Some of the Book Festival authors will be participating in community outreach programming BEFORE the actual Festival – and you can attend their programs!

Thursday May 9

Teen author Rae Carson will be reading and answering questions at the Westland Area Library (located at 4740 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43228) starting at 5:00 p.m.

Novelist Carla Buckley attend a meet and greet book reading at the McConnell Arts Center (located at 777 Evening Street Worthington, OH 43085) starting at 7:00 p.m.

Journalists Sharon Short and Bob Hunter will be meeting fans at the Barnes & Noble at Lennox Town Center (located at 1739 Olentangy River Road Columbus, OH 43212) beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Friday May 10

Novelist Emilie Richards will present at the Martin De Porres Center (located at 2330 Airport Drive Columbus, OH, 43219) from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Novelist Ellis Avery will talk with readers at Stonewall Columbus (located at 1160 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201)from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Broadcasts:

Wednesday May 8

Novelists Carla Buckley and Raul Ramos y Sanchez will chat on VOICECorps’ “The Morning Exchange” from 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon.

Not all of the outreach programming Ohioana arranges for the Book Festival is open to the public. We would like to thank Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus School for Girls, and Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center for hosting author programs for their students and patients.

Must See Museums

COSI: The Center of Science and Industry is one of the most respected science centers in the nation, serving more than 20 million visitors since 1964. At COSI you will find endless opportunities to explore real science and discover real possibilities for yourself and the world around you. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday noon-6pm. Cost: Adults $16.95, Children $11.95, Seniors $15.95. 333 W. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

Columbus Museum of Art: Great experiences with great art for everyone! We believe that art speaks to each and every one of us in different ways. Art inspires. Art challenges. Art thinks. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5:30pm; Thursdays 10am-8:30pm. Cost: Adults $12, Students $5, Seniors $8, Free on Sundays. 480 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

The Santa Maria: The Santa Maria is a full-size historical preservation of Christopher Columbus’ flagship, serving as a history museum. Hours: Wednesday-Friday 10am-3pm; Saturday-Sunday noon-5pm. Cost: Adults $4.50, Children $3.50, Seniors $4.00. Ship located at the corner of Marconi & West Broad Street, at Batelle Riverfront Park.

Ohio Historical Society: Visit the headquarters of the Ohio Historical Society and a museum showcasing Ohio’s history from the ice age to today. Exhibits feature a variety of topics including the Civil War, natural history, glass, pottery and interactive children activities. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday noon-5pm. Cost: Adults $10.00, Children $5.00, Seniors $9.00. 800 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211.

Must See Literary Sites

Thurber House: Thurber House is the former home of American humorist James Thurber, who lived in the house with his family during his college years at the Ohio State University. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Thurber House is a literary center, book store, and museum of Thurber materials. Thurber House’s programs include writing classes for children, author readings for adults, Thurber celebrations, events for children, and gallery exhibitions. Hours: 1pm-4pm daily. Cost: Self-guided tours, free; Guided tours available on Sunday, Adults $4, Students and Seniors $2. 77 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus OH 43215.

Columbus Metropolitan Library: Originally built through a gift from Andrew Carnegie and opened in 1907, the Main Library is home to an extensive genealogy collection, business and technology classes, fun programming for kids, not to mention a fabulous collection of books and resources. You can also see spectacular art from renowned artists Aminah Robinson and Todd Slaughter and visit year-round art exhibits featuring local artists. Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday 9am-6pm; Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 1pm-5pm. 96 S. Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215.

Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum: The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum was established in 1977 in two converted classrooms in the Journalism Building at OSU with the founding gift of artwork and papers of alumnus Milton Caniff. Its collections of original art and manuscripts have been built primarily through gifts-in-kind. The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is now the largest and most comprehensive academic research facility documenting printed cartoon art. Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. 27 West 17th Avenue Mall, Columbus, OH 43210.

The Book Loft: One of the nation’s largest independent book stores, he Book Loft of German Village, is located just a few blocks South of the state capitol building. The pre-Civil War era buildings that once were general stores, a saloon and a nickelodeon cinema, now are home to 32 rooms of Bargain Books. Hours: 10am-11pm daily. 631 South Third Street, Columbus, OH 43206.

Acorn Bookstore: Called “the literary equivalent of Cheers” by Columbus Monthly, Acron is a 20-year-old brick-and-mortar secondhand/antiquarian bookshop. They have everything from inexpensive paperbacks to soak up suntan lotion on the beach to collectible books worth thousands of dollars. With about 50,000 books in a two-floor store, including DVDs and CDs, you will find something you like when you visit! Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday 11am-6pm. 1464 West 5th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43212.

