What is the Scribble House Lit Fest?

The Scribble House Lit Fest is a place where writers and readers can meet some of the incredible publishers that call the Pittsburgh region home.

The core of the festival is the book fair, where folks can chat with the editors from local presses and journals, get books signed by local independent authors, and check out all the cool stuff both groups publish. There will be other literary happenings and activities throughout the day, like:

Readings from local authors
Q&As with press and journal editors
An open mic
An asynchronous Silent Workshop
Quick Pitch sessions with editors
Writing prompts (and a space to share what they inspire you to write)

...plus you can win free books and other bookish things in the raffle and punch card prize wheel! You can click the links above to jump to info on a specific activity, or keep scrolling to see the full schedule. And if you want to sign up for the Lit Fest as a participant or an attendee, you can use the links below:

Update 9/13: The independent author spaces and reading slots have officially been filled! We've opened up a wait-list that we'll reach out to if any spots open up. If you'd like to get on it, you can email ScribbleHousePGH@gmail.com.

Many thanks to our media partner Littsburgh for helping to spread the word about the Lit Fest (and everything they do to support literary Pittsburgh!).


Tables stocked & staffed by local publishers & authors where you can buy books and chat with writers & editors.	Schedule a 10-minute slot to chat one-on-one with an editor.	Read & comment on others' work, or get feedback from a variety of writers & readers, without the pressure of an in-person workshop.	Get punches for buying books, pitching work, and other activities, then turn in a completed card to spin the wheel and win prizes.

	The 2026 Lit Fest officially opens its doors! The book fair is open for business.
	Reading from local authors (check back in the fall to see the list of readers)
	Parsec Showcase: Triangulation Editors Q&A Hear from the team behind the yearly Triangulation Anthology about their plans for the 23rd anthology, which will be opening for submissions in November (this year's theme: "Leviathan"). You'll also hear about Parsec's other programs, like the long-running Confluence Conference, monthly events, and Write or Die workshop group.
	Editor Q&A: Peek Behind the Curtain: The Realities of Publishing Have you ever wondered what an editor's work actually looks like? Learn what all goes into putting a book together and what it's like to be an editor and publisher of creative work. Audience members will have the chance to ask questions at the end.
	Reading from local authors (ditto to the above)
	Editor Q&A: The Future of Publishing There have been a lot of changes in literary publishing in the last few years, from shifts in how readers find books to the rise of AI. Hear editors' thoughts on where the publishing industry is headed. Moderated panel followed by audience questions.
	Open Mic sign-ups open. Raffle drawing (learn more about the raffle in the Festival FAQ)
	The Open Mic starts! The book fair and pop-up bookstore are officially closed for business.

The Scribble House Lit Fest bookfair will feature small presses, literary journals, independent authors, and other folks who publish creative work in Western PA, along with vendors of bookish things. Registration is open for folks who want to participate in the Lit Fest. Click the buttons below if you want to sign up:

Update 9/13: We currently have 15 publishers, 2 booksellers, and 17 independent authors confirmed for this year's festival (with more to come shortly!). You can see who's signed up so far below. Click an image to check out the organization's website or hover over it to see a brief description.

