frequently asked questions

The Columbus Book Festival is a two-day event that celebrates a community of book lovers inside Main Library and outside in Topiary Park.

Over 100 featured authors will talk about their newly released books in lively panel discussions inside the library’s meeting rooms and two author stages in Topiary Park.

Outside, the Festival Marketplace will be active with over 100 authors in the Indie Author Alley tent, dozens of exhibitor tents, family-friendly entertainment, food trucks, merchandise tables and more.

All festival activities take place in downtown Columbus at Main Library (96 S. Grant Ave) and the adjacent Topiary Park (corner of Town and Washington Streets).

Main Library will be open extended Sunday hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All activities, panel discussions, author talks are free! There is no cost to attend the festival.

New and used books, festival merchandise, retail gifts and food & beverages will be for sale in the Festival Marketplace.

Headliners will give author talks and over 100 national and Ohio-based authors in a variety of genres will be featured on more than 50 panel discussions. Programming lineup will be announced in April 2025.

Another 100 independent authors will be ready to meet you outdoors at Indie Author Alley.

• Headliner sessions are ticketed due to limited space. Only ticketed guests are guaranteed seating for Headliner sessions.
• All Headliner sessions take place in Main Library’s Auditorium. Lines begin forming prior to the session. Look for signs noting line formation times.
• There will be lines for Ticketed and Non-ticketed guests. Non-ticketed guests will be admitted five minutes prior to the start of the program only if seats are available.

Featured Authors will hold signing sessions and meet & greets in Main Library’s 2nd Floor Reading Room immediately following their scheduled panels. Their books can be purchased at the Official Festival Bookstore at any time during the festival weekend, or readers may bring a book from their personal collection.

Headlining Authors will hold signing sessions outside the Auditorium directly after their session for readers who attended the session. Readers are limited to two items for signing from headlining authors. Attendees may bring their own copies of the author’s books or purchase books outside the Auditorium before or after the session. The books will also be for sale at the Official Festival Bookstore throughout the festival weekend.

Authors exhibiting in the outdoor Festival Marketplace will be available all weekend at their Indie Author Alley table or Marketplace booth to sell and sign books!

New books from all featured festival authors, plus a selection of their back-titles, will be available for purchase and signing during the festival in Main Library’s 2nd floor Reading Room.

The Official Festival Bookstore is a partnership between Cover to Cover, The Book Loft, Gramercy Books, and Prologue Bookshop. Support your local independent  book stores by buying books at the festival!

Book submissions are accepted by application November-December for the following year’s festival.

Eligible books for the 2025 festival have to be published between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.  Books from a variety of viewpoints and topics were considered based on how they fit into panel topics and themes featured in our festival.  

A Programming Committee reviews all submissions to make selections.

All Main Library spaces are ADA compliant and accessible by elevator. Long lines may form during headlining author talks, book signings or book sales. Volunteers and Festival Staff will help keep orderly lines and assist guests with limited mobility. Please request assistance from Festival Staff when necessary.

TRANSPORTATION

• Bicycle Corral: Park your ride with Franklinton Cycle Works at the bike corral on Main Library’s Carnegie Plaza.
• Read and Ride with COTA bus service or hop on a CoGo Bike Share bicycle.

PARKING  

• Main Library’s 5-level attached parking garage has free event parking.
• Multiple surface lots surrounding Topiary Park will be free during the festival thanks to Discovery District businesses. Look for Free Book Festival Parking signs.
• There are many paid surface lots, parking garages and metered street parking options downtown.

We welcome all visitors to the Columbus Book Festival!

There are plenty of choices in and around downtown Columbus, including Airbnb and boutique and budget hotel options. Visit www.experiencecolumbus.com/hotels for more info.

This is an indoor and outdoor event and the show must go on!

The outdoor Festival Marketplace will still be held in the case of rain. Bring a poncho and support book sellers, festival merchants and food trucks.