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2027 Black Authors Festival Applications - Scroll Down & Select
2027 Black Authors Festival Applications - Scroll Down & Select
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Are you interested in being honored in the company of some of the nation's most distinguished authors, literary leaders, journalists, educators, entrepreneurs, and cultural visionaries?
Are you a Black author seeking to elevate your literary work while standing alongside those who understand the transformative power of literacy within the Black community? Have your words inspired, educated, challenged, or empowered others? Are you committed to preserving authentic Black stories and ensuring that future generations have access to the richness of Black literature and culture?
Do you believe in intellectual freedom? Are you a passionate advocate in the fight against book banning and censorship? Are you a proponent of protecting the First Amendment rights of all Americans and defending the fundamental right to read, write, create, and think freely?
If this sounds like you, we invite you to consider applying for a chance to become one of our distinguished honorees of the 2027 Black Authors Festival.
The Black Authors Festival honors extraordinary Black authors, literary visionaries, educators, journalists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and cultural changemakers whose work has made a meaningful impact on literature, education, media, and society. Our honorees are individuals whose contributions have elevated the Black experience, advanced literacy, strengthened communities, and preserved the stories that define our collective history.
The Festival proudly champions The Right to Write™, a national movement dedicated to protecting intellectual freedom, opposing book bans, and ensuring that Black voices continue to be heard, celebrated, and preserved.
If you believe that your literary contributions deserve recognition and that your work reflects the richness, complexity, and authenticity of the Black experience, we would be honored to hear from you.
Please note that all applicants must be of Black descent, and the literary works submitted for consideration must authentically reflect Black stories, perspectives, history, culture, and lived experiences.
Submission of an application does not guarantee selection. Each application is carefully reviewed by the Black Authors Festival Selection Committee. Applicants selected for further consideration by the Advisory Council will be invited to participate in an interview as part of the final selection process.
Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable and are required for all submissions. Payment of the application fee does not guarantee selection, recognition, speaking opportunities, media coverage, or participation in any Festival-related activities.
The Black Authors Festival Selection Committee reserves the right to determine honoree eligibility based on literary accomplishments, professional achievements, community impact, alignment with the Festival's mission, and overall contributions to the advancement of Black literature and culture.
We thank you for your interest in the Black Authors Festival and for your commitment to preserving, elevating, and celebrating Black voices, Black stories, and the enduring power of the written word. We look forward to learning more about your work and the legacy you are creating for generations to come.
An Elevated Marketplace for Authors, Creators, Entrepreneurs & Luxury Brands
Early Bird Vendor Participation Fee: $375 - Tuesday, June 1, 2027
Regular Vendor Participation Fee: $500 Wednesday, June 2, 2027
Vendor Space Is Limited | Acceptance Is Selective
Vendor Opportunity
Thank you for your interest in becoming a vendor at the Black Authors Festival. The Black Authors Festival is more than a literary event. It is a curated cultural experience designed to attract authors, readers, professionals, entrepreneurs, tastemakers, community leaders, collectors, and an upscale audience that values quality, originality, excellence, and meaningful experiences.
All Vendor Participation Fees Are Nonrefundable
This applies regardless of:
Acceptance or non-acceptance
Change of mind
Change in business circumstances
Travel difficulties
Personal scheduling conflicts
Failure to attend
Failure to arrive on time
Failure to participate
If an application is declined, the vendor participation fee will not be refunded. If an accepted vendor subsequently cancels, fails to appear, arrives after the setup deadline, or otherwise fails to participate, no refund, no transfer date, and no credit will be issued.
The applicable vendor participation fee covers participation in the Festival marketplace if the applicant is accepted.
IMPORTANT
Payment of the vendor participation fee does not guarantee acceptance. All applications are subject to review and approval by the Black Authors Festival
Our marketplace is intentionally curated.
We are seeking authors, entrepreneurs, artisans, luxury brands, service providers, publishers, creators, and businesses whose products and services complement the quality and spirit of the Black Authors Festival. We are not simply filling vendor tables. We are curating an experience.
Festival Discretion
The Black Authors Festival reserves the right to:
Accept or reject any application
Limit the number of vendors in a category
Limit competing or duplicate product categories
Determine vendor placement
Adjust vendor placement when necessary
Determine the final vendor lineup
Establish Festival operating procedures
Remove a vendor who violates Festival policies
Decline products that do not meet Festival standards
Acceptance into a previous Black Authors Festival does not guarantee acceptance into a future Festival. Each Festival is independently curated.
Selective Vendor Acceptance
The Black Authors Festival is a curated, premium experience, and vendor space is intentionally limited.
We do not automatically accept every business that applies.
Applications may be evaluated based upon:
Product or service quality
Brand presentation
Professional website
Digital presence
Product pricing
Audience alignment
Brand reputation
Originality
Professionalism
Product category balance
Available space
Overall contribution to the Festival experience
The Festival may also limit the number of vendors offering similar products or services to maintain a diverse and engaging marketplace.
PLEASE NOTE:
Submitting an application and paying the vendor participation fee does not guarantee acceptance.
The Black Authors Festival reserves the sole discretion to approve or decline an application.
Sales & Revenue Disclaimer
The Black Authors Festival provides vendors with an opportunity to introduce their brands, products, books, services, and businesses to Festival guests.
However:
The Festival Does Not Guarantee Sales
The Black Authors Festival is not responsible for:
The amount of merchandise sold
The number of customers visiting a booth
Vendor revenue
Vendor expenses
Unsold inventory
Customer purchasing decisions
Vendor profitability
Each vendor is solely responsible for the success of their own sales experience
Vendors are encouraged to arrive prepared with:
Sufficient inventory
Multiple payment options
A professional sales strategy
Promotional materials
Business cards
Special offers
An engaging customer experience
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Please Read Carefully
The applicable $375 Early Bird or $500 Regular Vendor Participation Fee is NONREFUNDABLE.
