Resources for Writers
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers a variety of resources and programs for the Charlotte writing community. Whether you are interested in joining a writing group, self-publishing your book or attending a panel discussion—we have something for you!
You can subscribe to our writing newsletter for monthly updates:
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Pressbooks
Learn morePressbooks is an easy-to-use online software that allows you to create professional-quality e-book and print ready files in ePUB, MOBI, and PDF formats. You can create and export as many items as you wish!
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Indie Author Project
Learn moreIndie Author Project is a self-publishing program where local indie authors can share publish their e-book through the Library. Authors looking to promote their work and increase readership and exposure can submit their work to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Indie Author Project program to be featured in the statewide Indie North Carolina's collection, with the potential for national exposure.
Writing Groups
Anyone can join one of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s many active writing groups. We offer a variety of days, times, topics, and locations. Whether you are interested in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, getting published, joining a critique group or just meeting other Charlotte writers, we have a group for you to join.
Special Events
We host author panels, book talks, and other special events throughout the year at a variety of locations. In addition, we host several annual large-scale events for writers. You can check our online calendar for specific dates, times and locations. Click on the event below to learn more.
Since 1996, April has been celebrated as National Poetry Month. This is a month-long celebration of verse in all forms, organized and supported by the American Academy of Poets. You can read more about National Poetry Month and the Academy of American Poets on their website. Check the Library's calendar for events and programs in April and throughout the year.
Indie Author Day is an annual festival celebrating self-published and independently-published local authors. The day involves panel discussions, networking, book sale and more. Join us each year in October as we celebrate our local independent writing community!
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a 30-day writing challenge with participants across the world. You can register here, track your word count and compete with friends to hit 50,000 words by November 30. It's a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing that encourages getting words on the page and turning off your self-editor (at least until December 1). The idea is to spend the month immersed in the act of writing for writing's sake and get your creative juices flowing.
Click here to find all library writing programs and events
The Carolina Author Collection
May 2022 Update: Acceptance of donations for the Carolina Author Collection has resumed. Please use this address for inquiries. [email protected]
This is a special collection for authors living in and around Mecklenburg County including nearby South Carolina counties. Other authors who live in NC may be added as deemed appropriate by Materials Management.
This collection will not include established local authors who are published by traditional publishing companies.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
- The author must be willing to donate one copy to be added to this collection.
- It takes a minimum of 4-5 weeks before a Carolina Author Collection title appears in the catalog.
BOOK STATUS
- The Library will add the book to the Carolina Author Collection housed at Mint Hill Library. Carolina Author Collection materials may be placed on hold and sent to the requested branch.
- Weeding/Deselection will be based on condition. Items that have not circulated within five years will be evaluated during an annual review
Carolina author inquiries should be directed to [email protected].