Giddings Public Library and Cultural Center
September 27-28, 2024
Submissions are open March 1-May 31
The 2024 Texas Word Wrangler Book Festival will accept author submissions from March 1-May 31, 2024.
The annual book festival promotes Texas literature. Applications are open to:
Authors who live in Texas
Authors from Texas
Authors with a book about a Texas topic
To apply for the 2024 festival, authors must complete the online application and mail one copy of their book for consideration to:
Giddings Public Library
Word Wrangler Submission
276 N. Orange St.
Giddings, TX 78942
About the festival
The Texas Word Wrangler Book Festival began in 2006 with a twofold purpose: to promote Texas literature, and to give our small community the opportunity to connect directly with authors. The Giddings Public Library serves a population of 5,067 in a small, rural area. Giddings is situated halfway between Austin and Houston on Highway 290. During the 2023 festival, authors sold an average of 25 books each. Our highest-selling author sold 57 books. The 15 top-selling authors of 2023 submitted books for the following genres/audiences:
Children's picture book
Adult non-fiction
Adult romance
Young-adult fantasy
Children's picture book
Children's picture book
Middle-grade mystery
Middle-grade mystery
Adult mystery
Children's picture book
Adult non-fiction
Children's picture book
Adult mystery
Young-adult thriller
Middle-grade fantasy
The 26 festival authors sold a total of 657 books during the 2023 festival. Although many festival authors are self-published, we've also welcomed hybrid-published and traditionally published authors.
Please consider applying if you think our small festival is a good fit for your goals as an author. If, however, you're looking for a festival with an opportunity to sell thousands of books and hobnob with Pulitzer Prize-winning authors and fancy-pants publishers ... please consider applying to a different book festival, because that's just not us.
Submission timeline
Submission timeline
March through May--Committee members read and review books
June--The committee meets to analyze scores received by all books and select festival authors
July--All authors who submitted applications and books prior to the deadline will be notified; your notification will indicate whether or not you've been selected to participate in the 2024 festival
Mid-August--Accepted authors will receive an email with follow-up instructions
Submission FAQ
How many books can I send for consideration? Each author may submit a single book for festival consideration. The selection committee reads and reviews many books during each festival cycle; to make the review process manageable, please submit only one book.
I don't have a "new" book. Can I still apply to be a festival author? Books for festival consideration must be new to the festival (not submitted for festival consideration in the past).
How are books reviewed by the selection committee? Reviewers utilize a rubric when reviewing books. Reviewers give a numerical score based on eight criteria. After all books have been reviewed by the committee, an average score for each book is calculated. Authors who receive the highest average scores are invited to the festival.
What are the eight criteria in the book-review rubric? For each of the below categories, reviewers answer "strongly agree" (5 points); "agree" (4 points); "disagree" (3 points); or "strongly disagree" (2 points). The highest score for a single review (5 in all categories) is 40. The lowest score for a single review (2 in all categories) is 16.
Book is free of typos, errors, and editorial mistakes
Book is appropriate for its stated audience
Book is well written
Book has a professional layout and design
Book inspires thoughtful reflection or examination of the topic presented
Book is a good addition to its genre
I would read other books written by this same author
Fiction--Plot makes sense and is easy to follow; or Non-fiction--Book is organized and easy to understand
When will I find out if I'm selected to participate? The selection committee will review books until May. Then we'll calculate total scores and notify authors of acceptance in July.
How much does it cost to attend the festival? The festival does not charge authors to participate, nor do we keep a portion of your book sales. You're responsible for your own transportation and lodging. We provide Thursday evening refreshments, Friday breakfast and lunch, and a light breakfast Saturday.
Can I sell my books at the festival? Yes! Authors are encouraged to sell their books at the festival. (Only books may be sold; no other items may be sold.) You may sell your entire portfolio of books at the festival, even if you did not submit them for festival consideration. The festival does not keep a portion of book sales. Authors are responsible for all financial exchanges regarding their books. The festival will not make change, take payments for authors, offer buyer receipts, etc.
2024 Author schedule of events
Thursday, Sept. 26, 9A-3P: School visits (optional)
Authors are scheduled to visit local schools (within a 40 mile radius of the library). Authors may visit multiple classrooms throughout the day and give presentations on various book-related topics. Past topics have included the writing process, where to find story inspiration, how to outline, character development, and the importance of editing.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 10A-5P: Table set up (optional)
Authors may arrive and set up their tables early in preparation for the welcome reception and book festival.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 5:30-7:30P: Welcome reception (optional)
Authors are available at their author tables throughout the library. City, county, and school officials are invited to meet authors at this come-and-go reception. Authors sell and sign books for the invitation-only crowd. Refreshments are served throughout the evening.
Friday, Sept. 27, 8A: Festival-orientation breakfast (required)
Join your fellow authors, library staff, and the festival committee for a brief orientation to prepare you for the next two days of festival fun!
Friday, Sept. 27, 9A-5P: Festival (required)
Lunch is included for participating authors. Authors will have a table inside the library for book sales and will have the opportunity to connect with members of the community. Local students attend the festival on school field trips. Authors accepted for the festival are expected to attend both festival days.
Saturday, Sept. 28: 9A-2P: Festival (required)
Breakfast is included for participating authors. Authors will have a table inside the library for book sales and will have the opportunity to connect with members of the community. Authors accepted for the festival are expected to attend both festival days.