The Countdown is on…

The Author + Illustrator Connection is our blog and newsletter created just for you, the past, present, and future participants of the Buckeye Book Fair. Here you’ll find important updates, announcements, and helpful resources as we prepare for the Fair. We’ll only reach out a few times each year, and there’s a portal below where you can share your news so we can help promote your books and accomplishments!

Dear Authors and Illustrators,

The countdown is on! The Buckeye Book Fair is coming up next week on Saturday, November 1, at the beautiful Greystone Event Center in Wooster, Ohio. Each year, we look forward to this gathering of creative minds, and each year we’re reminded how lucky we are to have you with us.

Your dedication to sharing stories and art with such joy and generosity humbles us. Thank you for continuing to show up. Thank you to the 2025 authors who are ready to sign books with a smile, to listen to readers’ stories, and to nurture the next generation of storytellers. In this golden age of book fairs, your long-term commitment and enthusiasm make the Buckeye Book Fair shine brighter than ever.

We’re thrilled to announce that Shannon Hale will be our special guest at the inaugural Young Authors Award Ceremony, held on Thursday, October 30 at 7 p.m. We’d be honored to have you join us in celebrating young writers and illustrators who are carrying forward the literary spirit you help inspire.

As we prepare for this year’s event, we’d love for you to connect with readers year-round by joining our Buckeye Book Club on Facebook. It’s a warm and welcoming community of Ohio readers who are genuinely excited about your work. Some are already calling a few of you their favorites! Please stop by, introduce yourself, share your upcoming releases, and join in the conversation.

Thank you for writing and illustrating life, for giving readers worlds to explore, emotions to feel, and stories that stay in our hearts long after the final page.

Are you ready to inspire, connect, and celebrate the power of storytelling with us?

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I invite you to download the 2025 Buckeye Book Fair Catalog for a preview of this year’s event. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to plan your agenda for an inspiring and successful day.

WHICH MEANS you’ll arrive with intention, ready to connect with your readers and start sharing your work, your art, and your love of books with a community that can’t wait to meet you!

If you’d like to be featured, just fill out our short Author & Illustrator Spotlight form. It’s a quick Q&A that helps readers get to know the person behind the pages, your creative spark, your process, and what’s coming next. 📝 Here’s the form link. Whether you’ve joined us before or this is your first time, we’d be thrilled to share your story.