Massanutten Regional Library is pleased to announce that local authors may now apply to be a featured exhibitor at the 2027 Rocktown Author Festival (RAF), held at Central Library in Downtown Harrisonburg April 17 from 10AM to 3PM.  

MRL is seeking applicants that are published local authors, with a recent publication within the last two years. Authors should be from MRL’s service area – defined as City of Harrisonburg, Rockingham and Page counties – as well as bordering counties – Augusta, Albemerle, Greene, Madison, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Warren counties in Virginia and Hardy and Pendleton counties in West Virginia. To ensure opportunities for our vibrant local author community in this area, exhibitors from the 2026 RAF are asked not to apply. Traditionally and self-published authors of all genres are encouraged to apply.

“Having been a part of the Rocktown Author Festival team since we first started contemplating the idea while attending a conference in 2018 it has been a joy to watch the festival evolve into its current iteration,” co-organizer Denise Munroe said. “Supporting and uplifting local authors throughout the years has brought the many hidden talents of our neighbors into the light to be enjoyed by the whole community. It’s always inspiring for authors in their infancy to learn of the surrounding neighbors who can help them grow their writing careers.”

Since its inception in 2019, the Rocktown Author Festival has been free and open to anyone in our service area who has an interest in writing, becoming published, or who would like to meet and support local authors; the festival reached record author participation in 2025 and again in 2026. MRL is pleased to be the gathering place to support and celebrate current local authors, as well as a hub of information and resources for those just getting started in the industry. 

Authors can apply here, now through October 30, 2026.