In August, the Steamy Lit team hosted the inaugural Steamy Lit Con in Anaheim, CA. A successful first time event, this is one you’ll want to keep your eye on to attend in future years. Let’s talk about what it is, what came from the event, my TBR being toppled, meeting favorite and new to me authors and, yes, even vibes – in every sense of the word.
What is Steamy Lit Con?
Steamy Lit is a book convention celebrating diversity in romance. From authors, to attendees, to panels, the team was purposeful in highlighting diversity. This was a two (2) day convention completed with midday meals, tons of panel options, eight (8) total hours of signings, movie night and a closing event queen’s ball. Safe to say this was a jam packed weekend that allowed me to make new friends (I’m as shocked as you are) and have my cup filled up in so many ways.
NOTE on some feedback received since the convention:
I will note that there have been folks coming forward with critics of a couple of panels and lack of people of color being represented. In the days after the convention, the Steamy Lit team released a statement acknowledging their receipt of the feedback and what their future plans were to ensure accountability. Since I am not a person of color, I cannot speak to whether this statement was acceptable. What I can say is that individuals will certainly be watching future conventions to see that the feedback was heard and change is enacted.
What came from the event?
The most notable takeaway for attendees from the event was the 23 for 23 initiative announced during the keynote panel on Friday morning discussing diversity in romance. This initiative is the brain child of Adriana Herrera, Nisha Sharma and Nikki Payne encouraging readers to read 23 books by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) authors featuring BIPOC characters.
As a white reader, I fully recognize that this space was not one to celebrate me as a human. I can throw a rock in any direction and come across books by and about white authors/characters. The more I’ve sat with my thoughts from Steamy Lit the more I recognized where I’ve been falling down and where I stopped doing the work. Steamy Lit was the reminder to scream and shout from the roof tops about books by and about BIPOC people. I’m so excited to be participating in this initiative and thank the folks at Steamy Lit, especially Herrera, Sharma and Payne for having the conversation with us.
Secondary note: I heard everything about this panel fully second hand due to having a to take a work call at the same time as the keynote. Yes, I’ve been kicking myself ever since.
What happened to my TBR?
Yeah….my TBR was absolutely toppled. Honestly, this was to be expected with an event of this size. I will say, though, I did a GREAT job of not over purchasing. I preordered several books (all outlined below) from the Meet Cute Bookshop that was onsite at the event. There were also several books that were given away in various goodie bags and I am so grateful to be in the position of privilege I am to be able to do this.
Here’s what I pre-ordered/bought:
- Art of a Scandal by Regina Black
- Behind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters
- Blood of Zeus by Angel Payne
- Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
- Hot Under His Collar by Andie J. Christopher
- Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
- Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
- A Ship of Bones and Teeth by Karina Halle
I also received copies of Seoulmates by Susan Lee, Island Affair by Priscilla Olveras, Marriage Bargain with Her Brazilian Boss by Tara Pammi and For the Love of Friends by Sara Goodman Confino. I’m so excited about all of these and to have these copies in my book collection.
Meeting favorite and new to me authors
Did I die a little inside several times during this event? Yes, yes I did. Between meeting Christina Lauren, Ali Hazelwood and KENNEDY RYAN, some other favorites include Mia Sosa, Adriana Herrera, Chloe Liese, Mazey Eddings, Abby Jimenez, Nana Malone. I could honestly go on and on with the vast list of all of the fabulous authors that I got to meet.
Several authors at this event were also past books for the Steambox. I’ve been subscribed for awhile and to be able to meet so many authors that were included was truly an honor.
My favorite part about any signing is meeting authors that are new to me in the hopes of finding a new favorite. Dominic Lim, M.A. Wardell, N. Cáceres and so so many others. Part of the fun was hearing how so many of these authors that Steamy Lit was their first convention – and what a first convention to attend. I also want to shout out N. Cáceres and Nana Malone for the discussions we had about Kindle Unlimited, alternatives (Kobo Plus) and helping me better understand how KU pricing works for authors. Both of these discussions have gotten me thinking about other ways I’m supporting authors and the rejuvenation I needed to write reviews and share content.
Vibes – in every sense
Let’s talk about vibes. A huge part of this convention was centered around sexual wellness and centering female pleasure. The Saturday keynote panel discussed this topic in greater detail. What I particularly loved is the unapologetic way in which sex was centered. We all love and read romance novels, but every person has a different way in which spice/steam resonantes with them, and I really appreciated how Mel, Cookie and team approached this conversation. And yes, everyone went home with at least one vibrator.
The other type of vibes was honestly the event itself. Literally every person I encountered, whether at the fundraising events leading up to the convention or standing in line waiting for authors, was genuinely kind. Everyone was helpful to each other and you could feel the happiness and kindness from every person in attendance.
Final Thoughts
I, genuinely, had such a good time at Steamy Lit and will definitely be attending again in the future. From event volunteers to authors to attendees, everyone was so pleasant to be around. On top of all of this, to be invited to a space that celebrates diversity and continue to discover new to me authors is something that I’ll forever be grateful to Steamy Lit for helping to facilitate.
Thank you, Steamy Lit, for a fantastic event! Here’s to many more!