Columbus Book Festival 2025
Books, banter, and a beautiful weekend at Columbus Book Festival.
This past weekend, I had the incredible honor of being a featured author at the third annual Columbus Book Festival—a vibrant celebration of books and the people who love them. Hosted by the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, and Columbus Metropolitan Library, and held in the heart of downtown Columbus at the Main Branch (and gorgeous, adjacent Topiary Park), the festival brought together readers, writers, and literary enthusiasts for two unforgettable days (plus a super fun kick-off event) of panels, signings, and conversations.
200+ national & local authors! New & used books! Lit gifts! Panel discussions! Book signings! Entertainment! Food & drink! PUPPY ADOPTION!
It was amazing.
As part of the weekend’s programming, I had the privilege of participating in (and moderating!) several panels: The Ups and Downs of Publishing (joined by authors Tracy Clark and Rosalyn Ransaw, moderated by author Lauren Marie Fleming), Not Quite Human: Otherworldly Characters (joined by authors Vivian Shaw and Nghi Vo, moderated by BookCrushin Book Blog’s Christy Hayes), and Adrenaline Spike! Horror Novels (with authors Nat Cassidy, Alex Grecian, and Neena Viel, moderated by yours truly). I loved sitting down with fellow authors to talk about the business of publishing and the joys of writing monsters, and the attending audiences came ready with amazing, thoughtful questions and enthusiasm. Our last hour panel was packed, hysterical, and brimming with personal anecdotes that will inspire giggles for a lifetime—I’m still buzzing from the fun!
In between panels, I signed copies of Bless Your Heart, Another Fine Mess, Cold Snap, and Mother Knows Best (thank you to everyone who stopped by, you made my weekend!), and though the temps were blazing, the festival grounds and all three floors of the library were absolutely buzzing with excitement. It was a pleasure to meet readers, make new friends, and catch up with friends from across the literary world—Nat Cassidy! Cynthia Pelayo! Neena Viel! Maxwell I. Gold!
I’m still riding the high from such a wonderful weekend. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and readers who made this event so, so special. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a book festival, and this was one for the ages!
Columbus, you were an absolute delight. I can’t wait to come back.