2021 Summer Virtual Book Festival
Welcome Indie & Small Press Authors!
Our goal is to create a strong community for Indie Authors and the people who read them. We want to bring like-minded souls together to celebrate the written word as sacred, no matter the content. We want to support writers in their passion for the craft, and to demonstrate to others that books can be far more entertaining than the screen… most of the time. 
*Due to the expectations of Family-Friendly readings and book covers, books in the Erotica genre will not be accepted into this event.


Continuing Our Commitment to Keep the Written Word Sacred and Accessible...
​
​We're doing it again!

In Support of Indie & Small Press Authors All Over The World, ​We're Hosting a Virtual Book Festival!

June 1 thru June 30, 2021!
AUTHORS PLEASE NOTE:
Completing The Reservation Application (Step 1 and Step 2) DOES NOT GAURANTEE your space in our Virtual Festival.   Space is limited, due to restrictions with Zoom technology.  Early reservations will be given priority. *
All fees are  non-refundable.

​Step One: 
The Dock Fee
​(participation fee)
Early Bird: $25 
Deadline: April 30, 2021

Last Minute: $50
Deadline: May 15, 2021
 Are You An Author?
​
​Join The Fun!

​​All Indie Authors and Small Press Authors, of every genre, everywhere in the world, are welcome to participate. There is a $25 (early bird) or $50 (last minute) "Dock Fee" for participating authors, plus each author must donate at least one signed title (in print format) from their catalogue, in addition to following the "Harbor Masters Rules of Engagement", outlined below.
We must have a minimum of ten authors registered to participate by the "last minute" deadline date, or the Festival will be cancelled.  In the event of a cancellation, all books will be returned and fees refunded (less book shipping costs).  If the event is cancelled, authors will be notified with a posting to our Facebook page, and via email.

    Step Two: The Author Participation Form:
    ​Reservation Deadline: May 15, 2021
    The Reading Regatta: A Leisurely Race to Discover Your Next Summer Read

    Please Read Carefully
    Complete the Entire Form to Attend as a Participating Author!
    Confirmation of Zoom event dates will be emailed directly to authors, and posted on our Facebook page, just as soon as we have determined the number of authors in each genre.  More than one date may become available, depending on the number of authors in each genre.  Authors are permitted to participate in multiple Zoom events, if they have published books in multiple genres.  Alternate dates and times may be offered to authors, based on demand.  (See below for more information.)
    BOOK DONATIONS: REQUIRED BY MAY 20, 2021
    Participating authors must donate at least one signed copy of a book from their catalogue, in print format, to the Festival Prize Boxes.  Authors may donate additional copies as well as branded "swag", if they choose.  We recommend shipping books via USPS Media Mail; and allow at least ten days for books to arrive and be registered.  We suggest, in order to avoid delays and possible expulsion from the Festival, that you ship books as early as possible. Mail books to ​Pages Promotions Virtual Book Festival  1963 Bowers Street, Birmingham, MI  48009 USA.  Note:  If you are ordering books or drop-shipping direct from Amazon or another distributor, please allow for extra time - we had several delays from Amazon during the last Festival.
    For All You Land-Lubbers: An Index of Literary Nautical Terms:
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    • Vessel Name: The title of the book.
    • Burgee: The book's cover image.
    • Captain/Skipper = The primary author of a book.
    • 1st Mate = The co-author or illustrator of a book (only one 1st Mate, per Vessel, please).
    • Port of Call = The book's genre.
    • Hull Speed = The book's page count.
    • Rigging = The book's synopsis.
    • Racing Class = The book's rating.  This is not a "star" rating, but a content rating, like for films. (see link with details below).
    • The Helm = The reading spotlight.
    • "Ready To Come About?" = "Are you ready to read?"
    • "Helms A Lee" = "Take the Helm and begin your reading."
    • A Race Leg = A single Zoom reading event.
    • The Reading Regatta = The entire Summer Virtual Book Festival.
    • The Harbor Master = Pages Promotions, LLC, the host of the Virtual Book Festival.
    • The Harbor Store = The Virtual PopUp BookShop to connect authors, books, and readers.  Live only during the month of June, 2021.
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    The Race​

    Have you ever been hiked out on the high side, your boat at a 30 degree heel, wind filling your spinnaker, spray hitting your face as you scream across the water at 20 knots?  Well, if you have, you'll understand the excitement this Virtual Book Festival will bring.  If you haven't, throw caution to the wind, and join us for the Summer Reading Regatta!

