Please read the following page carefully before submitting your application, as some information from previous years may have changed.
Thank you for your interest in the Buckeye Book Fair. We are one of Ohio’s foremost literary showcase events. We offer extensive statewide publicity and a proven audience of book buyers and event coordinators. Each year, we enthusiastically accept applications of original, published works. These may be submitted by authors, illustrators, publicists, or other publishing professionals, but applications must be received in order to be considered for the festival. We encourage submissions by individuals from diverse backgrounds, including race and ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, and/or abilities.
To be considered, mail a review copy of the final book with your submission letter to: Buckeye Book Fair, 304 N Market St, Wooster, OH 44691. Make sure to provide us with author (or publicist) contact information, including email address. The Buckeye Book Fair will not refuse any submissions, but we will not return review copies.
The submission letter should state confirmation of the following criteria:
- The author was born in Ohio, currently lives in Ohio, has a significant tie to Ohio, or is releasing a new book written about an Ohio topic.
- The author’s physical book (no e-books) is published after August 1, 2023 and will be available to sell on Saturday, November 2nd, 2024.
- Self-published authors must also confirm the following criteria in their submission letters:
- The author has had a professional editor for the book.
- The author’s printed copies will readily available for The Buckeye Book Fair to purchase, at industry standard terms. Note: We must know that you’ve communicate with your small press, and that you will have your own books on hand. Small press, indie-press, and print-on-demand books will be cancelled if your book is not available when our purchase order is received. Please indicate if you’ve checked with your press/publisher before applying. Industry trade terms are 1) Ready-to-ship availability; 2) Retail discounting of at least 40%; and 3) Open lines of full credit and return.
Author & Illustrators can participate in the Fair by invitation only. There is no fee for authors to participate; nor does the Buckeye Book Fair provide honoraria or cover travel expenses.
In lieu of a table fee our charity requests five complimentary copies of the book to share for promotion of the author and/or to sell at our Fair. We are a 501(c)3 charity organization and the Book Fair helps our organization’s non-profit literacy programs.
At the Buckeye Book Fair, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all author participants. We strictly prohibit any form of harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or any other characteristic. Harassment includes unwelcome conduct that interferes with an individual’s participation in our event. We expect all authors to treat each other and event volunteers, staff, and attendees with dignity and respect, creating a space where diverse voices can thrive. Any violations of this policy will be addressed promptly, and appropriate measures, including expulsion from the event, will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. Participating authors agree to contribute to The Buckeye Book Fair community with respect, and collaboration.
The absolute deadline for book submission is August 1st.
The Selection Process
If you and your book meets the OHIO connection qualification, the Buckeye Book Fair Steering Committee will review your book for inclusion in the book fair. The Steering Committee uses a number of criteria to evaluate books for selection. Some of the qualities the Committee looks for in books include the quality of the work, its printing and design, broad interest appeal, the list price and overall salability of the book.
Since the fair can accommodate fewer authors than requests received for attendance, entrance is competitive. We have an exact number of seats to fill, decisions may be delayed while we determine final list of participants.
If your book was not selected, please try again with your next book. A different year, reviewer, or table availability may provide you with the opportunity you’re seeking.
Invitations
Our goal is to provide an excellent and diverse product mix of books so that the event is successful and enjoyable for the visitors and the participating authors.
If your book is selected for inclusion, you will be invited to attend the book fair. Invitations are issued on a rolling basis and all invitations will be issued by the end of September.
The Buckeye Book Fair makes every effort to include quality works by Ohio authors, but we receive an overwhelming number of submissions. Each year, the Buckeye Book Fair’s Steering Committee reviews more than 200 submitted titles but can only accommodate fewer authors than requests received for attendance. Most invitations are issued to authors who are sought out by the book fair’s organizers.
Buckeye Book Fair 