Book Festival Submissions
Every October, the Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library’s Saratoga Book Festival presents literary programming featuring about 30 panel discussions, solo book talks, writing workshops, and even a few casual book chats in area pubs. Our programs are aimed at adults, children, and YA audiences.
Submissions for the 2026 Festival open on February 6, 2026 and close on March 6, 2026.
Festival Submissions for SBF 2026 will open on February 6, 2026.
We select speakers through active recruitment as well as open festival submissions, from February 6 to March 6 annually. During this time, we invite submissions of new, published books of adult fiction, and nonfiction, as well as books for the YA audience and young readers. To be considered, books must be published in the eighteen months preceding the festival; priority consideration will be given to books published within the festival year. Please do not sent books unless requested. Submitted materials cannot be returned.
Authors must be prepared to cover their own travel expenses.
Questions, please contact: sbfinfo@fsspl.org
Presenting authors should:
Have a book published within 18 months of the Festival through a traditional publisher, within the following categories: fiction, non-fiction (including history, travel, food, current events, science)
Be available to present on either day of the Book Festival (please let us know if there are any constraints)
Saratoga Book Festival also hosts a Literary Marketplace for local self-published authors. If you are interested in participating in the Marketplace, please click here.
Please submit the following:
- A succinct (one page or less) outline of your proposal including theme, content, brief participant bios, and how the event will contribute to the festival.
- Author’s name/s, contact information, and bio of 150 words or less. Please include Speaker’s website and social media handles, including but not restricted to Substack, Instagram, and/or Facebook.
- A synopsis of each book, with two (2) copies of a finished book/galley/ARC/manuscript available to be sent on request. Please do not send books unless requested.
- Authors with self-published books may submit work if 1) the book has a professional editor; and, 2) the book is available to booksellers with standard discount terms and returnable.
- We welcome proposals for a panel discussion combining two or three authors willing and available to participate in the festival.
Submission - Deadline: March 6, 2026.
To submit, please email sbfinfo@fsspl.org. Festival submission notifications will be provided by May 6, 2026.
The Friends of the Saratoga Springs Public Library is a nonprofit organization that supports the mission, programs, and services of the Saratoga Springs Public Library. The Friend’s Saratoga Book Festival is a community-wide celebration that promotes literacy and reading for people of all ages and interests and encourages thought-provoking conversations and appreciation of writing in its various forms. Now in its third year, the festival has presented talented new writers as well as headliners such as Liz Moore, Wally Lamb, Joyce Carol Oates, Russell Banks, Meg Wolitzer, Gregory Maguire, Simon Winchester, Kelly Link, Francine Prose, Lynn Painter, Paul Tremplay, Bill McKibben, Kalynn Bayron, Mai Corland, Karen McManus, Lauren Tarshis, Steve Sheinkin, and Ruta Sepetys.