Romance Recap: Steamy Lit Con 2024
This past month has been a whirlwind! After attending Comic-Con, I took the Amtrak from San Diego to Anaheim to take part in my very first book convention!
The second-annual Steamy Lit Con set the bar extremely high. With a mission to celebrate diversity in romance, the event felt like a safe space from the get-go. Everything was so well-organized, and everyone was so welcoming! It was truly a romance lover’s dream.
Although I bought my ticket for this event before I was published, I look forward to applying to Steamy Lit Con 2025 as an exhibiting author! But for those who were unable to attend, here’s my recap of my three favorite panels.
He Falls Harder
Moderated by Shelly Cruz (Amor in the 305) and featuring Andie J. Christopher (Unrealistic Expectations), Denise Williams (Just Our Luck), Dominic Lim (Karaoke Queen), Regina Black (The Art of Scandal), and T.J. Alexander (Triple Sec)
This panel focused on patriarchy’s impact on gender and sexuality in romance, including toxic masculinity and the way we discuss masculine archetypes.
The authors agreed that toxic masculinity is defined by an inherent distaste for anything to do with women, as well as externalized homophobia. Andie J. Christopher explained that decades ago, “male characters were only allowed to feel anger and lust fueled by it.” Men in romance novels today are capable of more range.
They discussed how essential it is to subvert tropes to confront stereotypical relationship dynamics. Characters shouldn’t be perfect or fully formed because readers want to see them struggle and grow.
That said, Denise Williams pointed out that female characters shouldn’t have arcs to make them softer because it’s important for people of all personalities to see characters like them fall in love.
Nowadays, instead of heroes embodying toxic masculinity, that toxicity is often portrayed by villains and side characters to ground the story in a real-world setting and give the love interests something to battle. The best HEAs, after all, come when you defeat Big-P patriarchy.
Fun factoids:
Romance hero archetypes that wash their ass: Reformed rakes, golden retrievers, cinnamon rolls, stern brunch daddies
Most sincere quote: “Characters aren’t trophies to be chosen.” ~ Regina on battling toxic masculinity with dual POV
Funniest quote: “The great philosopher of our time, Tom Hardy, asks in what way can I be pathetic?” ~ T.J. on men showing vulnerability in media
Anti-Heroes
Moderated by A.F. Montoya (Titus) and featuring Elizabeth Stephens (Dark City Omega), Mia Hopkins (Tanked), Mila Finelli/Joanna Shupe (Mafia Virgin), Nana Malone (Takeover), and Posey Parks (Wanted Bride for the Cruel Mafia King)
Antiheroes hold a special place in steamy romance because they scratch our “I can fix him” itch. Whether they’re writing contemporary, historical, or paranormal, these panelists agreed that pretty much anything is on the table for antiheroes—except they can’t be Nazis or harm innocent people.
Hurting villains who deserve it, however, can be therapeutic, according to Posey Parks—especially when the heroines join in on the torturing.
Dark romance distinguishes between characters that are dark, like murderers and mafia henchmen, and situations that are dark, like an alien planet that practices slavery. Even in sexual relationships with dubious consent (dubcon), characters must ultimately be redeemable—”if you squint really hard,” as Nana Malone put it.
Nana adds that seeing characters be bad on the page is part of the fun because “they’re saying and doing the things you shouldn’t.”
To Mia Hopkins, romances are like mysteries because you wonder how these characters are going to make it and fall in love. Amen to that!
Fun factoids:
Favorite antiheroes in media: Fleabag, Henry Hill in Goodfellas, Hollywood mob bosses, the formerly incarcerated in documentaries
Most sincere quote: “Heroines are strong, so there must be something about the hero that’s redeemable to convince them to fall in love with him.” ~ Nana on antiheroes being deserving
Funniest quote: “I’m here in the shallow end of the pool with my water wings.” ~ Mia on writing less dangerous antiheroes
Fat Is (Still) Not a Bad Word
Moderated by Danielle Allen (Curvy Girl Summer) and featuring Kayla Grosse (Rope Me In), Kenya Goree-Bell (Toxic), Leonor Soliz (Yours, Finally), and Meryl Wilsner (Cleat Cute).
