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Frequently Asked Questions​

Festival of Books 2025 Logo

Frequently Asked Questions​

See you soon!

The nation’s largest literary event will be back for our 30th anniversary, April 26-27, on the lovely campus of the University of Southern California. Join us for one-on-one conversations, exciting panels, readings by your favorite authors, musical performances, TV and movie screenings and so much more!

FAQ

Q. What is the Festival of Books?

A. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books began in 1996 with a simple goal: to bring together the people who create books with the people who love to read them. The festival was an immediate success and has evolved to include live bands, poetry readings, film screenings and artists creating their work on-site.

Q. Where is the Festival?

A. The Festival of Books takes place on the University of Southern California campus. USC is located in the University Park neighborhood of downtown L.A. near such attractions as the California Science Center, the Natural History Museum, the Exposition Rose Garden and the California African American Museum.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books spans nearly the entire 226-acre USC Campus. The event does not provide wheelchair rentals or motorized transportation. If fatigue is a concern, please consider planning ahead and bringing a wheelchair or other aids.

Q. Who attends the festival?

A. The festival attracts approximately 160,000 people of all ages each year from Southern California and all around the country.

Q. How much is admission?

A. General admission to the festival grounds at USC is free. There is a small reservation fee for indoor panel tickets. Certain additional events during the festival may require a paid ticket.

Q. Is there a waitlist or standby line for indoor events?

A. Standby lines are formed at each indoor festival venue and, if seats are still available at the start of an indoor program, guests from the standby line will be allowed in without a ticket.

Q. Do I need a ticket to attend an outdoor stage event?

A. No. Outdoor programming on stages does not require a ticket.

Q. When can I reserve tickets for the 2025 event at USC?

A. Advance tickets and Friend of the Festival packages (which include other benefits) will become available in February 2025, with early reservations opening in March. Keep an eye on our website for more details.

Q. Can I ask authors questions during the events?

A. Traditionally, microphones are set up in the venue aisles so that attendees may line up and ask participants questions.

Q. How do I buy the authors’ books?

A. You can purchase copies of the authors’ books from booksellers set up near each signing area.

Q. Can I bring my own books?

A. Yes, you can bring books from home. However, we strongly encourage you to purchase at least one book from the festival booksellers at the signing areas before getting in the signing lines. Purchasing books at the festival is a way you can directly support the independent booksellers that make up such a large and important part of the festival and our communities.

Q. Will authors sign their books?

A. Most authors will sign their books after the panel/presentation. However, we cannot guarantee that every author will sign. Each guest may have no more than three books signed at a time before having to go back and rejoin the line for additional book-signing requests.

Tip: While you are waiting, write the name of the person you’d like the book inscribed to on a piece of paper for correct spelling.

Q. How can authors participate in a panel or other program this year?

A. Public submissions are now open — you may submit your participant application here. Please note that due to the volume of submissions received, we are not able to respond to each one.

Q. I was contacted about participating by a company outside of the L.A. Times. Are they legitimate?

A. We work with many exhibitors and independent authors, but be cautious of deceptive practices. For official exhibitor information, visit the exhibitor registration page and view our list of official 2025 exhibitors. You can also find more information on vanity presses and author services here.

A. We work with many exhibitors and independent authors, but be cautious of deceptive practices. For official exhibitor information, visit the exhibitor registration page and view our list of official 2025 exhibitors. You can also find more information on vanity presses and author services here.

Q. Does USC have a sustainability plan?

A. USC's sustainability commitments include eliminating single-use plastic beverage bottles from campus. Since July 2022, USC has prevented over 1.5M plastic beverage bottles from entering the waste stream. The University has installed numerous hydration stations to help reduce the use of plastic water bottles. So, please consider bringing your own reusable container for water. To learn more about USC’s efforts, please visit their website.

Q. Do you have a lost and found service?

A. All items found during and after the festival are turned in to USC’s Department of Public Safety. Items are kept for a total of 90 days. If you have lost an item, call DPS at (213) 740-9759.

Q. Who should I contact for special accommodations at the event?

A. If you need special accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please contact eventinfo@latimes.com. The festival spans the 226-acre USC Campus with multiple points of entry. If fatigue is a concern, please consider planning ahead and bringing a wheelchair or other aids.

The event does not provide wheelchair rentals or motorized transportation.

Q. How do I contact you?

A. For general information, please contact eventinfo@latimes.com.

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