The Literature Festival embodies the Vrystaat Arts Festival’s “One festival, many stories” ethos – a place where the many stories of literature come together. Through book discussions, panel conversations, debates, children and youth events, workshops, readings, and encounters with authors, thinkers, and voices from across the literary landscape, the Literature Festival creates space for meaningful exchange and connection.
It is a celebration of literature in all its forms, bringing different languages, perspectives, and experiences into conversation and inviting audiences to listen, question, discover, and engage.
Below is an FAQ that answers the questions applicants most often ask and is intended to help you prepare a complete and accurate application. Please read it before starting the online form.
We welcome proposals from authors, poets, publishers, translators, illustrators, academics, journalists, critics, moderators, facilitators, and more. Proposals may include interviews, author conversations, book launches, panels, lectures, debates, workshops, readings, poetry sessions, children’s and youth events, and other innovative literary formats.
There are two submission routes:
Programme Proposal – for individuals or organisations proposing a literary session, conversation, event or other programme format. This is available on our website and on social media (Literature Festival Application).
Book Submission – specifically for publishers and publishing houses submitting a new, recent, or forthcoming title for programme consideration. This is available online and on social media (Literature Festival Book Submission).
No. The Programme Proposal application is not limited to proposals about a specific publication. The application includes a separate section for book or publication details, where a proposal is linked to a specific title.
Yes. The Festival may combine titles or themes as part of programme planning, after consultation, where reasonably practicable.
Applications are assessed according to the relevant submission criteria. For Programme Proposals, the criteria include artistic merit, relevance, feasibility, available resources, and overall programme balance.
For Book Submissions, selection also considers literary merit, relevance, publication readiness, author availability, audience potential, feasibility, diversity, programme balance and available resources.
No. Submission does not guarantee selection or create an entitlement to a programme placement, fee, travel, accommodation or other benefit.
The application documents do not specify a notification date. Successful applicants will be contacted by the Festival regarding the next steps.
You may provide your availability and indicate dates on which a participant is unavailable. However, availability or preferences do not guarantee a particular date, time, or session.
You may provide relevant technical, staging, presentation, or venue requirements. However, the Festival retains final discretion over venue allocation.
Yes. The Festival may determine or reasonably amend the session format, participants, moderator or interviewer, venue, date, time, duration, and approved programme copy, with consultation where reasonably practicable.
You should disclose all technical, staging, presentation, connectivity, and material requirements needed to deliver your proposal. The application specifically allows you to indicate requirements such as microphones, screens, projectors, and other equipment.
Material changes to technical, staging, hospitality, or venue requirements must be disclosed promptly and require written approval from the Festival. Unauthorised purchases or equipment hire remain the applicant’s responsibility.
Not automatically. Any fee or financial support will apply only if confirmed in writing by the Festival.
Travel assistance may be requested, but it is not guaranteed. Any travel support must be expressly confirmed in writing by the Festival.
Accommodation may be requested, but it is not guaranteed. The Festival may arrange economy travel or shared accommodation where applicable.
Bargain Books is the Festival’s exclusive official bookseller.
No, unless the Festival has provided prior written approval. Publishers, authors, agents, and representatives may not sell books directly or appoint another seller without approval.
Cancellations must be communicated in writing immediately. Depending on the circumstances, the participant or publisher may be liable for proven non-refundable costs caused by cancellation, non-performance, or material breach, except where accepted force majeure applies.
Yes. The Festival may reschedule, relocate, change the format, or cancel a session for reasons including safety, venue, operational, funding, programme, or force-majeure circumstances.
Programme Proposal applications close on 29 January 2027. Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Book Submissions close on 15 February 2027. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered.
The 2027 Literature Festival takes place from 6–10 July 2027 at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein campus.
Questions about the Literature Festival application or submission process can be directed to the Literature Festival Coordinator, Mia Kahts, at mia@vrystaatkunstefees.co.za.
We welcome proposals from authors, poets, publishers, translators, illustrators, academics, journalists, critics, moderators, facilitators, and more. Proposals may include interviews, author conversations, book launches, panels, lectures, debates, workshops, readings, poetry sessions, children’s and youth events, and other innovative literary formats.
There are two submission routes:
Programme Proposal – for individuals or organisations proposing a literary session, conversation, event or other programme format. This is available on our website and on social media (Literature Festival Application).
Book Submission – specifically for publishers and publishing houses submitting a new, recent, or forthcoming title for programme consideration. This is available online and on social media (Literature Festival Book Submission).
No. The Programme Proposal application is not limited to proposals about a specific publication. The application includes a separate section for book or publication details, where a proposal is linked to a specific title.
Yes. The Festival may combine titles or themes as part of programme planning, after consultation, where reasonably practicable.
Applications are assessed according to the relevant submission criteria. For Programme Proposals, the criteria include artistic merit, relevance, feasibility, available resources, and overall programme balance.
For Book Submissions, selection also considers literary merit, relevance, publication readiness, author availability, audience potential, feasibility, diversity, programme balance and available resources.
No. Submission does not guarantee selection or create an entitlement to a programme placement, fee, travel, accommodation or other benefit.
The application documents do not specify a notification date. Successful applicants will be contacted by the Festival regarding the next steps.
You may provide your availability and indicate dates on which a participant is unavailable. However, availability or preferences do not guarantee a particular date, time, or session.
You may provide relevant technical, staging, presentation, or venue requirements. However, the Festival retains final discretion over venue allocation.
Yes. The Festival may determine or reasonably amend the session format, participants, moderator or interviewer, venue, date, time, duration, and approved programme copy, with consultation where reasonably practicable.
You should disclose all technical, staging, presentation, connectivity, and material requirements needed to deliver your proposal. The application specifically allows you to indicate requirements such as microphones, screens, projectors, and other equipment.
Material changes to technical, staging, hospitality, or venue requirements must be disclosed promptly and require written approval from the Festival. Unauthorised purchases or equipment hire remain the applicant’s responsibility.
Not automatically. Any fee or financial support will apply only if confirmed in writing by the Festival.
Travel assistance may be requested, but it is not guaranteed. Any travel support must be expressly confirmed in writing by the Festival.
Accommodation may be requested, but it is not guaranteed. The Festival may arrange economy travel or shared accommodation where applicable.
Bargain Books is the Festival’s exclusive official bookseller.
No, unless the Festival has provided prior written approval. Publishers, authors, agents, and representatives may not sell books directly or appoint another seller without approval.
Cancellations must be communicated in writing immediately. Depending on the circumstances, the participant or publisher may be liable for proven non-refundable costs caused by cancellation, non-performance, or material breach, except where accepted force majeure applies.
Yes. The Festival may reschedule, relocate, change the format, or cancel a session for reasons including safety, venue, operational, funding, programme, or force-majeure circumstances.
Programme Proposal applications close on 29 January 2027. Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Book Submissions close on 15 February 2027. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered.
The 2027 Literature Festival takes place from 6–10 July 2027 at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein campus.
Questions about the Literature Festival application or submission process can be directed to the Literature Festival Coordinator, Mia Kahts, at mia@vrystaatkunstefees.co.za.
