How is a book considered?

At the Kansas Book Festival, preference is given to books published within 12 months prior to the festival date, and sometimes from the previous year, but rarely from before that.  We do this in order that we may bring the newest and freshest material to the people of Kansas.

If you are mainly interested in selling books at a table in our outdoor exhibitor area, please see the tab for Exhibitors, which is part of the pull-down menu under “Festival”.  To be considered as a speaking presenter instead, please e-mail (ksbookfestival@gmail.com) the following information as an attached or cut-and-paste part of the message, numbering items in this order:

• 1. A couple brief press-kit items such as author endorsements or review excerpts
  2. A description of 2-3 subjects/themes that could be useful if you are paired with another author to present on a similar subgenre or topic
  3. An author bio with previously published titles and any upcoming titles, including anticipated publication date and publisher
  4. Information about your ability to fund your own travel to Topeka if your publisher is not utilizing publicity budget money to send you to the Festival
  5. A 3-5 page sample selection from your most recent book

When should a book be submitted?
We accept submissions of books January 1 through March 1 in the same year as the Festival.

When should I expect to hear back?
Our Author Selection Committee reviews all of the submissions and decides who will be invited as a presenter. The bulk of invitations go out by the end of April.

What types of books are considered?

• • Fiction – Including all genres such as thrillers and Westerns
  • Narrative nonfiction — history, biography, memoir, essays, and more
  • Poetry
  • Plays
  • Children’s  and Young Adult literature

What types of books are not considered

Books that are strictly self-improvement or how-to, and books that are strictly academic or religious will not be considered. We also will not consider titles that are only available in e-book format.

Should a self-published/printed author submit?
The authors of self-published titles will typically be directed to the outdoor exhibitor area, and they will only be considered for a speaking presentation if they meet the following criteria:

• • The title is bound
  • Printed copies can be available for our book seller to sell
  • A professional has edited the work
  • A functional author website exists