Are you an author/illustrator or publisher looking to share your work with an engaged and enthusiastic audience? The Buckeye Book Fair invites submissions for our annual celebration of literature, held the first Saturday in November in Wooster, Ohio. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with readers of all ages, showcase your talent, and join a community of renowned authors and illustrators. From children’s books to adult fiction, poetry to nonfiction, we welcome diverse genres that celebrate the power of storytelling. Submit your work and become part of Ohio’s premier literary tradition!
How do I apply for a table at Buckeye Book Fair?
Publishers, Agents, Authors, and Illustrators are invited to participate in the Buckeye Book Fair after the Selection Committee reviews their books and materials. If you are an author or illustrator with a new release (August 2024 – November 2025), you may send a copy of your newly released book with a letter requesting to be reviewed for the upcoming Buckeye Book Fair. We are excited to support Ohio Authors and Illustrators! All Buckeye Book Fair Authors and Illustrators are annually awarded tables by invitation in August. Our review committee accepts submissions from January 1st through July 1st for the annual Fall Book Fair.
Please read all the details of your submission prior to submitting your materials. Click here for the details of book submissions to the Buckeye Authors’ Book Fair Committee.
Who sells the books?
The Buckeye Book Fair purchases books directly from the authors’ & illustrators’ publisher(s) and sells these books to the general public and libraries at our event through our streamlined checkout. Books are ordered in October and will be set up at the authors’ tables when they arrive. Our charity has specific rules and terms that must be adhered to for participation.
Can Independent (Indie) authors apply?
Independent authors are welcome to submit their work to the Buckeye Book Fair. Still, please note that our submission guidelines are highly stringent due to the competitive nature of our selection process. We prioritize traditionally published books to maintain our commitment to quality and alignment with industry standards. If your book is published through a small press, it is essential to verify that your publisher meets our criteria for inclusion. With hundreds of submissions each year, only a select number of titles will be chosen, ensuring a curated and exceptional experience for our audience. We encourage all applicants to carefully review the guidelines before submitting.
What is a considered a small press?
A small press is typically a publisher that operates independently or with a limited number of titles each year. Many small presses publish regional, niche, or specialized works. If your book is published by a small press, you may still receive this purchase order directly. In that case, you will likely need to coordinate with your publisher to have your books shipped to the Buckeye Book Fair’s warehouse.
Because there is no entrance fee for participating, each author is asked to provide five complimentary copies of their book for promotion and to support our nonprofit literacy programs. For authors published by a small press, these complimentary copies are often at the author’s own expense, not the publisher’s. We encourage you to have this conversation with your publisher early, and we ask that you confirm in your submission letter that you understood this responsibility.
What is considered a traditional publisher?
A traditional publisher is a publishing company that acquires the rights to publish an author’s work, takes responsibility for editing, designing, printing, distributing, and marketing the book, and pays the author through advances and/or royalties. In most cases, the publisher, not the author, handles the business side of sales and shipping. This is different from self-publishing or small presses, where authors may need to play a more active role in logistics. Some of the largest traditional publishers in the world, often called the “Big Six,” include: Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan Publishers, Simon & Schuster, and Scholastic. These companies publish thousands of titles each year across every genre, and their books are widely distributed to bookstores, libraries, and online retailers.
Are booths available for vendors to rent?
The Buckeye Book Fair does not have tables or booths available for private vendors. Authors and Illustrators are invited to attend the Buckeye Book Fair based on the review of their submission materials, table availability, and the demand of their product.
Can I sell my own copies at my table?
All books are sold from the payment center in the lobby. If an author or illustrator has copies of a title that is out-of-print and would like to sell it at the book fair, it must be submitted through an inventory specialist. The Buckeye Book Fair purchases books with library privileges that include terms of a 40%+ discount off the list price and 60+ days for return credit and payment. Authors and Illustrators acting as their own publisher or utilizing a small press or print-on-demand press must ship or deliver books before two weeks prior to the Buckeye Book Fair. In lieu of a table fee our charity requests 5 complimentary copies of the book to share and/or sell. The book fair is a 501(c)3 charity organization.
Our inventory specialist has a printed inventory page for count the books at the beginning and end of the Fair. A receipt for book submission and retrieval will be used and authors and illustrators will be paid within 60 days of the book fair. If you’re uncertain about what you should provide to us, please download this example.
Due to the complicated logistics of the event, please do NOT plan to bring books on fair day, except for your backup supply, or by arrangement with the Volunteer Operations Manager. The exception being supply-chain failure; authors and illustrators are contacted in advance in these circumstances.
How many of my books do you order?
