Buckeye Book Fair Author and Illustrator Submissions

01/2026

Thank you for your interest in the Buckeye Book Fair. We are delighted you are considering being part of one of Ohio’s most respected and beloved literary events.

The Buckeye Book Fair is a statewide celebration of books, reading, and the people who create them. Each year, we bring together authors, illustrators, educators, librarians, and readers for a vibrant day centered on storytelling and literacy. Participation offers meaningful exposure, enthusiastic book buyers, and the opportunity to connect with a community that truly values books and the people behind them.

We warmly welcome submissions of original, published works by authors and illustrators. Applications may be submitted by authors, illustrators, publicists, or other publishing professionals. All submissions must be received by July 1, 2026 in order to be considered.

We strongly encourage submissions from individuals of diverse backgrounds and abilities. The Buckeye Book Fair is committed to representing a wide range of voices, stories, and experiences.

How to Submit Your Book

To be considered, please mail a review copy of the final book. If the final book is not yet available, an advance reader copy or illustration dummy may be submitted. Please include a submission letter and mail materials to:

Buckeye Book Fair
304 N. Market St.
Wooster, OH 44691

Please include complete contact information for the author or publicist, including an email address. Review copies will not be returned.

Ohio Connection

Let us know if the author or illustrator was born in Ohio, currently resides in Ohio, or has a significant tie to Ohio. Is the book written about an Ohio-related topic?

For select high-interest titles, the Ohio connection requirement may be waived, and authors appearing in Ohio as part of a book tour are encouraged to apply.

Publication Date

Tell us the release date for the book. Was the book published after August 1, 2025, and will it be available for sale by November 7, 2026?

In select cases, early release permission for special events may be possible for books scheduled for publication shortly after November 7, 2026.

Industry-Standard Terms

Please confirm in your submission letter that the title meets standard bookseller terms, including:

Ready-to-ship availability
A minimum 40 percent wholesale discount
Full returnability for credit

Promotional Event

The Buckeye Book Fair is a mission-driven literacy event that prioritizes community connection, reader engagement, and long-term visibility alongside book sales.

Submitting your book signals your interest in participating in the Buckeye Book Fair and allows our Steering Committee to review your work for inclusion. Please ensure all materials are complete and accurate so your submission can be properly considered. We look forward to reviewing your book and celebrating your contribution to Ohio’s literary community.

Additional Criteria for Self-Published and Small Press Authors

Books published by independent presses, university presses, micro-presses, or through self-publishing platforms are welcome. To ensure a successful and sustainable event, additional requirements apply, and applicants must acknowledge their understanding of these requirements in the submission letter.

Copies are readily available for purchase by the Buckeye Book Fair at industry-standard wholesale terms during the first week of October. Print-on-demand books must be ready to ship in October. Orders cannot be delayed for additional printing.
The book has been professionally edited.
An ISBN and list price is on the book or will be added.

We encourage you to review this page in entirety and the FAQs carefully to help make the submission process smooth and efficient for everyone.

Submission Review & Selection Timeline

If your book meets the requirements and the criteria outlined above, it will be reviewed by the Buckeye Book Fair Selection Committee during the months of April, May, June, and July.

The Committee considers multiple factors when reviewing submissions, including:

Quality of the work
Printing and design
Broad audience appeal
List price
Presence of an ISBN
Deliverability
Overall salability

Because space is limited, participation in the Buckeye Book Fair is competitive. Each year, the Selection Committee reviews more than 200 submitted titles but can accommodate fewer authors and illustrators than the number of submissions received. Decisions may be delayed as the participant list is finalized, and our goal is always to curate a strong, diverse mix of books that will make the Fair successful and enjoyable for both visitors and participants.

Invitations to participate are issued by email on a rolling basis, with all selections finalized by August 20. Invitation emails will include a registration link and next steps. Participation in the Buckeye Book Fair is by invitation only.

Authors and illustrators who are not selected will be notified by email during the first week of September. These decisions are never easy, and we recognize the care and effort that goes into every submission. We truly appreciate your interest and encourage authors and illustrators who are not selected to consider applying again with a future title. Availability, reviewers, and event needs vary from year to year.

Participation in the Buckeye Book Fair is by invitation only. The Buckeye Book Fair does not provide honoraria or cover travel expenses.

Book Purchasing and Distribution

The Buckeye Book Fair serves as its own bookseller. We do not partner with an outside bookstore. This means we are responsible for ordering, receiving, selling, and returning books for participating authors.

For books published by major trade publishers, ordering is typically straightforward. For books published by small or independent presses, subsidiaries, or print-on-demand services, the process often requires author involvement.

Important Note About Ingram, IngramSpark, and Similar Services

Listing a book with Ingram, IngramSpark, or a similar distribution service does not automatically guarantee availability under industry-standard bookseller terms.

If the Buckeye Book Fair encounters barriers such as non-returnability, insufficient discounting, delayed fulfillment, or platform limitations, the author or illustrator will be required to serve as their own distributor. In those cases, the Buckeye Book Fair can offer the option for authors or illustrators to deliver their books directly to our warehouse, where they will be sold on a consignment basis during the Buckeye Book Fair.

Books sold on consignment must be taken by the author or illustrator at the conclusion of the Fair. Payment will be issued by check once the electronic sales record has been finalized and verified.

Complimentary Copies

In lieu of a table fee, our nonprofit organization requests five complimentary copies of the book. These copies are used to promote the author and/or sold at the Fair to support our year-round literacy programs. The Buckeye Book Fair is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Community Standards and Code of Conduct

The Buckeye Book Fair is committed to fostering a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants. Harassment or discrimination of any kind is strictly prohibited, including conduct based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or any other characteristic.

All participating authors are expected to treat fellow authors, volunteers, staff, and attendees with dignity and respect. Any violations of this policy will be addressed promptly, and appropriate measures, including removal from the event, may be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.