The Buckeye Book Fair would like to share an important update to help protect its community of readers, authors, and illustrators. A fraudulent email address has recently started sending what appears to be AI-generated messages misappropriating the name of Kimberly Jarvis, Executive Director and the Buckeye Book Fair. These messages are not from Kimberly or the Buckeye Book Fair.

This situation reveals a larger national trend. AI‑driven impersonation scams have increased sharply across the United States. Scams that impersonate well‑known businesses and government agencies are consistently among the top frauds reported to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network. According to their Business Blog writer, Lesley Fair (2024), “In 2023, the FTC received more than 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020.” Forbes also reports that in 2025, the FTC received more than one million reports about imposter scams, with losses rising to $3.5 billion. According to the Forbes writer, Phillips Erb (2026), these scams often rely on messages designed to create pressure, fear, and a false sense of legitimacy. Together, these rising numbers make it clear that impersonation scams are accelerating, and this problem is not likely to fade quickly.

We care deeply about the safety of authors, illustrators, and readers. The Buckeye Book Fair does not charge authors for a table and will not ask for money or a credit card number when inviting them to participate. Any unexpected financial request should be deleted. If you receive a message that feels suspicious or out of place, please contact us directly. We want our community to feel supported, protected, and confident in their interactions with us.

Buckeye Book Fair’s Commitment to Protecting Authors, Illustrators, and Readers

After hearing concerns from children’s authors in August, 2025 and identifying the publishing industry’s challenges, the Buckeye Book Fair drafted an AI Governance Policy. The organization’s leadership refined and formally adopted the policy in May, 2026. It guides how the Fair protects creative work and upholds its mission’s integrity.

AI Governance Policy

In alignment with our mission and values, this AI Governance Policy affirms our commitment to ethical practices and the protection of intellectual and creative work.

1. Our Core Principles

• Creativity Comes First
  We celebrate human imagination. We will never use AI to replace or diminish the work of authors or illustrators.
• Protection of Artistic Integrity
  We oppose the unpermitted scraping or mining of authors’ and illustrators’ creative works to train AI systems. We advocate for ethical boundaries and transparency in how data is collected and used in AI development.

2. Use of AI at the Buckeye Book Fair

• AI may be used to support administrative efficiencies (e.g., scheduling tools, accessibility formatting, or language translation), but never to author content that misrepresents human origin or authorship.

• We stand with creators. Buckeye Book Fair supports guidelines that protect authors’ and illustrators’ rights in the digital age.
• We will never knowingly use AI-generated work that mimics or exploits the voice, style, or identity of any creator without explicit permission.

3. Ongoing Oversight

• This policy will be reviewed annually by our leadership team. As technology evolves, so will our safeguards and strategies to ensure we are always working in the best interest of the literary and artistic community.

The Buckeye Book Fair has always been a place where stories are honored and storytellers are uplifted. As we embrace new tools and challenges, our commitment remains unwavering: to protect the heart of creativity.

The Buckeye Book Fair will continue to learn, observe, and critically consider the ethical developments of AI.

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Verification Process for the 2026 Buckeye Book Fair

To protect authors, illustrators, and readers, the Selection Committee reads and researches the books submitted to the Buckeye Book Fair. When needed, committee members interview creators to confirm authenticity. Invitations and the release of the final list are taking longer this year because we are carefully verifying submissions.

The registration process is controlled, organized, and closely monitored. Authors and illustrators invited to the Fair will receive clear, consistent communication throughout preparations for the 2026 Buckeye Book Fair, on Saturday, November 7.

Unfortunately, the impersonator mentioned above has attempted to disrupt the integrity of this process. Nevertheless, the Buckeye Book Fair is responding with diligence, transparency, and a continued commitment to protecting the creative community it serves.  We appreciate your cooperation and understanding and we sincerely apologize for anyone inconvenienced or confused by these messages.

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References

Anderson, K. B. (2021). To whom do victims of mass-market consumer fraud complain? Social Science Research Network. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3852323

Phillips Erb, K. (2026, May 8). Scams are booming: The latest numbers and how to protect yourself. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2026/05/08/scams-are-booming-the-latest-numbers-and-how-to-protect-yourself/

Fair, Lesley. (2024). New FTC Data Spotlight offers illuminating insights into impersonation scams. Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2024/04/new-ftc-data-spotlight-offers-illuminating-insights-impersonation-scams