Vaughan Public Libraries provides opportunities for local authors to promote their new books and interact with the library’s customers. Regular Local Author Showcases provide free space to three or four local authors at a time, in a high-visibility venue, to help increase book promotion and visibility and to help weave links within our local writing community. Every two years, VPL also hosts Bookfest – a celebration of all things books – which includes workshops and activities of interest to the general public as well as a large-scale local author showcase to highlight the breadth and depth of writing in Vaughan.

Applying to take part in a regular local author showcase

Vaughan Public Libraries provides free space, in the lobby of our three resource libraries, to local authors so that they can hold book signings and promotional activities. These events are called Local Author Showcases. Local authors of all ages are encouraged to participate. Please note that:

• Each Local Author Showcase highlights up to four (4) local authors at a time.
• To qualify as a "local author" of VPL, an author must be a current resident of York Region, Peel Region or the City of Toronto.
• Local authors are only eligible to participate in one (1) Local Author Showcase per book title.
• A Local Author Showcase is held at a pre-established time at one of VPL’s three resource libraries (Bathurst Clark, Civic Centre, and Pierre Berton) on a monthly, rotating basis.
• Applications should be submitted as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for promotion and to improve the odds of being selected for a space at your desired location or time.

To participate, local authors must complete the Local Author Showcase Application form online.

How long does it take to hear back?

You will be notified about the status of your application via email within 1 week.

What happens if my application is approved?

• Once you are selected to participate in a Local Author Showcase, our staff will contact you with all the information you need to attend and to get the most out of the experience.
• You will have the opportunity to sell your published works during the Local Author Showcase, but no solicitation is permitted.
• VPL will promote your participation in the Local Author Showcase on our social media prior to the event. Other forms of VPL-designed promotion may occur but are not guaranteed. For how to work with VPL’ Marketing Department to promote your works on social media, please reference our Social Media Tip Sheet.