Once Upon a Shelf — a spicy 18+ romance reader event at the Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Georgia, on October 16, 2027, hosted by Shelf Love.

Columbus, Georgia — back at the Convention Center — on October 15–16, 2027. Author registration & set-up is Friday, Oct 15, 2:00–8:00 PM; the Reader Event is Saturday, Oct 16, 12:00–6:00 PM. A PJ Meet & Greet for authors is tentatively planned for Friday at 8:00 PM at the Marriott (details to follow).

Tables are 8 feet long:

• Author Standard 8ft — $275: sell only your own books and book-specific merch.
• Author Deluxe 8ft — $300: books plus handmade bookish goods made by you.
• Vendor Only 8ft — $300: general book-related goods.

Each registration includes your 8' table, a black open-back tablecloth (if requested), two chairs (more on request), an event tote, a lanyard, your participant badge, and one assistant badge/lanyard. Prefer your own tablecloth? Bring any color/style. Request a complimentary one at least 2 weeks prior by emailing info@onceuponashelfreaderevent.com. Invoices are sent via Square once your contract is received.

• A non-refundable 50% deposit (table + sponsorship fees) is due upon receipt to hold your table; it applies to your total balance.
• The remaining balance is due per the schedule on your invoice — contact the Host in advance if you need more time.
• A 2% late fee applies to any unpaid balance without an approved arrangement.
• Invoices unpaid more than 30 days past due are canceled and the table offered to the waitlist.
• 7.9% state taxes & fees apply to the invoice total (Square's terms) and are non-refundable.

All fees are non-refundable. To withdraw, email the Host at info@onceuponashelfreaderevent.com to request contract termination — requests made via social media won't be acknowledged. Termination is effective once the Host acknowledges it, and the Host will send a withdrawal statement to sign. Only the Host may transfer a table, to a participant of the Host's choosing, after acknowledging the termination.

Once announced, the event proceeds — the Host will only cancel or postpone for closure of the venue/hotel, a natural disaster, a declared emergency, a pandemic, or another act of God. In those cases the Host will make every reasonable effort to reschedule, and registered participants and paid ticket holders are honored at the next Once Upon a Shelf event. Table and sponsorship fees remain non-refundable regardless.

Every participant contributes SWAG for the VIP reader bags — a minimum of 50 tangible promotional pieces. Paper SWAG (bookmarks, postcards, flyers) is welcome and encouraged, ideally with a QR code to a free or discounted eBook. To reach the full VIP attendee count, 250 pieces is recommended (50 is the minimum). SWAG must be mailed or dropped off by Thursday, or no later than 2:00 PM Friday before the event, as bags are stuffed Friday.

Authors provide three (3) signed copies of their book for the VIP Reader Bags, shipped prior to the event in good, distribution-ready condition. Confirm your title selection and delivery method at least 6 weeks before the event. This requirement is separate from sponsorship and is not optional.

Out-of-town participants may ship to the Host — items must arrive at least 10 days before the event. Ship to:

Leah Taylor, Once Upon a Shelf C/O (Your Name)
80 Jessel Lane, Douglasville, GA 30134

Confirm with the Host before mailing — affirmative confirmation is required (no reply is not approval). The Host will deliver received boxes to your table but isn't responsible for inspecting contents, damage, missing items, or shipping anything back afterward.

Outlets may not be readily available — plan to charge devices with portable battery packs. Generators aren't permitted, and extension cords need prior authorization from the venue. Guest Wi-Fi is available and recommended for card payments (cell service is sparse in the signing room) — just log into the Guest Network, no code needed.

