DivBookFest is a children’s literature festival showcasing diverse voices and their stories. It will be an open space to celebrate marginalized experiences and stories written by diverse authors.

This auction will help raise money to run the festival so it can be accessible to everyone. Authors and publishing professionals have donated signed ARCs, critiques, original art, and more to be auctioned off between Feb 10, 2020 12:01AM ET – Feb 16, 2020 11:59PM ET. We have items like signed books by your favorite authors like Samira Ahmed, Randy Ribay and Jennifer Niven! ARCs for your most anticipated upcoming books! Query and Manuscript critiques from authors, agents, and editors! And more! Scroll down to check out the types of items we have available for auction!

Rules and Information:

• If you see something you’d like to bid on, then write in the comments of that post with your bid. 
  • All bidding must take place between February 10, 2020 12:01AM ET and February 16, 2020 11:59PM ET
  • Starting bid minimums are listed on each item. Bids should not be in increments less than $1 USD. (if you’re donating from outside the United States HERE is info on donating via GoFundMe)
• Once the auction closes you will be informed if you have a winning bid. You will then have 72 hours to donate that amount to the DivBookFest GoFundMe.
  • Please send a screenshot of your donation to [email protected] as proof. (If you do not reply within 72 hours, then the next highest bid will be considered the winner)
  • If you won an item then we will ask for your mailing address and pass it to the person providing the item (please take note that on each post under “details” it denotes if an item is US only, US/Can, or intl)
  • If you won a service or critique then we will pass your email address to the person providing it and they will reach out to you.
• If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]

Our Mission and Goals

Bring together book lovers in a festival centered around celebrating diverse voices and marginalized experiences

• Help young people celebrate their diverse identities through stories and books
• Showcase books from marginalized voices in kidlit**
• Illuminate authors from backgrounds historically underrepresented in publishing
• Open the conversation about diversity*
• Create a space to celebrate diversity*
• Bring authentic diverse stories to readers from marginalized backgrounds

Our hope is that DivBookFest will allow readers from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in literature to take pride in their identities, and to build greater empathy and understanding from allies. The inaugural DivBookFest will take place in Chicago on September 26, 2020!

*Adopted from the DVPit definition of diversity: We recognize all diverse identities and experiences including (but not limited to): Native peoples and people of color; people living and/or born/raised in underrepresented cultures and countries; disabled persons (including neurodiverse); people on marginalized ends of the cultural and/or religious spectrum; people identifying within LGBTQIA+; and more.

(Note: Though DivBookFest is supported by #dvpit it is not directly affiliated or run by dvpit)**though kidlit can encompass anything from picture books to young adult, we will be focusing on middle grade and young adult age categories for the inaugural festival