Where the Romance Readers Are: Romance Con 2024
The books! The authors! The con! SPOILER: It was all FANTASTIC.
I once imagined myself sitting at a table somewhere in a bookstore. I would be surrounded by my books with their pretty covers and pretty stories. There would be a line of readers. People would ask me to sign their title pages with my name to be displayed on their shelves.
That didn’t exactly happen this past weekend.
But Romance Con did.
As my first ever book convention as an author, I didn’t know exactly what to expect from the entire experience. I applied for the spot almost a year ago. I was shocked when I got the email—I was accepted.
I reserved my table to attend and eventually was asked to join not one, but two panels. I was on one as a panelist being asked questions and one as a moderator doing the asking (which, I was much more nervous about).
For months, I awaited Romance Con. I figured out how to set up a pre-order so that readers could pre-order books from me to pick up if they wanted to (they didn’t). I watched as more authors that I admired online and who I chatted with also announced that they were going to be in Milwaukee, WI for Romance Con right alongside me.
Then, the week of Romance Con arrived. Books I ordered to take with me were arriving, and my poster as tall as I was had already been packed up and ready to go. Now, it was just me.
I wish I could say I hadn’t waited until the last minute to pack, but that would be a lie.
I quickly ditched the carry-on size suitcase and all smart packing caution was thrown to the wind, yet… I must admit, still didn’t pack quite correctly. It wasn’t entirely my fault. It was the weather.
Over the weekend, the air outside wasn’t just brisk. It was cold. It felt like we were suddenly in the dead of autumn (usually my favorite time for peak, perfect coziness, but not this time with luggage filled with flowy floral dresses and heels I immediately changed out of for my trusty white Keds and my favorite long pants comfy enough to stand behind my signing table for four to five hours and not freeze from the nice, yet very cold air conditioning).
But how was I to know? This was, again, my first ever Con experience as an author. And that fact was becoming more and more apparent after I finished up my shift at my day job and every mile between me and Romance Con was becoming less and less until Mystery Man (serving as my assistant) and I finally arrived to rush through and drop off my heavy bundle of books, stickers, and signage before they close up for the night.
As I dropped my stuff off with no time to set up, I looked around the other author tables filled with books and fancy merch for their readers, and I couldn’t help it. Breathing felt a little tighter as I realized, I was here. I was an author at Romance Con.
I was a romance author at Romance Con.
I was an author.
Yet, did I even belong here?
I always knew imposter syndrome, but I never felt it so keenly as I did at that moment as I rushed back out the doors, already late for the author mixer for the rest of the night we found a parking spot and trudged up to the hotel room. And the more I let myself dwell on it, the more I felt myself dipping into worry panic, and uncertainty of what was to come for the rest of the weekend.
Yes, I was here. But what now?
I had made it. But I knew no one. Who was even to say the other authors would like me or that the people I chatted with online would like who I was IRL?
Everything loomed.
Eventually, after a time (probably too long of a time) I dried my tears. I cleaned myself up and joined the crew of other authors at the author mixer anyway, seeing people in person that I had never seen beyond their Instagram pages before.
It was strange, doing a double take before you realized exactly who it was saying hi to you, or vice versa.
But the more I chatted and the more I realized that this was an adventure, I more I felt at ease. Even if that imposter syndrome lingered. And man, I never realized just how terrible of a friend imposter syndrome poses as.
There was too much to happen to stop though. We had a whole weekend to go through. It all started in the morning after an amazing pumpkin spice chai at Stone Creek Coffee (highly recommend) down the block.
Romance Con was finally beginning.
Panels
On Friday morning, I woke up putting myself together with hair and makeup, sipping on my chai latte before I needed to rush down for the first panel I was a panelist on. Miss Independent: How to Get Published as an Indie Author. It was a topic that I certainly could have a lot to talk about as I shared my honest experience and journey as an indie, self-publishing romance author.
