Hey book lovers! We just got back from Steamy Lit Con 2024, and to be frank…

It was a downright amazing experience! 

As book marketers, we were excited to see how authors were talking about their books, see what was garnering reader attention, and learn about trends evolving in the bookish community. From the panel discussions to the fun-filled author signings, this event had it all. We walked away feeling inspired and with a bunch of new titles added to our TBRs. 

Whether you’re an author looking to grow your readership or just curious about what goes down at book cons, we’ve got the juicy deets about Steamy Lit Con 2024 right here.

First, the Steamy Lit Con 2024 Basics

2024 was Steamy Lit Con’s 2nd year, but you’d never know it’s still a new con based on how organized and smooth the event experience was for attendees. The event was 2 full days — but you had the chance to register and get your swag bag (filled with books and a shirt!) the evening before the official events kicked off. 

You can see the books we got in our swag bags here!

This brings us to one of our favorite differentiators about Steamy Lit Con: everyone had the same level of access. The only ticket available was general admission, which got you a swag bag, access to all panels, access to all author signings, and meals both days (and it was GOOD food!) without having to pay for additional upgrades.

The con and its host organization have a clear mission: to celebrate diversity in romance. They seek to “empower discourse around sexuality and self-love while also providing a new way for authors to have their work showcased” (Steamy Lit Con Founder, Mel Saavedra).

To be honest, this was SO clear from the jump. We felt it throughout every panel and in every room. In how attendees were treated and how discussions were moderated. In the makeup and energy of the attendees! Our entire team gushed over how well Steamy Lit Con handled attendees with special accommodations and how incredibly kind and helpful all the volunteers were. You could tell that the organization had done an exceptional job at training every member of the staff and that everyone cared about providing a great experience.

Keynote: Breaking Boundaries and Social Media Magic

Based on how positive our check-in experience was, it’s no surprise that the keynote kicked off the event by laying the groundwork for all the panels! The talk went quickly, but we wanted to share some key takeaways. Oh! And a big one? If you ever get the chance to see Kennedy Ryan speak, TAKE IT! She was electrifying and engaging and left us eager to follow her into battle if she asked! 

Social Media IS Networking

The keynote kicked off with a bang, reminding us all that social media is where the magic happens. If you’re an author, whether trad or indie, you have to be on social. And not just “there,” but present and engaging with readers and fellow authors. It’s all about making those connections and building your bookish community. Oh, and let’s be real — TikTok is changing the game. Readers are calling for more “spice,” and publishers are paying attention. Whether you love it or hate it, TikTok is here to stay, and publishers are paying attention.

Diversity and Inclusion: A Two-Way Street

Diversity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s essential. We need to mix up not just the stories we tell but also the readers we reach. It’s about creating a more inclusive book world for everyone.  It’s also not just having a token POC, queer, or disabled person just placed in a story, it’s about having their stories told as the main character, too. 

It’s vitally important that as readers we support and promote books written by a variety of authors and tell stories beyond the cis-het-white stories found in most traditionally published books. Publishers prioritize books they can see as being commercially successful, so we have to show them how commercially successful a diverse set of stories can be! 

The Misunderstood Value of Social Media

Many publishers still don’t get the power of social media. Newsflash: A strong online presence can be a game-changer, especially for diverse books that might not get the same marketing push. If you’re wanting to advance from an indie author to traditionally published, one of the best things you can do is build a thriving community on social media. 

Steamy Lit Con Panels Palooza

The panels at Steamy Lit Con had each of us wishing we had a Time Turner. There were two panel sessions each day, with four panels taking place at a time. And the topics were downright dreamy to our spicy, diverse book-loving hearts. We couldn’t sit in on every panel but did come away with some good takeaways. 

Audiophiles: The Rise of the Narrators

Connecting with Narrators

Social media isn’t just for your readers — it’s also a fab way to connect with narrators who can make your audiobooks pop. Indie authors are leading the charge here, giving narrators a chance to shine. Your audiobooks can expand your reader base and bring in new fans if you approach them with intention and are willing to search beyond the go-to narrators. 

The Importance of Pronunciation and Accents

Narrators stressed the importance of getting pronunciations and accents right. It adds that extra layer of authenticity to your audiobook, making it more immersive for listeners. However, it’s not just a narrator’s ethnicity or culture. It’s their lived experiences and how they can relate to the characters you write. 

Pitching to Narrators

Thinking about pitching directly to narrators? Do it! Building a relationship with them can take your audiobook to the next level. Building relationships with narrators is just as beneficial as connecting and networking with other authors, remember what we said up top? Social media IS networking! 

