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