Request for 2026 Southern New Mexico Book Festival Vendor Applications
We are ready to accept applications from authors, booksellers, and book-related vendors to participate in the 2026 Second Annual Southern New Mexico Book Festival (SNMBF).
The 2026 SNMBF will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the DASR building at the Doña Ana Community College East Mesa campus on 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
This year, we are expanding beyond the common area into the courtyard, so we will be able to accommodate more vendors. If you choose to be in the courtyard, you have the option of using your own table or renting a half or whole 6-foot table.
Follow the appropriate link to access the online application that applies to your situation.
Link to Author Vendor form – https://forms.gle/W1bgwHkCnq4LGPyi6
Link to Bookseller/Publisher Vendor form – https://forms.gle/AkXL23rnNw95iHUx8
Link to Book-related Vendor form – https://forms.gle/R8qf9LseUqpAQJho6
If you participated in the 2025 Southern New Mexico Book Festival (SNMBF) and you want to use the same headshot and book cover that you submitted last year, email us at snmbookfestival@gmail.com. Put your name as the subject.
DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT UNTIL YOUR APPLICATION IS APPROVED. When you are accepted, you will receive instructions about how to pay. There will be an online payment option.
We still need volunteers to help with the 2026 SNMBF. Only children’s book authors will do readings. Author panels by genre will replace adult author readings. We need authors to serve as panelists and moderators; help with planning and conducting workshops; getting sponsors and food vendors; and doing marketing and publicity. If you are interested, send us an email and tell us how you can help or if you are willing to do whatever is needed.
The 2026 Second Annual Southern New Mexico Book Festival is going to be bigger and better than the first one. We look forward to your participation in making that happen.
The 2026 SNMBF Planning Committee
2026 Second Annual Southern New Mexico Book Festival
The Second Annual Southern New Mexico Book Festival invites authors, writers, readers and the public to a day devoted to the written word. This free event will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm at the Doña Ana Community College, East Mesa Campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd. in the DASR Building in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Authors selling and signing books
Book Giveaways for Adults and Children
Children’s Book Readings and Activities
Booksellers and Publishers
Unique Book-related Goodies
Organizations for Writers
Libraries
Writing Workshops
Author, Writer & Reader Panels
-Fantasy & Romantasy
-Science Fiction & Time Travel
-Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Children’s Books
Memoir
Food Vendors
The goal of the Southern New Mexico Book Festival is to connect authors, writers, readers, publishers, editors, book lovers, nonprofit organizations and the public, all in one place.
According to SNMBF Chair, Eva Nevarez St. John, “The Inaugural Southern New Mexico Book Festival was a great success. We look forward to making this year’s festival even better.”
Attendees from out of town can take advantage of group rates at local hotels, which will be posted here soon.
Bookmark this page, as we will be adding more details over the next several weeks under the headings in the jump links below.
Want to Volunteer?
Sign up today and help make Southern New Mexico Book Festival a success!
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/snmbookfestival
Partners
The Second Annual Southern New Mexico Book Festival wouldn’t be possible without the support and participation of many people and organizations, who will be represented at SNMBF.
Visit Las Cruces contributed its expertise and resources to the success of the Inaugural Southern New Mexico Book Festival in 2025 and continues to do so for this year’s Festival.
Las Cruces Writers created and staffed the committee that put together the Inaugural Southern New Mexico Book Festival in 2025. LCW members Eva Nevarez St. John, Susan Ansara, and Rosemary Matos continue to serve on the SNMBF Planning Committee. Special thanks to LCW and LCW’s webmaster Mark Davis for hosting the SNMBF webpage. LCW is sponsoring a workshop, and they will have a table with information about their organization.
United Way of Southwest New Mexico is the Fiscal Agent of the Southern New Mexico Book Festival. They handle finances and accounting for SNMBF and host the SNMBF Donation Page at https://uwswnm.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/21258.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a program of UWSWNM that will be represented at the SNMBF. DPIL is a free early childhood literacy program that mails a high-quality, age-appropriate book each month to children from birth – age 5 who live in Dona Ana County. The program is designed to foster a love of reading, strengthen family engagement, and help children build the foundational literacy skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. *Families have the opportunity to register to receive bilingual books.
New Mexico Writers participates on the SNMBF Planning Committee. They are hosting their Book Awards Banquet the day before the SNMBF at La Posta in Mesilla. NMW is sponsoring a workshop, they will have a table with information about their organization, and books by NMW award finalists.
NMBA participates on the SNMBF Planning Committee. They are sponsoring a workshop, and they will have a table with information about their organization, and they will sell books by their members.