Buckeye Book Fair typically purchase books by case quantity. Depending on the type and cost of your book, we will order around 10 to 25 copies of each title. Our long term sales records help us order larger quantities for authors we know will sell a large volume of books.
Authors are strongly encouraged to bring a backup supply of books due to the unpredictability of sales.
Can I sell non-book items?
The Buckeye Book Fair will also consider including non-book items (such as art prints, music, calendars, cards, or gift items) to be provided by the author or illustrator. Please contact the executive director to discuss arrangements prior to September 1.
Are there speaking opportunities?
Authors must indicate their interest in speaking opportunities on their author registration form.
Book fair speakers present on the topics of their books and will be selected in September. Buckeye Book Fair also partners with schools and libraries to host author programs throughout the year.
What do the Book Fair logistics look like?
The Buckeye Book Fair is held from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM in Greystone Event Center in Wooster, Ohio. Please click here to visit the “Getting Here” page. It will help you find your way to the book fair.
Authors are asked to arrive anytime between 8:00 -9:00 am. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and refreshments are provided, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, for authors and their guest.
Authors should park next to the event center in the large free-parking lot between the Holiday Inn and Greystone Event Center. An author entrance will be marked and helpers will be available at the door to help with props, visuals, and books.
What size table is provided?
Two Author or illustrators will be seated at an 8′ x 3′ banquet table. Please prepare your table decor for 4′ of space.
Because of this arrangement, Buckeye Book Fair reserves the right to limited the number of book titles we order for the special day. There will be a seating plan which authors can find in the centerfold of our printed brochure (authors will receive copies in October). Seating is randomly assigned and not all tables can connect to a power outlet. Please notify the director before September 15th if you need to request a power outlet (for your laptop) or would like to display a large banner or backdrop behind your table.
Tables will be provided with a tablecloth, a supply of your books, and a sign with your book price list. You may bring easels or a free-standing display with you, but they should not exceed three feet in depth due to the closeness of the space. We have a supply of hooks that can be used to display materials on the wall behind your table.
How do I request a special seating arrangement?
If you would like to be seated next to an author friend that is already listed on the Buckeye Book Fair’s Meet the Authors web page, or need access to an outlet, please let the director know by September 15th.
What should I bring?
Authors are encouraged to bring tabletop displays or visual aids (see photo below), handouts and/or projects for kids, your favorite autographing pens, and a backup supply of books (if convenient to do so). Your books will be ordered directly from the publisher and will be set up at your table when you arrive.
What should I wear?
Business casual is appropriate for both the Buckeye Book Fair and the Friday evening Author and Illustrator reception.
Where should I stay?
With many Buckeye Book Fair authors living in nearby parts of Ohio, the book fair asks the publisher or author to cover transportation and lodging costs.
A complete list of area accommodations is available on the Wayne County Visitors Bureau website. Here is a list of accommodations within minutes of Greystone Event Center.
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wooster, an IHG Hotel (Located across the parking lot of Greystone Event Center: (330) 601-1221
- Comfort Suites: 330-439-0190
- *Best Western – downtown Wooster: 330-264-7750 *A Sponsor!
- Econo Lodge: 330-264-8883
- Rodeway Inn: 330-262-5008
- Black Squirrel Inn B&B: 330-262-3803
- Market Street Inn B&B: 330-262-4085
- Gasche House B&B (10% discount for BBF authors): (646) 980-9060
Publicity Information
We would love to partner with you to increase publicity about Buckeye Book Fair. Here are the ways we can amplify the news.
Hashtags:
Using the following hashtags leading up to our event and for the throwback messages about Buckeye Book Fair will electronically link our messages together. Please copy these and paste them in your posts! #BuckeyeBookFair, #AdultsDeserveBookFairs, #BookSniffers #WoosterAllDayAuthors
Here are the social media links for you to follow, like, and share:
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/BuckeyeBookFair
- Instagram: @buckeyebookfair
- TikTok: @buckeyebookfair
Catalog:
Our promotional Catalog will be printed and distributed in October. Please let us know if you are willing to distribute BBF promotional brochures and posters to areas of interest in your hometown.
Event details
Join us for the state’s first-rate book show! Ohio authors and illustrators will be signing their new books for readers of all ages. The Buckeye Book Fair is held at Greystone Event Center in Wooster, Ohio. Complete details are online at www.buckeyebookfair.org
Author Reception
There will be an Author & Illustrator Reception the evening before the Buckeye Book Fair held at Greystone Event Center from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. The Author & Illustrator Reception is an opportunity for mingling, shopping, and enjoying each other before the Fair begins on Saturday. Authors & Illustrators recieve a 20% discount at the Buckeye Book Fair. (Authors & Illustrators may purchase their own books for 40% discount).