2026 Indie Author Experience: Opening for Submissions in July

Indie Author Experience

The Tucson Festival of Books welcomes indie authors to participate in our Indie Author Experience. Apply by September 30 to be considered for an opportunity to engage with festival attendees at our indie author pavilions! Select authors may also be chosen for presenting author panels at the 2026 festival on March 14 & 15. 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.

Application Opens: July 9, 2025 (Link active on July 9.)

Application Deadline: September 30, 2025 (No nominations will be accepted after this date.)

Registration and Submission Fee: $50  (non-refundable) - (Payment of this fee does not guarantee a spot as an indie author in the festival.)

About the Indie Author Pavilions:

Pavilion authors can 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. Scheduling of the pavilions occurs after all book reviews have been completed and panel authors have been announced. 

Submission Guidelines:

• Indie authors may submit one book for judging.
• Book must be uploaded in PDF format by the September 30th deadline.
• Book must be published within 24 months prior to March 1, 2026.
• All materials submitted for consideration must be published original works of the author with appropriate credit given to source material. 
• Books published outside of the United States are not eligible for consideration.
• Accepted genres include: Fiction, Nonfiction, Children's Books or YA/Teen Literature.
• Local and regional authors as well as authors from across the country are welcome to apply.
• The following types of books are not accepted: academic textbooks, "how-to" books, religious devotion and inspiration books, self-help books and travel guides. 

There is a $50 non-refundable registration and submission fee. Payment of this fee does not guarantee a spot in the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books. 

Scoring:

• 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 result of judges’ reviews and scoring will determine which indie authors will be invited 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. 

Questions?

Please email [email protected]