Last month, I took my last road trip of the summer by heading up to Connecticut for RomantiConn 2026! The scheduling worked out perfectly this year, with me signing on Friday evening and Rory Maxwell signing on Saturday afternoon, so we were able to switch off acting as each other’s table assistant/emotional support human.
Thursday
To reduce our stress levels, Rory and I preferred a leisurely trip on Thursday rather than worrying about the clock by driving up Friday. Good call on our part, because we once again hit massive traffic (luck has not been on our side for any road trip this summer, not just the book events). On the plus side, I did not get lost going around New York City this year!
Friday
Rory and I enjoyed breakfast and writing time at a cute cafe nearby before heading back to the hotel to get ready for my afternoon signing. I had a fantastic spot just inside the main ballroom doors. The paperback version of Storm and Quill premiered at this event!
That evening, we pulled together a bunch of the other queer romance authors and ordered pizza to eat in the hotel lobby. I stayed up way too late but had a blast chatting with people I normally only “see” on the internet!
Saturday
Rory and I headed back to the same cafe the next morning for more writing time to be met with…Christmas music? We’d arrived just in time for “Christmas in July,” and I indulged in a ridiculous holiday special of creme brulee French toast made with croissants and a metric ton of mascarpone filling. (I managed to eat half of it.)
Luckily, thanks Rory’s habit of rising early (and my habit of straggling behind her like a zombie when we travel together), this was a few hours before she and I had the pleasure of having lunch with author Riley Hart and Charity VanHuss, one of my favorite PAs to work with.
When not assisting Rory at her table during the Saturday signing, I was able to visit with other author friends. The highlight of my weekend was finally meeting the other half of the Jodi Payne/B.A. Tortuga co-writing team, who have produced some of my favorite series. This included presenting B.A. with almost a dozen books to add her signature to Jodi’s!
Dinner that night was a massive get-together with the queer romance contingent, nicely organized by author Finn Dixon. The weather was gorgeous for eating outside, but unfortunately, the live band was too loud to really converse with anyone other than those at my immediate table. I love spending time with authors I admire personally and professionally, so it was fun to chat with Nora Phoenix and get to know her new management team.
Back at the hotel, I enjoyed more time in the lobby with other authors and finished the other half of my breakfast for dessert! Rory and I drove back to Maryland without issue on Sunday.
Final Haul
- Rings of Lust by Finn Dixon
- Hard Landing by Julia Talbot
- Ilya & Shane scented candle by Sanctum Flames
What’s next?
- Capclave (October 2-4, 2026; Rockville, Maryland)
- Farpoint (February 5-7, 2027; Towson, Maryland)
- Read the Rainbow (April 17, 2027; Havre de Grace, Maryland)
Attending any of these events? My books are available for preorder!
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