by Zach Miller
Quick Summary
This year's submission period opened April 1 and will close May 31. Winners are honored at the Minnesota Library Association conference and earn a $2,000 prize. Share this announcement with your patrons to be sure your community's talent is reflected in this year's contest.
Text courtesy of Nash Steele, Bibliolabs.
Communities Create
The Minnesota Author Project: Communities Create contest is back for 2025, celebrating the collaborative spirit of Minnesota-based organizations and community groups producing written works. Whether it's a poetry anthology from a writers' group, a community cookbook, or a student-led short story collection, this contest is your platform to shine.​
Submission Details
- Open: April 1 – May 31, 2025
- Eligibility: Minnesota-based organizations or groups (e.g., nonprofits, schools, libraries, writers' groups, historical societies)
- Requirements: Minimum of 10,000 words or 20 pages; ePUB (preferred) or PDF format
- You can use Minnesota's statewide Pressbooks instance to format and create your book, at no charge
- Judging Criteria: Quality of work and the role of libraries in supporting the creation​
Prizes for Winners
- $2,000 cash prize
- Recognition at the 2025 Minnesota Library Conference
- Honorary plaque
- Printed edition of the winning work
- Statewide availability through the Indie Minnesota collection on BiblioBoard Library
- Media promotion throughout Minnesota
This contest offers a unique opportunity to highlight your group's creative efforts and the support of local libraries. Don't miss the chance to gain recognition and share your work with a broader audience.​ Submit your work and learn more on the Minnesota Author Project Communities Create website.
Adult and Young Adult Fiction
The Minnesota Author Project is also now accepting submissions from Minnesota residents who have independently published adult or young adult fiction.​ The submission details and prizes for winners for these categories are the same as those for Communities Create, aside from one difference: printed editions will not be provided for adult and young adult fiction winners.
Ready to Submit? Visit the Minnesota Author Project website to learn more and submit your work before May 31. Don't miss this chance to showcase your writing and become a celebrated Minnesota author.​