The Doña Ana Community College Library is proud to serve on the Southern New Mexico Book Festival Planning Committee. Visit DACC Library’s table during the Festival to celebrate Banned Books Week with engaging activities that highlight intellectual freedom and the freedom to read. While you’re there, learn more about the DACC Library and be sure to stop by their location in DAAR 203 to explore all they have to offer!
The Children’s Reading Alliance is back by popular demand. Every child who attends the SNMBF will receive a book from CRA. Stickers, pencils, bookmarks and other items will also be given away. There will be a raffle for games, puzzles and other goodies. CRA will also be doing readings in the Children’s Room.
The Friends of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library participates on the SNMBF Planning Committee. FTBML will have a table at SNMBF with information about their organization, including membership and copies of their quarterly newsletter. There will be flyers about library programs and the 2026 Library GO Bonds that will be on the General Nov 3 ballot.
The Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) is a nationwide association of authors, poets, and artists drawn together by the common bond of military service. Most of our members are active-duty military, retirees, or military veterans. A few are lifelong civilians who have chosen to honor our military through their writings or their art. Our only core principle is a love of the men and women who defend this nation and a deeply personal understanding of their sacrifice and dedication. MWSA participates on the SNMBF Planning Committee. They are sponsoring a workshop and will have a table with information about their organization, including examples of their published anthologies.
Las Cruces Nature School is a proposed public charter school where kids will spend their days outside, connecting and learning academics through the land and nature of the Mesilla Valley. They are currently gathering input from the community to shape the school’s design. Their table at SNMBF will have 2 literacy-focused nature-based activities for toddler-preschool-aged children, and a selection of nature-based books for families to read together!
Sponsors
George Pintar
George Pintar helped to resurrect Las Cruces Writers after Covid. In 2024, George encouraged Las Cruces Writers to take over Celebrate Authors when The Friends of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library were unable to continue offering that program. In 2025, he suggested transforming Celebrate Authors into what became the Inaugural Southern New Mexico Book Festival. He is supporting this year’s Second Annual Southern New Mexico Book Festival by becoming the first sponsor of this year’s Festival. George started writing in his 80s. Since then, he has published thirty-one fictional short stories and four nonfiction books. George is best known for his fictional character Chile Charlie.
University of New Mexico Press
Established in 1929 by the Regents of the University of New Mexico, the UNM Press is the fourth largest university press west of the Rocky Mountains in publishing new titles. We produce books of general interest and significance for our state and our region, and we publish scholarly books in the areas of fine arts, Western history, Latin American studies, literature, poetry, environmental studies, archaeology, anthropology, and natural history.
Enchanted Books
Enchanted Books is a small bookshop located at THE BLOCK in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Their store is dedicated to promoting and selling works by local and independent authors, as well as those from boutique publishers. Enchanted Books will be selling the books of the 2026 New Mexico Book Awards winners at the Southern New Mexico Book Festival.
Schedule
More to come!
Author Panels
More to come!
Author Vendors
This year we have an impressive number of award-winning authors in a wide range of genres who will be selling and signing their books. Check out their websites to learn more about them and what they have to offer.
Denise Chávez
Denise Chávez is a nationally recognized award-winning author who focuses on the Latino/a experience in her short stories and fiction. https://www.abebooks.com/casa-camino-real-las-cruces-nm/55655980/sf
Eva Nevarez St. John
Eva Nevarez St. John is the author of the hybrid memoir/true crime book When Tough Cookies Crumble: A True Story of Friendship, Murder, and Healing about her life in the Army with her best friend Janice Starr, her murder, and the healing process of writing the book. https://enchantedspiritjourneys.com/
Charmayne Samuelson
Charmayne Samuelson is an Award-Winning Author. She writes in the genres of fiction, non-fiction, biography, children’s books, photography and self-help, and has published 11 titles. https://woodduckpublishers.com/.
Alexis Perez
A self proclaimed ‘Awkweird Squirrel’ with an active imagination and child-like spirit, Alexis is the author of two children’s books: Don’t Tell Mom! and Don’t Tell Dad!