Independent Authors at the 2026 Lit Fest

Em S. A’cor is an award-winning author of medical romance and Gen X romance. She steals hearts with her books, Twitter Crush and Twitter Flames. She sets her stories about midlife love in the Steel City against a medical backdrop. You’ll find her south of Pittsburgh, where she takes on the world one word at a time.	Joshua David Bellin (he/they) is a retired university professor who writes genre-blending literary and speculative fiction. Lately, under the pen name of J. D. Byeli, they've been experimenting with invented history in all its forms: alternate history, adaptations and retellings, found narratives, fictional biography, and more.
tommy wyatt blake (they/he) is a multi-nominated Pushcart and Best of the Net poet. they have several books, including NECROPIA (dogleech books), AMERICANAPOCALYPSE (Rockwood Press), FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT! (Troublemaker Firestarter), Trick Mirror or Your Computer Screen (fifth wheel press), and others. their work often navigates topics such as trauma, queerness, popular culture, time, and disability. he is currently synthesizing digital archives, space voids, and confines of the body. you can find him online @tommywyattblake.	Chiina, with 2 Eyes... The better to see you with. Bloodmire, like Vampire, a hybrid witch. She's a "Queens" born wordsmith, Thrivin' in gritty life; mixed with magical ish... Her Voice is urban and graffiti... a lil deep... Storytellin' with the rhythm of city streets... Chai's been writing mythical fiction and urban lit for over 20 years and crafting poetry in the dark for over 15.... She prefers to let her pen talk, let the ink bleed...
Ann Chiappetta is a poet and writer with clairvoyant tendencies whose innermost desire is to be reincarnated as a beloved labrador retriever. Ann’s poems and stories have appeared internationally in literary journals, popular online blogs, and print anthologies. Independently published since 2016, her six-volume collection includes poetry, creative nonfiction essays, short stories and contemporary fiction.	Stephani Damato is an author and educator in western Pennsylvania. She primarily writes urban fantasy and poetry. You can connect with her on Instagram @StephaniDamato.
Susan Helene Gottfried is the heavy-metal-loving, not-disabled enough divorced Jewish mother of two. A freelance line editor to authors of fiction by day, her select roster of clients tend to hit bestseller lists, and more than a few have quit their day jobs. It’s not entirely her doing, but like does attract like. As an author, she focuses on contemporary fiction, loving the challenge of creating great characters who build community in unexpected places and unexpected ways. Susan holds a BA and MFA in English Writing and Fiction, respectively. She lives with a couple cats in the Pittsburgh suburbs, just West of Mars. She’s a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and Pennwriters and is the recipient of a 2024 Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator grant. Visit her at westofmars.com.	Beck Grey is an author of LGBTQ+ lower-angst romance, writing inclusive happily ever afters, because we all deserve to see characters like us find happiness. Incognito worker bee by day, Beck spends evenings and weekends devoted to writing stories involving hot characters, favorite tropes, and happy endings. If you love character driven stories that feel real, without the heavy trauma, you’ve found your place. Welcome.
Katey Hawthorne loves queer romance. Originally from the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia, she currently lives in Pittsburgh with her family of one other human and many furry creatures. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, comic books, B-movies, loud music, video games, Epiphones, and Bushmills. Her favorite causes include animal rescue and bisexual representation in media. She is an unashamed fangirl and collects nerdy tattoos like she’s trying to prove it.	Larry Ivkovich’s short speculative fiction has been published in thirty online and print publications. A finalist in the L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future contest, Larry was also the 2010 recipient of the CZP/Rannu Fund award for fiction. He has four novels and a novella traditionally published with IFWG Publishing International and 7 self-published works. Larry is a member of Parsec and SFWA and lives in Coraopolis, PA with his beautiful and talented wife Martha.
Jamie Lackey lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and their cats. She has had over 200 short stories published in places like Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Apex Magazine, and Escape Pod. She has two novellas and two short story collections available from Air and Nothingness Press, and she’s created eight successful crowdfunding campaigns to self-publish a novel, four novellas, a novelette, and four short story collections. In addition to writing, she spends her time reading, playing tabletop RPGs, baking, mushroom hunting, and hiking. You can find her online at www.jamielackey.com.	Karie Luidens is an award-winning writer and artist with roots in upstate New York and West Michigan. Her personal and political essays have been featured everywhere from niche literary magazines to international news outlets, and her paintings have hung in juried exhibitions across multiple cities. She has also served as an arts and culture reporter for several regional publications in New Mexico. 2024 marked the publication of her first book, In the End: A Memoir about Faith and a Novel about Doubt. She currently lives in Pennsylvania, where she maintains an active creative practice.
Danielle McMahon is the author of four poetry chapbooks and two micro-chaps. Her latest chapbook, irl, can be purchased from Stanchion Books. Author website: d-mcmahon-writes.net. Bluesky @dehm000.bsky.social. Instagram: @dehm000.	John R. Muth is fascinated by the world and the things that make us all tick. He’s been published in The Air and Nothingness Press anthology Our Dust Earth, Hyphenpunk Magazine, Sometimes Hilarious Horror, and the Creepy Podcast. His graphic novel and comics work is published through Ridiculous Endeavor Press. Find out more at www.johnrmuth.com.
Janet Roberts is a former global leader in cybersecurity education and award winning novelist. Her books are set partially in Western PA, where her roots run deep. Her readers know to expect a female character who awakens to the discovery of her own inner strength while facing adversity. Wired For Magic (2026) and What Lies We Keep (2024) include elements of cybersecurity. A member of Women's Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) and PGH Sisters in Crime, she lives in Pittsburgh and loves travel, wandering through bookstores, reading on her porch swing, and sharing a bottle of wine with friends. Find her at Substack or Instagram @janetroberts77.	Through humor and personal stories, this memoir, Learn More than You Teach: Becoming a Leader In a Diverse World explores an approach to life that promotes dignity and respect for all. Veteran teacher Dr. Susan Smith writes of experiences as an elementary teacher, Peace Corps volunteer, missionary, and leader who seeks to support those she works with as they take ownership of their learning. Through humor and personal stories, this memoir, Learn More than You Teach: Becoming a Leader In a Diverse World explores an approach to life that promotes dignity and respect for all. Participants can recognize themselves in the text and/or learn a new approach to working with others. Come explore teaching and interacting with people at the intersection of education, culture, and language.
Michael Thornhill M.A. is an AfroCuban author, consultant, and recovering DEI practitioner whose work powerfully excavates the layered realities of race, erasure, tokenism, and mixed identity in North America. Adopted and raised in Coral Springs, Florida, and later coming of age in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Michael brings a deeply personal lens to his critique of systems that demand performance while erasing personhood. As a neurodivergent thinker and somatic strategist, he approaches both writing and consulting with a unique blend of pattern recognition, anthropological clarity, and trauma-informed precision. His voice is as incisive as it is human - cutting through platitudes with bold truth-telling, yet always rooted in the dignity & complexity of lived experience. Through books, workshops, and public dialogue, this indie-author offers language for what so many have lived but never named. Whether on the page or in the room, he creates space for those brave enough to be heard—to feel seen, called in, and called into community. His work is not just read — it is felt.

