20th Annual Kentucky Women's Book Festival

20th Annual Kentucky Women's Book Festival

The University of Louisville Women’s Center invites submissions for featured authors, panel discussions, presentations, literary workshops, readings, and related programming for the 20th annual Kentucky Women’s Book Festival. This includes submissions from authors, editors, publishers, illustrators, and other literary professionals.

The festival examines how women have shaped and continue to shape storytelling, publishing, and the broader cultural conversation—as authors, subjects, characters, editors, publishers, illustrators, readers, and figures in literature.

The 20th Annual Kentucky Book Festival will be held at the Louisville Book Festival October 24th 10am-5pm. Visit the Louisville Book Festival’s website to learn more. The Kentucky Women’s Book Festival will feature several events throughout the week. Stay tuned for more information.

• Book sales will be managed by the Louisville Book Festival.
• Optional - The Louisville Book Festival is hosting a Pitch Event at this year’s festival in October! Register with them to secure your spot.

This event is open to participants of all identities. Submissions will not be limited or selected based on an applicant’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristics. Selection will be based on viewpoint-neutral literary, programming, and logistical criteria.

Deadline for submissions: August 2nd, 2026

Preference for authors from Kentucky, but open to all to apply.

Books can be mailed to Women’s Center 120 E. Brandeis Ave. Louisville, KY 40292

Submission Focuses

Submissions may address literary, historical, professional, creative, or cultural topics connected to the festival theme, including:

• A focus on the traditions, contributions, and evolving influence of women in literature and the literary process.
• The literary process, including topics such as obtaining an agent, publishing, editing, illustration, bookselling, marketing, and related professional topics.
• Creative works or discussions involving women as authors, subjects, characters, publishers, editors, illustrators, readers, or participants in literary culture.

Authors

Submissions will not be excluded merely because they express controversial, unpopular, offensive, political, religious, social, or ideological viewpoints.

• Authors will need to submit one physical copy of their book for review.
• Publication Timeframe - Books published within the last 15 months will be considered.

Book Genres

What will be considered?

• Art and architecture
• Children’s literature, including picture books, middle-grade, and young adult
• Cookbooks and food writing
• Fiction — all genres
• Narrative nonfiction — history, biography, memoir, and essays
• Poetry
• Self-help
• Other literary works that align with the festival’s theme and programming needs

What will not be considered?

• How-to books that are not aligned with the festival’s literary or programming focus
• ·Booklets of any genre
• Textbooks, ebook-only submissions, technical guides, and manuals
• Works whose primary purpose is explicit sexual arousal or that are otherwise outside the intended audience and programming scope of the festival
• Works containing material that is unlawful, including true threats, incitement to imminent lawless action, legally obscene material, defamatory material, or unlawful discriminatory harassment

Self-Published Titles

Self-published titles will be considered if:

• The title is bound.
• Printed copies are available for the festival bookseller to sell.
• The work has been professionally edited.
• The author has a functional author website or comparable professional web presence.

Self-published titles will not be considered if:

• They exist only in ebook format.
• They are outside the festival’s literary, audience, or programming scope.
• They do not meet the submission, format, availability, or review criteria listed above.

Self-published titles that meet the above criteria will receive the same consideration as traditionally published books.

Selection Process

The Kentucky Women’s Book Festival Committee will review all submissions and select participants based on festival criteria and available programming slots.

Selection criteria may include:

• Relevance to the festival theme
• Literary quality and audience interest
• Publication date
• Session format and fit within the festival schedule
• Availability of the presenter
• Bookseller and logistical feasibility
• Program balance across genres, topics, and session types
• The clarity, quality, and educational value of the proposed session

Selection will not be based on an applicant’s protected characteristics or on agreement or disagreement with the applicant’s political, religious, social, or ideological viewpoint.

Travel & Fees:

The Festival cannot pay authors and presenters to participate. Unless offered by the Festival and agreed to well in advance, authors must commit to assuming the costs of their Festival participation, including travel, meals, and lodging.   

Applied to the Louisville Book Festival or Already Presenting?

We will work with the Louisville Book Festival Committee. This will not impact your application process or participation.