Criteria for the Ohio Center for the Book Ohio authors list:

• were born in Ohio or have resided in Ohio for 5 or more years.
• have work recognized as “classics”, that are still read, studied, or referred to by scholars, students, and/or readers.
• have published books (not self-published) that are held in an Ohio public library.
• have works popular with readers, as determined by sales figures, name recognition, and/or awarded literary praise. 
• are known as writers with a consequential body of work (versus other professionals noted for only one or two specific works).