Page Count

Ohio Center for the Book
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Page Count, presented by the Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library, features interviews with authors, librarians, booksellers, illustrators, publishing professionals, and literary advocates in and from the state of Ohio.

  1. 1d ago

    Healing a Wasteland with Diane Muldrow and Amy Jindra Hodgson

    For this episode Page Count welcomes a special guest host, Annisha Jeffries. Annisha is the Youth & Community Outreach Manager at Cleveland Public Library, the home of the Ohio Center for the Book. She has extensive expertise in children’s literature, including having served as chair of the Caldecott Committee and the Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Award. She’s also the host of her own podcast, Reading in the Middle, dedicated to exploring middle-grade books. Annisha was in conversation with the author and illustrator of our 2026 Great Reads from Great Places Young Readers selection. Great Reads from Great Places are titles chosen by each of the 56 affiliate Centers for the Book around the country to represent their state or territory at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC. This year’s festival takes place Saturday, August 22. We’ll link to information about the Festival in our Show Notes. This year’s pick for young readers is Once a Wasteland: From Toxic Dump to National Park written by Diane Muldrow and illustrated by Amy Jindra Hodgson. Diane Muldrow is the author of the New York Times-bestselling Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book series and a prolific author of children’s books. Her picture book We Planted a Tree was a 2010 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best selection. She is a retired children’s book editor and a proud Ohio University graduate. She learned early that natural surroundings aren’t to be taken for granted, and that people can make a difference in their communities. Diane has visited national parks all over the country and the world. IN THIS EPISODE Reading in the Middle podcast (blog) Diane Muldrow (official webpage) Amy Jindra Hodgson (official webpage) Once a Wasteland: From Toxic Dump to National Park (publisher's webpage) Announcement of the 2026 Great Reads from Great Places (Ohio Center for the Book) Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Nature & Science (webpage) Provides links to databases of the plants and animals that call the National Park home. US Environmental Protection Agency: Superfund (webpage) Learn more about the Superfund program and search for Superfund sites "where you live" LibraryThing List of the Great Reads from Great Places (2002-2025)

  2. Jul 23

    Special Episode: Bendis and Andreyko - Ohio Comic Book Icons - in Conversation

    This week, we are sharing an historic conversation among Ohio comic book royalty: Prolific, award-winning creators Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko. The conversation was moderated by Mike Sangiacomo, one of the Founders of the Siegel and Shuster Society. Recorded live on July 11, 2026, at the Cleveland Public Library as part of the weekend-long Icons Fest held in conjunction with the Icons in Ink: The Jewish Comics Experience exhibit at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage (on display until August 23, 2026). Growing up together in Northeast Ohio, Bendis and Andreyko first teamed up as friends to create the true crime comic book series Torso, the story of the "Torso Murders" in Cleveland in the 1930s when Eliot Ness was the city’s Safety Director. Their wide-ranging conversation included stories about their early collaboration and the on-going challenge of bringing Torso to the screen, their storied careers in the comic book and entertainment industries, and Cleveland Public Library's role in Bendis's decision to go to DC to write for Superman. Brian Michael Bendis was born in Cleveland, took classes at Cleveland Institute of Art, and did work for several Cleveland-area newspapers and magazines in his early career. He has co-created characters like Miles Morales, Jessica Jones, and dozens of others that populate the Marvel, DC and all-new original universes. He is a New York Times bestseller and has won numerous awards for his work, including multiple Eisner Awards and a Peabody for Jessica Jones. Bendis was Executive Producer of the Academy Award winning hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Bendis’ fabled move to DC Entertainment after nearly two decades at Marvel made international headlines, making his DC debut in the landmark Action Comics 1000. Bendis continues to be a prolific creator, producer, Marc Andreyko grew up in Mentor, graduated from Mentor High School, and co-created the character Kate Spencer/Manhunter for DC and was the original writer on Wonder Woman ’77. He has written comics for Dark Horse, DC, IDW, Image, and Marvel. Michael Sangiacomo is a long-time writer of articles on Superman and the comics industry for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. In 2006, he penned an article that urged Cleveland to embrace the creators of Superman, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and this led to the creation of the Siegel and Shuster Society of which he was a founding board member. Sangiacomo has also taught comic book history at Case Western Reserve University and is a comics writer himself. In This Episode: Brian Michael Bendis Jinxworld: Brian Michael Bendis (official site) The Peabody Awards ceremony where Bendis was called “the original hero” for his creation of Jessica Jones ‘I’d Have Been a Fool Not to Try Everything’: PW Talks with Brian Michael Bendis (Publishers Weekly, 2026) Marc Andreyko DC Comics Press Release for Love Is Love (2016) Marc Andreyko talks comic anthology Love Is Love (Entertainment Weekly, 2017) Supergirl & Superman Unite Against Krypton’s Killers (ScreenRant.com, 2019) Michael Sangiacomo Cleveland, the True Birthplace of Superman (Smithsonian Magazine, 2010) Cleveland Torso Murders The Torso Killer: Cleveland’s Lingering Mystery from Cleveland Public Library Cleveland Torso Murders (aka The Kingsbury Run Murders) from the Cleveland Police Museum Torso Murders from Encyclopedia of Cleveland History Siegel and Shuster Society (including information about the Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster Superman Plaza) Telling Lies in America (film by writer Joe Eszterhas (who also grew up in Ohio) mentioned in the conversation) Underexposed! The 50 Greatest Movies Never Made by Joshua Hall (find in a library) mentioned in the conversation and including David Fincher’s Ness based on Torso.

