The Beautiful, Difficult Truth About Making Books in Ohio Right Now

Every year, I have the privilege of joining the Selection Committee to read and review the work of authors and illustrators from across Ohio. And every year, I’m struck by the same thing: there are so many people writing books…

…and the level of excellence keeps rising.

It’s extraordinary and I feel humbled.

We’re living in a moment of time where creative people are stepping out with their lived experiences, a fierce commitment to the craft, and in many cases more degrees and expertise than we can conceptualize. The submissions we receive are never casual attempts, but this year we noted that they’re polished, thoughtful, deeply personal works. The bar keeps climbing, I don’t think it’s because anyone is competing, but instead, it’s because the level of courage and collective talent in Ohio is growing.

That’s the beautiful part.

The difficult part is that our events have limits. Space, time, budget — all the things, right?! Our non-profit budget doesn’t always care how much heart a creator pours into their work. That means we can’t say yes to everyone, even when the work absolutely deserves to be tabled at the Buckeye Book Fair.

As someone with a performing arts background, I often think of this process like an audition. Not because creators are performing for us, but because auditions teach a hard truth: selection is never about the value of the artist. It’s about the needs of the production. A different day, a different mix of titles, a different panel and the selections might have gone differently.

What matters is showing up. And coming back. And staying connected to the community that grows stronger every time someone writes a new story or illustrates a new world.

So if you’re creating in Ohio right now, I want you to know this:

Your work matters. Your voice matters. And the rising excellence around you is not a barrier, it’s a signal to us all that you’re part of something big and vibrant.

A New Challenge: Impersonation Scams Targeting Creative Communities

Alongside this rising excellence, a new challenge has emerged. I was shocked last week how many authors, illustrators, readers, and literary organizations across the country are spending time dealing with scams.

Recently, a fraudulent email impersonating the Buckeye Book Fair and using my name began circulating. The message was AI‑generated, overly formal, and designed to create pressure. It was not from me, and it was not from the Buckeye Book Fair.

This situation reveals a larger national trend. AI‑driven impersonation scams have increased sharply across the United States. Scams that impersonate well‑known businesses and government agencies are consistently among the top frauds reported to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network. According to Fair (2024), “In 2023, the FTC received more than 330,000 reports of business impersonation scams and nearly 160,000 reports of government impersonation scams—almost half of all fraud reports submitted directly to the agency. Reported losses from these impersonation scams reached $1.1 billion, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020.”

Forbes also notes that imposter scams regularly rely on urgency and fear. Fraudsters pose as trusted entities and pressure people into quick payments. In 2025, the FTC received more than one million reports about imposter scams, with losses rising to $3.5 billion. According to Phillips Erb (2026), these scams often rely on messages designed to create pressure, fear, and a false sense of legitimacy. Together, these rising numbers make it clear that impersonation scams are accelerating, and this problem is not likely to fade quickly.

The Buckeye Book Fair cares deeply about the safety of its authors and readers. We do not charge authors for a table for the November Buckeye Book Fair. Any unexpected financial request should be deleted. If you receive a message that feels uncertain or out of place, please reach out directly. We want every member of our community to feel supported, protected, and confident in their interactions with us.

Our Commitment to Ethical AI and Creative Integrity

After hearing concerns from children’s authors last year and recognizing the challenges facing the publishing industry, the Buckeye Book Fair drafted an AI Governance Policy. The policy was refined and formally adopted by our leadership. It guides how we protect creative work and uphold the integrity of our mission.

In alignment with our mission and values, this AI Governance Policy affirms our commitment to ethical practices and the protection of intellectual and creative work.

Core Principles

• Creativity Comes First
  We celebrate human imagination. We will never use AI to replace or diminish the work of authors or illustrators.
• Protection of Artistic Integrity
  We oppose the unpermitted scraping or mining of authors’ and illustrators’ creative works to train AI systems. We advocate for ethical boundaries and transparency in how data is collected and used in AI development.

Use of AI at the Buckeye Book Fair

• AI may be used to support administrative efficiencies (e.g., scheduling tools, accessibility formatting, or language translation), but never to author content that misrepresents human origin or authorship.

• We stand with creators. Buckeye Book Fair supports guidelines that protect authors’ and illustrators’ rights in the digital age.
• We will never knowingly use AI-generated work that mimics or exploits the voice, style, or identity of any creator without explicit permission.

Ongoing Oversight

• This policy will be reviewed annually by our leadership team. As technology evolves, so will our safeguards and strategies to ensure we are always working in the best interest of the literary and artistic community.

The Buckeye Book Fair has always been a place where stories are honored and storytellers are uplifted. As we embrace new tools and challenges, our commitment remains unwavering: to protect the heart of creativity.

Verification and Care in the 2026 Selection Process

To protect authors and readers, the Selection Committee reads and researches every book submitted. When needed, committee members interview creators to confirm authenticity. Invitations and the release of the final list have taken longer this year because we are verifying submissions with care.

The registration process is controlled, organized, and closely monitored. Authors who are invited to the Fair will receive clear and consistent communication throughout preparation for the 2026 Buckeye Book Fair, which will take place on Saturday, November 7.

Unfortunately, an impersonator has attempted to disrupt this process. We are responding with diligence, transparency, and a continued commitment to protecting the creative community we serve.

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As we move forward, the Buckeye Book Fair will continue protecting the creative community we serve, not only through careful verification and ethical AI practices, but through the deep respect we hold for every storyteller who shares their work with us.

The challenges you’re facing are real, and the rise in impersonation scams reminds us how important it is to stay connected, informed, and grounded in trust.

Ohio’s literary landscape remains unchanged: extraordinary talent, rising excellence, and a community that keeps showing up for one another. In that spirit, and in celebration of our 40th Anniversary, we are excited to share that the Buckeye Book Fair will launch a second event in 2027. This will expand opportunities and strengthen our connection. Let’s keep Ohio a powerful place for stories!

~Kimberly

References

Anderson, K. B. (2021). To whom do victims of mass-market consumer fraud complain? Social Science Research Network. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3852323

Phillips Erb, K. (2026, May 8). Scams are booming: The latest numbers and how to protect yourself. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2026/05/08/scams-are-booming-the-latest-numbers-and-how-to-protect-yourself/

Fair, Lesley. (2024). New FTC Data Spotlight offers illuminating insights into impersonation scams. Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2024/04/new-ftc-data-spotlight-offers-illuminating-insights-impersonation-scams