Calling All Local Authors of Kids and Teen Books

# Be a Part of Jax Book Fest 2025

Jax Book Fest is a big, bold celebration of authors, authorship, and the written word—held annually at the Main Library in Downtown Jacksonville. This year, Jax Book Fest is being held over two Saturdays in September. The first weekend will focus on workshops for local writers; the second Saturday will be devoted to young readers and connecting them with books they'll love.

Join us at Jax Book Fest: Youth Readers' Day from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 20. 

Open Call for Local Authors

We are looking for local authors who have published books for children and/or teen readers. As one of our Jax Book Fest local authors, you'll meet new readers and have the opportunity sell and sign copies of your book(s) alongside New York Times bestselling author and U.S. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Mac Barnett, and other authors of regional and national acclaim. 

# Author Selection Criteria

The primary, but not in totality, criteria for selection are:

• Preference will be given to authors local to Duval County, then surrounding counties. For the purposes of this event and our Local Author Collection, "local" includes authors living in:
  • Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Baker, Union, and Bradford Counties in Florida, and Camden, Charlton, and Glynn Counties in Georgia
• Public demand and interest
• Critical reviews
• Presentation and readability
• The author’s or artist’s reputation and significance
• Reputation and standing of the publisher
• Availability of the information or material elsewhere
• Local or national significance of the author, artist or topic
• Compatibility of the e-material with our digital platforms or quality of the physical format
• The author must represent and warrant full ownership and/or legal rights to publish all material in the book(s), including artwork.

Waitlist

Rejected applicants may be placed on a waitlist. In the event that an accepted author is not able to attend the Jax Book Fest, authors on the waitlist will be notified. Should you not wish to be placed on the waitlist, please let us know.

# What to Expect as an Exhibitor

Details Regarding Setup

A six-foot rectangular table (and two chairs) will be provided to each author. Setup will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on the first and second floor of the Main Library. You will be assigned a floor and table number and provided with a floor plan. Staff and/or volunteers will be on the floor and available to provide directions. Note: Exhibitors are responsible for tablecloths, signage, and other materials needed for an attractive booth space. We cannot guarantee access to electricity. Free public Wi-Fi is available but can be slow during big events.

Exhibitors may begin breaking down their booths at 1:55 p.m. Note: Library staff and volunteers will not be available to help set up or break down booths. Please plan accordingly.

What to Bring

Exhibitors are responsible for bringing, storing, and selling their own books and other materials. We recommend bringing at least 5 – 10 copies of your book(s). If you think you will sell more, bring more. You are also responsible for bringing your own cash and/or card readers for book sales. Note: The Library cannot make change for exhibitors and no banks located downtown are open on Saturday. 

Authors are strongly advised to bring a second person to speak to visitors and transact sales on your behalf if you wish to attend Lit Chat programs or other presentations during the Fest. Library staff and volunteers are not allowed to man tables or conduct transactions.

Parking at the Fest

Free street parking is available on Saturdays. Parking is also available in the garage at the corner of Main Street and 33 W. Duval Street. Note: During special events, there is a $5 cash charge for parking and there is no validation for Library customers.

# Jax Book Fest: Writer's Day

Join us for Jax Book Fest presents: "Writer's Day" from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, in the Conference Center at the Main Library. There will be over a dozen different workshops—lead by publishers, authors, and other industry insiders. Spend the day with us and you'll attend up to 3 or 4 breakout sessions (each lasting one hour). Depending on which sessions you choose, you'll have the chance to meet representatives from traditional, small, hybrid/subsidy, and indie publishing including Indigo River Publishing, Kensington, BiblioBoard, and more (to be announced).

Note: There will be a lunch break between the morning and afternoon workshops as well as opportunities to tour the Main Library and learn about other free writer's resources like the Special Collections Department and the Memory Lab. Plus, everyone is encouraged to stay after the workshops for a Lit Chat Interview from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Hicks Auditorium. More details to come!

Open Call for Writers Groups, Associations, Publishers

Note: If you are an individual or group directly related to the advancement of the work of writers/illustrators and/or publishing and would like to take part in or set up a table at Jax Book Fest: Writer's Day, please email jplprograms@coj.net. Examples include: writer's groups, professional literary associations, professional editors, and small or independent publishers.  

# More Opportunities for Authors

Donate your book to the Local Author Collection

Like Jax Book Fest itself, the purpose of the Local Author Collection is to help develop relationships between Jacksonville Public Library and local authors and to make your work more accessible to the reading public. The collection is housed at the Main Library but titles can also be found placed on hold through the Library's catalog and then picked up at a user's preferred library branch.

If you want to get your book in our physical collection, please visit:

• Donate to the Local Author Collection (if you are giving us a copy of your book)
• Market your book to the Library (if you would like the Library to purchase your book)

Share Your E-Book with Readers in Florida

Did you know? Jacksonville Public Library partners with Library Journal and the Indie Author Project to help readers discover local authors just like you through BiblioBoard Library. Once accepted to the Indie Florida Collection, your e-book will be available to readers across the state. Note: The best of these are awarded Library Journal’s Select Award and entered into a nationwide collection.

Go to the Indie Author Project to read the "terms of agreement" and submit your title. You are welcome to submit as many of your books as you'd like. 

• Learn how to prep your manuscript at Self-publishing your e-book with the Library
• Find other Jax authors on the #ReadLocal collection on BiblioBoard Library

Author Talks

Our Lit Chat programs give readers the chance to meet the writers that everyone's talking about - from New York Times bestsellers to debut and up-and-coming local authors. A Lit Chat Interview or Teen Lit Chat Interview (for readers, ages 12-18) is a 40-minute conversation between an author and interviewer. Check out past interviews on our YouTube playlist or "Completely Booked" podcast. 

For local and debut authors, a Lit Chat Author Talk may be the best fit. These are shorter, 15-minute presentations. We also offer a Junior Lit Chat Author Talk (for readers, ages 5-12). 

Note: All Lit Chat programs include 15-20 minutes of audience Q&A, followed by a book signing. We partner with a network of independent booksellers across the City of Jacksonville to ensure copies of your book(s) are available for sale on-site, during the program or event. 

If you would like to be considered for this series:

1. Carefully review the Jacksonville Public Library Library Programs for the Public Policy to ensure your program is a good fit for the Library
2. Complete the Suggest a Program Form

A staff member will follow up with you within one week of receiving your suggestion. If you have questions, please email jplprograms@coj.net.