Supporting Local Authors

Kern County is home to many talented writers and the Kern County Library is happy to provide a digital home for their work through our OverDrive platform.

Due to the explosion of self-publishing, the Kern County Library does not physically catalog local author titles. Any print copies of local author works will be kept at the local branch library and made available as “honor” checkouts.

Print titles of Local History nonfiction are welcome and should be submitted to the Library through your local library branch. If they are appropriate for the Local History collection, they will be catalogued and housed in the Local History Room at the Beale Memorial Library.

Criteria for Inclusion in KCL’s Local Author Collection

  • The author or creator must currently reside in and have lived in Kern County for at least 5 years.
  • Illustrators are eligible. In the case of an illustrated book, either the author or the illustrator must currently reside in and have lived in Kern County for at least 5 years.

Local Author Appearances and Events

Local authors may work directly with individual library branches to plan an appearance at a specific location. Access our list of Hours and Locations for contact information by individual branch.

Submit Your Work for Kern County Library's Local Author Digital Collection
Submission Form

    Contact Information:

    Mailing Address:

    The information below is required by Overdrive.

    Audience:

    Adult FictionAdult Non FictionYoung Adult FictionYoung Adult Non FictionJuvenile FictionJuvenile Non Fiction

    Short Description:

    File Uploads(Maximum File Size is 20MB)
    Upload Digital File Here:
    Please validate before uploading. You can validate at http://validator.idpf/org
    Supported formats: Adobe EPUB, Open EPUB, Adobe PDF, Open PDF. EPUB is preferred since it is viewable on most devices.


    Upload Cover Image Here:
    Supported formats: PNG, GIF, or JPG. Images sized 510x680 pixels are recommended.

    Upload Thumbnail Image Here:
    Supported formats: PNG, GIF, or JPG. Images sized 99x132 pixels are recommended.

    Please acknowledge below to submit your form.
    I currently reside in and have lived in Kern County for at least 5 years.
    I give the Kern County Library permission to add my publication to the library's digital collection and I release all claims for compensation related to use of the materials for as long as they keep them in that collection.
    I understand that submission of this form does not guarantee selection and inclusion in the local author digital collection.
    I have read and agree to the following from OverDrive:
    OverDrive, Inc. (“OverDrive”) provides authorized users and libraries of its Digital Library Reserve (“DLR”) system (collectively “Library”) the ability to upload digital content for circulation in the Library’s DLR collection. Supplier has authorized Library to upload Supplier’s digital materials on Supplier’s behalf into Library’s DLR account.
    Supplier represents that any digital content or materials including text, images, sound and video (collectively “Local Content”) that Library deposits, on Supplier’s behalf, in Library’s DLR account shall comply with the following terms and conditions:
    1. Supplier permits Library, on Supplier’s behalf, to deposit digital content or materials into Library’s account for lending, at no cost to Library, to all DLR authorized Libraries who select to add the content to the Library’s DLR collection.
    2. Supplier acknowledges that OverDrive doesn’t review or evaluate the Local Content in any matter whatsoever, including subject matter, substance, or other contents.
    3. Supplier warrants and represents that it has the necessary ownership rights, licenses and/or permissions to allow Library to deposit the Local Content into the DLR system. Supplier warrants and represents that the Local Content does not violate the proprietary rights of others, including but not limited to contract, copyright and trademark. Supplier warrants and represents the Local Content does not contain matter which is libelous, slanderous, an invasion of privacy, unlawful appropriation of name, and likeness and defamation of character.
    4. Supplier acknowledges that OverDrive provides certain services for setting copyright protection for the Local Content. Supplier shall communicate to Library its preferences for designating the copyright protection settings applied to the Local Content. OverDrive makes no representations or warranties as to the effectiveness of any such software or services as applied to the Local Content.
    5. Supplier agrees to hold OverDrive, its agents, officers and directors, harmless in any and all matters for any claims related to the upload, deposit or distribution of Local Content in the DLR system.
    6. OverDrive, in its sole discretion, reserves the right, without notice, to reject or remove any and all Local Content deposited by Library on Supplier’s behalf, if in OverDrive’s sole opinion it reasonably believes the Local Content will expose OverDrive to any action, liability, damage and/or potential exposure to third party claims.

    Electronic Signature:

     

    Local Author Resources

    We encourage writers to hone their craft with the resources below.

    Self-Publishing

    smashwords.com

    The world’s largest distributor of indie eBooks. Quick and easy eBook distribution, free tools for marketing and reporting, control over sampling and pricing, and more. Smashwords offers a catalog over over 40,000 vetted, eBooks and 100,000 authors.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    amazon.com

    Amazon offers a range of free tools for creating eBooks. There is KindleGen which is a command line tool for conversion of content to HTML and EPUB, Kindle Create for creating professional quality eBooks on the Amazon marketplace, Kindle Kids’ Book Creator for authors to turn illustrated books into Kindle books, and Kindle Comic Creator for guided reading experiences.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    swoonreads.com

    Macmillan Publishing’s portal for authors to share their content. Readers read it, review it, rate, and help writers with critique as needed. Submissions that do well have the opportunity for publishing with Macmillan.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    booklife.com

    Publishers Weekly’s portal for authors to share their content with the publisher. Also includes editorial content, such as success stories, interviews, author profiles, how-to pieces, news, and features.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    Social Media for Authors

    For authors looking to advertise their book online for free beyond traditional platforms, these resources may be helpful.

    wattpad.com

    WattPad has 16 million engaged readers every month, and is a captive audience looking for the next great read. Its platform encourages social reading, by enabling readers and writers to be interactive. Share content, collaborate with other authors, serialize stories, and ask for suggestions. Similar sites also include Underlined and Booksie.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    goodreads.com

    GoodReads is a platform for readers to connect to other readers. Post information about yourself, books you are reading, books you have written, and view community reviews on titles.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    librarything.com

    For authors, your book can be linked to your author bio and sales links to online marketplaces. For readers, LibraryThing allows you to create your own digital collection, that can be kept private or shared publicly.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    wordpress.com

    Many of today’s authors began as blog writers, and WordPress is a free, quick, and easy way to begin blogging. WordPress is most successful when content is consistent and regular.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    Crowdfunding for Authors

    inkshares.com

    Writers can submit manuscripts for crowdfunding and offers the publishing and support services needed once the work is funded.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    kickstarter.com

    The world’s largest funding platform for creative projects, including writing. Reach people who can pledge money to your cause.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    patreon.com

    Create an online community around your written content. On this platform for a range of creators, users can put monetary support towards their chosen writers and other artists. Patreon is most successful with consistent content creation.
    FREE • AVAILABLE ONLINE

    Local Writers Groups, Events, & More

    Writing groups can be the perfect way for writers to discuss their writing, get feedback, and grow in their craft.

    writersofkern.com

    The Writers of Kern host workshops, critique groups, and more. LEARN MORE

    shutupwrite.com

    Shut Up & Write is a online community of that hosts local writing meetups in various areas. Local meetups can be found on Meetup.comLEARN MORE

    Library Resources

    kclevents.org

    The Kern County Library hosts a variety of events including writer workshops, book discussions, author events, and much more. Don’t see one in your area? Access our Hours & Locations to get info about contacting your local branch about the potential of offering these types of events in the future. LEARN MORE

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