FOR THE LOVE OF
Romance
Book Convention
Rom Con
For Readers, Writers, and Lovers of Books
First annual Rom Con Hosted at Newgate Mall, Ogden Utah.
Friday March 28, 3 - 8 pm and Saturday 29, 12-10pm
$20 day pass $30 Weekend Pass
*Celebrate your love of classics
*Find new creators to connect with
*Spark inspiration
Engage with stories that convey authentic mental health issues, and allow characters and readers to heal through fiction.
Join us for author panels, writing workshops, book discussion groups, and Author Alley
Author Alley: Meet emerging authors, publishers, and artists to discover stories that enrich your mind and heart.
Discussion Groups: Meet with other book fans to talk about your favorite authors, books, and stories.
Writing Workshops: We have experts on multiple writing specialties. But our special theme this year is to put all of our writing into the context of mental health. Why not make fiction healing?
Author Panels: Hear authors present the drive behind their work with engaging speeches and interviews.
Jane Austen Reading and Regency Cotillion: Pay homage to the original pop romance writer with a little fanfare and pageantry.
Schedule below.
Schedule
Day 1 Friday
1-8 pm Author Alley opens. Newgate Mall common space. South Side by playground
Meet artisans and authors of multiple genres. Have great conversations and discover an incredible collection of very talented people.
No admission fee.
Main Studio
All Studio events require Day or Weekend Pass
3:00 Welcome: Is Mental Health a Fantasy? Can Fiction Create a Better Reality by Janika Byington
You can write more than a story, you can make a difference in people's lives and even the world in general. Explore inspiration and ethics in writing. Craft characters who heal, grow, and are empowered. Become the heroes you create.
3:45 Love, Lies, and Crime, Romanticizing Red Flags: Special video by Michael R. King of the Profiling Evil true crime podcast. As an investigator he has been Utah's most prominent cult buster. Get his insight on the traits and patterns that lead to psychological distortion so you can write strong characters who overcome victimization.
5:00 Is It Romance? Or Are You Giving Mixed Genres? Learn the difference between the specific beats of romance, how to combine those with other story beats to write a well-rounded book; avoid common mistakes made in writing romance; which spice is right? Write a love story that readers will love. By Lindsay, Sabine, and Cambria
7:00: Pride and Prejudice Dramatic Reading
Take a walk into Jane Austen's interpretation of the Regency Era. A highly entertaining group of readers will enact select scenes from the romantic comedy, that set the stage for generations of romance writers.
8:00 - 8:30 Regency Cotillion: Learn English country dances and live the Jane Austen social life. Regency attire encouraged, but don't let a lack keep you from participating.
8:30-10pm Keep dancing
Studio B
4:00 DID I do that? Dissociative Identity Disorder, facts in fiction. By Asper Reynolds. Writing relevant and representative characters with respect. Prioritize people over plot twist by avoiding tropes and mischaracterizations in Mental health issues.
6:00 Story Boarding and Plotting Workshop by Brynne Nelson. Get your story out of your head and onto paper by understanding basic plotting structure. We will break down some existing stories, then map an original story. Write your own story without losing the plot. The best part: getting time with Brynne who is brilliantly supportive of your writing journey.
Novel Idea Book Parlor Discussion Groups
Free to attend
5:00 Jane Austen Fan Meet. Make new friends with a shared love of the classics. Share your thoughts about any of Jane Austen's works and talk with Mark and Shannah Hobson who have traveled and experienced historical sites closely tied to the legendary woman.
6:00 The Court of Sara J. Maas: Fall through a multiverse like Celaena or simply wander in one world like Feyre. Share fan theories, cheer for favorite characters, and rejoice in the possible new stories to come. No Valg demons allowed.
Eborn Books Discussion Groups
Free to attend
6:00 Dragon Love: Anne McCaffrey's Pern. Revisit the classic world with fellow fans. Lead by Dan and Robert Zangari
Day 2 Saturday
10am-8pm Author Alley Another day of great authors and artists
No admission fee
Main Studio:
All Studio events require Day or Weekend Pass
1:00 Listen to Your Heart Sound Bath with Alysha Ashlee: Immerse yourself in the music of crystal singing bowls. Open your heart to deeper inspiration and renewal. Whether you're a reader, writer, or seeking a moment of peace, awaken your intuition; revitalize your energy
3:00 Keep it Sweet: Timeless Romance that appeals to both young and mature readers: Joanna Reeder
5:00 Ask Anything Authors Panel: It's not just what you know, it's who you know. Get to know our experienced authors and ask them questions that can boost your writing opportunities.
7:00: Romancing Publishers: Select your Publishing Partner Wisely. A great relationship makes for a happy ending. Sabine, Cambria, and Lindsay from Roan and Weatherford Publishing and Eschler Editing guide you through options and red flags in traditional publishing.
8:30-10pm Free After Party. Groove and mingle. The convention is over, but we don't want to go home. We just want to party.
Studio B:
2:00: In the Garden Watercolor Art Class by Gaynell Parker, author and artist with discussion about the inspiration for her writing and art. $8 supply fee to do art project. You may attend but not do art project with your regular day pass.
4:00: Love in the Face of Fear: Mental Health in Romance and Horror By Elizabeth Suggs; League of Utah Writers. Love and fear are two of the most powerful emotions in storytelling. Understanding how fear and love intersect helps authors craft stories that not only thrill but also provide meaningful emotional depth for readers.
Keep it Sweet: Timeless Romance that appeals to both young and mature readers: How to manage portals and time travel while developing engaging and unique relationships. Joanna Reeder
6:00 Self Publishing: Is it right for you?Join author and editor Amanda Marsico, owner of Red Ink Enthusiast Publishing Services. Published and unpublished authors can ask our self-publishing expert anything to choose between traditional and self-publishing. Learn to get the best bang for your publishing buck.
Novel Idea Book Parlor Discussion Groups
Free to attend
5:00 For the love of vampires and werewolves What is it that we love about Twilight--even twenty years later? Join fans and critics to discuss the series including an expert writer's perspective. Breanne White
Eborn Books Discussion Groups
Free to attend
6:00 Tolkein Power Couples, Love in--and for--Lord of the Rings. The book club you really want, Lead by Dan and Robert Zangari
See Panelist Bios Below.
Featured Panelists
Take advantage of years of talent & expertise
Don't miss this opportunity. Your $30 weekend pass gives you access to all classes and panels that are worth more than $30 for each one. These talented and accomplished writers are willing to give you their time to build a stronger culture of community engagement with the arts, so we can all succeed at doing what we love. Please support us and take off on your writing journey.
