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Category Archives: news
📚 February Book Bits: Newsletter!
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the February edition of Book Bits, your monthly dose of literary news and exciting reads from the Buckeye Book Fair!
This month, we’re thrilled to announce the return of summer event: Buckeye Book Camp! Young writers entering 3rd through 8th grade can look forward to a summer filled with creativity, storytelling, and inspiration. Registration is now open—don’t miss out on this unforgettable writing adventure!
In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting J.P. Mitchell’s Sweet Fire—a powerful and poetic celebration of confidence, identity, and self-love. Inspired by her own daughter, Mitchell’s book challenges the notion that girls must choose between being sweet or strong. It’s an empowering read for every young person learning to embrace their voice and passion.
Anastasia Hastings
Anastasia Hastings is a penname for Connie Laux who has, over a thirty-year career, published sixty-five novels in several different genres and under several names. She began her career writing historical romance, and has also written contemporary romance, YA, and a children’s book. A full-time writer, she writes every day – all day.
“My only trick is when I sit down to write, I set a clock for 45-minutes and in that time all I do is write. At the end, I get 15 minutes to do whatever I want,” Hasting said.
David Meyers & Elise Meyers Walker
Both prolific writers, David and Elisa are always working on a half dozen titles at any given time. They write and research every day. While looking for one thing, they may happen on something else. “It is not unusual for a plan to change. I don’t know what I think about a particular topic until I write a book about it,” David Meyers said. “Sometimes we discover the real story is a mystery to be solved.”
Celebrating Black History Month with Sweet Fire
At its core, Sweet Fire is a celebration of complexity, passion, and the power within. It challenges outdated narratives that tell young girls—especially Black girls—that they must shrink themselves to be accepted. Through rhythmic prose and vibrant illustrations, Sweet Fire sends a clear message: You were born to shine. You can be kind and powerful, soft and assertive, joyful and fierce.
📚 Happy New Year from Buckeye Book Fair!
Welcome to the first edition of Book Bits for 2025! This month, we’re excited to share our upcoming calendar of events and tell you about engaging authors like Bailee Abbott and Jane Ann Turzillo. We’ll also be shining a spotlight on our dedicated volunteer, Christina Mong, for her invaluable contributions to the Buckeye Book Fair.Continue reading “📚 Happy New Year from Buckeye Book Fair!”
Volunteer Spotlight: Celebrating Christina Mong
Christina’s enthusiasm for the Buckeye Book Fair is infectious, and she encourages others to find their niche in supporting literacy and events like ours:
“To anyone who loves to read, you will truly enjoy getting involved in volunteering for the Buckeye Book Fair. There are so many different ways to help and to be a part of this wonderful event that I guarantee you’ll find your niche, just like me. I can’t wait to do it again in 2025!”
Bailee Abbott Likes Details
When the town council hires Chloe Abbington’s close friend, famous wall muralist Lana Easton, to paint a mural advertising the return of the floating amphitheater, not everyone in Whisper Cove is happy about the theater or Lana. It doesn’t help that a lot of money taken from the town’s budget is being used to pay the muralist for her services. The mood turns even more grim when Lana is found dead, and since Chloe was there alone to discover her body, which makes her the prime suspect. Before Chloe finds herself painted into a corner as the killer, she, and sister Izzie hurry to solve the case and find the real criminal.
Jane Ann Turzillo
True crime is all about the facts and it comes with a lot of research. It has a specific audience, but make no mistake; it is a large swath of readers. The cold case phenomenon dominates our reading and viewing sectors today and it is not unique to the United States. Many long-term, unsolved cases capture worldwide fascination.
William Heath: From Steel Valley to Civil Rights and Beyond
William Heath, a Youngstown native with deep Ohio roots, has been a featured author at the Buckeye Book Fair for years. Heath’s work spans poetry, fiction, history, and literary criticism, reflecting a rich and varied career.