What Are Quick Pitch Sessions?

Quick Pitch sessions are a chance for writers to pitch their work directly to the editors of local journals or presses. For $10, you get 10 minutes with the editor to tell them about your manuscript and why you think they're the right ones to publish it.

Registration for Quick Pitch sessions will open in the fall. If you want to get an email when the Quick Pitch sessions are available, you can pre-register for the Lit Fest using the link below:

What's a Silent Workshop?

Ever been to a silent auction? It's like that, but for feedback!

Writers who sign up for the Silent Workshop will submit up to 5 pages of poetry, prose, or any other word-type creation. When folks come to the festival, they can read the submitted work in either a print or digital form, then leave written comments. Then, after the festival, the Scribble House crew gathers up the feedback and sends it along to the writers.

Sign-ups for the Silent Workshop will open in the fall. You can pre-register for the Lit Fest to get an email when they do!

Lit Fest FAQ

Is there a cost to attend the Scribble House Lit Fest?

Nope! The only part of the festival that costs money are the Quick Pitch sessions, which are $10 each to register for. Everything else is free.

Who is the Scribble House Lit Fest for?

Anyone who likes reading and/or writing! For readers, it's an opportunity for readers to meet storytellers from the region and find some cool new books to read. There are also lots of activities Many of the activities are designed for writers, and that's primarily who we had in mind when we decided to put the event together. We also hope it'll be a fun opportunity for local publishers to meet, mingle, and learn from/about each other, and that book lovers who want to discover new local things to read, or hear what things are like behind the scenes, will enjoy perusing the book fair and sitting in on the editor Q&As.

Do I need to register in advance to attend?

Nope! Anyone who shows up can peruse the book fair and listen to the readings and editor Q&As. You do need to register in advance to submit work for the Silent Workshop, or to send a work sample to an editor for a Quick Pitch session. You'll also get a free raffle ticket if you register before the day of the event.

How much are tickets for the raffle?

Attendees who register in advance will get one raffle ticket free, and can win additional free raffle tickets from the prize wheel. You can also buy raffle tickets, both in advance or the day of the event, for $3 each, 2 for $5, or 5 for $10.

What kinds of things can I win in the raffle?

Books, of course! The raffle items are things published by the organizations and authors participating in the Lit Fest.

Do I need to be physically present to win something in the raffle?

You do need to attend the lit fest to have your ticket entered in the raffle - if you register in advance but don't attend, you won't be able to win. As long as you show up at some point before the drawing, though, you don't need to be there right when it's happening.

Will there be other stuff to do besides buying books?

Indeed! There will be readings and editor Q&As scheduled sporadically throughout the festival, along with self-serve writerly activities like the Silent Workshop and writing prompts. This year we will also have an open mic to wrap up the event.

Publisher FAQ

Who is eligible to participate as a publisher?

