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For Writers

Whether you’re a novelist, poet, author-illustrator, or anywhere in between, the New Orleans Public Library has resources to help you take your story from the first spark of creativity into readers’ hands.

Books on How to Write

Interested in self-publishing your work? Hop down to our self-publishing resources.

What’s the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing? Read more on our blog.

Upcoming author events:

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» Watch recordings of past Virtual Author Talks.

Writing & Publishing Workshops At The Library

Memory and Tenderness: A Workshop Inspired by Ocean Vuong's Poetic Vulnerability

When: Saturday, November 07, 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Where: Norman Mayer Library

Karisma Price leads this poetry workshop grounded in the work of Ocean Vuong. Read examples of Vuong’s poetry and engage in generative exercises to develop your own poems.

This workshop is being held in anticipation of Ocean Vuong’s free public lecture at Tulane University on November 19th at 6pm, part of the Tulane University School of Liberal Arts’ Carole Barnette Boudreaux ’65 Great Writers Series. Open to adult writers of all skill levels.

Karisma Price is an Assistant Professor of English at Tulane University. A poet, screenwriter, and media artist, she is also the author of I’m Always So Serious (Sarabande Books, 2023). Karisma’s work has appeared in publications including Poetry, Indiana Review, Four Way Review, wildness, and Adroit Journal. A native New Orleanian, she holds an MFA in poetry from New York University, where she was a Writers in the Public Schools Fellow.

In partnership with Tulane University School of Liberal Arts.

Just Write: Virtual Creative Writing Workshop

When: Saturday, November 14, 2pm – 4pm

Discuss your works-in-progress with local writers in a friendly and supportive environment. Novice to experienced writers in all genres are welcome to participate. Meetings are held over Zoom.

Participants are invited to submit one piece of writing per workshop meeting of up to 1500 words in length. At each meeting, we’ll have time to workshop 5 – 6 pieces of writing. Works will be discussed in the order they’re submitted. Submitting work is not required to attend and participate in the discussion.

Workshop norms and etiquette are as follows:

Treat all participants with civility and respect.
Please mute your mic and refrain from commenting in the chatbox when your work is being discussed.
Comments on others’ work should always be constructive.
Be aware of how much you’re talking and allow space for others to contribute.
Creative expressions are welcome; hate speech is not.

To register for the workshop, or for more information, please email CreativeWriting@nolalibrary.org. After registration, you will receive the Zoom link via email.

Self-Publishing Resources

Are you interested in self-publishing your book? Want to read self-published and indie works from other local authors? Pressbooks, Indie Author Project, and BiblioBoard work together to make the self-publishing process easier and more accessible to Library cardholders.

Create and format a publication-ready manuscript with Pressbooks Public. Write chapter by chapter, or import a manuscript previously written in Word or other formats. Create a professional-quality ePUB (compatible with most e-book readers) or PDF (print friendly) file that’s ready to submit to your self-publisher of choice, such as the Indie Author Project. When you’re ready for cover design, check out the Library’s list of websites where you can download copyright-free images.

After formatting your manuscript in Pressbooks Public or with a different tool, submit your work to Indie Author Project for the chance to be featured on BiblioBoard. Submissions are open year round. During April and May, Indie Author Project runs their Annual Contest, with the chance to win prize money and a full-page spread in Library Journal.

Read indie fiction by Louisiana authors, with no checkout periods, waits, or holds. Download the BiblioBoard Library app to read on your mobile device, or access on any web browser.

Create and format a publication-ready manuscript with Pressbooks Public. Write chapter by chapter, or import a manuscript previously written in Word or other formats. Create a professional-quality ePUB (compatible with most e-book readers), MOBI (compatible with Kindles) or PDF (print friendly) file that’s ready to submit to your self-publisher of choice, such as the Indie Author Project. When you’re ready for cover design, check out the Library’s list of websites where you can download copyright-free images.

Read indie fiction by Louisiana authors, with no checkout periods, waits, or holds. Download the BiblioBoard Library app to read on your mobile device, or access on any web browser.