EWF 2019 Policies

and Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

The Emerging Writers Festival is committed to ensuring that all attendees, who include, but are not limited to, authors, industry professionals, moderators, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, media, have a safe, comfortable and productive festival experience. To do so, we ask all participants to agree to the following code of conduct:

The Emerging Writers Festival is a space dedicated to learning, celebrating literature and growing as both a writer and member of the literary community. Participants can’t learn if they don’t feel safe. The Emerging Writers Festival is committed to creating a harassment free environment for everyone including festival participants, Old Town Books staff, authors and speakers, vendors and volunteers in any form. We do not tolerate harassment of anyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, gender identity and expression, body size, race, age, religion, nationality or political beliefs - perceived or otherwise. Speakers or attendees violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the festival without a refund at the discretion of staff.

Harassment includes any behavior that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive, including but not limited to lewd, overtly sexual comments, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If you witness or are subjected to harassment of any kind, please alert Old Town Books staff.

Book Signings

In the spirit of financial sustainability for Old Town Books, only books purchased from Old Town Books will be signed by authors at signings. The ability for photographs and personalizations from the author is at their discretion.

Photography and Recording

Photographs, audio, and video recordings of Festival events, participants, audiences, and bystanders may be used by the Emerging Writers Festival and Old Town Books for publicity and promotional purposes. These are the property of the Emerging Writers Festival and Old Town Books. Event photography is reserved for authorized media participants and sponsors; visual or audio media taken at the Festival may be used for broadcast or publication only with the permission of Old Town Books. Participants are encouraged to share their photos and recordings on social media with the hashtag #EWF19; these may be reposted with permission of the original poster.

Class Cancellation Policy

If you registered for a class but can no longer attend please contact kim@oldtownbooks.com. Class registrations are non-refundable, but we will attempt to fill your spot with someone from the waitlist.