Submissions for the 2025 New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University are open July 1, 2024 through September 15, 2024. Please read the following FAQs and instructions carefully before submitting your application.
The New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University is scheduled to take place in-person Thursday, March 27 through Saturday, March 29, 2025. When evaluating submissions, we consider not only a book’s literary merit but also how and where it might fit within a genre and age-group balanced lineup.
The festival will present 150-200 authors, artists and thought leaders, from New Orleans and beyond. We prioritize books that are published within the 12 months preceding the festival, as well as books that contribute to the current public discourse or news landscape. All authors who are invited to participate will be featured in at least one session; most sessions are panels and conversations with authors and moderators.
While we aim to accommodate authors who meet these preferences, our primary focus lies in crafting dynamic panel discussions that unite multiple writers, authors and storytellers. Due to our limited space and the need for suitable pairings, invitations are not guaranteed, even if preferences are met. The festival does not feature authors for book signings only, and spots for solo-author sessions are extremely limited.
Please read all of the following information before submitting a book for consideration for the 2025 festival.
To be considered, please submit or have your publicist or representative submit the following. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
- Completed submissions must be received by September 15, 2024.
- Priority consideration will be given to books published in 12 months prior to the festival and, in particular, first releases rather than reprints in other formats.
- Each year we aim to engage with a diverse, vibrant, balanced mix of books and authors from many categories and genres, on many topics and themes, and for all age groups. When evaluating submissions, we consider not only a book’s literary merit but also where it will fit in the overall lineup. Please see the FAQ below for more information about the types of books considered.
- If you are selected to be a part of the festival program, you should hear from us no later than November 2024.
- Given the high volume of submissions and inquiries we receive, we are unable to respond individually to each request, however we typically try to respond to every submission by the end of November.
FAQ
When should a book be submitted?
Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to submit your book as soon as you can. Note that while we will consider books published up to 12 months prior to the start of the festival, priority consideration is given to books—and particularly first editions rather than re-releases in other formats—published within the festival year.
Who decides which authors are invited?
Invitations to participate in the festival are extended at the discretion of the Festival Co-chairs, following consultation with the Author Selection Panel, comprised of published authors, educators, festival staff and programing partners.
What types of books are considered?
We aim to provide an excellent and diverse mix of literature for all visitors and participating authors featuring books from the following genres:
- Art and architecture
- Cookbooks and food-related literature
- Children’s and young adult literature, including picture books and chapter books
- Fiction—all genres
- Graphic novels
- Narrative non-fiction—including biography, essays, history, long-form journalism and memoirs. Our selection process prioritizes perspectives that foster fair and respectful discussions of history, philosophy, religion, politics and ideas.
- Poetry
- Titles with a focus on New Orleans history, food, art and/or culture and titles written by Louisiana and Gulf Coast authors
What types of books are not considered?
New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University focuses on the promotion of literature, ideas and culture. Books on the topics of self-improvement, how-to/instructional books, books primarily for devotionals, or books solely of academic interest will not be considered. If you are unsure whether your book falls into one of these categories, please email us at bookfest@tulane.edu.
What additional information would be helpful to submit with my application?
Due to our limited programming space, our primary focus lies in crafting dynamic panel discussions that unite multiple authors, artists and storytellers. If you have suggestions for a panel discussion that could bridge your work with another author, artist or expert, please include these suggestions in the additional programming information section of the submission form.
Should a self-published author submit?
Self-published titles will be considered only if they meet the following criteria:
- The title is bound.
- Printed copies are or will be available for purchase from an established wholesaler or distributor so that our partner bookseller can stock and sell them.
- The book has been separately developmentally/structurally edited, copyedited, and proofread by professional, experienced editors.
- The book has been professionally designed.
- The book has, or will have upon publication, an EAN barcode, an ISBN, and has on its copyright page an LCCN number.
- A marketing plan has been made and is submitted with the title. Please include within the plan whichever items you deem relevant: e.g., scheduled media appearances, bookstore visits, a brief bio, a list of where your book is available for purchase online or brick-and-mortar, etc.
- A functional and current author website exists.
Self-published titles that meet the above criteria will be considered and evaluated the same as traditionally published books.
Why was my book not accepted?
While we aim to accommodate authors and books who meet the considerations listed above, our primary focus lies in crafting dynamic panel discussions that unite multiple authors, artists and storytellers. Due to our limited space and the need for suitable pairings, invitations are not guaranteed, even if preferences are met.
Questions?
Please first consult the FAQ above regarding submissions. If the answer you’re seeking is not found there, please email bookfest@tulane.edu.
