Rom Con

Join us for a full-day celebration of all things romance, featuring author panels and signings, workshops, a vendor market, and more!

This is a full‑day event packed with panels and workshops! Be sure to register separately for each session you’d like to attend. You’re welcome to sign up for one session or as many as you like.

Note: You must register for the panel to join the book signing line.

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Author Panels & Book Signings

Panel & Signing: Darkness, Desire, and Domination

Registration required.

Time: 10:00-10:45 a.m. (doors open at 9:30 a.m.)
Location: Theatre (lower level)

Shalini Abeysekara (The Blade of Ours), Anuja Varghese (A Kiss of Crimson Ash), and Sara Clement (Storm of Raging Seas) explore Romantasy stories set in high‑risk worlds where magic is powerful, love is irresistible, and desire can be deadly. In conversation with host Elizabeth DiCesare, the authors discuss the allure of forbidden love, the thrill of perilous settings, and how sweeping, epic stakes are balanced with intimate, emotionally charged relationships.

Book Signing to follow from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Reading Lounge.

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Panel & Signing: Fake Dating and Matchmaking

Registration required.

Time: 1:00-1:45 p.m. (doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
Location: Theatre (lower level)

Ellie K. Wilde (If Only You Knew), Farah Heron (The Bad Boyfriend Curse) and Sonya Singh (The Fake Matchmaker) dive into the irresistible romance tropes of fake dating and matchmaking. From carefully laid plans to feelings that refuse to follow the rules, the authors talk with host Anne T. Donahue about why relationships built on pretense so often lead to the most satisfying happily-ever-afters.

Book Signing to follow from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Reading Lounge.

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Panel & Signing: Love with Strings Attached

Registration required.

Time: 4:00-4:45 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.)
Location: Theatre (lower level)

Hannah Bonam-Young (People Watching), Lavanya Lakshmi (Leave and Come Back), and Emily Ohanjanians (The Book Tour) explore love stories shaped by family obligations, career pressures, and lives that are already complicated. In conversation with host Kayleigh Platz, the authors discuss why some of the most compelling romances are forged alongside responsibility, ambition, and everything else that comes along for the ride.

Book Signing to follow from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Reading Lounge.

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Book Signing Guidelines

Panel tickets include access to both the onstage conversation and the book signing that immediately follows. To ensure as many attendees as possible have the opportunity to meet the author and have books signed, please review the following guidelines:

• Book Limit: Each attendee may bring up to three (3) books to be signed. Signatures will be non‑personalized; no additional notes, quotes, or drawings will be added.
• Books: Attendees may bring their own books or purchase select titles by Rom Con authors from our onsite bookseller, Indigo Kitchener.

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Rom Con Market

No registration required.

Time: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Vendors:

• Café Clementina (Theatre Lobby - lower level)
• DIY Charm Bar (Reading Lounge)
• Fiction and Fable Co. (Reading Lounge)
• Luxe Studio by Nicole (Reading Lounge)
• Indigo Kitchener* (Lower Lobby)
• Onset & Rime (Reading Lounge)
• Tila Creative Studio (Reading Lounge)

*Indigo Kitchener will continue selling books until the end of Panel 3.

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Workshops and Activities

Writing Workshop: Tropes and Vibes to Story and Plot with Farah Heron

Registration required.

Time: 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Location: Meeting Room E (Lower Level)

Romance novels are often described like dark enemies to lovers or cozy second chance at love, but these are descriptions of the tropes and vibes of a book, not the story or plot. But how do you go from tropes or vague ideas to a workable plot? In this workshop, Farah will cover the terms tropes, story concept, and plot, and discuss brainstorming methods to take you from vague ideas to a plot outline. This workshop is geared towards romance writers but would be of value to all writers who want to go from story idea to plot.

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Berry Cute Book Swap hosted by @books_withbrooks and @talreadthis

No registration required.

Time: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Courtyard

Bring a romance book you’ve loved and swap it for something new, then spend some time getting to know fellow romance lovers in the community.

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Craft Workshop: Paper Roses

Registration required.

Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Meeting Room C

Spread the love by crafting your very own paper rose.

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Live Music featuring the Kestral String Quartet

No registration required.

Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Be swept away by a live performance of swoon-worthy classical music.

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Hot Takes and Heartbreaks Button Making Workshop

No registration required.

Time: 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Location: Meeting Room C

Got a strong opinion about “enemies to lovers”? Weak for a slow burn? Still not over that fictional breakup? Come turn your feelings into romance-themed buttons!