Why do I mail my book to a Los Angeles address? Our main headquarters is based in Los Angeles, although our judges are located in many places.

Are books from any publication date eligible? Yes. We feel that the overcrowded publishing marketplace overlooks many fine works. Thus, our goal is to spotlight works that deserve another look without the artificial constraint of a specific year of publication.

How do you manage to read all the books that are submitted? We review entries on an ongoing basis, comparing earlier entries with later arrivals. Our judges are constantly arguing the merits of the works, and many last-minute submissions have won our past events.

I’ve never heard of this event. How do I know this is not a scam? JM Northern Media has been in business since 1999 and produces national events in Los Angeles, New York, London and other major cities. Our properties include the DIY Convention, Hollywood Book Festival and New York Book Festival.

I have a book that doesn’t fit any of the recommended categories. Where should I put it? We attempt in all our contests to avoid having a category for every possibility. Thus, if you feel your book does not fit in one of our general categories, please enter it as a "wild card" which is designed for books that do not neatly fit into other areas.

Is this festival affiliated with the Southern Festival of Books? No, that is another festival that is held in Nashville in the Fall. We are a different event.