Romance Recap: San Diego Comic-Con 2022
I’m back from Comic-Con, baby! It’s been three years since the event’s pandemic-fueled hiatus, so returning felt even sweeter this time around. Attending has been a decades-long tradition for my husband and his friends, and this year marked my fourth appearance.
Needless to say, we take fandom seriously :)
In case you’re unfamiliar, San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) was originally founded in 1970 to celebrate the world of comic books but has since expanded to all things pop culture—including commercial fiction.
Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, Penguin Random House, and 170+ other publishers had booths at the convention, so this is just as much of a space for book nerds as it is for comic collectors, gaming geeks, and movie buffs.
There were two romance-related panels at SDCC 2022, followed by autographs with the authors, so I walked away with a bunch of signed books by some of the genre’s biggest household names. Keep reading for a recap of what’s going on in romance, and feel free to comment on what my cosplay should be next year!
The Power of Love: Romance in Books and Media
Moderated by Natasha Polis (Tashapolis/influencer) and featuring Ali Hazelwood (The Love Hypothesis), Adriana Herrera (A Caribbean Heiress in Paris), Christina Lauren (Something Wilder), Maureen Lee Lenker (Entertainment Weekly), and Shyla Watson (Phenomenal Media)
This panel kicked off with an existential conversation about why romance as a genre is so popular right now, and everyone was in agreement that the combination of much-needed escapism during the pandemic and the rise of mainstream hits like Netflix’s “Bridgerton” TV series has dramatically increased the demand for happily-ever-afters.
That said, even though media professionals Shyla and Maureen noted that more outlets are reporting on romance entertainment, we have a long way to go before the genre gets the respect it deserves.
As for today’s trends, social media has revolutionized discussions around romance, from authors like Ali who have become viral sensations to readers using TikTok like a grocery list while shopping in bookstores.
These panelists expect to see more taboo topics hitting the zeitgeist, as well as fresher love stories written by and for marginalized communities. As Adriana put it definitively, “Romance is a fandom.” And it’s not going anywhere.
Fun factoids:
Who and what introduced them to the genre: Meg Cabot, Danielle Steel, “Friends,” “Days of our Lives,” Twilight, and telenovelas
Most popular recommendation: You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
Favorite recent romance adaptations: “The Lost City” and “Heartstopper”
Preferred tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and brother’s best friend
Best “He’s a ten, but…”: He calls you ‘spider monkey’ (Edward Cullen)
Musical motto: “If it don’t bang, then we can’t hang” ~ Adriana quoting Megan Thee Stallion
Most sincere quote: “Anything that gets people writing is a beautiful thing” ~ Lauren on fanfiction
Funniest quote: “There are only so many synonyms for ‘dick’” ~ Maureen on writing sex scenes
How to Curse the Love of Your Life
Moderated by Shyla Watson (Phenomenal Media) and featuring Scarlett St. Clair (The Hades x Persephone series), Katee Robert (The Dark Olympus series), Piper CJ (The Night and Its Moon), Maxym Martineau (The Beast Charmer series), Rachel Griffin (The Nature of Witches) and Kayla Cottingham (My Dearest Darkest)
The following day, another panel was dedicated specifically to fantasy romance, which included everything from Greek myth retellings to witches and magical beasts.
What’s the secret to keeping characters grounded in fantastical settings? Everyone agreed it’s giving them tangible struggles, whether it’s dealing with grief, mental illness, getting into college, or eating the boys you’re crushing on.
The impact of social media also sparked discussion: while the conversations that users are having on TikTok are not new to established authors, the panelists felt grateful to the platform for broadening their audiences to younger readers.
Romance, in both adult and young adult (YA) fiction, is responsible for normalizing consent, birth control, and owning your sexuality. Exposure and accessibility will continue to propel the genre forward through the generations to come.
Fun factoids:
Most unexpected comparison: The god Apollo to Harvey Weinstein
Worldbuilding inspirations: anime, video games, the four seasons, and according to Kayla, “the magical world of Maine”
How to write fated mates: Give them life and death stakes, engage forced proximity, and keep them connected through personal interactions
What’s in: “lazy” fantasy with minimal fact-checking
What’s out: Lovecraftian tales that lack diversity
Most sincere quote: “I don’t justify my work to people who don’t like romance” ~ Katee on how spite fuels her fight against stigma
Funniest quote: “I hate feeling like mild salsa!” ~ Kayla on the lack of spice in YA
What’s Next
Want even more Comic-Con content? Make sure to subscribe, because tomorrow I’ll be sending a special SDCC edition and sharing the things I loved most at the event.
As for what’s next, it’s time for a mid-year update! It’s been six months since I quit my day job to focus on my health and nurture my love for romance, so keep your eyes peeled for a deep dive into how 2022’s been going so far.
Do you have burning questions about writing, freelancing, or taking extended time off? Comment below, and there’s a good chance I’ll feature you in my next post!