Susan Valencia
Mama: My Favorite Person in the Whole World Has Something Called Dementia is a children’s picture book inspired by the author’s mother. https://www.instagram.com/susanvalencia_author/
Timothy Hernandez
When a health condition shattered his world, Timothy found solace in writing, weaving together his storytelling techniques with raw, honest insights about how unexpected life changes reshape our journey. Timothy writes historical fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, and dramedy. https://timothyhernandezau.wixsite.com/timothy-hernandez-bo
Laura Pangallo Fryar
Laura Fryar is a former AH-64D Apache pilot and the author of the children’s book series, Be Something Epic. Laura is fueled by a passion for empowering the next generation. https://www.epickidspublishing.com/
Jay Jones
A Bilagáana Boy among the Navajo is the award winning true story of Jay’s four years as a white kid living on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Window Rock, Arizona. https://www.jayjonesauthor.com/
Dr. Harold Finkelstein
Dr. Harold Finkelstein, author of Releasing the Spirit: The Art of Zuñi Fetish Carvings Volumes I and II, arrived at Zuñi Pueblo forty-five years ago, hired to train teachers. His introduction to Zuñi people, culture and arts, led to a long career and passion of trading, buying, collecting and selling fetishes. https://releasingthespirit.art/
James Caso
James Caso is a servant of Christ, a biblical theologian, former pastor, podcaster, and lifelong student of Scripture with a passion for unveiling the living presence of Christ. He is the author of the Lighting Heaven’s Way Series. https://www.jamescaso.com/
Margret Treiber
Margret Treiber is an award-winning author of sci-fi with bite: brutal, brilliant, and deeply human (according to Readers’ Favorite). She’s also editor-in-chief of Sci-Fi Lampoon, a speculative humor mag. https://www.the-margret.com/
Dita Dow
Dita Dow is an award-winning author, artist, and songwriter who writes powerful stories filled with mystery, emotion, and a touch of the supernatural. In addition to her books Sins in Black, 27 Elmwood Drive and Winter Horrorland Anthology, she will be selling notecards and 5 x 7 prints of her artwork. https://www.ditadow.com/
Carol Potenza
Carol Potenza is the award-winning author of Hearts of the Missing; Spirit Daughters; Echo of Lies and Sting of Lies. Carol specializes in creating a combination of strong women sleuths, paranormal and murder, mixed with science or, as she likes to call it—Biochem-Mystery. She sets all her mysteries in New Mexico. https://www.carolpotenza.com/
Marie Parks
Marie Parks is an award-winning LGBTQIA+ fantasy author and founder of Sandia Starforgers writing retreats for speculative fiction writers. She coauthored The Grigori Cycle supernatural thriller series. https://marieparks.com
Tanisha, Michael and Gabriel Womack
Tanishia Womack, author of Hired On Purpose, helps professionals move beyond simply finding a job and instead create a career path designed with confidence, strategy, and purpose in mind. 11-year-old Michael is the author of Ted E. Solvit and the Case of the Missing Tiger’s Eye Diamond. 9-year-old Gabriel’s Detective Pecan and the Case of the Missing Banana is the first book in his series. The two brothers plan to write a story together. www.hiredonpurpose.org, www.tedesolvit.com, www.detectivepecan.com
Coventina Waterhawk
Coventina Waterhawk is an inspiring and compassionate Hope Ambassador, and award-winning international #1 bestselling author who guides individuals with co-occurring disorders on how to reclaim an empowered life by sharing her four decades of dual-diagnosis recovery, and the practical, holistic coping methods she has used for success, one day (sometimes one breath) at a time. https://www.thehopeambassador.com/
Lauren Teffeau
Lauren Teffeau is an award-winning author of science fiction fantasy novels. Her latest book, A Hunger With No Name, is a powerful story of personal, ecological, and cultural survival in the presence of overwhelming technological power. https://laurencteffeau.com/
JJ Cagney
J.J. Cagney is the award-winning author of the six book Cici Mystery Series, Facing the Past, Bayou Venom, and The Kill Line. https://jjcagney.com/
Jeffrey R. Collins
Jeffrey R. Collins writes dark fiction about obedience, systems, and the quiet violence of control. His novels explore what happens when ordinary reality begins to fracture, often through psychological tension rather than the supernatural. https://jeffreyrcollins.com/
Frank López
Colores, Sabores y Dichos presents art, culture and love by using colorful photographs, delicious recipes and fun dichos in English and Spanish. 50 colorful photographs invite the reader to imagine 50 different stories. Essays by Rosa Guerrero and Frank Rene López take the reader into the experiential world of culture and art.
Allasandra Buckner
Allasandra writes psychological thriller, romantic suspense, and dark romances for readers who like their stories messy, emotional, and a little unhinged. https://www.byallasandra.com/
Eide S. Nevets
Eide S. Nevets has published eight books on science fiction, alternate history and time travel. The Knot in Time Travel is the first of her three book time travel series set in the old west, which also includes A Handle in Time Travel and The Elevator of Time Travel. https://www.nevetsbooks.com/
Evelyne Perez
Evelyne Pérez is a Mexican-American children’s author from the El Paso–Las Cruces borderland. Brown y Brillante is a Spanglish picture book celebrating Mexican-American pride, familia, and frontera life, reminding every child: your roots are your superpower, and you were made to shine. She also has an award-winning Autism series in English and Spanish. https://www.evelynetheauthor.com/
Jordyn Kross
Jordyn Kross is an unapologetically naughty, award-winning romance writer with a passion for writing sexy, boundary-stretching happily-ever-afters. She enjoys saucy double entendres, pretending to be an extrovert, and is well-known for having no filter. https://jordynkross.com/
Ted Rorschalk
Ted Rorschalk is the author of two coming of age novels (The F.U. KiD and Chimera Eye) and two alternate history non-fiction books. Algebra of Conspiracy is about how the era of assassination in the 1960s has influenced the societal malaise we are in as a country these latter daze, and Logos Pleroma is a critique of Christianity and a suggestion about how to fix it.