Any publisher of creative work that is based in or has a strong connection to Western Pennsylvania. This includes independent small presses, literary journals, and magazines, as well as ones affiliated with universities. Groups like nonprofit literary organizations or community workshop groups that publish books like anthologies or craft books are also welcome to register for a table. Note that we're not sticklers about the state line--publishers based in northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio are also welcome, as long as your home base is within roughly 100 miles of Pittsburgh.

Do I need to publish print books or issues to participate?

Online journals and ebook publishers are welcome, too! That said, it would be ideal if you have something for readers and writers to engage with at your table (though it doesn't need to be something for sale--it could be an activity like a writing prompt or blackout exercise, or printouts of work from your online issues to read, etc.)

Does it cost anything to register for a table?

Nope! It's free for publishers to participate.

Am I required to participate in an editor Q&A if I sign up for a table?

No. Editors are encouraged to participate in one of the Q&As, but it isn't mandatory.

Can local authors I've published read or sign books at the Lit Fest?

Yes and yes! We'll have two scheduled readings during the festival along with the open mic at the end, and authors of participating presses are invited to take part in all (they can snag a spot using the Reader Sign-up Form. Individual authors can also register for table space for half or all of the festival if they want to sign books.

Am I required to donate something to the raffle if I sign up for a table?

No, donating to the raffle is optional (though we greatly appreciate it if you do have something to donate!).

Am I required to offer Quick Pitch sessions if I sign up for a table?

No, the Quick Pitch Sessions are completely optional - we know that not everyone who publishes work is always looking for new unsolicited manuscripts. When you sign up, you'll have the choice to offer anywhere from 0 to 10 sessions throughout the lit fest, and you'll be paid $7 for each session that an attendee registers for.

Vendor FAQ

What is the cost to be a vendor?

Vendors can register for $50 if they bring their own table (up to 8'). To use a festival table, it's $50 for a half-table (4 feet of table space) or $75 for a full table.

Can I bring other shelving or displays?

Absolutely! Just as long as it fits within the same space as a typical 8' table.

Will vendor spaces have electrical outlets?

We may be able to provide these for a limited number of vendors, but it is not guaranteed. If you would like to request outlet access, let us know how many and what you need them for in the "requests or other information" section of the vendor application.

What can I sell at the Scribble House Lit Fest?

In general, books and things related to them. All items for sale at the Lit Fest should be of interest to readers and writers. This can include writerly tools like notebooks and pens, or literary-themed items like jewelry, apparel, home decor, etc. (for example, earrings shaped like books, coffee mugs with famous quotes from books, etc.). If you're not sure whether your items would be a good fit for the Lit Fest, email us at ScribbleHousePGH@gmail.com and we'll let you know.

When will accepted vendors be notified?

We'll start reviewing vendor applications in August. After that, we will review and accept/reject applications on a rolling basis until all slots are filled or the final deadline of November 1st, 2026. We will close the application and open a wait list if we fill our spaces before November 1st.

Indie Author FAQ

Is there a fee to sell books at the pop-up book store?

Nope! It's free to register for a table.

How much space will I get?

Each author will get half of an 8-foot table (4 feet of table space).

Can I bring signs, displays, or shelves?

Anything that fits on top of your table is fair game (as long as you're not encroaching on your neighbor). You can also bring standing signs that fit behind your table.

What kind of books can I sell?

Anything that you've written and published yourself, or have had published with an independent small press. You can also sell multi-author anthologies, as long as you were involved either as an author or the editor.

Some examples of what would be eligible would be things like:

Novels, memoirs, collections, etc. self-published by their author through a platform like Amazon, IngramSpark, Lulu, etc.
Handmade or handbound chapbooks and zines made by the author of a work
Books published with a vanity or hybrid press
Collaborative books (including graphic novels, illustrated children's books, etc.) that are self-published by the author or the artist
Collections or anthologies from a workshop, writing group, artist collective, etc. that are independently published

Books that aren't eligible include:

Books published by a publisher with national distribution to major bookstores, like the Big 5, large trade publishers, or large "small presses" like Greywolf or Red Hen
Books whose content was created by AI
Books containing no original creative work (e.g. collections of quotes or public domain work)

As far as content restrictions, this is an all-ages event, so we ask that you not sell any books with X-rated or graphic images on the cover.

Do I need to be at the festival the whole time to sell my books there?

Nope! There is the option to sign up for half of the festival on the registration form.

Can I read my work during the festival?

You can! We'll have two reading times, at 12:30pm and 2:30pm, and you can sign up for a slot during one of them using the Reader Sign-up Form.