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. In 2021 Ohioana welcomed 140 authors and illustrators to our second virtual festival.
Hear your favorite authors talk about their books and their writing process, and ask them questions in our live sessions. We will be posting panels throughout the weekend, so check below to see when panels will go live. See below for panel descriptions, moderators and panelists.
From Affrilachia to small and big towns on the campaign trail, to the literary landmarks of the state, Ohio’s rich storytelling heritage is alive and well! Join our authors for a lively discussion of stories from around the Buckeye State.
Reading can be like time travel. Reliving the stories and setting that came before us, and how they shape our lives today. Join our panelists to discuss their stories of tales set in certain historical time periods and how they came to write these popular and exciting novels.
Moderator: Michelle Gubola
Panelists: Pete Beatty, Tonya Ulynn Brown, Jennifer Geiger, Salvatore Scibona, Tonya Mitchell
Writing short fiction can be quite different than writing a novel or longer work. Our panel of experts discusses what makes a great short story and why they choose to write in this art form.
Join this group of panelists, all published by Ohio-based publisher Monday Creek, alongside their publisher, as they discuss their writing process and what it is like to publish with Monday Creek.
Moderator:Gillian Berchowitz
Panelists: Mark M. Dean, Kathy S. Elasky, J.A. Hall, Cristina Sicard
The Story of a Life: Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction
Writing our own stories and digging into our pasts can be a challenging task. Join four writers as they discuss their process and experience in writing personal narratives told from the vantage point of real-life experience.
Floyd’s Pick is a book award developed by the Choose to Read Ohio (CTRO) Advisory Council and 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. 2021 winner Aiko Ikegami will be joined by previous winners of this award to discuss their work.
A celebration of poetry, from a group of renowned poets who tell their truth in verse – how they see the world and the people around them, in a celebration of words.
Moderator: Chuck Salmons
Panelists: Pamela R. Anderson, Darren C. Demaree, Paula J. Lambert, Charles Malone
Whether you’re enjoying some of Ohio’s great museums, or hoping to enjoy some of the best of our state’s beautiful landscape and nature, there is something in this panel for everyone!
Moderator: Bill Eichenberger
Panelists: Carole Genshaft, Megan E. Griffiths, Kenn Kaufman, Robert Kroeger, Norm N. Nite
A pre-recorded video that launches our Color, Cut, Create Contest with author Merrill Rainey! Watch this video and then come back tomorrow LIVE at Noon to ask Merrill all about the contest and to learn how to register to enter some fun prizes!
Explore new worlds, civilizations, and ways of life as these Young Adult writers describe their world-building processes and exciting works of genre fiction.
Moderator: Jacqueline Lipton
Panelists: Cinda Williams Chima, Intisar Khanani, Patricia Miller, D.W. Vogel
Join our authors as they discuss how they write stories set in today’s landscape, as well as those authors who influenced and inspired them to become writers.
Moderator: Robin Nesbitt
Panelists: Theresa E. Liggins, Brian Petkash, Gregg Sapp, Aliston Stine, Donna Wyland
Join us for a kick-off event on April 25th with Author/Illustrator/Paper Engineer Merrill Rainey to learn more about the Color, Cut, Create Contest for kids!
Pick up some tips & tricks on how to add that WOW factor to your contest submissions and learn how YOU can be one of the lucky participants to recieve a FREE copy of either Color, Cut, Create • Dinosaur World, or Horse Ranch.
This session includes time with Merrill Rainey to answer all your contest questions.
Choose to Read Ohio spotlights Ohio authors and promotes reading across Ohio. The State Library of Ohio, Ohioana Library Association and Ohio Center for the Book encourage Ohioans of all ages to read and enjoy books together. Each CTRO booklist highlights selected books for a two-calendar-year promotion. Join current and former CTRO authors as they discuss these fantastic books.
Moderator: Meg Brown & Janet Ingraham-Dwyer
Panelists: Margaret Peterson Haddix, Will Hillenbrand, Tricia Springstubb, Jasmine Warga
Our authors have been hard at work putting together content for you! Please click here after 7pm on Thursday, April 22 for a listing for readings, book trailers, story times and more!
Check back for programs and activities featuring Ohioana Book Festival authors that are free and open to the public and take place before the main event beginning on April 22. Some will be streaming live, while others will be pre-recorded. All will be recorded and available for replay in the days following the event.
Tom Batiuk, the creator of Funky Winkerbean and Crankshaft, is our poster artist this year! He explains his process and talks about his character, Lillian McKenzie, who has been attending the Ohioana Book Festival in the panels of Crankshaft for five consecutive years!
