Courtesy North Shelby Library
Dianna Love
Dianna Love is the keynote speaker at North Shelby Library's Summer Lovin' Romance Novel Conference.
The North Shelby Library is hosting its Summer Lovin’ Romance Conference this weekend.
The conference includes a dinner on Friday night as well as multiple panel discussions for aspiring writers and readers of romance on Saturday.
North Shelby Library reference librarian Michelyn Reid said the event will offer readers to discuss their enjoyment of romance novels and possibly step out of their shells.
“We’re big romance readers here, and a lot of people are kind of shy about their love for romance,” Reid said.
Dianna Love, a New York Times best-selling author, is the keynote speaker at Friday’s dinner. Love has published more than 20 paranormal and romantic suspense books.
The dinner starts at 6:30 p.m., and authors will be seated at each table to talk about their book and answer any questions from readers or aspiring authors. Attendees can win door prizes during the dinner, and Reid said everyone can walk between tables to learn more about romance novels and writing.
Tickets for Friday’s dinner are $10.
Saturday’s panel discussions will cover becoming an author, finding feminism in romance novels, romantic suspense and understanding the process of publishing. Three panels will take place from 10-11 a.m., and three will take place from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. There will be book signings Saturday following the panels.
Book signings with the attending authors will take place following Friday’s dinner and Saturday’s panel discussions.
Tickets for Saturday are $10, or tickets for Friday night and Saturday are $15. Tickets can be purchased at northshelbylibrary.org/summer-lovin or at the North Shelby Library. For a full list of authors and events, visit northshelbylibrary.org/summer-lovin.
“There is an audience for this, and this gives readers a chance to mingle with other people who like the same books they do,” Reid said.
