The Minnesota Author Project is a great way to encourage the spread of books by Minnesota authors, across public libraries! It us part of the MN Writes MN Reads program – making books available at no cost to people across our state! “MN Writes MN Reads is a suite of resources that support local authors with online creation and publishing tools and allow readers to access locally-produced content. We believe that libraries have a vibrant role to play in helping communities come together to create and share books. These resources, Pressbooks, Indie Author Project, and Biblioboard Library, are free to Minnesota residents.”

Each year, a couple of the best books are honored, and shared across the state. From the MAP website:

“Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Minnesota Author Project! This is the third year celebrating the contest, which recognizes the best indie-published authors in Minnesota.”

• The Wolf’s Trail (Adult Fiction), by Thomas D. Peacock
• “Holy Cow! Press is pleased to announce the publication of The Wolf’s Trail: An Ojibwe Story, Told by Wolves, a novel by Anishinabe/Ojibwe author Thomas D. Peacock. The Wolf’s Trail tells of Zhi-shay’, an elder wolf, and a litter of young wolves living somewhere on the side of a hill overlooking the river that flows through Nagahchiwanong in northern Minnesota. Zhi-shay’, who knows the whole story of the parallel relationship between wolves and the Ojibwe going all the way back to the Beginning, sharing it with his nieces and nephews, and us. Replete with universal lessons, The Wolf’s Trail is the story of the Ojibwe, told by wolves, of what they were and have become, and the promise of their becoming.”
• The Stolen Kingdom (YA Fiction), by Bethany Atazadeh
• How can she protect her kingdom, if she can’t protect herself?
• Princess Arie never expected to manifest a Jinni’s Gift. When she begins to hear the thoughts of those around her, she hides it to the best of her ability. But to her dismay, the forbidden Gift is growing out of control.
• When a neighboring king tries to force her hand in marriage and steal her kingdom, discovery becomes imminent. Just one slip could cost her throne. And her life.
• A lamp, a heist, and a Jinni hunter’s crew of thieves are her only hope for removing this Gift— and she must remove it before she’s exposed. Or die trying.
• The Stolen Kingdom is a loose Aladdin retelling. Set in a world that humans share with Mermaids, Dragons, and the elusive Jinni, this isn’t the fairytale you remember…”

“New in 2020 is Minnesota Author Project: Communities Create. Communities Create celebrates Minnesota organizations and communities that are producing written creative works.”

• Justice Makes a Difference (Communities Create), by Dr. Artika Tyner and the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute
• ““Words are powerful,” Grandma told Justice. “They can be used in powerful ways to do good or to do harm. That’s why it’s important to always be careful with your words.”
• Justice has grown up witnessing the many ways her grandma serves the community. She wants to make a difference in the world, too, but how? Isn’t she too young?
• Through conversations with her grandma and their shared love of books, Justice learns about important women and men throughout history who changed the world: Ella Baker, Shirley Chisholm, Charles Hamilton Houston, Dr. Wangari Maathai, Paul Robeson, and Ida B. Wells. Justice learns how each leader was a champion for advancing justice and improving the world, and she dreams of becoming a change maker, too—“Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire,” a superhero with a law degree and an afro!
• Written by Dr. Artika Tyner and Jacklyn Milton, passionate educators and community advocates, Justice Makes a Difference is the inspiring story of one little girl’s realization that her name is her destiny.”