Jan Thomas
Jan Thomas writes in a variety of genres, including autobiography, communication, Christian, relationships, short stories, poetry, fantasy, advice, and children’s books. His newest books include A Mesilla Traveler Novel: The Winds of Change and The Legend of the Peacock. www.jandthomasbooksandpaint.com
Mike Hoskins
This colorful, rhyming children’s book introduces kids to various plants, animals, and locations within the local mountain range. Inspired by an actual encounter with a lost Javelina, this book is sure to spark interest and excitement in the outdoors for kids from ages 0-8 years old. www.thelostjavelina.com
Booksellers and Publishers
Casa Camino Real
Casa Camino Real is a Las Cruces bookstore owned by local author Denise Chávez at 314 S. Tornillo. It offers a unique collection of Southwest, Native American, Chicano/a/Latino/a, Regional Children’s, Young Adult and Adult books in English, Spanish and Bilingual. Regional cards and postcards are also available at Casa Camino Real.
Artemesia Publishing
Artemesia Publishing focuses on New Mexico books and authors. Genres include mystery, historical fiction, contemporary/literary fiction, middle grade and YA fiction, and speculative fiction.
University of New Mexico Press
Established in 1929 by the Regents of the University of New Mexico, the UNM Press is the fourth largest university press west of the Rocky Mountains in publishing new titles. We produce books of general interest and significance for our state and our region, and we publish scholarly books in the areas of fine arts, Western history, Latin American studies, literature, poetry, environmental studies, archaeology, anthropology, and natural history.
Enchanted Books
Enchanted Books is a small bookshop located at THE BLOCK in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Their store is dedicated to promoting and selling works by local and independent authors, as well as those from boutique publishers. Enchanted Books will be selling the books of the 2026 New Mexico Book Awards winners at the Southern New Mexico Book Festival.
Unique Book-related Goodies
Lilly’s Little Library is a women-owned small business nestled in the heart of Las Cruces, New Mexico. We strive to create an inclusive and friendly shop where book lovers can connect, share their passion, and feel truly at home. Our products include bookmarks, book & kindle sleeves, annotation kits, kindle charms & bookish miniatures. They are crafted with care and attention to detail providing fellow book lovers with a variety of bookish goods that will make their reading experience even more enjoyable.
Mew’s Muse is a woman-owned small business that travels around the Southwest to bookish events such as the Tucson Festival of Books to share the love of literacy through cute bookish goodies. Handmade artist and crafter making cute bookish items such as laminated bookmarks, magnetic bookmarks, acrylic bookmarks, book trope ephemera, bookish cups, stickers, sticky notes, memo pads, sticker sheets, tote bags, journaling and zine sets, pens, book buddy pillows and blind-date journaling sets.
Workshops
Book Design
Jordan Jones
New Mexico Book Association
What should be on the cover? What should be on the title page? What’s a half-title, and what belongs there?
If you learn these fundamentals, you’ll be able to create a better book design or better assess the quality and completeness of one from a designer. Book design impacts the chances you can place your book in bookstores, improves the odds of your book being recognized in book reviews and competitions, and helps put your book in the hands of readers.
New Mexico Book Association is sponsoring this workshop by Jordan Jones, co-owner, editor, and publisher of Coyote Arts, a literary arts publisher. He has published poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and works in translation in numerous magazines and anthologies and is the author of two books of poetry, Sand & Coal and The Wheel. An award-winning book designer, he has designed more than 50 books for 7 presses. He is past president and current secretary and historian of the New Mexico Book Association, and past chair of NMBA’s Southwest Book Design and Production Award (SWBDA).
Contests and Awards
Jim Tritten
Military Writers Society of America
Contests and awards are an indispensable building block for any serious author. They’re also essential for writers seeking to become published, award-winning authors. Join Jim Tritten as he reveals why all writers should participate in literary contests and seek recognition that will contribute to successful publication submissions and sales.
Military Writers Society of America is sponsoring this workshop by Jim Tritten. Jim has been writing steadily since high school. He has published fourteen books and over four hundred fifty chapters, short stories, essays, articles, and government technical reports. Jim has seen his work translated into Russian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. He is the recipient of ninety-one writing awards, including the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award from the Navy League of the U.S., the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) Writer of the Year, and the Parris Award from SouthWest Writers (SWW).
Children’s Readings & Activities
More to come!