Second Chance Book Festival
ICYMI
BECAUSE BOOKS DON'T HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE
About ICYMI:
In Case You Missed It
Eligibility
Submitted books must be at least two years past their original publication date. Books that have sold 20,000 copies or more are not eligible — this festival exists for the ones that could still use the spotlight.
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ICYMI is an endeavor of Catalyst Press and Maverick Independent Book Reviews, working together to give independent publishers a platform to shine.
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Want in on the festival itself — author events, panels, and all?
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Choose Your Plan
Before you can access the upload page and start entering your book, you'll need one of two plans. Both are valid for 12 months from purchase.
Single Book Promotion — $60
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Access to the upload page
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One book promotion included. All books will be part of this year’s festival as well as hosted on the site and promoted through our social media from the time of upload until June of 2027, at which point we will make room for the next year’s books. In this inaugural festival, all books will automatically be considered for the ICYMI Book Award, judged by an independent panel of judges. Authors included in a festival panel.
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Simple one-time checkout
Two Book Bundle — $100
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Access to the upload page
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Two book promotion included. All books will be part of this year’s festival as well as hosted on the site and promoted through our social media from the time of upload until June of 2027, at which point we will make room for the next year’s books. In this inaugural festival, all books will automatically be considered for the ICYMI Book Award, judged by an independent panel of judges. Authors included in a festival panel.
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Simple one-time checkout
Ready to join in? Choose your plan and check out here.
Once you have a paid login, you will have access to the upload page. Either find the upload page on the navigation bar under Join Us or click here.
At ICYMI: Second Chance Book Festival, we believe in the power of books — that change begins one page at a time.
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Sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, great books don't find their audience right away. Trade publications tend to focus on titles released within six months of publication, so the ones that don't make an immediate splash often fall through the cracks.
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But books don't expire. There's always a second chance.
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That's the whole idea behind ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) — an online book festival built to spotlight the rich backlists of independent publishers. It's a place for exceptional books that may not have gotten the attention they deserved the first time around. Now's the time to celebrate them for what they are: masterpieces in their own right.
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ICYMI is a 3-day digital festival that lets publishers highlight their backlist titles in an affordable, dynamic way. Beyond the book promotions themselves, the festival features author events, panel discussions, giveaways, and more — plenty of chances to connect with readers and fellow publishers. And because even backlist titles deserve a shot at recognition, an independent panel of judges awards the ICYMI Best Of Award across four categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Young Adult, and Children's. Enter your book, and you've got real bragging rights on the line.
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Books are highlighted on the site in the lead-up to the festival, and stay promoted for six months afterward.