The 2025 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project Contest Finalists Have Been Selected.

Our Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project judges have completed their extensive review of the 2025 contest submissions of indie-published books by Illinois authors and have narrowed down the entries to these top three finalists (listed below in alphabetical order by author’s last name):

The Bag Ladies of Ebondale by Michelle Davis-Newell (University Park Public Library District)

Breathe by Sara Fujimura (Schaumburg Township District Library)

Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX (Rockford Public Library)

Congratulations to these three finalists who now compete in the final judging round where only one will emerge as 2025's winner. Watch this blog for the winner announcement later this year.