Frequently Asked Questions

Who's behind the festival?
The ^SCBook Festival is a program of the The Humanities Council^SC, a not-for-profit organization and the state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities: inspiring, engaging, and enriching South Carolinians with literature, history, culture and heritage. The Humanities Council^SC is one of 56 other state humanities councils across the nation in each state and territory. THC^SC serves the state of SC with programs, grants, and interesting festivals focusing on the humanities. (www.schumanities.org) The ^SCBook Festival is sponsored and funded by numerous state agencies including the SC State Library and the SC Arts Commission, literary-minded groups, media outlets, businesses, foundations, institutes of higher learning, and individuals. Please see our sponsors page for a complete list of supporters or to find out how you may contribute.
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When and where does the festival take place?
The Book Festival will begin Friday, February 26, with our Opening Night Cocktail Party and featured Master Classes. The free events will be held on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28. All events take place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center located at 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC . Please refer to our schedule page for more details.
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Is there a charge to attend?
No. Admission is FREE. ^SCBook Festival Saturday and Sunday events are free and open to the public (parking arrangements are free at the CMCC parking lot, but be prepared to pay about $5 in overflow parking). There is a charge to participate in our Master Classes (registration required, see link on our site and upcoming announcements) and to attend the Opening Night Reception, both of which take place on Friday during the festival weekend. For information on the Master Classes registration or tickets for the Opening Night Reception, please see our schedule page.
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How can I participate as an author?
Author appearances at the festival are by invitation only. The submission of materials does not guarantee selection. Please consider that an invitation one year does not guarantee that an author will be invited back every year.

If you would like to be considered, please send the following to Author Selection – South Carolina Book Festival, P.O. Box 5287, Columbia, SC 29250 -- a copy of your work(s), press kit, bio, publisher information, letter of introduction (email versions of these materials will not be accepted). While early submission does not guarantee a spot on the festival roster, it does help. Click here for Author Submission Guidelines.
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Can I volunteer?
Sure! We rely on an army of volunteers to make our festival run as smoothly as possible, and we can always use another interested, hard-working book lover. To sign up, please read this information. And thank you in advance.
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How do I get to the festival locations?
Check out Travel & Lodging for a map with pinpointed festival venues and their addresses.
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I'm coming from out of town. Where should I stay?
Downtown Columbia hotels and motels include:

• Hilton Columbia Center, 924 Senate St., Columbia, SC, (803) 744-7800

• Hampton Inn, 822 Gervais St., 800-426-7866 (1-800-HAMPTON) or 803-231-2000 www.hamptoninncolumbia.com

• Clarion Town House, 1615 Gervais St., 803-771-8711 www.clariontownhouse.com

• The Marriot, 1200 Hampton St., 803-771-7000

• Claussen's Inn, 2003 Greene St., 803-765-0440

• Comfort Suites Downtown 803-601-9330, 501 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201

• Holiday Inn, 630 Assembly St., 800-465-4329

• Riverside Inn, 111 Knox Abbott Dr., 866-988-3335

• The Whitney, 700 Woodrow St., 800-637-4008
  

Check out Travel & Lodging

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How can I pay for reception tickets, vendor space, or simply make a donation?
Please send your check, payable to "^SCBook Festival," to ^SCBook Festival, Reception Tickets, P.O. Box 5287, Columbia, SC 29250. Be sure to note why you're sending the check, quantities (if applicable), and contact info in case of a problem. We also accept payment online from major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. To pay online for reception tickets, vendor space, or donations, go to the appropriate part of the Web site and click on the credit card logos.
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How do I register for the Master Classes?
Information about Master Classes will be announced at a later date. Stay tuned to our Updates page.

For further information about Master Classes, please click here. Remember, classes are subject to change or to reach capacity, so check back frequently.
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How can I find out when my favorite authors will be appearing?
Please refer to our schedule page, and be sure to check back often for updates and changes.
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How can I get more information on the authors?
A bibliography for each writer is located on our authors page. Additional information can be found using your favorite search engine or using one of our provided links on the authors page.
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When will the authors sign their books?
Authors will sign books in the Exhibit Hall during the hour immediately following their presentations. Please see the schedule on this Web site and consult the programs given out at the event. Also, please note that several authors will be signing at additional times besides after their presentations throughout the weekend as well.
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Is there a limit on the number of books I can get signed?
No. However, readers waiting to have more than three books signed by a single author will be asked to move to the end of the line. We ask that you respect others in line with you and limit each time to the front to 3 copies. You are welcome to go back to the end of the line and wait for another chance for the author to sign.
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Can I bring books from home to be signed?
Yes, but we encourage you to take a look at what our many booksellers have to offer, too.
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How can I get a festival program?
Printed programs will be available at the festival, but we will be handing them out as soon as you enter the festival. For a complete list of events, which is updated regularly, please refer to our schedule page, and feel free to print it out.
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How can I get a festival poster?
Posters for the festival are used primarily for promotional purposes, so "extras" will not be made available for sale until the weekend of the festival. Upon arrival at the festival, check with the The Humanities CouncilSC Information Desk about buying a poster. Sorry, we do not sell or mail out posters in advance for the current year. However, you can email us and we will be glad to give you information about purchasing a poster from previous years.
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Which exhibitors will be at the festival?
The festival features antiquarian book dealers, new booksellers, publishers, literary groups, self-published authors, private presses, and literary magazines. For a more complete list, check out our exhibitors page.
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Will there be food at the festival?
Yes. The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center operates a concession stand in the Exhibit Hall. The Convention Center is located in the Congaree Vista (or just simply in the Vista) where several locally owned restaurants are located within walking distance.
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Is there plenty of parking at the festival?
Yes. Parking for the ^SCBook Festival is located in the parking lots all around the Convention Center, including remote lots at the Riverfront Parking lot off of Huger Street. Be prepared to pay about $5.00 for parking lots or at meters throughout the Vista Area, but we hope you can find a free one! We will offer a free shuttle service from parking lots that are beyond normal walking distance, so keep you eyes open for the tour bus for your ride to the CMCC for the book festival.
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