Atlanta, October 11, 2025
News Summary
Atlanta is spearheading a movement in Black romance literature with the first-ever Black Romance Book Fest, which quickly sold out 2,000 tickets. Organized by Lauren Lacey, the festival showcases over 105 authors across various sub-genres. It aims to increase visibility for Black romance narratives while challenging stereotypes that often limit Black authors to trauma-based storytelling. The festival has garnered immense community support, demonstrating a growing demand for diverse love stories within the genre.
Atlanta is leading a movement in Black romance literature with the upcoming Black Romance Book Fest, which promises to be a significant event for fans and authors alike. This year’s festival has already gained massive popularity, with 2,000 tickets selling out in under 15 minutes, highlighting the increasing demand for diverse narratives in the romance genre.
Despite romance being the best-selling fiction genre in the U.S., with over 51 million copies sold last year, authors of color constitute only a small fraction of these sales. In response to this disparity, a new wave of content creators, authors, and festivals is emerging to change this narrative, with Atlanta at the forefront of the movement. The festival is organized by Lauren Lacey and aims to create a space that showcases Black romance across various sub-genres, including paranormal, LGBTQIA+, suspense, contemporary, and erotica.
Lauren Lacey saw a gap in representation while attending other book festivals, noting the lack of visibility for Black authors. This realization motivated her to create the festival, which includes panels, author meet-and-greets, and vendor booths dedicated to Black romance. The festival also seeks to dispel stereotypes that pigeonhole Black authors into trauma-based narratives and instead focus on love stories that celebrate Black joy.
The festival will feature over 105 indie and traditional authors, including prominent figures such as Kennedy Ryan, a New York Times bestselling author and festival sponsor. Ryan’s novels have garnered attention, with several being optioned for television and film, highlighting the growing interest in Black romance narratives. Other notable projects, such as Serayah McNeill’s upcoming feature film “Ruth & Boaz,” set to debut on Netflix in 2025, also emphasize Black love stories.
One of the festival’s key highlights is Jaleesa Jackson, a notable content creator on TikTok and Instagram who focuses specifically on Black indie romance. Jackson started her journey by expressing her passion for Black-authored stories and has since built a community of readers who share that passion. Her discovery of Black romance books, such as “Through the Storm” by Beverly Jenkins, marked her entry into the genre and led to her current success on social media platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram.
The response to the Black Romance Book Fest has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong community support. Attendees can expect a celebration of diverse representations of Black romance, creating a welcoming space where Black authors and their stories are valued. Limited tickets are still available for those who wish to participate, and further information can be accessed at Blackromancebookfestival.com. Lacey is also working on her next series, a small-town romance set in an HBCU setting called “The World Around Us,” which aims to further enrich the narrative landscape of Black romance literature.
Key Features of the Black Romance Book Fest
- Location: Atlanta
- Tickets Sold: 2,000 tickets sold out in under 15 minutes
- Festival Organizers: Lauren Lacey
- Featured Authors: Over 105, including Kennedy Ryan
- Sub-Genres: Paranormal, LGBTQIA+, suspense, contemporary, erotica
- Community Response: Overwhelmingly positive
Background of Black Romance Literature
Romance remains the best-selling fiction genre in the U.S., but the representation of authors of color in this space is limited. New platforms and festivals aim to change this dynamic, creating opportunities for authors of color and fostering a love for diverse narratives in romance literature. The Black Romance Book Fest is positioned to be a trailblazer within this movement, celebrating joy, love, and the richness of Black stories.
FAQ
Where is the Black Romance Book Fest taking place?
Atlanta is at the forefront of this movement in Black romance.
How many tickets were sold for the festival?
2,000 tickets sold out in under 15 minutes for the next festival.
What types of authors will be featured at the festival?
The festival will feature over 105 indie and traditional authors, including highly regarded authors like Kennedy Ryan.
What is the significance of the festival?
The festival aims to dispel stereotypes that pigeonhole Black authors into trauma-based narratives.
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Additional Resources
- 11Alive: Atlanta Hub for Black Romance Novels
- AJC: Black Romance Writers Help Readers Heal
- Rolling Out: Serayah & Ruth Boaz Return to Black Love
- The Atlanta Voice: Black Romance Book Festival
- Discover Atlanta: Ultimate List of Date Night Ideas
- Wikipedia: Romance Novel
- Google Search: Black Romance Literature
- Google Scholar: Black Romance Novels
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Romance Novel
- Google News: Black Romance Book Festival
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
