We are excited to announce the winners of the 2022 Fresh Ink Fiction Contest! This year’s theme was “What are you waiting for?”, and we were impressed by the creative submissions we received from students across Texas. We are honored so many talented young writers shared their stories with us, and we are thrilled to share the winning story in each grade level with you here.

Congratulations to the 2022 winners:

6th Grade

El C. – The Man in the Closet

7th Grade

Jill S. – What Are You Waiting For?

8th Grade

Savanna R. – The Day I Stopped Believing in Love

9th Grade

Audrey H. – Patchwork Homes

10th Grade

Astrid G. – All the Pieces Left Behind

11th Grade

Celia A. – The Lightest Bullet

12th Grade

Danielle B. – The Ring

All Fresh Ink Fiction Contest participants were invited to an exclusive Q&A session and workshop with Austin Bat Cave, where students joined writers, editors, and publishing experts to celebrate their work, talk about the writing life, and discuss next steps for sharing their work.

The Fresh Ink Contest winner for each grade level will be awarded a Book Nerd gift pack and great new reads from Random House. They will each also receive a $20 BookPeople gift card. The Fresh Ink Fiction Contest is sponsored by AT&T and Random House Children’s Books.

Thank you to everyone who entered the Fresh Ink Fiction Contest. You inspire us!

Thank you to partner Austin Bat Cave for providing a fabulous workshop and to Random House Children’s Books and BookPeople for providing our contest prizes!

Random House Children’s Books has something for everyone this fall! 4-8 years olds will love the charming All Are Neighbors  by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman and the ridiculous Blue Bison Needs a Haircut. Middle grade readers are bound to enjoy of one these new titles: graphic novel Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends, adventure story Futureland: Battle for the Park by H.D. Hunter, and The Lion of Mars by Newbery Honor award winner Jennifer L. Holm.

Cover image: All Man: The International Male Story (Opening Night)

We’re partnering with aGLIFF’s PRISM 35 LGBTQ+ film festival to sponsor Shall I Compare You to a Summer’s Day written and directed by Mohammad Shawky Hassan. Use promo code PRIDETWENTY for $20 off a festival badge or SHAKESPEARE for $3 off film passes. On sale now at agliff.org.

Shall I Compare You to a Summer’s Day (Bashtaalak sa’at) | Egypt, Lebanon, Germany | 2022 | 66 minutes | English and Arabic with English subtitles

Writer and Director: Mohammad Shawky Hassan | Cast: Donia Massoud, Ahmed El Gendy, Salim Mrad, Nadim Bahsoun, Hassan Dib, Ahmed Awadalla, Richard Gabriel Gersch.

Synopsis: Pop clichés are twisted with the love between two men who encounter a polyamorous chorus of lovers.

When: Friday, August 26^th at 12:00 PM | Galaxy Theatres, 6700 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX, 78752

Austin’s oldest film festival and premiere LGBTQ+ film festival of the Southwest, aGLIFF will present PRISM 35 August 24-28, 2022. The annual event will celebrate in person at the Galaxy Theatres with screenings, events, Q&As, and more. Most of the PRISM 35 films will become available online from August 29-September 5, 2022 (additional fees may apply). aGLIFF’s celebration of the 35th annual festival will salute both the rich history, but also recognize how the LGBTQ+ experience has changed.

Thanks to our Community Partner:

We are thrilled to present chef and Festival author—and onetime Austinite—Vishwesh Bhatt in collaboration with Olamaie Executive Chef Michael Fojtasek on November 6 at 11:00 a.m. for a special brunch at Olamaie. Tickets include three-courses inspired by both Bhatt’s home country of India, and Oxford, Mississippi, where he has lived for more than 20 years. The event will start with passed appetizers and cocktails from Olamaie while Chef Bhatt mingles with guests. Each ticket is $135 and includes a signed copy of I Am From Here: Stories and Recipes from a Southern Chef.

 Purchase brunch tickets.

Vishwesh Bhatt brings over 20 years of cooking experience to the table, 12 of those as the executive chef of Snackbar in Oxford, Mississippi. Bhatt’s recipes are filled with rich flavors and feel-good spices and teach us how to grill, fry, and stew our way to a more delicious dinner. These comfort recipes range from peanut masala stuffed eggplant to collard-wrapped catfish to custard rice pudding. I Am From Here, which brings to life an evolving Southern cuisine, will change the way we prepare our food.

Bhatt is originally from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, and moved to the United States at age seventeen. He has been nominated for People’s Best New Chef by Food & Wine and won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: South in 2019.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Central Market.

Festival Friend donations help keep the Festival free to thousands each year. We hope you will join this community of donors and support the work we do all year!