    Special Episode: Bendis and Andreyko - Ohio Comic Book Icons - in Conversation

  3. Jul 14

    Backlist Picks: Celebrate Summer Reading Club with Tracy Subisak

    This week, we're highlighting children's authors from past Page Count episodes in recognition of that energizing and exhausting tradition of the Summer Reading Club. In our introduction, we look at Ohio's role in the beginnings of the "Summer Reading Club" in the 1890s and then talk about some of our past episodes on children's book authors and illustrators. Our featured "Backlist Pick" episode is our 2022 conversation with Tracy Subisak, the author and illustrator of Jenny Mei is Sad, our Great Reads from Great Places youth selection for that year. Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

  4. Jun 30

    Backlist Pick for America's 250th: Settling Ohio with Timothy G. Anderson & Brian Shoen

    In the original episode, Brian Schoen, Ph.D., and Timothy G. Anderson, Ph.D., the editors of Settling Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond, discussed Ohio’s history, the inspiration for, and the genesis of Settling Ohio. Settling Ohio: First Peoples and Beyond was Ohio Center for the Book’s 2024 Great Reads from Great Places selection for adult readers and represented the state at the National Book Festival.   Since that episode aired, the Moundbuilders Country Club golf course in Newark, Ohio, has been transformed into the Octagon Earthworks park by The Ohio History Connection. We've included some links below updating that important story. We're also sharing some other Page Count episodes that talk about historical figures and events in American history as well as information about the fascinating Library of Congress project working on America's Time Capsule. Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

  5. Jun 16

    Backlist Picks: Superman’s Origin Story with Dr. Valentino Zullo

    Dr. Valentino Zullo explores the Cleveland-created superhero’s origin story in honor of Superman’s 85th birthday. Dr. Zullo and Laura discuss some of the first-ever Superman comics; Superman’s early focus on fighting social inequities vs. super villains; how creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster came to dream up the famous superhero; and more.   Since the original episode aired, Superman has come home to Ohio: James Gunn filmed major parts of Superman (2025) in Cleveland and Cincinnati; the Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Superman Plaza has been unveiled in downtown Cleveland, Siegel and Shuster are featured in a current exhibit at the Maltz Museum, and the premiere of Supergirl in Cleveland will feature a weekend of events with Mariko Tamaki.   Dr. Zullo is now Assistant Professor of English and Co-Director of the Rust Belt Humanities Lab at Ursuline College. He is co-editor-in-chief of Rust Belt Studies and Associate Editor of the Journal of Graphic Novels and Comics. He co-founded the Get Graphic! comics discussion program at Cleveland Public Library and is a board member of the Siegel & Shuster Society.   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

  6. Jun 2

    Backlist Picks: The Ohio Literary Trail

    This summer, Page Count is settling down with a good beach read to take a hiatus—which means we’ll be bringing you some select episodes from our extensive backlist, complete with new introductions. First up is one of the first episodes ever produced by Page Count: The Ohio Literary Trail. Follow along as David Weaver, the former executive director of the Ohioana Library Association, and Betty Weibel, author of The Ohio Literary Trail: A Guide, discuss Ohio’s literary heritage and offer an audio tour of some of the notable literary sites found around the state.   As mentioned in this episode’s introduction, congratulations to Sonia Feldman on the publication of her debut novel. While the June 2 launch party at Loganberry Books is sold out, you can purchase a signed copy of Girl’s Girl here. Listen to Page Count’s interview with Feldman here.   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    Backlist Picks: The Ohio Literary Trail

  7. May 21

    PASSAGES: On Morrison Presents Namwali Serpell & Hanif Abdurraqib

    Page Count is pleased to share an episode of PASSAGES: On Morrison, a new podcast that follows Namwali Serpell on her book tour for ON MORRISON. This episode takes us to Columbus, Ohio, where Serpell was joined by Hanif Abdurraqib in the Ohio Celebrates Toni Morrison kickoff event to read and discuss the end of SONG OF SOLOMON. Serpell and Abdurraqib discuss this final passage, the challenges of adapting Morrison’s novels for film, the power of intentional ambiguity in writing, and the influence of African folk tales on Morrison’s work.    You can buy Namwali Serpell’s ON MORRISON at this link and anywhere books are sold.  PASSAGES: On Morrison is a Random House production.    Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    PASSAGES: On Morrison Presents Namwali Serpell & Hanif Abdurraqib

  8. May 5

    Lights, Camera, Action with Lake Erie Ink

    It’s a podcast takeover! Five young writers—Moriah, Malikye, Victoria, Jordan, and Wilma—share poems and a story excerpt, all of which are about to be published in Lake Erie Ink’s 10th annual Teen Book Project. This year’s anthology is titled Lights, Camera, Action, a theme that speaks, in part, to the phenomenon of feeling seen in an online world.   To view the art and read all the writing in the anthology, purchase Lights, Camera, Action via Lake Erie Ink; at a local independent bookstore like Mac’s Backs, Loganberry, or Visible Voice; or at the book launch. The book launch for Lights, Camera, Action will take place Tuesday, May 19 at 6pm at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch of Cleveland Public Library and will feature contributor readings and light refreshments. Please RSVP here to attend.   Lake Erie Ink is a nonprofit organization providing creative expression opportunities and academic support to youth in the Greater Cleveland community, including writing workshops, camps, tutoring, school and community programs, and beyond. The organization supports a community where youth discover their voices, share ideas, and inspire each other as valued participants. Visit https://lakeerieink.org to learn more about programs for young writers; resources for students, teachers, and parents; and volunteer opportunities.   Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and an edited transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email ohiocenterforthebook@cpl.org (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

    Lights, Camera, Action with Lake Erie Ink
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About

Page Count, presented by the Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library, features interviews with authors, librarians, booksellers, illustrators, publishing professionals, and literary advocates in and from the state of Ohio.

Information

  • Creator
    Ohio Center for the Book
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Page Count

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