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Highland Park author named Soon to be Famous Illinois Author

The 2017 Illinois Soon to be Famous Illinois Author winner is Daniel Rosenberg of Highland Park.

His book, "The Towers Still Stand," was chosen as the best self-published book by librarian judges from across the state.

During National Library Week, the 2016 winner Geralyn Hesslau Magrady handed the trophy to Rosenberg.

"The Towers Still Stand" answers the question, "what if the Sept. 11 attacks had failed, and Americans remained ignorant of the hijackers' ultimate goals?"

In this alternate history, several hijackers and their leaders survive and escape a botched Sept. 11 plot and plan a second attempt on the towers. Only one man in the government and an aggressive journalist suspect what might be afoot, but how can they convince a skeptical nation that the World Trade Center is in danger?"

A professional journalist, Daniel Rosenberg's career includes stints writing for The Wall Street Journal and Barron's. He currently writes about financial markets for a major brokerage firm. Rosenberg is married, has two sons and lives in Highland Park.

It seems clear now that Rosenberg's upbringing led him to the desire to write a story that dives into the human mind and experiences. Besides having a mother who writes fiction and nonfiction, his father was a pilot. They flew coast-to-coast together in a single-engine plane, reaching the four corners of the country and expanding a young Daniel's horizons. Visiting small towns and meeting people opened his eyes and interests beyond is urban upbringing.

"This is a great partnership between libraries, partners and readers," said Dee Brennan, executive director of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System. "It shows the power of libraries to build readers."

She added, "When we all work together, we all benefit."

From an initial field of 66, this year's finalists were Daniel Rosenberg, who was nominated by the Highland Park Library; Annie Hansen, who was nominated by the Big Rock Library for "Take the Donut"; and Karen Bedore, who was nominated by the Aurora Public Library for "The Bard."

Rosenberg will tour libraries across the state. He also will receive $1,000 prize sponsored by Biblioboard.

Highland Park Library will receive recognition with the award of a library conference admission.

The list of previous winners are: Joanne Zienty, 2014; Michael Alan Peck, 2015; and Geralyn Hesslau Magrady, 2016.

This Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project is the brainchild of a group of library marketing professionals. The original purpose of the project was to demonstrate the power of libraries to create a market for authors. Now in its fourth year, it has also become a way for librarians to find good reads for their patrons. Self-published authors are attracting readers in record numbers.

Author Earnings Report indicates that 34 percent of e-book sales in February 2017 were for self-published indie authors books. In comparison, 26 percent of e-book sales were to the big five publishers' books.

Librarians have long been a resource for recommending book titles to their patrons. As members of a highly trusted institution, their recommendations are valued by the public.

The Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project is a collaborative effort with libraries across the state. Librarians from all types of libraries serve as judges and the project is managed by library marketing professionals and librarians.

For more information about the Soon to be Famous Illinois Author project, visit soontobefamous.info.

The Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Committee includes: Julie Stam, Eisenhower Public Library District; Donna Fletcher, Donna Fletcher Consulting; Sue Wilsey, Helen Plum Public Library; Nikki Zimmermann, Reaching Across Illinois Library System; Eva Baggili, Chicago Ridge Public Library; Karen McBride, Barrington Area Library; Amy Byrne, White Oak Library District; Eileen Crowley, Wheaton Public Library; Jeffrey Fisher, Fountaindale Public Library; and Denise Raleigh, Gail Borden Public Library.

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