By Renee Edwards, Program and Educational Services Director
We all know that libraries are places for readers, but what about writers? After all, without writers, we would have nothing to read! This fall, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) is recognizing the hard work of local writers with many events and celebrations. Learn more about what we have in store.
National Novel Writing Month
Do you want to write America’s next great novel, but just don’t have time? Maybe you have an idea for a story that could become the next page-to-screen series, but you need a little help to get started. If this sounds familiar, then National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is for you!
Held each November, NaNoWriMo is helmed by a nonprofit of the same name dedicated to the transformative power of writing. Their goal is to help “people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds — on and off the page.”
Taking part is easy! Participants can sign up online and access how-to materials, meet other writers in discussion groups, get pep talks from authors and more. All with the goal of helping you write 50,000 words in one month and getting your novel off to a strong start.
While a month may not seem like much time to write a novel, many of today’s most popular writers are NaNoWriMo participants and have the bestsellers to show for it. Notable novels written during NaNoWriMo include Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo and Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Will yours be the next to join this list?
Indie Author Day(s)
After completing the monumental task of writing a book, prospective authors are faced with yet another – publishing it. Getting your book picked by a traditional publishing company is no easy feat. Only about 1-2% of manuscripts sent into publishing houses each year actually make it to print according the research group WordsRated. Which is why many writers turn to self-publishing.
Known in book world as independent or "indie" authors, self-published writers make up a large percentage of authors. In 2021, there were approximately 2.3 million books self-published in the United States, according to an article by Publisher’s Weekly. This comprises 57.5% of the total books published that year. Unsurprisingly, this staggering number includes books by many authors who live and work right here in Fairfax County.
To honor our local writers, we celebrate their achievements by participating in Indie Author Day. This yearly event is usually held on one weekend in November, but this go around, we thought we would spread our love for local authors over multiple events and presentations throughout the fall.
This year's celebrations include:
- Local Authors Book Festival at Chantilly Regional Library on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Authors will meet the public, talk about their books and sell any printed copies they have available. Learn more.
- Conversations With Local Authors on Nov. 1-4.
These virtual programs will be moderated panel discussions with a variety of authors.
Visit this page for more information all the events mentioned here and how FCPL is celebrating writers this fall.