Even while discussing the seriousness of writing fat and plus-size characters properly, this panel was a whole lot of fun. Meryl Wilsner pointed out that both fatness and romance suffer from stigma, but all these authors agreed it’s important to “see fat babes falling in love,” as Kayla Grosse put it.
Kenya Goree-Bell added that patriarchy is designed to contain women, and fatness is associated with being loud and unruly. But in Black and brown communities in the South, like Alabama where she’s from, fat women are desired. In fact, she explained that she didn’t think about writing curvy heroines until readers started thanking her for the representation.
Authors like Kayla Grosse grew up not seeing themselves depicted in media, except in Hollywood stereotypes where fat characters were treated as comic relief. Because of this, reading romance has become part of healing internalized fatphobia.
After all, fat people are hot, and in books we can give them the happily ever afters they deserve.
Fun factoids:
Favorite words to describe fat characters: ample waist, bountiful ass, comforting curves, soft rolls and hills, kissing stretch marks, big breasts with natural sag, gives good hugs, built like a weightlifter
Best fat representation in media: Dietland; Shrill; Just Right with Queen Latifah; Miranda; My Mad, Fat Diary
Most sincere quote: “If a character wants to occupy a space, let them.” ~ Leonor on letting fat characters have full lives
Funniest quote: “Every time I write a bestseller, my husband and I get sushi, and I don’t wear any underwear.” ~ Kenya on the best date she’s been on
Cheers to Steamy Lit
A huge thank you to all the organizers, staff, and volunteers who made Steamy Lit Con a massive success! I’m counting down the days until I can return with my own author booth :)
Now it’s time for this month’s moment of sunshine.
Your Moment of Sunshine ☀️
Every month, I share the things I loved most to bring a ray of warmth wherever you are.
(Note: When available, the links I include lead to Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase, you’ll support local, independent bookstores, and I’ll earn a small commission as an affiliate. It’s a win-win!)
Reading 📖
A Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings
I’m the first to admit that influencing works because when Anne Helen Petersen recommends something, I pay attention. On a recent episode of her Culture Study podcast, author and former trad wife Tia Levings shared her experiences of growing up in Christian fundamentalism to promote her debut memoir A Well-Trained Wife.
I am a sucker for cult content, and after devouring the Shiny Happy People series about the Duggars, I’m glad to see Tia go from quick cameo to telling her own story.
Her book will infuriate you as she recounts the horrors she witnessed, but it’s an apt reminder that religion is one of the most powerful ways that abusive men perpetuate patriarchy. A harrowing and riveting read!
Watching 📺
Deadpool & Wolverine
All the drama surrounding It Ends With Us has soured my plans to watch the film, but I will say that I saw Deadpool & Wolverine after Comic-Con, and it was delightful!
I am amazed that after nearly 20 years of the MCU, you practically need a PhD to keep up with the level of lore around these comic book characters. There are an outrageous number of cameos in this movie, but that’s what makes the experience such a blast.
This is an R-rated romp that doesn’t take itself seriously in the slightest, so if you enjoyed the previous Deadpool films, you’ll love this one too.
Listening 🎧
Love on the Rocks book playlist
The launch of my upcoming rock-climbing romance, Love on the Rocks, is only two months away, so I’m in major marketing mode. Thankfully, I genuinely enjoy marketing my books because it means I get to curate their Spotify playlists!
My protagonist Tania is my most autobiographical character, by far, which means she is also an elder emo obsessed with pop-punk music. So I hope you enjoy this collection of my favorite bands and rock out in more ways than one! :)
What should I be reading, watching, and listening to next? Share your recommendations in the comments!