No refund or credit will be issued due to:
Non-acceptance
Cancellation
Failure to attend
Travel difficulties
Personal emergencies
Scheduling conflicts
Failure to arrive on time
Failure to meet setup requirements
Failure to participate
Required Festival Contribution
Every accepted vendor must contribute at least one item valued at $150 or more to be raffled during the Festival.
Required Raffle Contribution
One item minimum retail value: $150
The donated item should be representative of your brand and of meaningful value to Festival guests.
The donated item must be provided according to the Festival's stated deadline and submission instructions.
ELEVATED SPONSOR RECOGNITION
Vendors have the opportunity to receive enhanced Festival recognition through an additional contribution to the raffle.
Vendors who contribute TWO OR MORE qualifying items, with EACH individual item valued at $150 or more, will be recognized as a Black Authors Festival Sponsor.
Eligible Sponsor recognition may include:
Placement on the official Festival Step & Repeat
Sponsor recognition during designated Festival programming
Recognition in select Festival promotional materials
Additional brand visibility as determined by the Festival
Examples
2 items × $150 minimum = $300 minimum contribution 3 items × $150 minimum = $450 minimum contribution 4 items × $150 minimum = $600 minimum contribution
The greater the contribution, the greater the opportunity for meaningful brand visibility. Specific sponsorship recognition is subject to Festival production deadlines, available space, and promotional requirements.
Insurance & Liability
Each vendor is responsible for protecting their own:
Merchandise
Inventory
Equipment
Cash
Electronic devices
Displays
Personal property
The Black Authors Festival is not responsible for loss, theft, damage, or disappearance of vendor property.
Vendors are responsible for any injury, damage, claim, or loss arising from their products, services, booth, equipment, employees, representatives, or activities, to the extent permitted by law.
The Festival may require proof of insurance or additional documentation for certain vendors or product categories.
Professional Presentation Standards
Because the Black Authors Festival caters to an elevated audience, all vendors are expected to maintain a polished and professional presentation.
Vendors agree to:
Maintain a clean and attractive display
Dress appropriately and professionally
Keep products organized
Remain courteous and welcoming
Refrain from aggressive sales tactics
Respect neighboring vendors
Respect Festival staff and volunteers
Keep their assigned area clean
Remain within their assigned vending space
Avoid obstructing walkways
Follow Festival instructions
Remove all merchandise and materials at the conclusion of the event
The Festival reserves the right to request removal of any product, display, signage, or material it determines to be inappropriate, offensive, unsafe, misleading, or inconsistent with Festival standards.
Sales, Taxes, & Business Requirements
Each vendor is responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing their business.
This may include:
Sales tax collection
Business licensing
Food permits
Health requirements
Product labeling
Insurance
Professional credentials
Payment processing
Customer receipts
The Black Authors Festival does not assume responsibility for a vendor's legal or regulatory compliance.
Late Arrival
Any vendor arriving after 12:00 PM will not be permitted to set up and will not receive a refund.
Vendor Equipment & Supplies
Unless otherwise specified, vendors are responsible for bringing all materials necessary to create and operate their vending experience.
Vendors should bring:
Vending table
Tablecloth
Tent/canopy, if applicable
Professional signage
Product displays
Products/inventory
Business cards
Promotional materials
Payment-processing equipment
Extension cords/power supplies, if needed
Chairs, if desired
Any additional equipment necessary for operation Electricity is not available, please make sure all of your operations can function without electricity
Out-Of-Town Vendors
We recognize that some of our vendors will travel from outside the local area. Out-of-Town Vendors are those from other states, not upstate, NYC, etc. For qualifying out-of-town vendors, the Black Authors Festival will provide:
One Vending Table Only
Out-of-town vendors remain responsible for:
Table covering
Signage
Displays
Chairs
Products
Payment equipment
Promotional materials
Tents/canopies, when applicable
Electrical equipment
Any other necessary vending supplies
Local & Regional Vendors
Local and regional vendors are responsible for providing their own vending table and complete setup.
The fee entitles me to one meal.
Vendor Assistant
We strongly recommend that vendors bring a Vendor Assistant to help manage their booth and provide continuous coverage throughout the festival. While an assistant is not required, vendors are not permitted to leave their tables unattended at any time.
A Vendor Assistant can help greet guests, answer questions, manage transactions, restock merchandise, and provide coverage when the primary vendor needs to step away.
Please plan accordingly. Vendors are solely responsible for the security of their merchandise, equipment, and personal belongings. The Black Authors Festival is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or unattended property. Vendor assistant tickets may not be purchased without matching a registered vendor.
Share Your Story. Discuss Your Book. Connect With Readers.
The Black Authors Festival invites authors to apply for a curated Book Talk with (Your Name Here). This intimate literary experience provides selected authors with an opportunity to discuss their work, share their creative journey, engage readers, and contribute to the celebration of Black literary excellence.
Book Talk participants are selected at the sole discretion of the Black Authors Festival. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.
End the evening in style! Join us for an unforgettable All White After Party on the waterfront at Breakwater Yacht Club in beautiful Sag Harbor. Come dressed in your finest white attire and enjoy an evening of music, dancing, delicious food, fellowship, and fabulous waterfront views surrounded by an incredible community of authors, professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, and festival guests.
This is more than an after party—it’s a celebration of Black excellence, culture, connection, and community.
Good People. Good Music. Great Vibes.
Saturday, August 7, 2027 | Breakwater Yacht Club | Sag Harbor, New York
Tickets: $100 | Includes Food
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