Host a Buckeye Book Fair Author or Illustrator Visit
The Buckeye Book Fair is more than an annual celebration—we’re a year-round connector of readers and storytellers. If you’re interested in bringing an Ohio author or illustrator to your school, library, or community group, you’ve come to the right place. Our approach is personal, flexible, and rooted in a shared love of books and learning.
Whether you’re planning an event months in advance or just getting started, we’re here to help you create a meaningful and memorable experience.
How It Works
1. Email Us to Start the Conversation
We keep it simple. Just send a message to info@buckeyebookfair.com with a few details: your preferred dates, age group or audience, and any ideas you have for the event. We’ll follow up with options that match your goals, schedule, and budget.
2. Know What to Expect for Cost
Our author and illustrator honorariums typically range from $300 to $2,000 per day, depending on the presenter, travel distance, and the scope of the event. Some virtual visits may be available at a lower cost. If your event is in-person, you may also be responsible for modest travel and lodging expenses.
We’ll help you choose someone who fits your budget, and we’re always happy to work with schools, libraries, and community groups of all sizes—including those applying for grants or using Title I or PTA funds.
3. We’ll Help You Coordinate
Once we know what you’re looking for, we’ll match you with one of our participating authors or illustrators—many of whom are based right here in Ohio. We’ll handle the logistics and communication, so you don’t have to chase down schedules or figure out travel details alone.
4. Prepare Your Readers
We’ll send you custom educator resources by email—book discussion ideas, classroom activities, and creative ways to get students excited about the author or illustrator’s visit. We strongly encourage reading the guest’s books beforehand so the event feels personal and inspiring.
Engaging Students Ahead of the Visit
A successful author visit begins well before the author walks through your doors. Here are some creative ways to build momentum, generate excitement, and foster meaningful interaction:
- Host book talks or read-alouds in classrooms or during library time.
- Create displays with student-made posters, fan art, or reviews of the visiting author’s books.
- Start a question jar and let students drop in ideas to ask the author.
- Hold a book-themed spirit week, like dress-as-a-character day or “favorite book” hat day.
- Organize a classroom or hallway showcase of creative responses to the author’s work—maps of story settings, character collages, or rewritten endings.
- Assign small “ambassador” roles like greeters, tech helpers, or thank-you card creators to help students take ownership of the day.
- Involve families by sending home a flyer with book recommendations and author info.
These activities not only engage students—they also create an inviting environment for the visiting author and ensure a more interactive experience for everyone involved.
Tips for a Great Buckeye Book Fair Author Visit
📚 Prepare Your Readers in Advance
When students are familiar with the author’s work, everything clicks. Build excitement by reading books aloud, sharing book trailers, decorating hallways, or hosting classroom discussions in the weeks before the visit.
🎨 Let Creativity Lead
Have students create posters, bookmarks, or bulletin boards inspired by the author’s stories. Host a character costume day or a hallway “gallery walk” featuring student artwork and writing related to the guest’s books.
🎤 Engage Students Directly
Encourage students to prepare thoughtful questions in advance for a Q&A session. You might even select a few students to introduce the author or serve as event helpers, ushers, or photographers.
📸 Celebrate the Moment
Designate someone to take photos and video clips (with permission) to share in your school newsletter or social media. These visits are unforgettable—capture and celebrate the excitement.
💬 Send a Thank-You
Have students write or draw thank-you notes after the visit. It’s a meaningful gesture, and authors truly treasure them.
Why Choose Buckeye?
Unlike national programs with long forms and automated processes, we keep things human. The Buckeye Book Fair is the most personal book fair in the Midwest, and we believe in real connections. Every author visit we coordinate is built around relationships—between schools, communities, and storytellers.
Our mission is to make books come alive in the hands of young readers—and we’re honored to be your partner in that journey.
Ready to Plan a Visit?
We’re excited to help you connect with the perfect author or illustrator for your school or event. Just email us at info@buckeyebookfair.com, and we’ll take it from there.
Together, we’re building a more literate, imaginative, and connected Ohio—one visit at a time.