Here’s Your First Look: 2025 Buckeye Book Fair Line-Up

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Save the Date: The 2025 Buckeye Book Fair Returns November 1st!

The Buckeye Book Fair is back and bigger than ever! Join us on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Greystone Event Center in Wooster, Ohio, for a day filled with stories, inspiration, and the chance to meet more than 100 celebrated authors and illustrators. For over four decades, the Buckeye Book Fair has been Ohio’s premier literary event, and this year’s lineup is one you won’t want to miss.

Among the many highlights is Patrick Ryan, whose powerful new novel Buckeye has already captured national attention. Academy Award–winner Tom Hanks praised it, saying, “I’ve been yearning for a novel that connects the American generations who dealt with our two wars—one of Omaha Beach, the other of the la Drang Valley. Buckeye is that book, and it soars.” Readers will have the rare chance to meet Ryan in person and hear the story behind this extraordinary book.

We’re equally delighted to welcome Anne Drozd, author of Facing Feelings: The Art of Raina Telgemeier, who will appear alongside her husband, cartoonist Jerzy Drozd. Together, they’ll be signing books and sharing insights into the power of graphic storytelling.

This year’s Fair also features a remarkable range of voices and genres:

• Amanda Flower, USA Today bestselling and two-time Agatha Award-winning author, brings her beloved Emily Dickinson Mystery Series, including the newest release, I Died for Beauty. A former librarian turned prolific novelist, Amanda is admired for her wit, her clever plots, and her ability to keep readers guessing.
• Cinda Williams Chima, a Springfield native and New York Times bestselling YA fantasy author, returns with her riveting Children of Ragnarok duology, blending Norse mythology, Viking adventure, and her trademark mix of romance and high-stakes magic.
• Savanna Flakes, award-winning speaker and advocate for neurodiverse learners, shares her empowering book I Have Special Needs AND That’s Not Why I’m Special. Families and children will love visiting her table to create their own personalized “About Me” learning bookmark—a keepsake designed to celebrate strengths and self-advocacy.
• Jarod K. Anderson is from Delaware, Ohio. His new contemporary fantasy novel Strange Animals will be published in February 2026 by Ballantine Books. Jarod’s memoir Something in the Woods Loves You was published by Hachette’s Timber Press in 2024 and is a winner of the 2025 Ohioana Book Award in nonfiction.
• Dustin Brady, the Strongsville-based author whose books have inspired millions of young readers, debuts Adventures in a Video Game: Never Trust a Robot. Kids who love gaming, humor, and twists will find Brady’s booth a must-stop—especially with the chance to pick up a free copy of his newest short story.
• Jashar Awan, Geisel Honor–winning author-illustrator, joins us with Every Monday Mabel, a joyful celebration of community helpers and the wonder of everyday childhood adventures. His work is as playful as it is profound, making him a favorite for both kids and parents.

With such a stellar lineup, this year’s Buckeye Book Fair promises something for every kind of reader—mystery lovers, fantasy dreamers, young readers just beginning their journey, and families looking to celebrate creativity together.

Now is the perfect time to show your support and become a Friend of the Buckeye Book Fair. Friends with the 2025 All Access T-Shirt Pass not only help us keep this cherished event free for all, but they also enjoy special perks—including a 10% discount at the Fair and exclusive benefits at participating businesses around town. Most importantly, every contribution helps us bring extraordinary literary talent to Ohio year after year.

Check out the full lineup, wear your BBF pride with your All Access T-shirt, and mark your calendar for November 1st. Together, let’s celebrate the joy of reading and the power of stories to connect us all. Become a Friend today and be part of the Buckeye Book Fair tradition!