Event Guidelines

Thank you for considering an event with Carmichael’s Bookstore. Please read through the information below. If you still have questions, or would like to pitch an event, you can email our events team at bookevents@carmichaelsbookstore.com.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO HAVE AN EVENT WITH CARMICHAEL’S:

Carmichael’s is always looking for fantastic authors to be hosted in our dedicated event space. You will need to send an event pitch via email to our events team (bookevents@carmichaelsbookstore.com) telling us about the event you’d like to host with us. 

In your event pitch, please include the following:

  • The title of your book
  • The date of publication
  • The ISBN-13 (this number will begin with 978)
  • The publisher
  • A little bit about the book and the author

Keep in mind, Carmichael’s reserves the right to say ‘no’ to any pitch that is not deemed the right fit for our series. 

Author events are closely tied to publication dates. We only accept recently published titles for events, as is the industry standard. Additionally, we cannot do an event for a book we cannot order through Ingram, or that is non-returnable. We will occasionally make exceptions for books we stock on consignment. For questions about our consignment program, click here

When choosing which events to host, we keep many things in mind: the publication date, the availability of the book, our current event schedule, staff availability, the author’s social media presence, the book itself, and many other factors. It is in your best interest to pitch your event ahead of publication, as we are more likely to say yes to books which have not yet been published. The sooner, the better. A number of restrictions may apply and do not reflect upon our interest in your project. 

Please allow us up to 10 business days to consider your proposal. We will respond to all inquiries. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE CARMICHAEL’S TO PROVIDE BOOK SALES AT YOUR EVENT:

Carmichael’s often provides book sales for community events around Louisville. We provide sales at book parties, academic talks, launches, festivals, church events, and more. You will need to tell us a bit about your event. If you are an author or organization looking to provide book sales to your attendees, please send us the information below in your pitch:

  • The titles you want sold
  • The date of your event
  • Expected attendance
  • The address of your venue
  • Will there be wifi available?
  • Will there be parking?
  • Could a table, chair, and wall outlet be provided for the bookseller?
  • Any other information that would help inform how many books we would order and how many staff members we would send. Please send to bookevents@carmichaelsbookstore.com

We cannot guarantee our presence at any event pitched to us. We prioritize our own event series, as well as local, community based events. It is in your best interest to get in contact with us as quickly as possible, as slots fill up. The further out from an event that we hear about it, the more likely we’ll be able to provide book sales.

IF CARMICHAEL’S IS UNABLE TO STAFF YOUR EVENT, we will on occasion be able to provide you with a Sales Kit. This would include books and event supplies that you or a member of your organization could pick up ahead of the event. We would provide a tutorial for how to use our supplies and make sure you feel comfortable with them. It is highly suggested that a volunteer or staff member runs the sales, as the author will be busy promoting their book. Carmichael’s also requests (but does not require) the books be signed when returned to us. Even if books don’t sell at the event, we have the chance to sell them in our store, and signed books help with those sales. We do not guarantee the option for a Sales Kit, and all decisions about providing book sales are left up to the discretion of the events team.

Please allow us up to 10 business days to consider your proposal. We will respond to all inquiries.