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. After three years of virtual events, we are back in person this year, on April 22, at Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library, 10:30am-4:30pm!
OHIOANA BOOK FESTIVAL: APRIL 22, 2023
Thank you to all of our authors, sponsors, partners, vendors, board, staff, volunteers, friends, fans, and attendees who made the 2023 Ohioana Book Festival such a wonderful day! Please check back soon for information about future Ohioana events.
*All events are in-person at Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library at 96 S. Grant Ave. Columbus, OH 43215, unless otherwise noted. Parking is available in the Library’s parking garage or in the Encova lot near South Washington Avenue and Franklin Avenue. Click here for a Google Street View map.
*Please note: all events and panelists are subject to change.
Join Honorary Chairs Governor Mike DeWine
and First Lady Fran DeWine and other special guests for the opening ceremony of
the 2023 Ohioana Book Festival.
Presented by: Ohioana Library Association
Atrium, 1st Floor
Panel Session One: 10:45am-11:30am
Historical Mystery: Books from these authors feature tales of mystery and suspense featuring real people, places, and periods in history.
Middle Grade Fiction: Featuring a panel of veteran and newbie authors of books for Middle Grade readers.
Moderator: Meg Brown
Panelists: Margaret Peterson Haddix, Jeff Miller, Stacy Nockowitz, Erik Jon Slangerup, Tricia Springstubb
Presented by: Honda
Room 1A
Writing a Great Biography: Four writers will reveal their process and experience in writing and adapting stories about real-life people and events.
Moderator: David Weaver
Panelists: Mark Dawidziak, Leanna Renee Hieber, Chiquita Mullins Lee, Carmella Van Vleet
Presented by: Ariel Corporation
Room 2B
Panel Session Two: 12:00pm –
12:45pm
Ohio Road Trip: Get
some great ideas for an Ohio vacation, as these writers discuss food,
attractions, and great places to visit around the Buckeye State.
Moderator: Betty Weibel
Panelists: Matthew Caracciolo, Renee Casteel Cook, John W. Kropf, Steven Rosen
Presented by: Ohio Humanities
Auditorium
Writing LGBTQ+ Genre Fiction: These four authors will explore the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes in genre fiction.
Moderator: Kristen Lepionka
Panelists: Meredith Doench, Mar Romasco-Moore, Lucy A. Snyder, Marie Vibbert
Presented by: Honda
Room 1A
The Art of Picture
Books:
A look into the creative process with some of Ohio’s most amazing
writer/illustrators.
Moderator: Claudia Plumley
Panelists: Tim Bowers, Katie Mazeika, Merrill Rainey, Blythe Russo
Presented by: Ariel Corporation
Room 2B
Panel Session Three: 1:15pm – 2:00pm
Ohio Center for the Book Presents Page Count Live: Join host Laura Maylene Walter for a live recording of OCFTB’s Page Count podcast, featuring Ohio writers’ views on “Turning Points in a Writing Career.”
Moderator: Laura Maylene Walter
Panelists: Mindy McGinnis, Ric S. Sheffield, Judith Turner-Yamamoto, Andrea Wang, Felicia Zamora
All Are Welcome: A Celebration of community and inclusion in books for younger readers.
Moderator: Dionne Custer Edwards
Panelists: Frederick Luis Aldama, Marcy Campbell, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, Keila V. Dawson, Samuel Narh
Presented by: Honda
Room 1A
Women’s Fiction: Join a panel of four best-selling and award-winning authors to talk about their own work and their favorite female-focused reads, and why the representation of fictional women as powerful protagonists matters to women and girls today.
Moderator: Robin Nesbitt
Panelists: Sara Siddiqui Chansarkar, Erin Flanagan, Jen Knox, Kerry Rea, Jessica Strawser
Presented by: Ariel Corporation
Room 2B
Panel Session Four: 2:30pm – 3:15pm
Cozy Mystery: A fun chat about what makes a “cozy” mystery and why this genre is so enduringly popular.
Ohio History: A look into the rich and varied history of the Buckeye State.
Moderator: Todd Kleismit
Panelists: David Meyers, Elise Meyers Walker, Larisa Harper, Kathy Schulz, Jane Ann Turzillo
Presented by: Honda
Room 1A
Writing Genre Fiction for Young Readers: Is your story a mystery, romance, fantasy, or something you’ve invented? These authors will give their tips on how to tell a great story no matter what genre it is, with a focus on younger readers.
Moderator: Jody Casella
Panelists: Breshea Anglen, Kristy Boyce, Jason R. Lady, Cinda Williams Chima, Bryan Prosek
Presented by: Ariel Corporation
Room 2B
Panel Session Five: 3:45pm –
4:30pm
Memoir: Join four writers as they discuss their process and experience in writing personal narratives told from the vantage point of real-life experience.
Moderator: Donte Woods-Spikes
Panelists: Richard F. Celeste, Edward P. Horvath, Teshauna L. Isaac, Prince Shakur
Presented by: Ohio Humanities
Auditorium
Writing About Nature:Our panelists will offer insights on writing about nature and natural places, from gardens to rivers and everything in between.