Miss Independent: How to Get Published as an Indie Author
Discussion on the pros and cons of publishing independently, including the creative freedom it offers in writing, editing, and length. Learn the process of self-publishing with practical tips on budgeting, digital and traditional marketing, and self-promotion on social media. Our panelists will highlight the significant differences between indie and traditional publishing and work to break the stereotype that independent publishing isn't a deliberate and empowering choice.
Moderated by Tinia Montford, I was on the panel with Melissa Grace, DK Marie, and Kelsey Painter.
On Saturday, the stakes felt a little bit higher. Not only did I have to answer questions and talk, but now I was steering the conversation with authors I hadn’t been able to meet prior on, The Hallmark Effect: Why We Love a Small Town Romance.
The Hallmark Effect: Why We Love a Small Town Romance
Discussion on the challenges and opportunities of writing character-heavy narratives, the art of small-scale world-building, and common plot elements of the trope. Why are readers drawn to the comforting small-town setting? How does it enhance the development of romantic relationships? The authors will also examine whether small-town romance serves as its version of the close proximity trope.
Authors on the panel included Nikki A Lamers, Hollie Luckie, Jacquelyn Middleton, and Meredith Schorr.
Jumping into the personal side of why we write small towns as the framework of our romance novels more often than not, as well as why readers keep coming back to them, the conversation flowed even when my hands shook. After years of speaking in front of a classroom of children, I think some of the fear of public speaking has faded, but there is still just that tiny bit that managed to stick around.
I concluded the panel with questions from the audience, who really pulled through on their amazing thoughts and comments before then it was time to head into the signing where a few wonderful readers stopped to tell me how much they enjoyed my panels—which meant the world.
Thank you.
Seriously, anyone who stopped by my table or wanted to, I will let you know right now, that you made my Romance Con. You made it special. You made it worthwhile. Thank you.
Signing
Setting up my table for signing time on both Friday and Saturday, I stacked my books and laid out my few bookmarks and sticker offerings.
Each of those four hours each day breezed by in a whirlwind of figuring out how to get books to each of you, and signing dedicated title pages.
I posed for photos.
I struck up conversation.
I signed Romance Con bags and might’ve plugged this newsletter a few times.
I had one group of readers even have an entire page in a very large book of authors devoted to me and Call You Mine which was very impressive and made me feel a tad bit like a celebrity.
Book Haul
By the end of Romance Con, my book haul was a lot smaller than expected and I don’t know how I managed it. I wandered around as much as I could. I even talked with Ashley Poston, which made me the happiest since as we probably know by now, I gush about how much her books have given me life this past year whenever I can.
I picked up:
Spookily Yours and Wickedly Yours by Jenn Chipman—Omnibus Edition!
I couldn’t not! It was hardcover and each side had a different cover and the book flipped. So cool. So amazing. I grabbed the last one she had I believe and I can’t wait to dive into Wickedly Yours soon. Perfect timing for the fall spooky season, no?
What it Means to be Brave by Andrea Andersen
Not having met Andrea before, she is the most wonderful writer and all-around person. We had our tables across from one another, and with the music pumping in the signing hall, one of us could often look across to the other between reader lulls and find the other casually jamming and dancing along to whatever was playing.
Instant friend status.
So of course, I needed to pick up one of her books and I can’t wait to read it.
You should probably check out her books too.
Overall, Romance Con felt a little like a fever dream looking back on it now. Did that all really happen within two days? Did I really have to return to non-author life the next day when I headed back into my day job?
The answer to both questions was yes.
But I have hope that one day, I won’t have to turn the author on and off with the help of you amazing readers.
I will just be Kendra, the writer. Living my “write” life.
So here’s to you wonderful readers who make this book community amazing. And here’s to many Romance Cons.
Cheers! And happy reading.
Didn’t make it to Romance Con? You can still read a book!
Don’t miss your chance to read my contemporary romance books on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and in paperback!