Submissions/Applications

Authors and Illustrators of books for all ages, please read the following carefully before submitting your application.

APPLICATIONS  FOR THE 2027 FESTIVAL WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM July 15th through September 15th, 2026.

Thank you for your interest in the Grand Lake Area Literature Festival. Each year, we enthusiastically accept applications of original, published works. The Grand Lake Area Literature Festival accepts 20-25 authors/illustrators each year. Because there are always more applicants than spaces available, the selection process is competitive.

Festival logistics:

• This is a one-day festival held each spring in Celina, Ohio.  Selected authors and illustrators are expected to stay until the end of the event.
• There is a local bookseller who will handle the sale of your books. Books will be sold via a central checkout. No books will be sold at tables. 
•  The bookseller and the Inventory Manager will determine which titles to offer and how many to order. Depending on the type and cost of your books, we will order around 15 to 25 copies of each title. However, publishers will not accept large quantities of returns, so we will try to order very close to the number of books we think will sell.
• There are opportunities for authors and illustrators to speak at the event, including short presentations and panel participation. You will be asked to indicate your interest in these opportunities on the application form. The Program Committee will assign presentation and panel spots at their discretion.
• There is no fee to participate. Likewise, the Grand Lake Area Literature Festival does not pay participants, reimburse for travel, or other costs. As our guests, we will provide lunch the day of the event and invite you to a reception the evening before.

Authors and illustrators will be selected from each year’s pool of applicants based on the following criteria:

1. The Festival only accepts physical books. No ebooks.
2. The Festival supports the creative work of human beings and will not accept books that have used Artificial Intelligence in any part of their creation, including text, illustration, cover art, book design or in any other manner. 
3. The Festival seeks high quality books for both children and adults in all genres and strives each year to offer festival-goers a variety of books.
4. If you have participated in the Grand Lake Area Literature Festival previously, please apply again only if you have had a new book released since the last time you participated. 
5. Self-published authors may apply based on the following criteria:

• The book has been professionally edited.
• The book is available to be purchased by the Festival bookseller via industry trade terms: 1) Ready-to-ship availability; 2) Retail discounting of at least 40%; and 3) Open lines of full credit and return.
• In rare cases, an author may provide their own books. In this case, books will still be sold by the Festival bookseller and arrangements must be made between the author and the bookseller. 

Applications will be accepted July 15th – September 15th. No applications will be accepted after midnight EST on September 15th.  Participants will be notified of their acceptance by October 15th. 

The Grand Lake Area Literature Festival is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants. We strictly prohibit any form of harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or any other characteristic. 

If your book is not selected, please try again with your next book.

The Selection Committee reserves the right to request a review copy from any applicant prior to making selection decisions, especially if industry reviews (Kirkus, Booklist, School Library Journal, etc.) are not available or if the committee cannot secure a physical copy via a statewide library seach.

Ready to Apply?

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2027 FESTIVAL CLOSED ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2026.  Please check back soon for a list of authors attending the festival on March 20, 2027.

Questions?

Please email SelectionCommittee@GrandLakeAreaLitFest.com if you have questions about participating in the Grand Lake Area Literature Festival.