Author Application 2026
While you can fill out this application on a mobile device, we recommend using a computer instead because of the length of the application.
If your application is accepted, this information will be used to create your author profile, and social media posts, as well as to send you your payment after the festival is over. Please make sure all of your information is complete, accurate and free of typos and grammatical errors.
Filling out this application does not guarantee acceptance into the book festival.
What to know about the festival before you apply...
Date: Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 10am - 3pm
Location: Dover High School Gym, 520 N Walnut St, Dover, OH 44622
This location is wheelchair accessible.
Is there a fee to have a table at the festival? There is no fee to participate in the festival.
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Who may apply?
This festival is open to both independently published and traditionally published authors, who have at least 1 book published in physical form. Writers guilds may also apply as a group if they have at least 1 book published in physical form.
Author Sales: * new info*
Authors will be managing their own sales this year. This means you will be able to sell as many unique titles as you want as well as swag related to your books. This also means that you will be responsible for collecting your own sales tax. (Previously we used a single point of sale and authors were limited to 3 titles. We are NOT doing single point of sale this year.)
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Book Sourcing * new info*
You will be responsible for bringing your own books to the festival on the day of the event. If you need help unloading please let a staff or volunteer know and we will assist you.​ (We are not sourcing books from publishers this year since we are not doing the single point of sale.)
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Submit a review copy of your latest book: The committee will need to review your most recent publication in order to make selections. This will ensure multiple genres will be present for readers. All applicants will need to send 1 copy to the address below by May 31st. This book will not be returned and may be used as a raffle prize at the festival.
Deadline for Application: Applications must be received by May 31st.
Deadline to send review copy of book: Must be received by May 31st.
Accepted Applicants will be emailed by the committee by or before July 1st.
Please mail your copy to:
Canal Town Book Festival
Dover Public Library
525 N. Walnut St.
Dover, Ohio 44622
Please review the Author FAQ for more information regarding you most pressing questions.
If you have questions: please email Mallory Thompson at canaltownbookfest@doverlibrary.org
Contact Information
Contact information is not public, and will only be used for the purpose of communicating with you.
Legal Name:
You will be asked your author name later in the application.
Phone Number:
Email:
We use email as our primary method of communication. Please use an email that you check regularly.
We will send your acceptance notification via email as well as important information regarding the festival.
Book Highlight Information
This year you can bring as many of your book titles as you would like. Yay! And you can also sell swag related to your books.
Below you will be highlighting up to 3 books that you would like to appear on your online profile and on social media to promote your work. You may highlight a series in place of a book. This means you will put the series title in place of the book title and summarize the series instead of individual books.
Do not try to cram in information for multiple books in this form. Focus on the 3 books/series you most want to promote.
Book #1
Cover Image (.jpg or .png)
Title
Summary
Book #2
Cover Image (.jpg or .png)
Title
Summary
Book #3
Cover Image (.jpg or .png)
Title
Summary
Author Profile Information
Your photo, bio and links will be used on you online profile and on social media to promote your work.
Double check your spelling and grammar. (I am a terrible editor, sooooo basically your bio will have all of the flaws you submit now. But fear not, if you notice something amiss after your profile is posted you can contact me with the changes that need to be made.)
Author Photo (.jpg or .png)
Author Name / Pseudonym / Super Hero Identity
Author Bio (in 1-3 short paragraphs)
Snippet (One sentence that conveys who you are as a writer. This is for social media.)
Links: Please make sure your links work before you submit your application.
Your Author Website URL
Social Media URL #1 (Instagram, Twitter(X), Facebook, Goodreads, Tiktok)
For clarification this is a URL: https://www.facebook.com/paperfableart/
This is NOT a URL: @paperfableart Please copy and paste one social media URL below.
Social Media URL #2 (Instagram, Twitter(X), Facebook, Goodreads, Tiktok)
You can paste a 2nd URL link in this space. Please do not paste more than one URL in each space.
Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
As a courtesy to the authors we provide snacks and drinks in the green room. If you have allergies we will have snacks you can eat, and snacks you can't eat. We will try to include safe options for folks with allergies or dietary restrictions and label them. Please detail your allergies and restrictions below and we will try to find a tasty option for you. You are welcome to recommend snacks that are safe for you to eat. We appreciate recommendations especially if you have a tricky combination of allergies and restrictions. We have a limited food budget, so we will not be able to purchase all recommendations. But we will make sure there is at least one thing you can eat. However you may not like the snacks we provide so we recommend bringing a back up snack.
Author Panels
Are you interested in participating in an author panel during the event?
If you would like to present a panel please pitch the topics you are interested in talking about.
Please limit yourself to 3 topics.
Panels typically have 3 authors presenting on a topic together.
Spots for panel participation are super limited. The committee will review topics and select panels of authors that we think will work well together. If you were not selected for a panel this time please don't take it personally. With so many talented and experienced authors to choose from it is a really difficult choice to make. You are welcome to submit your panel ideas again in the future. There is more information about Panels in the Author FAQ.
Don't Forget
Your application is not complete until we receive a review copy of your latest book.
Deadline to send review copy of book: Must be sent by May 31st.
Accepted Applicants will be emailed by the committee by or before July 1st.
Please mail your copy to:
Canal Town Book Festival
Dover Public Library
525 N. Walnut St.
Dover, Ohio 44622​​
Print Book Slip (to be mailed with your book)