    Each night, we'll host live Zoom events where Captains will take the Helm and share with us the wonderment of a reading on the waves.  We will design a post, showing everyone the Burgee of your Vessel, and also these other Literary Nautical details:
    • Captain
    • 1st Mate
    • Port of Call 
    • Hull Speed

    ​We'll have several Reading Regatta Race Legs, at least one for each Port of Call.  Captains will have five (5) minutes at the Helm to read a piece from their book.  After all the Captains have read, we will offer time for Q&A from the shoreline spectators.  Then, we'll spin the Wheel of Happiness, and give away books to the attendees.  The Reading Regatta is hosted Live on Zoom, and recorded.  All events will be archived on our YouTube channel, and may also be rebroadcast on television, at a future date.

    We cannot make guarantees, but we will do our best to organize the Race Schedule on a first come, first served basis. Up to four Captains and their Vessels will be invited to participate in each Race Leg, and depending on author participation, multiple Race Legs may be scheduled for each Port of Call, to be sure all Captains are included.  Each night's Race Leg of the Reading Regatta will last 30-60 minutes, depending on the level of spectator interaction from the shoreline.  All Zoom events will be archived on our YouTube channel so those who could not attend the live events can catch up on what they may have missed.  Authors are free to link to the YouTube segments (or the entire channel) to enhance their marketing efforts.  Authors may NOT imbed Pages Promotions video content onto their websites.  Captains at the Helm will have the opportunity to share their screen during their Race Leg... but those cheering from the shoreline will only have access to Chat.

    ZOOM EXPOSURE:  All participation is required to comply with "FCC Family-Friendly" guidelines.
    What does this mean?  Make sure your reading has No mention of the "c" word; No mention of the "f" word; No graphic descriptions of sex, violence, or illegal drug use.  If you are unclear on these guidelines, ASK!
    ​We will give authors at least one opportunity to share their work through our Live Zoom Events.  If an author writes in multiple genres, and we have time slots available, some authors may be invited to participate in more than one Zoom Event.  Zoom Events are not required... but they do offer greater exposure for you and your books.  Unless an author pays a separate "Dock Fee" (Step #1, above) we cannot guarantee that multiple reading events will be offered for authors of multiple genres.
    Include This Vessel, her Captain and Crew, to the Race Schedule!
    Max file size: 20MB
    Max file size: 20MB
    Max file size: 20MB
    Understanding the reader audience and ratings of your books will help us to promote more effectively.  ​If you are unclear about your book's rating, click the image to learn more!
    ***Please upload photos and book cover images in either png or jpg formats.  If you have more than one book book that you would like to list in the Harbor Store during the Virtual Book Festival, please send them as attachments, with genre and ratings, in an email to Diana@PagesPromotions.com.
    NOTE: This is an option to your participation. E-Book Downloads will be offered during a Captain's Race Leg to spectators in that particular Zoom Room, only.  The E-book you offer does NOT need to be the same book you read from during the Zoom event.