Must See Parks

Franklin Park Conservatory: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers art and nature-based exhibitions, botanical collections, gardens as well as 83,000 sq. ft. of greenhouses. The Conservatory is situated in the 88-acre Franklin Park, which features botanical gardens, art sculptures and a one-mile walking loop. Hours: 10am-5pm daily, Wednesday 10am-8pm. Cost: Adults $11, Children $6, Seniors $9. 1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203.

Columbus Park of Roses: The 13 acre Park of Roses is nestled within the larger Whetstone Park. It contains three unique rose gardens as well as herb and perennial gardens, annual display beds and a restored Ohio prairie. Wide, smooth walkways and numerous benches make it easy to enjoy the sights and smells of 11,500 roses with more than 400 varieties. Hours: open sunup till sundown daily. 3901 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43214.

Grange Insurance Audubon Center: Less than a 10-minute walk from downtown Columbus, on a half-forgotten bend in the Scioto River, lies a fragile green oasis, a tiny jewel, a hidden haven for wildlife and birds set amid an industrial landscape now in transformation. At the heart of this transformation is the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, one of the first such centers in Audubon’s storied history to bring hands-on conservation and nature-based learning this close to the core of a major American city. The Grange Insurance Audubon Center in the Scioto Audubon Metro Park is located in an Important Bird Area (IBA) where thousands of birds migrating from Central and South America use this spot along the Scioto River as a stopover during their long journeys. Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, Sunday 11am-5pm.  505 W. Whittier Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

Scioto Mile: Located in the heart of downtown Columbus, the Scioto Mile is an urban oasis comprised of more than 145 acres of lush parkland. Stretching along the riverfront from the vibrant Arena District to the natural beauty of the Whittier Peninsula, the Scioto Mile reconnects downtown to the Scioto River through an integrated system of parks, boulevards, bikeways and pedestrian paths. Fostering some of our City’s most celebrated features: a stunning 15,000 square-foot interactive fountain, the country’s largest free outdoor climbing wall and the world’s most authentic replica of the Santa Maria — the Scioto Mile has something for everyone.

The Columbus Topiary Park: A seven-acre park in downtown Columbus, Ohio; The Topiary Park is most famous for its topiary interpretation of Georges Seurat’s famous Post-Impressionist painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Isle of La Grand Jatte. Visitors come from around the world to enjoy the unique experience of walking into and through a work of art. In addition to the topiary attraction, visitors will find beautifully landscaped walks, benches, picnic tables and a Visitors’ Center. Admission is free, and the park is wheelchair accessible. Hours: open sunup till sundown daily. 480 E. Town Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

Goodale Park: Goodale Park is surrounded by Victorian Village, a cluster of homes with charming architectural features. It is the oldest park in Columbus and among the oldest in the United States. Although Goodale Park contains an expansive playground and tennis courts, the park’s main attraction is its view of the Columbus skyline and the serenity offered alongside a scenic pond and the charm of the gazebo and of its historic park shelter. A walk through Goodale Park is a refreshing experience. 120 West Goodale Street, Columbus, OH 43215.

Schiller Park: Schiller Park is the second oldest park in the City of Columbus. Originally called Stewart’s Grove by the early settlers, the city bought these 23.5 acres in 1867 and Stewart’s Grove became City Park. In 1891, it was renamed Schiller park after the famous German poet, Friedrich von Schiller. An impressive statue of Schiller decorates the center of the park. The park is now a well-kept central location of German Village life. The recreation center, picnic areas, softball diamonds, fishing pond and stage for the Actor’s Summer Theater, not to mention the beautifully landscaped gardens, make Schiller Park the jewel of German Village. Hours: open sunup till sundown daily. 1069 Jaeger Street, Columbus, OH 43206.

Olentangy Bike Path: One of the most popular greenways in Ohio, this trail offers a seamless 13.75 mile route from Worthington Hills to downtown.  The bikeway winds through several neighborhoods along the Olentangy River, with trailheads at several major city parks, including Antrim Park and Whetstone Park.  The path also travels through the heart of the Ohio State University campus.

While this list of must see things in Columbus is long, it is by no means inclusive of everything Columbus has to offer. For more to do in Columbus, check out Experience Columbus, Columbus Neighborhoods, or the Columbus Underground.

But, what about after you leave the Festival? Carrying all those signed books can make a person hungry!

Columbus is making a name for itself as a food mecca, and not without reason! There are hundreds of restaurants within a stone’s throw of the Ohioana Book Festival site. Experience Columbus has put together a list of 85 amazing downtown Columbus restaurants, check out the list here, or use their online restaurant finder.