The 2022 Texas Book Festival will take place November 5 – 6 in and around the State Capitol in downtown Austin.

Become a Festival Friend today!

If you love being part of a team, and really love community building, books, authors, and events, then you’re in the right place! The Texas Book Festival is hiring an Operations Coordinator to join the team. Details below, and applications will close on July 15, 2022.

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Operations Coordinator position with the Texas Book Festival is responsible for providing support to staff overseeing programs, development, finances, communications, and events. The Operations Coordinator also supports the daily operations of the office and serves as the first contact on phone and email correspondence.

All TBF staff members help with planning work, event support, and communication strategies for the annual Texas Book Festival, Reading Rock Stars, Real Reads and other literary events in Austin and around Texas throughout the year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Literary Programming 

• Schedule meetings for TBF staff with NYC-based publishers for annual TBF spring trip and serve as point of contact during week of visits.
• Help Literary Director with literary programming coordination including:
  • tracking book submissions
  • communicating with authors and publicists about book submission status
  • assisting with tracking literary programming budget, including author travel stipends and coordination
  • assisting with communication around Festival author A/V presentation collection
  • assisting with year-round events
  • working with literary interns

Office Administration

• Provide administrative support, including scheduling meetings, correspondence, meeting preparation and communication, and projects as requested.
• Manage organization communication, including mail, email, and phone.
• Serve as primary contact with all office vendors including building management, IT services, and insurance companies.
• Manage office equipment and supplies.
• Oversee retention and organization of paper and electronic files.
• Run office errands as requested

Financial Administration

• Collect receipts from staff and help reconcile statements.
• Track in-kind donations.
• Finanical support such as cutting checks, running Quickbooks reports, and other tasks as needed.

Development

• Assist with development projects, including maintaining accurate records in donor databases, assisting with correspondence and direct mail, and other projects as assigned.
• Assist with annual fundraising gala, including processing table/ticket sales and reconciling payments.
• Attend and assist with Cultivation and Community Engagement events.

Event Support and Logistics

• Assist with literary, development, school and community program events throughout the year: catering, invitations, check-in, etc.
• Assist with sales at events where we have point of sale transactions.
• Assist with logistics and communications with vendors, and volunteers as needed.
• Assist with overseeing intern scheduling and tasks.

EXPECTATIONS

• Actively participate in and contribute to organization’s long-term strategic goals and success.
• Actively contribute to a positive, professional, and respectful work environment. Support TBF team members when they need help.
• Embrace the all-in commitment required to make the annual Festival a success and understand that evening and weekend work will be expected in the weeks leading up to the Festival and for some outreach and special events. Flexible hours and generous time off in the off-season are provided in recognition of extra work time needed for the Festival.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• One year of relevant work experience (equivalent volunteer and/or school experience qualifies)
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Attention to detail is critical for this position.
• Strong technological aptitude. Familiarity with and flexibility across platforms and operating systems expected.
• Ability to think creatively to problem solve and promote the Texas Book Festival
• Dedication and enthusiasm for fulfilling the Texas Book Festival mission
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when needed
• Some travel required

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Health, dental, vision and basic life insurance
• Simple IRA match
• PTO, which increases with tenure, as well as generous holiday time off
• HRA
• Monthly phone stipend
• Access to many, many books

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter and resume to bookfest@texasbookfestival.org. Application deadline is July 15, 2022.

Join the Texas Book Festival as we celebrate our 27th annual Festival held in and around the Capitol grounds in Austin, Texas on November 5 and 6, 2022. The Texas Book Festival connects authors and readers through experiences that celebrate the culture of literacy, ideas, and imagination. The two-day Festival is a gift to the state of Texas, free and open to the public, bringing books to life through author readings, innovative panel discussions, and book signings. Advertised and promoted nationally, the Texas Book Festival attracts approximately 50,000 attendees. The Festival offers exhibitors a great opportunity to showcase their products and/or services to this large audience of book lovers.

Application Instructions

Due to increased interest in our exhibitor space over the past few years, we require all exhibitors to first send in an application to be reviewed by a selection committee. The committee will accept applicants on a rolling basis, and upon acceptance, applicants will be provided with the payment link or instructions to send a check. We do not accept cash as form of payment.

First, submit the application with the form below or download the PDF here.

