Authors / Presenters / Exhibitors

We invite submissions of original, published books of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s and young adult literature. We do not accept erotica or books containing hate speech. These may be submitted by authors, illustrators, publicists, or other publishing professionals. We encourage submissions by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including race and ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, class, and/or abilities.

Submissions for the 2022 Book Festival

  • Submission Deadline: July 31, 2022
  • Online Submissions: Only online submissions are accepted.
  • Agents and Representatives: Agents and author representatives are encouraged to submit if they have the authors’ consent. Please let the author’s know that their names have been submitted for consideration.
  • Priorities: Preference is given to books released either in hardback or paperback in 2021 and up to October 2022. Books must be available for sale by October 1, 2022, in order to be considered for the 2022 Festival. E-books will not be considered.
  • Book or ARC submissions: A submission will not be considered unless we have received two copies of the book or advanced reader’s copy [ARC] by the July 31st deadline. If copies will not be available until after the July 31st deadline, you must note that in the comments box on the submission form and let us know when it will be available. Digital ARCs cannot be accepted. Books or ARCs not available by July 31st will not be considered. We cannot return books. All submissions whether accepted or not for inclusion in the Festival will be donated. Please mail 2 copies of the book to Louisville Book Festival, 104 Daventry Lane Louisville, KY 40223. 
  • Multiple submissions: If you wish to submit more than one title for an author, please provide details about the additional titles in the comments field. Please do not submit multiple forms for the same author, even if the books are in different genres and published by different publishers. Provide the necessary details in comments.
  • Co-authors: If both authors wish to participate, please submit a form for each author, including separate bios and photos.
  • Series authors: Please submit the title of the newest book in a series as of October 2022.
  • Book sales: The Festival arranges ALL book sales through a local bookstore. Our Festival bookseller is Carmichael’s Bookstore. Carmichael’s will arrange ordering copies of all books to sell at the festival. On occasion, authors will need to provide their own books, and we will notify individual authors when that is necessary. This happens mostly to self-published authors whose books cannot be ordered through a publisher. In this instance your books will be on a consignment agreement with Carmichael’s as they would be with most any other bookstore. Carmichael’s will list your book for the duration of the festival. The consignment split is 40% to the bookstore and 60% to the author. We do not determine the sale price of any book. This decision is solely up to the author and/ or publisher.
  • Self-published: Authors with self-published books may submit work if 1) the book has been professionally edited and, 2) the book is available to booksellers with standard discount terms and returnable.
  • Festival structure: Most Festival programs offer panels with one to four participants and a moderator. Festival organizers select the panelists and assign the venues. Book sales and signing immediately follow and are held in the same venue.
  • Publicity and promotion: Participants and their books are promoted widely through the Festival website and printed materials; in regional and national media; and in blogs, podcasts, social media, and networking sites. The Festival will provide participants with a promotional toolkit, including press release, Festival fact sheet, and logos. Festival participants are strongly encouraged to promote their involvement on their website and on social media.
  • Travel and fees: Unless otherwise discussed in advance, authors must commit to assuming the costs of their Festival participation if they are invited to take part, including travel and lodging. There is no submission fee to apply to the Festival.
  • Decisions: Application notifications will be provided by August 14, 2022, though we expect to provide notification much earlier than this in most cases.
  • Information requested: You may wish to gather the following information in advance for online submission of a author:
    • Author and publicist’s (if applicable) contact information
    • High resolution photo of author
    • Maximum of 40 word bio of author
    • Author’s website (required)
    • Author’s social media handles, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
    • Information about whether the author is willing to do school presentations
  • Author Add-On’s:
    • Advertising in LBF Program – full page, half page, quarter page options available (rates vary)
    • Special feature in LBF Program – $75
    • Special feature on website – $50
    • Book Announcement – $50 (must provide 2 copies of book in addition to book(s) included in submission)
    • Designated Social Media Announcements – $60
    • Professional author interview – $249
  • Submission Payments: Payment for your add-on will be requested AFTER your books are received and accepted by the Louisville Book Festival.
  • Questions? Please contact festival staff at admin@louisvillebookfestival.com

 

Submission Form

Submission Form

Maximum file size: 8MB

Will you be sharing a table with another author? *

Second Author Information

Maximum file size: 8MB

Maximum file size: 8MB

Maximum file size: 8MB

Equipment Needed:
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