General Author Events
- OCLS does not generally host single-author signing events, with exceptions for authors who: have bestseller status (NYT or USAT), have won major awards, have a significant following, or are on a national book tour. Instead, we host 3-5 Local Author Festivals per year. Hosting multiple authors during one event helps maximize public interest and patron attendance.
- Instead of a single-author signing, OCLS encourages authors to propose value-added talks or workshops, such as historical presentations, writing workshops or general-interest talks related to their bookās topic (i.e. not a talk about the book itself).
- OCLS does not host childrenās book authors for readings of their own books.
- Authors are permitted to sell their books but are not permitted to sell other products or services at library events.
- OCLS prefers if authors are able to sell their own books.
- Authors are expected to assist in the promotion of the event by posting on social media and inviting local friends/family/readers to attend.
Local Author Festival (Authors must reside in Florida)
- Authors must have at least one book or chapbook published in a print format at the time of the event. Authors without a published book or firm publication date will not be able to reserve a spot at a Local Author Festival.
- In order for all authors to have an opportunity, an author may only participate in one Local Author Festival per calendar year.
- Preference will be given to authors who have published a book within the past year.
- Self-published and small press authors are welcome to participate. Books must be professionally edited.
- Authors of all genres are welcome to participate, but all covers and promotional materials displayed must be PG in content.
Anyone interested in presenting an event in partnership with the library is asked to fill out theĀ Present an Event form.
