The Greater Victoria Public Library is writing a second chapter in its efforts to shine a light on the work of local authors.

The Emerging Local Authors Collection highlights the work of independent, self-published and small press authors whose work lacks the exposure afforded to more traditionally published authors, explained Rina Hadziev, collections and technical services co-ordinator for the GVPL.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more and more difficult to compete with well-known authors who have the benefit of large-scale marketing efforts,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淲e wanted to find a way to highlight and celebrate local material in a way people would find it and know what itB次元官网网址檚 about.B次元官网网址�

The Emerging Local Authors Collection, now in its second year, enables local authors to partner with the GVPL by donating a book that, if selected, will be made available to a wider audience.

B次元官网网址淲e have created a page on our website listing the authors and information on them and their work,B次元官网网址� Hadziev said. B次元官网网址淲e have also added a special E-book selection this year.B次元官网网址�

Printed copies will be available at the GVPLB次元官网网址檚 Central branch on Broughton Street, or can be ordered in to other branches. Prime display space in the foyer at the downtown branch will also be devoted to the collection.

B次元官网网址淲e want to work with the authors to come up with ways to help them reach a wider audience and build awareness of their work within the community,B次元官网网址� Hadziev added.

View Royal author Shereen Vedam appreciates the GVPLB次元官网网址檚 efforts to provide exposure to writers.

Her novel, A Devilish Slumber, is one of the books selected for this yearB次元官网网址檚 Emerging Local Authors Collection. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a historical romance with elements of fantasy set in early 1800s London, England,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淚t was inspired by fairy tales and Sleeping Beauty.B次元官网网址�

The book was published by Imajinn Press, a small publisher based in Memphis, Tenn.

Vedam, who was born in Sri Lanka and lived in Ottawa before settling in Victoria in the early 1990s, has been writing for more than 20 years.

A Season for Giving, her collection of novelettes that weave a Christmas theme through historical romances, was selected for last yearB次元官网网址檚 collection.

Vedam is also a member of Vancouver Island Romance Authors, a collection of about 40 writers who put on monthly workshops to hone their craft. The group provides a B次元官网网址済reat support networkB次元官网网址� and regularly shares marketing ideas, she said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very nice of the library to include authors of all types of genres,B次元官网网址� Vedam said of the GVPL program. B次元官网网址淚t gives a chance to authors who wouldnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily be heard.B次元官网网址�

She lauded the GVPL for their support above and beyond the initial invitation to participate.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite wonderful to see how community centred they are.B次元官网网址�

For more details go to .

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com