Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project 2025 Winner Ceremony: Sara Fujimura
CPL welcomes the 2025 Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project contest winner, Sara Fujimura! Join us for a ceremony and reception in honor of this year's winner.
Sara Fujimura is the American half of her bicultural Japanese-American family and spends about a month each year in Japan. She started as a journalist, so it is no surprise that Sara’s young adult books contain a lot of facts to go along with the fiction. Whether you want to know about Japan (TANABATA WISH), the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 (BREATHE), what it’s like to be an Olympic-caliber skater ( Every Reason We Shouldn't ), or how unscripted television works ( Faking Reality ), Sara takes readers on swoony journeys to unusual places. She is a creative writing teacher and literacy advocate who is excited to support the next generation of authors. If you go to anime cons, you may also see Sara as her alter ego, The Obento Lady. She is an active member of SCBWI and the Chicago-North Romance Writers. EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T was named an NPR Best Book of 2020.
Fujimura's award winning book, BREATHE, is an outstanding work of historical fiction, and as winner, Sara will receive a cash prize courtesy of sponsor BiblioBoard plus increased promotion opportunities and visibility for her book.
The Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project, now in its 14th year, is perpetually on the hunt for the best adult fiction, YA, and memoirs from Illinois’ indie-published community. Judged exclusively by library professionals, the contest offers a powerful platform for authors to elevate their careers. Our 2026 contest winner will be announced in the fall.
Registration is requested.
How to Attend:
Doors open at 2 p.m., and seating is first come, first served (60 capacity).
Accessibility:
Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business…
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Sara Fujimura is the American half of her bicultural Japanese-American family and spends about a month each year in Japan. She started as a journalist, so it is no surprise that Sara’s young adult books contain a lot of facts to go along with the fiction. Whether you want to know about Japan (TANABATA WISH), the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 (BREATHE), what it’s like to be an Olympic-caliber skater ( Every Reason We Shouldn't ), or how unscripted television works ( Faking Reality ), Sara takes readers on swoony journeys to unusual places. She is a creative writing teacher and literacy advocate who is excited to support the next generation of authors. If you go to anime cons, you may also see Sara as her alter ego, The Obento Lady. She is an active member of SCBWI and the Chicago-North Romance Writers. EVERY REASON WE SHOULDN’T was named an NPR Best Book of 2020.
Fujimura's award winning book, BREATHE, is an outstanding work of historical fiction, and as winner, Sara will receive a cash prize courtesy of sponsor BiblioBoard plus increased promotion opportunities and visibility for her book.
The Soon to Be Famous Illinois Author Project, now in its 14th year, is perpetually on the hunt for the best adult fiction, YA, and memoirs from Illinois’ indie-published community. Judged exclusively by library professionals, the contest offers a powerful platform for authors to elevate their careers. Our 2026 contest winner will be announced in the fall.
Registration is requested.
How to Attend:
Doors open at 2 p.m., and seating is first come, first served (60 capacity).
Accessibility:
Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business…
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