Since the first Ohioana Book Festival was held with ten authors in 2007, the festival has given readers the opportunity to connect with their favorite Ohio writers. Join us this year at Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library.
Schedule:
Book Signings
10:30am - 5:00pm
Meet your favorite authors and get your books signed, throughout the festival.
Reading Room, 2nd Floor
Click here to view the FULL 2024 Ohioana Book Festival Author List!
Author Panels
Panel Session One: 10:45am-11:30am
Adults Can Choose to Read Ohio Too!
Celebrate Ohio literature with these four authors from various Choose to Read Ohio book lists. They will discuss their writing processes and their books of various genres.
Panelists: David Giffels, Katrina Kittle, Amit Majmudar, Thrity Umrigar
Auditorium
Empowering Children Through Picture Books
These panelists will offer insights on writing about topics that empower children, from learning about historical figures and events to encouraging literacy as kids begin to read. This discussion is a must for children, parents, teachers, and aspiring authors!
Panelists: e. E. Charlton-Trujillo, Katie Mazeika, Carlotta Penn & Debbie Rigaud
Room 1A
Writing Horror
Think horror is just for films? Think again! These five authors will explore the many ways they include horror in their unique books, which span a variety of genres.
Panelists: Kalynn Applewhite, Maxwell I. Gold, Leanna Renee Hieber, Natalie D. Richards, Lucy A. Snyder
Room 2B
History of Food
Pizza, pickles, and apple pie, Buckeyes, food trucks, and ice cream, oh my! Prepare to be hungry as two authors discuss their food-themed books during this live recording of WCBE’s Craft—The Show with host Doug Dangler.
Panelists: Renee Casteel Cook, David Rickert
Room 3A
Panel Session Two: 12:00pm – 12:45pm
Ohio Center for the Book Presents Page Count Live
Join host Laura Maylene Walter and award-winning authors Hanif Abdurraqib and Jacqueline Woodson for a live recording of Ohio Center for the Book’s Page Count podcast.
Panelists: Hanif Abdurraqib, Jacqueline Woodson
Auditorium
Fiction Inspired by True Events
These authors find inspiration in real people, places, and events. Come hear them talk about the unique opportunities and complications they encounter while writing historical fiction.
Panelists: Tom Batiuk, Patti Flinn, John Kachuba, Linda Kass, Claire McMillan
Room 1A
True Crime in Ohio
Four writers discuss their true crime books and writing processes, and remind us that sometimes, truth is scarier than fiction!
Panelists: Jane Bond, Mark Sebastian Jordan, Robinson Lizano Briceño, Jane Ann Turzillo
Room 2B
Comics for Kids
Comics fans, assemble! Learn all about writing and illustrating comics for young readers (and the young at heart) during this live recording of WCBE’s Craft—The Show with host Doug Dangler.
Panelists: Annie Hunter Eriksen, Wes Molebash
Room 3A
Panel Session Three: 1:15pm – 2:00pm
Illustrating for Young Readers
Join four illustrators for a discussion about their creative processes and picture books. The panelists will explore how creating stories through images isn’t always easy, but it is always fun!
Panelists: Jashar Awan, Tim Bowers, Daniel Kirk, Tracy Subisak
Auditorium
Mystery Most Marvelous
From suspenseful to cozy, historical to modern, these mystery writers create stories that keep us on the edge of our seats. Come hear them chat about their writing processes and how they put their own spin on the genre.
Panelists: Karina Bartow, Erin Flanagan, Anastasia Hastings, Olivia Matthews
Room 1A
Exploring Social Issues in Nonfiction
From memoir to research-based narrative, these authors confront the good, the bad, and the complicated as they take on society in their books, addressing a wide range of social issues.
Panelists: Athena Dixon, Tameka N. Ellington, Kelcey Ervick, Sarah Stankorb
Room 2B
Panel Session Four: 2:30pm – 3:15pm
Writing for Young Adult Readers
These four panelists will discuss their books for Young Adult readers, and why they find the genre so compelling. Join them as they discuss their unique books ranging from romance, fantasy, mystery, and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters.
Panelists: David Arnold, Cinda Williams Chima, Mindy McGinnis, Phil Stamper
Auditorium
Ohio History
Join these authors and for a look into the rich and varied history of the Buckeye State. This panel is an Ohioana special, and these authors are experts at making history come to life!
Panelists: Jamie Capuzza, Conrade C. Hinds, David Meyers & Elise Meyers Walker, Timothy R. W. Jordan
Room 1A
Women’s Fiction
Four authors will talk about their work, their favorite female-focused reads, and why representation of fictional women as powerful protagonists is critical for women and girls today.
Panelists: Amanda Flower, Janyce Denise Glasper, Anna Lee Huber, Jessica Strawser
Room 2B
Debut Poetry
To write a book is a remarkable?achievement, but to get it published and on bookstore and library shelves is no easy task! Two authors will discuss the triumphs and tribulations of writing and publishing their debut poetry collections during this live recording of WCBE’s Craft—The Show with host Doug Dangler.
Panelists: Carolyn Grace, Sandra Rivers-Gill
Room 3A
Panel Session Five: 3:45pm – 4:30pm
Middle Grade Fiction
These Choose to Read Ohio authors will discuss writing for a Middle Grade audience, from crafting storylines to writing authentic and relatable characters. Featuring a panel of award-winning authors of books for Middle Grade readers, this is a session you won’t want to miss!
Panelists: Jenn Bishop, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Terri Libenson, Andrea Wang
Auditorium
Celebrating Floyd’s Pick
Floyd’s Pick is an award presented in memory of children’s literature expert, advocate, and librarian Floyd Dickman, given annually to a book by an Ohio author or illustrator that is representative of high-quality literature created for children. The current Floyd’s Pick award winner and past honorees will discuss their books and inspirations, and the importance of storytelling.
Panelists: Kate Hoefler, Aya Khalil, Julia Kuo, Dinara Mirtalipova
Room 1A
Women in Appalachian Poetry
Five poets will reveal their processes for writing poetry, and how their perspectives as women from and living in Appalachia is reflected in their work.
Panelists: Kari Gunter-Seymour, Wendy McVicker, Cathy Cultice Lentes, Deni Naffziger, & Jessica Weyer-Bentley
Room 2B
Debut Fiction
The path to publication can be long and winding, and every author must follow their own map to success. Join two fiction authors as they discuss their publication journeys and debut novels during this live recording of WCBE’s Craft—The Show with host Doug Dangler.
Panelists: H. M. S. Brown, M. C. Jeter
Room 3A
Kids' Room Author and Illustrator Visits
Live story times, drawing demonstrations, and activities for children in the afternoon. (lineup subject to change)
Columbus Metropolitan Library Staff will present their usual Saturday story times and activities in the morning.
12:30 p.m.: Nomar Perez
1:00 p.m.: Mary Kay Carson
1:30 p.m.: Keturah A. Bobo
2:00 p.m.: Michelle Houts
2:30 p.m.: Jane & Will Hillenbrand
3:00 p.m.: Oge Mora
3:30 p.m.: Jeffrey Ebbeler
4:00 p.m.: Carmella Van Vleet
4:30 p.m.: Marcy Campbell
Children’s Area, 1st Floor
Food Trucks
11:30am – 3:00pm
Flavor 91 Bistro and Tortilla Street Food
Kaufman Plaza on Library Park North