There's nothing quite like seeing a finished book shared with readers. This year, we celebrate local authors who used Arapahoe Libraries' Writers' Resources to publish their work and enter the 2026 Indie Author Project Annual Contest.
Through our Writers' Resources page, aspiring and experienced authors can access Pressbooks, opens a new window to create professionally formatted books and Indie Author Project, opens a new window to publish and distribute their ebooks through libraries.
A Record-Breaking Year for Indie Publishing
The 2026 Indie Author Project contest received nearly 4,000 submissions (including resubmissions) from independent authors across the United States and Canada, another record-breaking year for the program.
Every eligible title has now been published on BiblioBoard Library and assigned to contest judges. Judging will continue over the coming months, with winners announced during Indie Author Day in November 2026.
We're excited that Arapahoe Libraries patrons helped contribute to this impressive milestone. Congratulations to all of our local authors!
Meet Our 2026 Indie Author Project Authors!
Author: Davis Bain
Chronic Pain Warrior: Practical Help and Everyday Hope for Chronic Pain, Illness, and Injury, opens a new window
Genres: Memoir, Self-Help, Health & Fitness
Author: Shelly Meyer
The Day I Stopped Being Invisible, opens a new window
Genres: Contemporary Women's Fiction, Romance, Action & Adventure
Author: Gary Springer
Caravaggio's Crossing, opens a new window
Genres: General Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fantasy
Author: Gary Springer
Cryo Dreams, opens a new window
Genres: Poetry, Science Fiction, General Fiction
Author: Gary Springer
The Moonseas of Saigyo: Poems of Late Earth and the Ice Moon, opens a new window
Genres: Poetry, Science Fiction, Religious Fiction
Author: Gary Springer
Toshiro Burning, opens a new window
Genres: Science Fiction, Poetry, General Fiction
Author: Spike Adams
The Fourth Cross, opens a new window
Genres: African American Fiction, Thriller
Author: Tom Wade
Bully Boy, opens a new window
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Coming-of-Age Fiction
Author: Kaia Gallagher
Candles for the Defiant, opens a new window
Genres: Adult Nonfiction, History Adult Nonfiction, Autobiography, Personal Memoir, Body, Mind & Spirit
Author: M.J. Evans
Coal Dust and Dreams, opens a new window
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Coming-of-Age Fiction, General Fiction
Author: Robert G. Williscroft
Icicle, opens a new window
Genre: Adult Fiction, Science Fiction
Authors: M. Cosmos Newstrom
A Light Home, opens a new window
Genres: Adult Fiction, Fantasy, YA Fiction, General Fiction
Author: Rose Farnoz
The Night Beast Trilogy, opens a new window
Genres: Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure
Ready to Share Your Story?
Whether you're writing your first novel, a collection of poems, a memoir or a how-to guide, Arapahoe Libraries has free tools to help you move from manuscript to published book.
Explore our Writers' Resources to:
- Format your book with Pressbooks.
- Publish your ebook through the Indie Author Project.
- Learn about writing and publishing resources available through the library.
Congratulations again to our 2026 Indie Author Project authors!