Thank you for your interest in the Indie Author Experience for the 2026 Festival. Over 200+ indie author book submissions are currently under review; we anticipate the review process will be completed by mid-November. Book reviews identify authors to invite for the opportunity to engage with festival attendees at our indie author pavilions. Indie Authors represent a variety of genres and formats, including self-published, small/independent presses, pay-to-publish, vanity presses, and/or e-book only/primarily.
Pavilion authors enjoy 3-hour meet and greets as well as the opportunity to sign and sell books while networking with fellow authors and booklovers. Three pavilions (adult, YA/teen and children) are set-up on the main mall of the University of Arizona campus during festival weekend with opportunities available on either Saturday or Sunday of the festival. Select authors may also be invited to be part of a presenting author panel at the festival in March.
Indie author submissions are categorized by genre and scored by teams of judges assembled from the Tucson community and various University of Arizona departments. The judges’ reviews and scoring determine which indie authors to invite to participate in the indie author pavilions as well as the identification of a few indie authors to be considered for being added to presenting author panels.
Scheduling of the pavilions occurs after all book reviews have been completed and panel authors have been announced.
We'll open submissions for the 2027 festival in early summer 2026.
Questions?
Please email indieauthors@tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
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