ABOUT BOOKENDS
● What are Bookends Events?
Bookend Events are free and low-cost literary programming that take place over nine days, bringing together readers from all five boroughs. These BKBF-curated literary events are presented in collaboration with cultural partners and have included readings, literary parties and trivia, books-to-movies screenings, theatrical and musical performances, spirited author discussions, creative workshops, and more. Following our credo, Bookends are “hip, smart, diverse, inclusive and collaborative,” designed to spotlight and connect local literary communities across the city with the Brooklyn Book Festival.
● Why should I produce a Bookends event?
Bookends events serve as a way for folks to connect—both locally in their neighborhoods and citywide—with fellow book-lovers, literary producers, and cultural organizations. Our goal is to bring together as many people as possible across all five boroughs to celebrate books and authors as part of the Brooklyn Book Festival!
● Whom do I contact with questions about Bookends?
Please contact bookends@brooklynbookfestival.org.
For other general inquiries about the Festival, please contact info@brooklynbookfestival.org
DEADLINES & HOW TO SUBMIT AN EVENT
● How do I submit a Bookends proposal?
Past partners and other curators who are recommended by our Bookends Committee and the
BKBF Advisory Council are invited to consider submitting a proposal. The first step in
submitting a Bookends idea for consideration is to fill out our proposal form. All proposals are
evaluated by our Bookends Committee. Each application receives a response, including
acceptances, requests for clarifications, or declines. If your proposal is accepted, you will be
asked to fill out a Final Copy Form.
● What is the deadline for submitting a Bookends event proposal?
We ask organizers to submit Bookend proposals by Tuesday, May 5, 2026, and final event details in June. We then ask Bookend partners to complete a form detailing all event information including ticketing links, participant bios, etc. in early July for our print deadline. The deadline for the Final Copy is Tuesday, June 30th.
● Who can submit an event proposal?
Organizations interested in presenting a Bookend event should email
bookends@brooklynbookfestival.org.
● What should I consider as I put together a Bookend event?
We encourage Bookends programming to be curated with our Festival credo in mind: “hip, smart and diverse.” We do not include book launches or single author events as part of Bookends. Ideally, we hope that any Bookends events that take place as part of a regular series or events calendar have features that speak, specifically, to the Bookends partnership or BKBF.
● How many events may my organization host?
We limit our Bookend partners to one event in order to allow as many organizations to participate as possible. Venues, however, may serve as a host site for multiple organizations on distinct dates.
● How many organizations can jointly host an event?
There is no limit to the number of organizations who can collaborate on an event. However, we ask that only one organization be the point of contact and take responsibility for the expectations of Bookends terms and conditions.
● How many individual participants can my event include?
We do not put a limit on the number of individual participants.
● How do I find a venue for my Bookend event?
Finding a venue is the responsibility of our Bookend partners—you! We recommend reaching
out to contacts with whom you have an established relationship or try reaching out to your
favorite local venues, organizations, or institutions (past Bookend venues have included
bookstores, bars, restaurants, theaters, community centers, and museums). Pitch your Bookend
event as an opportunity for them to participate in the Brooklyn Book Festival. We encourage you
to identify locations that are ADA compliant and accessible to all. If you still have trouble
securing a venue, the Bookends committee will do its best to assist you in the process.
● Can I use a BKBF/Bookends virtual platform to host an online Bookends event?
If you are hosting a virtual event (or if your live event has a virtual component), you are responsible for organizing the platform and any other online elements.
● Can I request a specific date and time for my event?
We will try to accommodate your preferences, however we may ask that you change to a different time in order to balance the day’s Bookends schedule and so that multiple events of similar content/subject matter (say, two poetry events) do not compete with each other. Events may run at any time from Sunday, September 20th through Friday, September 25th and on Monday, September 28th. No virtual events may take place on the BKBF Virtual Festival Day on Sunday, September 20th; no children’s events during the BKBF Children’s Day on Saturday, September 26th; no events during the BKBF Festival Mingle from 6PM – 8PM on Saturday, September 26th; and no events from 10AM – 6PM on Main Festival Day taking place Sunday, September 27th.
● Can I charge an entrance fee for my event?
BKBF is committed to providing and/or supporting excellent literary programming that is
accessible to all communities of NYC, regardless of socioeconomic status. The majority of
Bookend Events are free, with some charging a low-cost fee.
● Can I accept reservations or provide tickets for my event?
Yes, details regarding event signup and registration are up to you. There will be a designated
field in the Final Copy for you to provide information about fees, tickets, and event registration.
● Do I need to provide a bad weather alternative venue for outdoor events?
We recommend having a backup venue plan in the event of bad weather.
● Does BKBF/Bookends provide any financial support?
BKBF does not provide financial support for Bookends events.
● Who selects events for inclusion in Bookends?
The Bookends Committee receives, reviews, and evaluates all submissions and approves events
or asks for clarifications. The Bookends Committee is a volunteer group of book publishing and
industry professionals living in the five boroughs of New York City and possessing expertise in a
range of genres and programming formats. The committee includes the following individuals:
Bookends Committee
Stephan Herrera, Co-Chair
Natalie Green, Co-Chair
Paul W. Morris
Saraciea J. Fennell
Novella Ford
Mary Gannon
Abeer Y. Hoque
Andrew Lloyd-Jones
Ian Maloney
Jafreen Uddin
MARKETING & PROMOTION
● Do Bookend partners need to create their own event copy?
Yes! After your proposal has been approved, you will receive a form to send us your Final Copy. Your Final Copy will be used for promotion and give audiences a sense of what topics and themes your event will explore. The event title and description in your Final Copy will appear as-written in the BKBF printed program and on our website.
Suggestions for strong Final Copy: Titles that are concise and enticing attract the most audiences. Event descriptions (maximum 90 words) should include the names of all participating authors and any necessary information (e.g., if attendees will need to register in advance). There is a separate field for information regarding the time of your event, venue location/address,
whether your event is free or ticketed, and organization website links. The deadline to submit Final Copies is Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
● Do I need to promote my event myself?
Yes, Bookend partners will be responsible for promoting their individual Bookend program. We recommend using your organization’s website and eblast communications to market your events, as well as any social media platforms you’re active on. BKBF will promote Bookend events as a whole closer to the program week.
● Do I need to photograph or record my event?
We ask that you take photos during your event and to share them with the Festival. We may also
send an official Brooklyn Book Festival photographer to document your event, as per our Terms
of Agreement.
● Do I need to mention BKBF/Bookends when promoting my event?
Yes. As an official BKBF/Bookends Partner, it’s essential that you follow our promotional
guidelines when publicizing your event. You will find full details about promotional language,
the Bookends logo, and other marketing material requirements in our Terms of Agreement,
including this required language: “This is an official Brooklyn Book Festival Bookends Event.”
Once you have created your marketing material, please email a copy for us to review and
approve, confirming that official wording and/or the Bookend logo has been applied. We will be
happy to provide feedback where necessary.
● Will I need to do any post-event reporting to the Bookends Committee?
Yes! In order to promote Bookends and our partners, and to monitor the success of Bookends
programs, we ask that you provide an audience count and photos and/or video of your event(s)
for the Bookends archive.
● Will there be a representative from BKBF at my event?
We try to send a representative from BKBF to as many Bookends as possible. However, as we
are a small staff with a robust Bookends schedule, it is not always feasible. If we cannot attend in
person, we will be there in literary spirit!
● What is BKBF’s COVID-19 policy for in-person Bookend events?
As per the Terms of Agreement: “Each Bookend presenting partner must take responsibility to
adhere to New York City and State COVID-19 guidance and restrictions regulating live events.”