The Texas Book Festival (TBF) will take place in late October 2021. Because of continuing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and the vaccine rollout, they’ve yet to finalize the in-person and/or virtual format of the event or the length of the festival, which typically takes place over two days but which in 2020 took place over two weeks. A decision on duration and format will be made by late spring 2021.

TBF typically presents hundreds of authors, from Texas and beyond, whose books are published within the twelve months preceding the festival. All authors who are invited to participate will be featured in at least one panel or solo session; the festival does not feature authors for book signings only. If the 2021 festival takes place in person in Austin, authors must be prepared to cover their own travel expenses.

Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis between February 1 and June 1. On February 1 the required submissions form will be accessible from this page. While TBF will consider books published up to twelve months prior to the start of the festival (October 2021), priority is given to books—and particularly first editions rather than re-releases in other formats—published within the festival year.

Author-selection committees comprising authors, writers, educators, and publishing professionals consider the submissions and choose, along with the TBF literary director, who will be invited and who will moderate discussions. Most invitations will go out between the beginning of May and the end of August.

While TBF reviews all books that are submitted, the main goal is to provide an excellent and diverse mix of literature for all visitors and participating authors featuring books from the following genres:

• Art and architecture
• Cookbooks and food-related literature
• Children’s and young adult literature, including picture books and chapter books
• Fiction—all genres
• Graphic novels
• Narrative nonfiction—biography, essays, history, long-form journalism, and memoir. Nonfiction books are considered from a variety of perspectives that encourage and engage in fair, respectful discussions of history, figures, and ideas.
• Poetry
• Titles with a Texas focus and titles written by Texas authors

At this time, TBF does not consider books available only in e-book or audio format. If you are unsure whether your book falls into one of these categories, please email bookfest@texasbookfestival.org.

Self-published titles will be considered only if they meet the following criteria:

• The title is bound
• Printed copies are or will be available for purchase from an established wholesaler or distributor so that our partner bookseller can stock and sell them
• The book has been professionally edited, proofread, and designed
• An established marketing plan has been made and is submitted with the title
• A functional author website exists

The consideration for self-published titles that meet the above criteria will be the same as traditionally published books, outlined above.