Coming Soon — Shades of Romance BookCon | September 16–19, 2027 · Fort Worth, TX
Annual Romance Convention

Shades ofRomanceBookCon

Where every love story deserves to be celebrated — from the tender to the daring.

September 16 – 19 2027 · Fort Worth, Texas
A Tender Ruin
Crimson Hours
Shades of
Romance
BookCon
150+
Featured Authors
60+
Panels & Events
4
Days of Romance
5K+
Expected Readers
Our Story

Celebrating every shade of love

Shades of Romance BookCon was born from a simple belief: that romance fiction — in all its beautiful, complex, exhilarating forms — deserves a space as rich and varied as the stories it tells.

From sweet small-town love stories to steamy historical sagas, from queer romance to dark fiction, we celebrate the full spectrum of the genre. Three days of author signings, panels, workshops, and moments of pure, bookish joy.

Join the Celebration

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Plan Your Weekend

Weekend Schedule

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Grand Opening Ceremony
Kick off the weekend with a celebration featuring our keynote authors, live music, and a champagne toast to romance.
Main Stage
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Romance Through the Decades
A panel exploring how romance fiction has evolved from the Gothic novels of the 1800s to today's diverse, inclusive stories.
Panel
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Author Speed Dating
Meet 30 debut authors in a whirlwind round-robin session — your next favorite writer is just a table away.
Interactive
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
VIP Welcome Reception
An exclusive cocktail hour for VIP and Platinum ticket holders — mingle with bestselling authors in an intimate setting.
VIP Only
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Dark & Daring: A Night Showcase
Celebrate the bolder, darker side of romance. Authors of dark fiction and morally complex love stories take the stage.
Main Stage
All Day
The Signing Hall Opens
The BookCon Signing Hall features over 80 authors available across both days for personalized book signings and photos.
Signing Hall
9:00 am – 11:00 am
Craft Workshop: Writing Heat
A hands-on workshop with bestselling authors on writing tension, chemistry, and intimacy that resonates with readers.
Workshop
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Queer Romance Spotlight
Celebrating the voices, stories, and authors who have shaped and continue to shape queer romance fiction.
Panel
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Big Book Market
Browse rare editions, exclusive merchandise, and signed copies from over 200 vendors in our sprawling book marketplace.
Marketplace
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
TikTok BookTok Live
Your favorite BookTok creators go live together in the convention's most-anticipated social media event of the year.
Social
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
The Romance Gala & Awards
A stunning black-tie gala honoring the best in romance fiction with the Shades of Romance Reader's Choice Awards.
VIP & Platinum
All Day
Cosplay as Your Fave Couple
Dress as your favorite fictional couple and enter our cosplay contest with prizes from top romance publishers.
Community
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Historical Romance Deep Dive
From Regency ballrooms to Highland castles — a love letter to the historical romance subgenre with top authors.
Panel
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Reader Lounge & Brunch
Relax, recharge, and connect with fellow readers over a catered brunch in our reader lounge. Exclusive for ticket holders.
Community
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
The Future of Romance Publishing
Editors, agents, and authors discuss where the industry is heading — and what readers want more of.
Industry
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Final Signing Session
One last opportunity to get your books signed before the weekend comes to a close. Don't miss your favorites!
Signing Hall
All Day
Indie Author Showcase
Dedicated space for independent romance authors to connect directly with readers. Discover your next self-pub obsession.
Indie
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Platinum Brunch & Author Chat
An exclusive sit-down brunch for Platinum Pass holders with intimate Q&A sessions alongside featured authors.
Platinum Only
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Romance Across Cultures
A celebration of diverse voices in romance — authors from around the world share how culture shapes their love stories.
Panel
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Reader Fan Fiction Showcase
Readers take the stage to share their own fan fiction inspired by their favorite romance novels. Heartfelt and hilarious.
Community
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
All-Access Mega Signing
Every attending author in one room for a grand final signing — the most sought-after session of the entire convention.
All Access
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Closing Ceremony & Farewell
Celebrate four incredible days with heartfelt goodbyes, surprise announcements, and a look ahead to next year's convention.
Main Stage
All Day
Last Chance Book Market
Final day of the book marketplace — snag any titles you missed and stock up before heading home.
Marketplace
Featured Guests

Meet the Authors

150+ romance authors across every subgenre, from debut novelists to #1 New York Times bestsellers.

VL
Vivienne LaRoux
Dark Romance · Historical
NYT Bestseller & creator of the beloved Thornwood Chronicles series.
MK
Marcus Kessler
Contemporary · Queer Romance
Award-winning author of "The Distance Between Heartbeats."
SA
Simone Adeyemi
Paranormal · Urban Fantasy
USA Today Bestseller known for her Midnight Fever universe.
EW
Elena Whitmore
Sweet Romance · Small Town
Beloved for her cozy Maple Falls series and warm storytelling.
JC
Julian Cross
Romantic Suspense · Thriller
Master of the slow-burn with a twist. 12 bestselling novels and counting.
NP
Naomi Park
Regency Historical
Breathes new life into Regency romance with diverse, complex heroines.
RM
Rosa Mendez
Latinx Romance · Contemporary
Champion of authentic representation in modern romance fiction.
TB
Theo Blackwell
MM Romance · New Adult
Debut sensation who took the genre by storm with "The Right Kind of Wrong."
Reserve Your Spot

Choose Your Experience

General
Reader Pass
$111
Per person · 1 day admission
  • 1 day convention access
  • All panels & workshops
  • General signing sessions
  • Book marketplace access
  • Official tote bag & swag
Register
Platinum
Platinum Pass
$444
Per person · 4 days full access
  • Everything in VIP Pass
  • Romance Gala black-tie dinner
  • Private author dinner (Saturday)
  • First-access signing slots
  • Curated book box (shipped ahead)
  • Name in official program
  • Lifetime alumni badge
Register
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Find Us

The Venue

Three unforgettable days at one of Fort Worth's most stunning convention venues — built for the scale and intimacy this event deserves.

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Venue

Fort Worth Convention Center
1201 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102

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Dates

September 16 – 19, 2027
Doors open at 9:00 AM each day

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Hotel Block

Discounted rates at the nearby Omni Fort Worth Hotel — book using code ROMANCE27 by August 1st.

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Getting Here

20 min from DFW Airport · 30 min from Dallas Love Field · Trinity Metro bus access downtown

Get Involved

Author & Vendor Interest

Are you a romance author, indie publisher, or vendor interested in joining us at Shades of Romance BookCon? Fill out the interest form and our team will be in touch with details on availability, pricing, and table packages.

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Author Signing Tables Reserved signing spots in the main hall with dedicated reader traffic all three days.
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Vendor Booths Sell merchandise, bookish goods, and romance-themed products to thousands of passionate readers.
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Panel Participation Authors may be invited to join panels and workshops across all three days of the convention.
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Swag Bag Inclusion Add your bookmark, ARC, or promotional item to the official BookCon swag bags.

Where would you like to be placed in the signing hall layout?

By submitting this form you are not guaranteed a spot. Our team will review all applications and reach out within 2–3 weeks. Submission does not constitute a booking.

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Thank You for Your Interest!

We've received your application and are so excited you want to be part of Shades of Romance BookCon. Our team will review your submission and reach out within 2–3 weeks.

In the meantime, follow us on social media for the latest updates!

Stay in the Loop

Author announcements, schedule updates, and early-bird ticket alerts — straight to your inbox.