GAB Fest Author Participant FAQs

I’ve been accepted as a GAB Fest Author. What happens next?

Congratulations! We’re excited to host you at GAB FEST. After acceptance to the festival, you will receive several follow up emails.
In early February, you'll get a survey about you to help us plan and promote the event.
In early March, we will alert the authors who have been selected to serve on panels or host programs during GAB Fest. Due to limited space and time, we will not be able to invite all authors to participate in programming outside of the Author Hall for tabling and book sales, but we are striving to include as many voices as possible.
During March, we will contact authors selected to help us create social media videos to promote the event.
In April, expect more details about the Author Reception.

I’ve been placed on a panel. What happens next?

Each panel will have a captain and moderator (often those roles are filled by one person) who will be in touch with panelists to discuss the basic structure of the panel discussion.
Your invitation to participate on the panel included the time and location. We will also share a full, official schedule of events with everyone before the day of GAB Fest.

What happens at the Author Reception?

The Author Reception is generously hosted by the Library Foundation and is a chance to mingle with your fellow authors and enjoy light refreshments.
We ask that only our accepted authors attend the Author Reception, as it is designed to be a networking opportunity and a thank-you for your participation.

What happens on the day of the book festival?

Please check in at our registration table in the lobby of the Special Event Center to pick up your GAB Fest badge and information. If you don’t already know the location of your author table, this is where you will receive your table assignment.

Where will my table be located?

We have two Author Halls. The Special Event Center (1st Floor) holds authors who primarily write for adult audiences. Authors who primarily write for youth audiences will table in the Youth and Family Atrium (3rd Floor).

How do I set up my table?

Option 1: The Friday evening before GAB Fest, you will have the opportunity to both attend the Author Reception and set up your author table area.
Option 2: Can’t make it to the Author Reception? You may set up your table on the Saturday morning of the event. We will start allowing participating authors into the Library at 8 am.
Whether you choose to set up on Friday evening or Saturday morning, please come to the Special Event Center doors on the Cesar Chavez side of the building.

How big is my table and what do you provide for me?

We will provide each author with one half of a 6’ x 30” table. (Each author gets 3 feet of table space.)
We also provide 1 chair per author, a black table linen, and a GAB Fest name plate to display.

What can I bring for my table?

Please bring any decorations you wish that you can pack in and out easily.
Please do not bring any candy or other edible treats to give out to library visitors.
We do not allow large banners or anything that is on the floor.

Do I need to bring a lunch?

The Library Foundation will provide lunch for participating authors. Thank you for sharing your dietary needs with us.

Can I sell books?

Absolutely! For this one special event, the Library waives our usual fee for selling books so that you keep all of the revenue. As the seller, you may also choose the form of payments you will accept.
What books can you sell? Any of your books! You are not limited to just selling the book you submitted as part of your application.

What do I do if I have to leave my table?

When stepping away from your table, please take all valuables with you. We have staff in the room but cannot be responsible for personal belongings.
Consider connecting with nearby authors and offering to watch one another's tables during absences from the room.
The reverse side of your name plate includes an “away” message which you can display when you leave the area.

Can we bring our pets?

Can I bring my children?

Children over the age of 10 may be in the library independently. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Due to space limitations, we’re unable to provide any extra seating at your table.

Can I bring an adult friend or family member with me?

Yes, GAB Fest is open to anyone! Due to space limitations, we’re unable to provide any extra seating at your table. If you ask your guest to fill your seat while you’re away, please do your best to introduce them to your author neighbors.
We ask that only our accepted authors attend the Author Reception, as it is designed to be a networking opportunity and a thank-you for your participation.
Keep in mind that we don’t allow collaborators (co-authors, illustrators, etc.) to table with you unless they also submitted an application and were accepted to GAB Fest.

Where should I park?

The library has a paid parking garage and there is some street parking around the library as well as several other parking garages throughout downtown that are within walking distance. We encourage those that are able to consider public transportation or carpooling!
For more information, see library FAQs How do I park at the Central Library? and Is there easy access to public transit to/from the Central Library?
We will provide authors parking validation only for the Friday night reception/table setup. Parking validation will not be available for any other time, including the day of GAB Fest.

When do I clean up my table?

You are welcome to take your things home with you on Saturday when you are finished. The Library closes at 5 pm, and we ask that authors be packed up and out of the building by 6 pm.

What if something comes up and I’m no longer able to attend?

You’ll be missed! Please email the GAB Fest Committee at apl.bookfest@austintexas.gov if you need to cancel attendance any time before Friday, May 15.
If you need to cancel your attendance on Friday, May 15 or on the day of the event, Saturday, May 16, please text our Ask a Librarian line at 512-337-4893.