The Big Ohio Book Con!
I attended my first ever book con this weekend and it was phenomenal! Not only did I make some new author friends at this year’s Big Ohio Book Con, but I connected with readers, both new and old. Here’s a few photographic highlights as well as my impressions.
Big Ohio Book Con
Day 1 – Set Up – Friday, June 5, 2026
I knew I was heading toward a large book con hosted by a book store at the Medina County Fairgrounds as we drove the 2 hours from our small rural Ohio home. What I didn’t know was how extensive this event actually is. When they say Big Ohio Book Con, they mean Big Ohio Book Con. Hundreds of authors, dozens of vendors, food trucks, panels, signings…you name it, they had it. It was so extensive, the fairgrounds were necessary.
As we set up, we discovered one of my neighbors, a spicy medical romance writer named Ashley Willow, had already put up her display and may have used her display as inspiration. My other neighbor, M.A. Frick, began setting up hers around the same time I did. She’s a romantasy writer who I never anticipated to have SUCH a following. I cannot talk her up enough. I learned a lot from her this weekend.
Actually, I learned a lot from both my neighbors, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Day 2 – Regency Day, Saturday, June 6, 2026
Okay, so maybe it was just Regency Day for me. My mother-in-law and her best friend supplied me with an authentic Regency dress and pope hat–a straw bonnet you’d see Regency women decorate in ribbons and flowers–but I forewent the pope hat, because it was HOT.
It was hot because of the crowd of people.
SO MANY PEOPLE. Seriously.
I didn’t expect to make many sales or even talk much about what I write, but I had a lot of people approach and express equal interest in all three of my featured books:
Secret of the Season
Pride Offsides
Annalise Auclair
By the end of the day, I was desperate to keep talking about my work. I’m not one who likes to brag or shine a spotlight on me, but my mother-in-law came with me and she’s naturally gifted at taking center stage. Her ability to draw attention to herself made me feel comfortable stepping into the light.
And I’m so glad I did. I met so many readers, so many authors. Ashley Willow shared other conferences she’d recommend I attend, and M.A. Frick gave me tips on how to harness my inner extrovert (buried deep under several layers of introversion). The lady across the way let us try free samples of tea, and I turned around and met another historical fiction author. It was a riot of good conversation and a beautiful swatch of diversity in the midst of one of the most beautiful places in Ohio.
Day 3 – Contemporary Day, Sunday, June 7, 2026
This was the quieter of the two conference days, and I think that was in part due to exhaustion, and also just because the second day of a two day conference is bound to be chiller by nature. The most adamant, hungry readers show up on day one, while the curious bystanders come on day two.
Which suited me just fine.
Ashley had a friend, a debut author who is set to release her dark Victorian romance any day now, join her and we discovered we’re practically soulmates. We had everything in common, from personality and general tastes, to our mutual love of Colin Firth and Richard Armitage. We talked endlessly, but neither of us got tired of it.
With so much interest and traffic, I fine-tuned my discussion of my books. I met people who were there for their bachelorette party, people who were celebrating their birthdays, couples who were supportive of each other’s obsessions, and an author with a golden singing voice.
I also got to walk around a little more and scope the vendors. There were people who hosted a make your own mini bookcase booth, people who made things with 3D printers, others who made crocheted stuffed animals, and so many freebies. My laptop is now covered in new bookish stickers, and I couldn’t be happier.
And on that note:
My Freebies:
At my table, readers were able to pick up:
An Austen, OH postcard from either Pride Offsides, Dating/Investigating, or my new WIP, Rein It In.
A packet of letters from Annalise Auclair and a map of her journey from northern France to northern England, sealed with a real wax seal.
Bookmarks from the Resilience and Redemption series that looked like dance cards and could fit around your wrist!
So many people loved the freebies, and honestly, they generated interesting conversations about history, writing, and, one of my favorite topics, Bridgerton.
Before I knew it, it was time to tear down. But I didn’t leave with nothing. I left with my freebies, so many memories of time well-spent, and a plan to come back next year.
All in all, the experience was incomparable. I never thought I’d get the chance to put myself out there like I did this weekend. Now, it’s safe to say, I’m addicted.