Experience Columbus Restaurant Finder

Columbus loves its restaurants so much, we even have a magazine dedicated to eating out! Crave, the Columbus Dining Magazine, contains reviews of local restaurants, articles about food trends, and their website lists restaurants by both neighborhood and by cuisine.

Crave lists restaurants by neighborhood and cuisine

Ohio Magazine’s website has a restaurant finder where you can find “unique and memorable meals” in Columbus and all over the state!

Ohio Magazine's Restaurant Finder lists restaurants by Ohio region

You will certainly find that Columbus has something wonderful for every palette!

Don’t forget that you can make reservations at many Columbus restaurant via Open Table, which also has a smart phone app.

First things first, if you aren’t from Central Ohio, you’ll need to find a place to stay. Check out this great guide to hotels near downtown Columbus provided by Experience Columbus (click the map for downloadable pdf):

1. Arena District Hyatt Regency, 350 N. High St.
2. Comfort Inn & Suites Columbus Downtown, 650 S. High St.
3. Courtyard by Marriott, 35 W. Spring St.
4. Crowne Plaza, 33 E. Nationwide Blvd.
5. DoubleTree Guest Suites, 50 S. Front St.
6. Drury Inn & Suites Convention Center, 88 E. Nationwide Blvd.
7. German Village Inn, 920 S. High St.
8. Hampton Inn & Suites, 501 N. High St.
9. Hilton Columbus Downtown, 401 N. High St.
10. Holiday Inn Columbus Downtown Capitol Square, 175 E. Town St.
11. Red Roof Inn, 111 Nationwide Blvd.
12. Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel, 50 N. Third St.
13. Residence Inn by Marriott, 36 E. Gay St.
14. Sheraton Columbus at Capitol Square, 75 E. State St.
15. The Westin Columbus, 310 S. High St.

You can view the schedule of events here, see the times that authors will be reading and drawing in our children’s activities area here, or download the official program here!

Not sure where the next prog

ram you want to attend is? Check out the map of the Fort Hayes Construction Arts Building on pages 8-9 of the official program:

Not sure where your favorite author is sitting so you can get an autograph? Check out the map of the main Festival room on pages 20-21 of the official program:

I hope you enjoy getting to plan your day at the 2013 Ohioana Book Festival!

Stay tuned for more about the Festival and about places to stay, things to do, and places to eat in Columbus while you’re in town for the Festival!

-Beth Poley, Program Coordinator

We asked a few of the 2013 Ohioana Book Festival authors to tell us about who inspires them, and whether these authors realize it or not, several have found their inspiration in fellow Ohioans.

Laura Bickle, an Adult and YA fantasy author from Columbus (who also writes as Alayna Williams), fell in love with the fantasy genre while reading Warren, Ohio native Robin McKinley: “Robin McKinley’s Hero and the Crown started my love of fantasy. I read it when I was a pre-teen, and fell in love with fantasy ever after. It was the first book I’d read that had a female protagonist who slew her own dragons. I was hooked.”

Cozy mystery author Duffy Brown, who calls the small Cincinnati suburb of Milford, Ohio home, wanted to be Nancy Drew after reading The Secret of the Old Clock – penned, along with the other twenty-two first Nancy Drew novels, by Toledo-native Mildred Wirt Benson (under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene). “I think my love of cozies started back in the day with Nancy Drew. The Secret of the Old Clock in the sixth grade, not exactly Mad Men era but close. Nancy Drew was smart and caring. I really loved that she was smarter than the guys when guys had it all. I wanted to be Nancy! Reading Nancy Drew was great for mystery and the ego. Nancy was self-sufficient and took charge of her destiny. It planted a seed that took root in enjoying mysteries and life.”

It makes sense that Ohio would be home to creativity and inspiration.

To hear more from Laura Bickle, Duffy Brown, and more than 100 other Ohio authors, join us for the 2013 Ohioana Book Festival on May 11^th, 2013 at Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center!

We will be posting more of what the 2013 Ohioana Book Festival authors had to say leading up to the Festival in May!

-Beth Poley, Program Coordinator

See all the great Festival photos by the wonderfully talented photographer Elizabeth Nihiser!

Click the photo above for more 2012 Ohioana Book Festival photos!

If you attended the Festival, tag yourself in our photos or tag Ohioana in yours!

“This was an outstanding year for books by Ohio writers and books about Ohio and Ohioans.” said Linda Hengst, executive director of the Ohioana Library. “We receive 600-800 traditionally published books each year, which become eligible for the book awards, so the authors of the books selected as finalists this year should feel truly honored.”