Exhibitor Pricing

Standard Exhibitor Booth

$825.00 Early Registration Discounted Fee, Apply before August 5, 2022

$725.00 Additional Early Registration Discounted Fee, Apply before August 5, 2022

$925.00 Standard Registration Fee, Apply before September 16, 2022

$825.00 Additional Standard Pricing, Apply before September 16, 2022

$1,025.00 Late Registration Fee, Apply between September 16, 2022 – October 7, 2022

$925.00 Additional Late Registration Fee, Apply between September 16, 2022 – October 7, 2022

Standard Booth Fee includes:

• 10′ x 10′ booth space within a large tent
• One 8′ covered/skirted table with two chairs
• One identification sign within booth
• One parking pass
• One exhibitor listing in Festival publication
• One exhibitor listing on Festival website, including link to your website
• Access to electricity

Non-profit Booth

$525.00 Non-profit Registration Fee

There is no early registration for non-profit booths. If you are a non-profit, you must submit a copy of your 501(c)3 status certification with your application and payment. Limited availability. 

Booth fee includes:

• 10′ x 10′ booth space within a large tent
• One 8′ covered/skirted table with two chairs
• One identification sign within booth
• One parking pass
• One exhibitor listing in Festival publication
• One exhibitor listing on Festival website, including link to your website
• Access to electricity

Open Pavilion Exhibitor Table

We will not have Pavilion Exhibitor Tables in 2022.

Cancellation Policy

If you must cancel your reservation, a letter or email requesting a refund must be sent to the Texas Book Festival and Debra Saleny. Refund terms: 50% through September 2, 2022. 25% between September 3 and September 16, 2022. No refunds after September 16, 2022. The Texas Book Festival will take place rain or shine. Refunds will not be issued due to inclement weather. If the Texas Book Festival is cancelled, all exhibitor fees will be refunded. The Texas Book Festival will follow all public health advice and mandates from Austin Public Health, and will use those guidelines to make event changes and cancellations. If the Festival changes to virtual, exhibitors will be offered a virtual listing for $100, and refunded the remainder. Exhibitors may choose a full refund if they do not want a virtual listing.

 

The Texas Book Festival is looking for an Event Production and Logistics Coordinator. Please send a resume and cover letter to bookfest@texasbookfestival.org. Application deadline is Monday March 28, 2022. Email bookfest@texasbookfestival.org if you have any questions.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Event Production and Logistics Coordinator position with the Texas Book Festival is responsible for supporting the event production, logistical, and volunteer needs in the planning and execution of the Festival’s year-round literary, development, and outreach programming, including the annual Texas Book Festival. 

The Event Production and Logistics Coordinate must be able to organize a high volume of details in a fast-paced environment and be able to execute on the many physical components of onsite event management. On-the-spot problem solving and prioritization are key, as are strong communication and people skills.

All TBF staff members contribute to strategic planning, event support, and communication strategies for the annual Texas Book Festival, Reading Rock Stars, Real Reads, and other literary events in Austin and around Texas throughout the year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

General Volunteer and Logistics Coordination

• Serve as volunteer coordinator for any office or event volunteer needs
• Provide logistics coordination and support for TBF literary, development, and outreach events
• Run logistics-related errands for office and event needs

Annual Festival Coordination and Logistics

• Serve as primary liaison with Texas Book Festival Volunteer Committee Chairs (VCCs) 
• Recruit volunteers
• Work with Deputy Director, Literary Director, and contract Festival logistics team to help manage Festival venues, tents, maps, banners, signage, exhibitors, and food vendors and to help produce Festival-related materials 
• During Festival Weekend, manage VCC communication and assist with Festival set-up and break down
• Run logistics-related errands leading up to and during the Festival Weekend
• Coordinate TBF merchandise orders

Virtual Event Coordination

• Research virtual event platforms and evaluate best platform for the event
• Able to learn new software and create how to use guides for training purposes
• Train technical support staff, including refresher sessions 
• Run session analytics

EXPECTATIONS

• Actively participate in and contribute to organization’s long-term strategic goals and success
• Actively contribute to a positive, professional, and respectful work environment. Support TBF team members when they need help
• Embrace the all-in commitment required to make the annual Festival a success and understand that evening and weekend work will be expected in the weeks leading up to the Festival. Flexible hours and generous time off in the off-season are provided in recognition of extra work time needed for the Festival.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least two years of relevant work experience in event planning and execution (volunteer, intern, or extracurricular experience may fill this expectation)
• Experience in recruiting, motivating, and managing volunteers 
• Excellent communications skills (oral, written, and presentation) 
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Attention to detail is critical for this position.
• Strong technological aptitude. Familiarity with and flexibility across platforms and operating systems expected.  
• Ability to think creatively to problem solve and promote the Texas Book Festival
• Dedication and enthusiasm for fulfilling the Texas Book Festival mission
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when needed
• Frequent travel required

Please send a resume and cover letter to bookfest@texasbookfestival.org. Application deadline is Monday March 28, 2022. Please email bookfest@texasbookfestival.org if you have any questions!