the U.S. and Canada.
Open Call for Self-Publishers at Duval Comic and Zine Fest
Do you make zines, comics or other self-published works? If so, consider submitting an application to table at Duval Comic and Zine (DCAZ) Fest on Saturday, June 21, at the Main Library! Your voices, stories and expressions are what make this such a diverse and inspiring community to be a part of.
Applications to table at DCAZ Fest are open NOW through April 28 at dcazfest.com/tabling. There is no cost to participate in this free event, which is open to the public. However, spots are limited.
Note: Our community partners at the DCAZ Fest nonprofit organization will notify you of your acceptance no later than May 10 so you have time to prep all the fabulous zines, comics and other merch you'll need for your new readers and fans! The Library will be letting everyone know about related programs like special Writer's Labs for zinesters and other zine-making activities happening before and during the event! Stay tuned.
Don't forget: You can also donate your self-published zines and comics to the Library's Zine Collection at any time. We accept zines and self-published comics of different shapes, sizes, and formats. Whether hand-drawn or hand-written, photocopied and stapled, or professionally printed: we want to see it all! Learn more on our zine page.
# Jax Library Loves Local Authors
Browse our Local Author Collection
Jacksonville, Florida, is the home of many talented writers. To make their work accessible to the entire community, we created the Local Author Collection. Physical items in this collection are housed at the Main Library and are available for customers to check out through the Library's catalog.
Donate Your Book
Want to see your book on the shelf? For selection criteria and a submission form, click here.
Create Your E-Book or Print-Ready Manuscript
Create, edit, format, and generate print-ready and eBook formats for your book—no matter how where in the writing process you are! Pressbooks Public is a free, online tool that gives you complete control over your content and the ability to collaborate with other authors and editors. It's browser-based, so you don't even have to download software. You can access it from anywhere!
Share Your E-Book with Readers in Florida
Jacksonville Public Library is partnering with Library Journal and the Indie Author Project to help readers discover local authors just like you through the BiblioBoard discovery platform. To get started, just submit your e-book (via the Indie Author Project website) for inclusion in this online collection. For more information, visit Self-Publishing E-Books with the Library.
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