The book awards are given in five categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, juvenile literature, and about Ohio/Ohioans. Ohioana will announce the winners in each category near the end of August, and recipients will be honored at the annual Ohioana Awards Ceremony in mid-October. The 2012 Ohioana Book Award finalists are (a brief summary of each book and short profiles of each author are attached):

2012 Ohioana Book Award finalists

* not Ohioans – note, books about Ohio or Ohioans need not be authored by an Ohioan.

Fiction

Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo – Minotaur Books

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – Crown Publishing Group

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain - Ballantine Books

The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock – Doubleday

Doc: A Novel by Mary Doria Russell - Random House

Ziggy by Tom Wilson (II) – Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC

Non-Fiction

History of a Suicide: My Sister’s Unfinished Life by Jill Bialosky – Atria Books

Toward a Better Life: America’s New Immigrants in Their Own Words–from Ellis Island tothe Present by Peter Morton Coan - Prometheus Books

Dance Anatomy by Jacqui Greene Haas – Human Kinetics

The Quest for the Perfect Hive: A History of Innovation in Bee Culture by Gene Kritsky -Oxford University Press

Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean – Simon & Schuster

About Ohio/Ohioan

Literary Cincinnati: The Missing Chapter by Dale Patrick Brown – Ohio University Press & Swallow Press

George Szell: A Life of Music by Michael Charry - University of Illinois Press

Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz* – Henry Holt and Co

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard* – Doubleday

Over-the-Rhine Tour Guide: Cincinnati’s Historic German District, Over-the-Rhine, and Environs by Don Heinrich Tolzmann – Little Miami Publishing

Juvenile

Roots and Blues: A Celebration by Arnold Adoff – Clarion Books

Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins

Where Do You Stay? by Andrea Cheng – Boyds Mills

Mary Mae and the Gospel Truth by Sandra Dutton – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

So Shelly by Ty Roth – Delacorte Press

Butterfly Tree by Sandra Markle - Peachtree Publishers

Cousins of Clouds: Elephant Poems by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer – Clarion Books

Poetry

Your Father on the Train of Ghosts by John Gallaher and G.C. Waldrep* - BOA Editions

Weather by Dave Lucas – University of Georgia Press

Hotel Utopia by Robert Miltner – New Rivers Press

Mechanical Fireflies by Doug Ramspeck - Barrow Street Press

Wait by Alison Stine – University of Wisconsin Press

The mission of the Ohioana Library, established in 1929 by First Lady Martha Kinney Cooper, is to recognize and encourage the creative accomplishments of Ohioans; preserve and expand a permanent collection of books, sheet music, manuscripts, and other materials by Ohioans and about Ohio; and disseminate information about the work of Ohio writers, musicians and other artists to researchers, schools, and the general public. Individuals can visit the Library at 274 East First Avenue, Columbus, OH, or online at www.ohioana.org.

On Thursday, May 3 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Join Robin Yocum as he reads from his new novel Favorite Sons at the OSU ReadAloud!
The Ohio State University – Thompson Library Room 202, Columbus, Ohio.

On Tuesday, May 8 from 4:00 -5:30 p.m. Nancy Petro will be reading from and discussing her book False Justice at the Ohioana Library and the State Library of Ohio – 274 E. First Ave., Columbus, Ohio

Wednesday, May 9 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Donald Ray Pollock will be at the Peggy McConnell Art Center, 777 Evening St., Worthington, Ohio reading from The Devil All the Time.

On Thursday, May 10 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cartoonist Tom Batiuk will be at Laughing Ogre Comics, 4258 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio; from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Elise Meyers Walker will be discussing her book Look to Lazarus at the Lennox Center Barnes & Noble, 1739 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, Ohio; and from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., mystery writer Les Roberts will be sharing Detective Milan Jacovich’s cases at the Easton Barnes & Noble, Easton Town Center, 4005 Townsfair Way, Columbus, Ohio.

OBF ON THE AIR!

You can listen to broadcasts with Ohioana Book Festival authors:

On Thursday, May 10 from 11 a.m. – 12 noon catch authors Tom Batiuk, Cinda Williams Chima, and Casey Daniels on WOSU-FM 89.7’s All Sides with Ann Fisher. At the same time,  Nancy Roe Pimm and  Donald Ray Pollock will be on VOICECorps‘ Morning Exchange with Amy Billerman. Both programs will air from 11a.m. – 12 noon and will also be recorded as podcasts!

You can read the whole review here.