The BookFest® returns for its 5th biannual virtual event on April 2 and 3, 2022, with the inaugural BookFest Awards. Industry icon Irwin Zucker, founder of the Book Publicists of SoCal and president of Promotion in Motion Public Relations, will receive the first Honorary Achievement Award on April 3. All winners of The BookFest Awards Spring 2022 will also be announced then. (The BookFest, 2022)

The executive BookFest Awards judging committee includes Elaine Ash, Celeste S. Duckworth, Flo Selfman, and Elliott Wolf. The BookFest Awards honors outstanding books published within the last five years, extending it from three years. Due to lockdowns and social distancing, Desireé Duffy, founder of The BookFest, felt it was important to highlight books that may not have seen the recognition deserved.

“The BookFest Awards honors outstanding literary achievement. Saluting writers and connecting them with readers is the mission of The BookFest. We welcome submissions and look forward to honoring many deserving books and authors this spring. Plus, we are beyond thrilled to cast a spotlight on someone who is a friend and mentor of mine, and an inspiration to the entire industry, Mr. Irwin Zucker.” – Desireé Duffy

Award winners and those receiving honorable mentions will receive a downloadable certificate, awards graphic, and recognition on The BookFest website. Third, second, first, and top winners will receive special recognition through Books That Make You media placements, social media, the radio and podcast show, and public relations. Optional awards certificates and trophies are also available for purchase to winners and honorable mentions.

Books submitted to The BookFest Awards are evaluated with a three-round judging system: first by an expert vetting team to ensure submitted work meets necessary criteria, then by The BookFest associate judging committee, and then final determinations are made by the executive BookFest Awards judging committee.

As is tradition, day one of The BookFest is geared toward readers and features Live Author Chats and programming to spark the imagination of everyone who loves to read. Day two focuses on writers and features the “Brave New Writer,” and the “Critiki-Bar” interactive live panels. Panel discussions, Conversations, the highly anticipated Big Bundle of Books Giveaway, and many other favorites will also happen at The BookFest Spring 2022.

The Pitching Room is a space on The BookFest website for writers to submit their manuscript pitches to potentially be matched with literary agents and publishing decision-makers. In addition to possibly securing an agent or book deal through the Pitching Room, authors may also request to be considered for “Critiki-Bar” or “Brave New Writer” at The BookFest Adventure.

Attendees can browse “Virtual Booths,” which are pages for BookFest sponsors, like a physical booth one might find at a festival. There is also a “Books Page” highlighting books from participants. The BookFest organizers encourage attendees to browse books and support the authors and sponsors who help bring this free-to-attend event to attendees around the globe.

The complete programming list and speakers will be available on the website. They will also be officially announced in a future press release and through email notifications to BookFest subscribers. The BookFest is produced by Black Château Enterprises and presented by Bookstagrammers, a platform dedicated to book influencers, and by Books That Make You, a bookish brand for bibliophiles.

The live stream will be available at TheBookFest.com on the day of the event. It will also stream through the Books That Make You Channel on YouTube and Facebook Page. Hashtags include #TheBookFest and #TheBookFestSpring2022 and social media for Black Château and Books That Make You will help spread the word.

The BookFest is the leader in virtual literary events and produces vital conversations on the world’s stage for those who love to read, and those who love to write. It launched May 2020 at a time when lockdown forced many live events to be cancelled. A free event, the biannual event happens in the spring and fall, and streams panel discussions, conversations, and live interactive sessions. As an award winner, The BookFest has recognitions from the Webby Awards with a nomination in 2021, a gold award from the Muse Creative Awards in 2020, and a silver award from the w3 Awards in 2020. The BookFest features an array of literary speakers, experts, and authors, which has included: Mitch Albom; Kevin J. Anderson; Mark Coker; Robert G. Diforio; Cheryl Willis Hudson; Wade Hudson; Sarah Kendzior; Jonathan Maberry; Lisa Morton; James Rollins; Connie Schultz; Michael Shermer; Mark K. Shriver; Danny Trejo; Helene Wecker; Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, and many others. The BookFest is presented by Books That Make You and produced by Black Château Enterprises.