    The intent with adding this option is to help authors gain more reviews from readers.  If your free download is housed on your website, this technique will also assist in building your email address list.
    The Legal Stuff... The Harbor Master's Rules of Engagement:
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    I understand and agree that as a participating author, I am expected to donate a minimum of one signed title for use as Prize giveaways during the Virtual Book Festival.  I further understand that I can also donate additional books and "swag", if I choose. I am responsible for all shipping costs for donated books and swag to Pages Promotions.
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    We understand that not everyone has the time to devote to a lot of Social Media sharing.  However, we still expect that you will be reciprocal in your support.  As a Participating Author, you are required to help support other authors, as they are helping to support you.  If they show up for your zoom event, please show up for theirs, cajole your fans to attend, too.  Share posts, engage in Facebook conversations, surveys, and polls, and invite your friends, fans, and family to do so, as well.  Remember, the more we cross-promote, the more success we will all enjoy.
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    I understand and agree that as a participating author, there is a participation "Dock Fee" of $25 (early bird), and ($50 Last Minute).  I understand that this fee will be used to pay for technology services, marketing graphic builds, and for the shipping of prizes to winners at the conclusion of the Festival.  I understand that paying the "Dock Fee" is Step One, and a separate piece of the registration process, found above.  I have read and understand the required deadline dates for reservation fees.
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    I understand and agree that as a participating author, if I violate any of the Harbor Master's Rules of Engagement, I may be expelled from the Virtual Book Festival, which will result in a forfeiture of all fees, books, swag, and Zoom events, including future potential television exposure.​
The Literary Maritime Guidelines
Fields marked with an asterisk are required.  Fields marked with a (?) hold additional notes.  Please read them carefully.
  • ​​This is a Virtual Book Festival, taking place on Facebook and Zoom, with the goal to promote Indie and Small Press Books and Authors ONLY, Trad authors have their own marketing venues.  Indie Authors are defined as either Hybrid or Self-Published Authors.  A Small Press is defined as a publishing house that publishes fewer than 50 titles per year.
  • The date for this Virtual Book Festival is June, 2021.  The Festival will run the entire month of June, a full 30 days.  Authors of all genres are invited to join the Festival, no matter their Country, Providence, or State of residence. 
  • All Live Zoom events are held in USA Eastern Time.  Authors and Readers may participate from ANYWHERE in the world.
  • There is a required author participation "Dock Fee" of $25 (early bird) or $50 (last minute), plus at least one signed copy of a book written by the author, in print format.  Once the "Dock Fee" and book have been received, the author's name will be added to the Facebook 'Participating Author Notification', and this will serve as validation of the author's participation in the Virtual Book Festival.  All fees and donated books are non-refundable and non-returnable, even in the instance of an author's expulsion from the Festival due to non-compliance of the Agreements of Participation (aka Harbor Master's Rules of Engagement). 
  • A fee is not required for Readers and Visitors to attend the Festival; except in the case of the "Sailor's Shore School (creative writing/mentoring workshops), which have a $5 entry fee.  This fee is also non-refundable.
  • All attendees, including participating authors, must pre-register at least 15 minutes prior to any Zoom event start time to be included in any live event giveaways.  Late comers will not be eligible for giveaways, and late comer fees will not be refunded.
  • We must have a minimum of ten (10) authors registered to participate by the Last Minute deadline date, or the Festival will be cancelled.  In the event of a cancellation, all books will be returned and fees refunded (less book shipping costs).  If the Festival is cancelled, authors will be notified with a posting to our Facebook page, and via email.
  • Readers and Visitors are not required to purchase books to attend and enjoy the Festival... but authors would love the support!
  • ​Participating Authors may reside anywhere in the world.  Authors are responsible for shipping donated books to Pages Promotions at their own expense, by the required deadline of May 20, 2021.  We don't know what the mail service will look like in 2021... so PLAN AHEAD!
  • Indie Authors and their families ARE eligible to receive randomly drawn prizes.
  • Readers/Visitors may reside anywhere in the world, however, prize winners must provide a United States or Canadian shipping address.  Prizes will not be shipped to addresses outside of the United States or Canada.  
  • For shipping purposes, all fifty states, including Alaska and Hawaii, are considered within the United States.  United States Territories are considered to be locations outside of the United States.
  • Prize winners will be announced on Facebook, as contests occur.  Winners must acknowledge their win in an email in order to receive instruction regarding how to collect their prizes.
  • Prizes will be shipped to winners no later than July 31, 2021.
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(c) 2021 Diana Kathryn Plopa      Pages Promotions, LLC     All Rights Reserved
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