Registration is now closed for the 54th Annual Local Author Showcase.
54th Annual Local Author Showcase
About the Program
The Local Author Program highlights the intellectual and creative accomplishments of writers in the San Diego region. A centerpiece of the Local Author Program is the Local Author Showcase. In its 54th year, the aim of the Showcase is to bring exposure to local talent and nurture the pursuit of the writing arts in San Diego.
A call for submissions goes out in September inviting San Diego County authors who published books in the current year to register for the program and submit their book. The annual deadline for submitting books is typically in late November.
The Showcase runs throughout the entire month of February when qualified books are displayed in the Dickinson Popular Library at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common. Participants are invited to attend a special preview of the Showcase prior to the public unveiling. Submitted publications are also showcased in an Online Gallery that lasts throughout the year and features author information, book cover images, and title and publishing information. In addition, the books will be available for public to check-out for the remainder of the year.
The Library features a special Little Local Author Showcase for writers ages 11 and under, conceived to accommodate the increasing number of children authors who enter the program. Likewise, San Diego Public Library is proud to include the publications of our burgeoning population of teen authors between 12 and 18 years old. Their books are honored at the annual Teen Local Author Showcase.
The San Diego Public Library has long hosted special events for authors including book discussions, writing workshops and author talks. We encourage writers to interact directly with their peers and readers by offering opportunities where they can share, collaborate, sell, and sign their books. The Local Author Program is presented for reading interest as well as the opportunity to highlight the diverse and abundant talent we have locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Local Author Showcase?
It is an annual program open to present San Diego County residents who published a book in the current year. Qualified participants must currently reside within zip codes 91901 - 92199.
What is the Little Local Authors?
Little Local Authors is a component of the Local Author Program. It began during the Golden Anniversary of the Local Author Program in 2015 to accommodate the increasing number of children authors who enter the Local Author Program every year.
What is Teen Local Authors?
Teen Local Authors, another component of the Local Author Program, features writers between the ages of 12 and 18 who enter and submit a book. Teen authors may enter zines, chapbooks, and other unbound booklets.
What is the Online Showcase?
The Online Showcase features authors and their information throughout the year including books, photos, publishers and bios. It opens at the same time as the live Showcase in February, and closes in February of the following year.
Can I submit an ebook?
eBooks are accepted for display purposes only. To participate authors must upload an image of the book’s cover through the online registration form. Afterwards, your submission is complete. You don’t need to do anything else.
Can my book be checked-out?
Yes. After the Showcase ends in February, books will be shelved alphabetically by author last names in the Local Author Collection located in the Dickenson Popular Library on the first floor. Books won’t be searchable in the library catalog, but author and book title can be found in the Online Showcase. Press “Crtl+F” to search by author name or book title.
Contact Us
For more information about the Local Author Program contact us at [email protected]. For other events at the San Diego Public Library's Central Library and 35 branches, or to search for materials in the Library's catalog or to find links to numerous additional resources, please visit www.SanDiegoLibrary.org or call the San Diego Public Library at (619) 236-5800.