Sponsorships are optional, add exposure, and are non-refundable:

• Golden Ticket Author Participation — $100
• PA Add-On (beyond the first free assistant) — $25
• Bag Sponsor (backside logo, 10 spots) — $250
• Badge Sponsor (front, 1 spot) — $250
• Badge Sponsor (backside logo, 3 spots) — $150
• Snack Sponsorship (8 spots) — $100
• Featured Author — Reader App Main Page (3 spots) — $600
• Featured Author Scrolling Banner (1 spot) — $800
• Model Sponsorship (hotel + travel, at your table half the event, 3 spots) — $600

The VIP reader book requirement is separate and not optional.

Your first assistant badge is free (including a spouse); additional assistants are $25 each and must be noted at registration. Personal Assistants may not sell their own items or advertise other brands. All assistants and guests are bound by the same terms as the participant, and the participant is jointly responsible for any fees or harm they cause.

A lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek card displayed at each table for fun. The scale runs from "Blue Balls" (a.k.a. Hallmark) at the mild end up to "Unholy Literature." It isn't meant to rank or diminish any genre, spice level, or reading preference. If the humor isn't your style, this event may not be the right fit.

Participants may not offer alcohol — open or closed, free or for sale — to anyone on-site. The only exceptions are unopened alcohol in a raffle/giveaway basket or SWAG bag (never poured or in glasses). No alcohol consumption during the signing unless the venue furnishes a bar. A $500 fine applies to violations. Follow the venue's food/drink policy, which the Host communicates in the Welcome Packet.

Participants collect and remit applicable Georgia Sales & Use Tax (Muscogee County: 9%) on goods sold at their table. Forms are included in the Welcome Kit, with more at gtc.dor.ga.gov.

Be punctual and courteous, follow the schedule and all policies, and wear your badge and appropriate attire at all times. Harassment, discrimination, or disruptive conduct won't be tolerated and may result in immediate removal without a refund. The full anti-discrimination/harassment policy is at shelfloveatlanta.com/pages/anti-harassment-discrimination-policy.

Yes — Once Upon a Shelf is an 18+ romance reader event with adult content, language, and suggestive merchandise, and may include items not suitable for children under 16. Participants who bring children under 16 must keep them at their table at all times, or ensure they're accompanied by an adult if they leave the table. The Host doesn't make parenting decisions for attendees.

Set-up is Friday, Oct 15, 2:00–8:00 PM. Do not break down before the time announced by the Host. After the event, clean your table area, remove all trash and items (trash bags are in the Welcome Kit), and vacate the expo room per the posted schedule.

You may place one standing banner beside or behind your table (banners that hang off or sit on the table are also fine). No glitter at the Convention Center, and avoid heavy fragrances, open flames, or ignoring staff instructions. Table raffles/giveaways are allowed only to drive newsletter sign-ups and may never require a purchase or payment to enter.

By participating, you grant the Host the right to photograph you and your property and use those images (with or without your name) for publicity, advertising, and web content. Neither the Host nor the venue is responsible for safekeeping — secure any unattended books or merchandise. The venue is locked after each day, but no one is liable for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

You're responsible for staying up to date. Please:

• Join the official Once Upon a Shelf Reader Event Author Facebook Group
• Whitelist info@onceuponashelfreaderevent.com so emails don't go to spam
• Read all event emails and Author Group posts (monthly, increasing near the event)
• Check the Participant portal on the website, where policies, deadlines, and FAQs live

The portal password is in your welcome email — don't share it with readers or non-attending participants (you may share it with your Personal Assistant). The Host isn't responsible for missed deadlines or communications caused by not following these steps.

• 50% non-refundable deposit — due upon receipt of invoice
• Remaining balance — per the payment schedule on your invoice
• VIP book titles & delivery method — confirmed at least 6 weeks before the event
• 3 signed VIP books — shipped prior to the event (allow shipping time; 6 weeks preferred)
• Shipped table materials — received at least 10 days before the event
• SWAG (50+ pieces) — by Thursday, or no later than 2:00 PM Friday
• Author registration & set-up — Friday, Oct 15, 2:00–8:00 PM
• Reader Event — Saturday, Oct 16, 12:00–6:00 PM