The book will be published in 2016 to concur with the Indiana state bicentennial, and it will be IU Press’ first crowd-sourced book.
“It was an opportunity for us to try a new publishing model that collaborates with our readers in a way that we’ve never done before,” said Laura Baich, IU Press electronic marketing manager, in an email. “Through this project, Hoosier residents are taking ownership of writing the story of our state.”
Submissions should be “fun facts or stories that celebrate what makes Indiana unique,” according to the IU Press website. Submissions are accepted from “anyone who considers himself/herself a Hoosier.” Baich said IU Press is in need of more stories about Bloomington and student life.
Submissions must be sent by Sept. 1. The best stories will be chosen for publication in the book.
While various regions of Indiana have been covered, IU Press is still searching for stories about Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Fishers, Terre Haute, Noblesville and Lafayette along with Bloomington.
The entire list of regions to fill can be found on the IU Press website, iupress.typepad.com.
New releases also published by IU Press include memoir “Leave the Dogs at Home” by IU alumna Claire S. Arbogast and Fork River anthology “Winesburg, Indiana,” edited by Michael Martone and Bryan Furuness.
Stories can be submitted through the book’s Facebook page, facebook.com/UndeniablyIndiana, or by email to Baich at lbaich@indiana.edu.
“I hope people inside the state of Indiana will feel a sense of pride about being a Hoosier when they read the book,” Baich said.
Bridget Murray and Cassie Heeke
