Authors

Calling all Ohio authors, poets, and illustrators!

Ohioana is proud to collect, preserve, and celebrate Ohio authors, poets, illustrators, and aspiring writers and creators! Read below to see how Ohioana can support and collaborate with you as an Ohio author, poet, or illustrator.

Get Your Books in Our Collection

Ohioana Library is a special collections library, specializing in collecting the works of authors and illustrators from and living in Ohio. We are an archive, so our collection does not circulate. Our library's purpose is to preserve these works for generations to come. We would be honored to have your book(s) in our collection! The process is simple, we ask that you donate your book(s) to us, by mailing them to our library at this address: Ohioana Library, 350 E. First Ave., Suite 100 #9317, Columbus, OH 43201.

Nominate Your Book for the 2027 Ohio Book Awards

Established in 1942, the Ohio Book Awards recognize Ohio authors and illustrators for outstanding books published each calendar year in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Young Adult Literature, Middle Grade Literature, Juvenile Literature, and Book about Ohio or an Ohioan (which may include books by non-Ohio authors or illustrators). Click here for the nomination form and more information about eligibility. Nomination forms must be postmarked by December 31, 2026, to be considered for the 2027 Awards. And YES, you may absolutely nominate yourself!

Author Profiles

Ohio’s rich literary heritage is evidenced by many of the authors who have called it home, including novelists Sherwood Anderson, Louis Bromfield, Zane Grey, and Harriet Beecher Stowe; poets Rita Dove, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Nikki Giovanni; and children’s writers Mildred Wirt Benson (Carolyn Keene), Lois Lenski, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Robert McCloskey, and R.L. Stine. Ohioana creates "author profiles" on our website's database linked below, and we would be happy to create you one! This database is not comprehensive, as we create profiles when authors reach out asking for one. If you would like an author profile on the database linked below, please fill out this survey, and send an email to ohioana@ohioana.org to let us know you've completed the form.