The Ohioana Book Festival to be virtual again this year, and will feature 137 authors Nancy Gilson
How things have changed over 15 years for the Ohioana Book Festival.
In 2007, when the festival began, it was patterned after the National Book Festival begun by first lady Laura Bush in 2001. The first Ohioana Book Festival featured 20 writers, all of whom had contributed the essays in the book “Good Roots: Writers Reflect on Growing Up in Ohio.” About 100 people attended the festival, which took place at the State Library of Ohio.
Last year, as the festival was about to take place at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, COVID-19 struck. The festival was delayed until August, when, with the pandemic still in full force, it was held online for the first time. There were 5,500 “live” attendees and an estimated 45,000 additional people participating through various social media, podcast and broadcast venues.
How things have changed over 15 years for the Ohioana Book Festival.
In 2007, when the festival began, it was patterned after the National Book Festival begun by first lady Laura Bush in 2001. The first Ohioana Book Festival featured 20 writers, all of whom had contributed the essays in the book “Good Roots: Writers Reflect on Growing Up in Ohio.” About 100 people attended the festival, which took place at the State Library of Ohio.
Last year, as the festival was about to take place at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, COVID-19 struck. The festival was delayed until August, when, with the pandemic still in full force, it was held online for the first time. There were 5,500 “live” attendees and an estimated 45,000 additional people participating through various social media, podcast and broadcast venues.