Moderator: David Siders
Panelists: Lisa J. Amstutz, Mary Kay Carson, Guy L. Denny, Chelsea Gottfried, Jim McCormac
Presented by: Honda
Room 1A
Choose to Read Ohio: Floyd’s Pick: Floyd’s Pick is a book award presented in memory of children’s literature expert, advocate, and librarian Floyd Dickman. It is given annually to a book written by an Ohio author or a book illustrated by an Ohio illustrator that is representative of high-quality literature created for children, a book that Floyd Dickman would have enthusiastically promoted. It is to carry on the legacy of his work to support and share children’s literature in Ohio. Our panelists, who have all been recipients of Floyd’s Pick, will discuss their writing and books.
Moderator: Desiree Thomas
Panelists: Will Hillenbrand, Kate Hoefler, Andrea Wang
Stop by all day for short readings from your favorite Ohio authors of Middle Grade, Young Adult, Nonfiction, and Fiction books. (lineup subject to change)
Ohio Center for the Book Presents Page Count Live: Join host Laura Maylene Walter for a live recording of OCFTB’s Page Count podcast, featuring Ohio writers’ views on “Turning Points in a Writing Career.”
Moderator: Laura
Maylene Walter
Panelists: Mindy McGinnis, Ric S. Sheffield, Judith Turner-Yamamoto, Andrea Wang, Felicia Zamora
Some of our programs and activities featuring Ohioana Book Festival authors take place before and after the main event, beginning on April 1, 2023, through the end of the month. All are free and open to the public!
Saturday, April 1, 2023 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Author Talk: Gardening for Moths with Jim McCormac and Chelsea Gottfried
Presented &
Hosted by: Franklin
Park Conservatory and Biological Gardens 1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, OH
43203
Bonus Episode: Ohioana Book Festival Preview: A new episode of Page Count featuring Mindy McGinnis, Ric S. Sheffield, Judith Turner-Yamamoto, Andrea Wang, Felicia Zamora
Join freelance writer and novelist Andrew Welsh-Huggins to learn about The End of the Road, his fast-paced thriller about a woman’s quest to avenge her boyfriend’s shooting. Welsh-Huggins will be in conversation with acclaimed writer Lee Martin.
Moderator: Lee Martin
Presented & Hosted by: Gramercy Books 2424 East Main Street Columbus, OH 43209
Drawing with Author and Illustrator Will Hillenbrand: Join Cover to Cover for a very special Saturday morning with author & illustrator Will Hillenbrand! He’ll show attendees how beginning drawers can capture their imagination with basic shapes (sketchnoting). BONUS! Register for this free event and receive a free sketchnoting journal at the event.
Presented & Hosted by: Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers: 2116 Arlington Ave. Columbus, OH 43221
Illustrated books for older readers have exploded in popularity. This virtual panel discussion will explore the formats of graphic novels and hybrid novels across kidlit age groups from the perspectives of both writers and illustrators.
Moderator: Kathryn Powers
Panelists: Jeffrey Ebbeler, Terri Libenson, Wes Molebash, Misty Wilson, David Wilson
Presented & Hosted by: Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), Central & Southern Ohio
Author Renee Casteel Cook takes readers on a tour of tasty treats from the 3C’s to the smaller cities, sampling stories from the late 1800s to the present day.
Author Renee Casteel Cook takes readers on a tour of tasty treats from the 3C’s to the smaller cities, sampling stories from the late 1800s to the present day.
Presented & Hosted by: Columbus Metropolitan Library Whitehall Branch: 4445 E. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43213
Ohioana Book Festival Authors on VOICEcorps’s Morning Exchange
VOICEcorps enriches lives by reading printed news and information to people who are blind, have low vision, or other conditions that prevent reading. Several of our 2023 Ohioana Book Festival authors will record a discussion panel for this wonderful reading service.
Moderator: David Weaver
Panelists: Karin Cecile Davidson, Frances Smith Strickland, Nita Sweeney
Ohioana Book Festival Authors on VOICEcorps’ Morning Exchange
VOICEcorps enriches lives by reading printed news and information to people who are blind, have low vision, or other conditions that prevent reading. Several of our 2023 Ohioana Book Festival authors will record a discussion panel for this wonderful reading service.
Moderator: David Weaver
Panelists: Patti Flinn, Andrew Welsh-Huggins, Brieanna Wilkoff
Join Cover to Cover for a special Sunday morning storytime and welcome back some of our favorite California authors, Samuel and Freda Narh! The Narhs will be treating attendees with a reading, book-themed sweets and more.
Presented & Hosted by: Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers: 2116 Arlington Ave. Columbus, OH 43221
Paragraphs Bookstore is excited to host Ohio author, Kathy Schulz, for a book signing and discussion of her book, The Underground Railroad in Ohio, published by History Press.
Presented & Hosted by: Paragraphs Bookstore 229 S. Main St. Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Ric. S. Sheffield, Professor of sociology at Kenyon College, will give a presentation on his new book We Got By: A Black Family’s Journey in the Heartland.
Paragraphs Bookstore is so excited to host local illustrator Tim Bowers at Paragraphs Bookstore! Tim will be at the store to sign copies of his books and to give a demonstration.
Presented & Hosted by: Paragraphs Bookstore 229 S. Main St. Mount Vernon, OH 43050
Lucy A. Snyder is the Bram Stoker Award-winning and Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author of 15 books and over 100 published short stories. She will speak about her new horror novel, Sister, Maiden, Monster.
Hosted by: Maxwell I. Gold
Presented by: Columbus Metropolitan Library South High Branch: 3540 S. High St. Columbus, OH 43207
