LEWISTON — Indie authors in the Lewiston-Auburn area now have a new way to gain audiences. The Auburn Public Library and the Lewiston Public Library have announced they are now subscribing to SELF-e, a self-publishing and discovery platform for local authors. SELF-e is designed to expose e-books to more readers through the public libraries.

Authors submit their e-books through a simple online form. As part of the process, they select where they would like their book to go: to libraries in their state in a module with e-books from other local indie authors, or to Library Journal where their e-books will be evaluated for possible inclusion in a curated, national product. Authors may choose to send their e-books to both places.

The Library Journal SELF-e curated modules, sold nationwide, feature some of the best e-books by self-published authors in a variety of genres, as chosen by Library Journal. This free service is available to all indie authors, no matter which self-publishing service they use. All that is required is an engaging story and an e-book file. SELF-e accepts PDF or ePub file extensions.

Readers can log in to the service with their library card to read books selected for the Library Journal module. As local authors submit works, they will become available in a special Indie Maine collection.

“Libraries have always tried to include work from local authors in our collections. SELF-e will help us connect local authors and local readers in an exciting new way,”said Suzanne Sullivan, head of collection development at APL. “Our readers want to read books by authors in the community. This is a great opportunity for writers to build an audience and for readers to discover authors who may be just starting out.”

The two libraries plan to have joint programs later in the fall to promote local writers.

For more information, visit www.libraryla.org, or call Marcela Peres at 207-513-3135 or Marty Gagnon at 207-333-6640.

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