Romance Awareness Month

Romance Awareness Month is a celebration of the genre rooted in love, resilience, and joy. In partnership with libraries and bookstores, we’re bringing romance readers and writers together for free, adult (18+) events all month long.

From engaging Reader-Focused Events to hands-on Writer & Aspiring Writer Sessions and interactive Community Activities, Romance Awareness Month offers something for every romance lover.

Let’s celebrate the stories that bring us together, because everyone deserves a love story.

Librarians and Booksellers: Host a Romance Awareness Month Event

Free Programming for Libraries and Bookstores | August 2026

All programming is offered at no cost to participating locations or patrons, and is available in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format. You provide the space or platform. We provide the authors. Promotion is a shared effort.

Why Participate

Offer fresh adult programming in August
Engage established and emerging romance readers and attract new ones
Support aspiring writers in your community
Spotlight inclusive, diverse love stories
Partner with a national professional writers organization
Flexible scheduling that works for your calendar

All events are for adult audiences 18 and older, with discussion adaptable for YA and New Adult romance interest when appropriate.

How It Works

Review the Romance Awareness Month Info Packet
Select a date(s) in August 2026
Choose one or more event types from the menu below
Decide whether your event will be in person, virtual, or hybrid
Submit the Romance Awareness Month Host an Event Form by Friday, May 1, 2026
RWA matches you with experienced member authors

For virtual events, you may use your own platform or RWA’s Zoom Events platform, which supports thousands of attendees.

Readers and Aspiring Writers: What You Can Do During Romance Awareness Month

Join free events at libraries and bookstores across the US and Canada — in person, virtually, or hybrid.

Reader-Focused Events

Romance Genre 101: An interactive introduction to tropes, subgenres, themes, and the satisfying Happily Ever After or Happy For Now ending.
Romance Book Club Takeovers: An RWA author(s) joins a library’s or bookstore’s existing book club for a themed romance discussion.
Author Readings and Q&A: Featured published and/or pre-published authors read from their work and answer audience questions about characters, inspiration, and the writing process.

Writer & Aspiring Writer Events

Writing Romance: A foundational session covering the core elements of romance.
Craft Workshops: Focused instruction on topics such as building compelling characters, writing believable conflict, and creating emotional chemistry.
Published, Pre-Published Authors & Industry Professionals Q&A: An open discussion featuring authors and publishing industry professionals about the writing life, traditional and independent publishing paths, the business of publishing, and professional growth within the romance industry.

Community Activities

Start a Romance Book Club: Guidance on launching or strengthening a romance-focused book club in your community.
Romance Trivia, Bingo, or Creative Activities: Enjoy interactive games, activities, and creative exercises that celebrate favorite tropes and beloved characters.
Romance Reader Social Hours: Meet fellow romance readers in a relaxed, fun conversation space, either virtually or in person.

Why Attend

Meet romance authors and industry professionals
Discover new books and authors you may not have explored yet
Connect with fellow readers and aspiring writers
Learn about writing craft and publishing from professionals
Celebrate the diversity of love stories and the genre’s inclusivity
All events are free and open to adult audiences 18+, with discussion adaptable for YA and New Adult interest

Find an Event Near You

Romance Awareness Month 2026 is almost here! Libraries, bookstores, and authors across are preparing free in-person, virtual, and hybrid events for readers and aspiring writers.

Check back for the full schedule, and get ready to celebrate love, connection, and community.

Get Event Updates

Watch recordings of one-hour Q&As with romance authors from Romance Awareness Month.