Celebrate Ohio’s Literary Spirit at the 2025 Buckeye Book Fair
On Saturday, November 1st, beginning at 9:30 AM, the Buckeye Book Fair will open its doors for a full day celebrating Ohio’s talented authors, illustrators, and storytellers! This year’s event promises an engaging mix of presentations, workshops, and read-alouds designed to inspire creativity, spark conversation, and celebrate the written word. The following schedule highlights just a sampling of the exceptional programming taking place throughout the day. (For a complete list of participating authors and illustrators, be sure to explore the official Buckeye Book Fair Catalog.)
Author & Illustrator Presentations
9:30 – 10:05 AM
Flash Fiction Lab with Treehouse Literary Arts
A fast-paced creative writing session where surprise prompts inspire instant, imaginative storytelling.
10:15 – 10:50 AM
Draw Along with Tim Bowers
Join beloved illustrator Tim Bowers for a playful, interactive draw-along session perfect for all ages.
11:00 – 11:35 AM
Naomi Gingerich: Tradition in Every Bite
Experience the warmth of Amish roots as Naomi Gingerich shares soulful, generational recipes from her kitchen.
11:45 AM – 12:20 PM
Patrick Ryan: Buckeye
Patrick Ryan presents Buckeye, a sweeping and heartfelt portrait capturing the spirit of Ohio.
12:30 – 1:05 PM
Dan Chaon: Emotionally Rich Storytelling
Award-winning author Dan Chaon explores the art of blending genres and creating emotionally resonant fiction.
1:10 – 1:45 PM
Panel: Middle Grade Matters
Featuring Dustin Brady, Sam Subity, Marcy Campbell, Erik Jon Slangerup, Jerzy Drozd, and Anne Drozd, this will be a lively discussion on storytelling for young readers.
1:55 – 2:30 PM
Everyday Steps Toward a Wilder, Greener Yard
Conservation educator Danae Wolfe offers practical tips for making your yard more eco-friendly and biodiverse.
2:40 – 3:15 PM
Choosing Your Publishing Path: Traditional vs. Independent with Patricia Sargeant (aka Olivia Matthews). Learn the key differences, benefits, and challenges of traditional and independent publishing to help you decide which route best fits your goals as an author.
3:25 – 4:00 PM
Panel: If Books Could Kill — Writing Mysteries and Suspense
Amanda Flower and Julie Hatcher reveal how they craft page-turning mysteries that keep readers guessing.
Children’s Read-Alouds
- 10:15 AM – Marcy Campbell
- 10:30 AM – Lindsay Ward
- 10:45 AM – Conrad Storad
- 11:00 AM – Lindsay Bonilla
- 11:15 AM – Jashar Awan
- 11:30 AM – Katie Mazeika
- 12:00 PM – Blythe Russo
- 12:15 PM – Allison Rozo
- 12:30 PM – Florenza Lee
- 12:45 PM – Christie Welsby
- 1:00 PM – Merrill Rainey
- 1:15 PM – Jessica Fries-Gaither
- 1:30 PM – Mara Giglio
- 2:00 PM – Savanna Flakes
Traveling Stanzas Mobile Makerspace
Update: We’re sorry to share that the Wick Poetry Center’s Traveling Stanzas Mobile Makerspace will not be at this year’s Buckeye Book Fair due to unexpected mechanical issues. While we’ll miss this inspiring, creative space, we look forward to welcoming it back to a future event where readers and writers can once again experience the joy of poetry and self-expression.
Join us on November 1st at the Greystone Event Center, 50 Riffel Road, Wooster, Ohio, for a day of unforgettable stories, engaging workshops, and meaningful encounters with the authors and illustrators shaping Ohio’s literary landscape.
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