Redefining Norms and Celebrating Diversity

Queer Representation, Consent, and Celebrating Diverse Bodies

Panelists shared how queer sex scenes break away from traditional narratives, offering a richer and more diverse range of expressions. Plus, open convos about consent are a must, both on and off the page.

Romance novels are often highlighted for their spice but not as often for the role they play in demonstrating the diversity of how we all experience intimacy and what satisfying intimacy can look like. Books provide a safe space to explore various fantasies and kinks. This trust between the reader and author allows for some real, honest storytelling.

Diversity in books also allows for more stories where fat and queer folks are celebrated. Every body is different, and our stories should reflect that diversity. Everyone deserves to exist just as they are. Highlighting stretch marks, diverse shapes, and sizes in our stories fosters a more inclusive and accepting community. The word “fat” isn’t inherently negative, but the energy around it can be. We can change that by creating stories where fat characters, non-binary, and queer are celebrated and desired.

No Community is a Monolith

When reading and writing stories of marginalized people, it’s critical to remember that people aren’t monoliths. For example, an Asian person who has been in the United States for 5 generations has a completely different life than someone who just immigrated. The representation of that lived experience, beyond stereotypes and assumed realities, is critical to good storytelling and representation. This applies to every marginalized group. There are different types of disabled people, and there’s a spectrum to queerness.

Our stories, when well told, help us understand each other’s humanity better. Make every character, but especially those not frequently seen in books, whole and complete, not just quirky sidekicks. Similarly, don’t make living in a fat body a character’s sole journey. Representation should be authentic and multifaceted.

Going Viral 101: The Reality Check

The Myth of Virality

Panelists weren’t shy about their distaste for the word “viral.” Instead of chasing viral moments, focus on building and serving your community. Genuine engagement beats fleeting fame every time.

Utilizing Social Media Features

Don’t just post and ghost! Use every feature social platforms offer—stories, polls, lives—to create a dynamic and engaging presence.

Creating a Cohesive Brand

When readers land on your social profiles, everything should be cohesive and inviting. Matching covers, sample passages, and a clear brand identity can make all the difference. 

Wondering about building a cohesive author brand? We have some tips on why your author brand matters and also an author brand voice guide so you can find your brand! 

Steamy Lit Con 2024 Author Signings

Steamy Lit Con 2024 had over 150 authors all of whom participated in 2 days of signing events for 4 hours each day. Every author was so kind, and each of them had their own booth with signs, copies of their books, stickers, and other fun merch. We handed out some of our own stickers to authors and it was a delight to talk tropes and all things bookish with them. They’re readers too! They were just as excited to share about their books as we were to hear about them! 

So how did signing sessions go? 

What We Loved

• There was a great mix of incredibly popular authors and new authors! As readers attending, it was really exciting to both see our favorite authors in the room and new to us authors! 
• The in-demand authors each had a volunteer stationed at their booth to hand out numbered wristbands so instead of standing in line for one author you could visit others while you waited for your number to be called!

Side note: For one of our team members, this was her first con and she was confused by the wristband situation as she didn’t know to expect that but it was very easy and she survived (and still managed to see one of her fav authors, Olivia Dade!) 

What We Didn’t Love As Much

• If you’re shy or struggle with noisy rooms, the signing rooms could be challenging. But! Steamy Lit Con had a quiet room set up if you needed to take a few minutes outside of the hustle. 
• The wristband system was hard to follow unless you were in the room and could hear well. The numbers were announced sporadically using a speaker system that wasn’t always the easiest to understand and if you were hard of hearing or deaf you might not know it’s your turn. There wasn’t a way to check your “spot in line” other than approaching the volunteer running the specific author’s line. It would’ve been great if there was a board that updated to show what number of wristbands each author was on. 
• With the rooms so crowded and so many authors in demand, it made it trickier, if you’re shy, to approach an author you didn’t know or didn’t have a book for them to sign. This isn’t a con specifically against Steamy Lit Con! But an observation on the type of event, new authors may find it challenging to connect with new readers who are focused on seeing their favorites for signatures and curious readers may feel uncomfortable approaching tables if they don’t have a book to be signed.

Our Takeaways from Steamy Lit Con 2024

Steamy Lit Con 2024 was an incredible blend of knowledge sharing and community building. We left feeling inspired and ready to implement new strategies to connect with readers and celebrate diverse voices in our stories.

Book conferences offer authors the opportunity to network, learn from industry experts, and connect directly with readers. They can also discover new marketing strategies and get feedback on their work. As readers, we were reminded that diversity in literature ensures that all readers can see themselves represented in stories. It also enriches the narrative landscape, offering a variety of perspectives and experiences that reflect the real world.

Whether you’re an author looking to grow your readership or simply curious about the world of book conferences, we hope our insights help you navigate your next literary adventure.