Festival Application

Applications for the 2025 Ohioana Book Festival are now CLOSED.

The 2025 Ohioana Book Festival:
May 3, 2025

 

We are now accepting applications for the 2025 Ohioana Book Festival, presented by the Ohioana Library Association. Thank you for your interest! 

The 2025 Ohioana Book Festival will be taking place at the State Library of Ohio at 274 E. First Ave. #100, Columbus OH, 43201. We are very excited about this because the State Library of Ohio is located in the same building as Ohioana Library! This will give festival attendees the opportunity to take tours of Ohioana Library’s collection, which is full of endless treasures. 

Please read the following page carefully before submitting your application, as some information from previous years may have changed.

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.

What is the Ohioana Library Association?

Founded in 1929, the Ohioana Library Association collects, preserves, and celebrates Ohio literature and other creative endeavors. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literary organization serving the state of Ohio. For more information, visit www.ohioana.org/about.

What is the Ohioana Book Festival?

The festival is held each spring to celebrate Ohio authors and illustrators and their books. In 2023, the Ohioana Book Festival authors and illustrators participated in panel discussions, children’s readings, and more. 

The 19th annual Ohioana Book Festival will take place May 3, 2025 at the State Library of Ohio and Ohioana Library. While we are very excited about this change in location, we will only be able to accept 60 authors and illustrators to the festival due to the size constraints of the venue. For more information and to see highlights of previous festivals, click here.

Who may apply?

The Ohioana Book Festival is open to Ohio authors who meet the following criteria:

  • The author must:
    • Have been born in Ohio; and/or
    • Have previously lived in Ohio for at least three years; and/or
    • Be an Ohio resident as of October 1, 2025
  • Only authors who have a physical book (no e-books) published after January 1, 2024 will be considered for the 2025 festival. Books must be available for sale at the festival on May 3, 2025.
  • Previous participants must reapply each year. In order to encourage diversity of festival offerings, preference is given to authors who did not participate in the prior year’s festival. It is festival policy to not repeat a book that has already been featured in the festival.
  • Self-published titles must meet the following criteria:
    • Printed copies are available for our official bookseller to sell
    • A professional has edited the work
    • The consideration for self-published titles that meet the above criteria will be the same as traditionally-published books.

What should I expect if I am chosen for the 2025 festival?

Authors at the 2025 festival will participate in programming throughout the day, and some authors will also participate in state-wide community outreach before the festival. Authors will have ½ of an six-foot-long table to display books (which will be sold or made available for sale by our official bookseller) and any promotional materials (bookmarks, small displays) that they wish to supply. Ohioana will have tablecloths, but we are unable to provide easels or other display materials.

Who decides which authors are invited?

An Author Selection Committee, which will be comprised of librarians and book professionals with diverse backgrounds, will consider the submissions and choose who will be invited. The bulk of invitations will go out in February 2025.

Are there costs to participate in the festival?

There is no fee to apply for or participate in the festival. Ohioana cannot pay authors for their appearance at the Ohioana Book Festival, nor any media and outreach programs related to the event. Travel, food, or lodging expenses are not covered. Ohioana usually provides coffee and light refreshments on Saturday morning before the festival begins and lunch during the festival.

If I was chosen for last year’s festival, do I need to reapply?

Yes. Previous participants must reapply each year. Please note: It is festival policy to not repeat a book that has already been featured at a previous Ohioana Book Festival. (please see “Who may apply? For further criteria.)

When are applications due, and when are authors and illustrators notified if they have been selected?

Applications must be submitted by December 16, 2024. Authors will be notified no later than February 28, 2025, as they are selected.

What types of books does the festival consider?

While we review all books that are submitted, our main goal is to provide an excellent and diverse mix of literature for all visitors and participating authors featuring books from the following genres:

  • Fiction (all genres)
  • Nonfiction (history, biography/memoir, religion, sports, art/architecture, cookbooks/food-related titles, and essays)
  • Poetry
  • Children’s Literature
  • Young Adult literature
  • Graphic novels
  • Titles with general or popular appeal published by academic presses

How to Submit Your Book

Complete the Application (linked at the bottom of this page) and submit it with the following materials. These materials become property of the Ohioana Library Association and will not be returned. Authors will be selected by a committee comprised of librarians and book professionals. Please note that submitting an application and materials does not guarantee acceptance.

  • Two copies of a finished book. (We will accept advanced readers’ copies, galley copies, or proofs, provided they are in a physical format if the book has not yet been published. No e-books or electronic submissions will be accepted). If the Ohioana Library has already received two copies of your book for our collection, you do not need to send additional copies.
  • Our mailing address is: Ohioana Library Association 274 E. 1st. Ave. Ste. 300 Columbus, OH, 43201
  • If you would like to drop off your book at the library, please email mnordine@ohioana.org. The library is currently open by appointment only.
  • Author biography, high-resolution author photograph and book cover (uploaded during the online application process). If an author’s biography, photograph and/or book cover are not available at the time of applying, they must be sent to mnordine@ohioana.org before the application closing date in order for the application to be considered complete.
  • Information about your ability/willingness to travel to Columbus, Ohio for the event (required).
  • A press kit (optional).

In order to complete and submit an application, all authors and illustrators must read and agree to the policies outlined in the Ohioana Book Festival Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy.

Applications are now closed. We hope to see you at the festival on May 3!

Questions?

Feel free to e-mail mnordine@ohioana.org.