SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Submissions for the 2027 Festival open in march of 2026.
The Author Advisory Council, a dedicated committee of community volunteers, reviews submissions each year to curate a diverse and engaging lineup of authors for the Savannah Book Festival. Our goal is to showcase voices from a variety of genres, disciplines, cultures, and perspectives, ensuring a rich experience for all Festival attendees.
How Authors Are Selected
Authors are invited to the Festival through multiple channels:
- Public Submissions: Anyone can recommend an author through our website.
- Author Advisory Council Recommendations: Committee members submit authors for consideration.
- Publicist Recommendations: Literary publicists, primarily from New York, share suggested authors.
From these sources, a preliminary list of 450–500 authors is compiled each year. Authors who meet our submission guidelines are then reviewed and voted on by the Author Advisory Council, after which invitations are extended.
Genres Considered
We welcome submissions in a wide range of categories, including:
- Fiction: Literary, Suspense/Thriller, Mystery, Historical, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Young Adult, and more.
- Nonfiction: History, Biography/Autobiography, Memoir, Cookbooks, Art, Culture, and more. Titles are evaluated for their ability to engage readers in thoughtful, civil conversation.
- Graphic Novels & Comics
- Titles with a Local Focus
Please note: The Savannah Book Festival does not include a children’s component, so children’s books are not part of the selection.
Important Dates & Guidelines
- Authors selected for the Festival will receive notification by November 10, 2025.
- If you do not receive notice by that date, please consider the submission declined. Declination letters will not be sent.
- The Festival does not offer vendor or exhibition tents.
