Steel Town Love - A Festival for Romance Readers and Writers

Saturday July 11 
9am-4pm 
Central Library, 4th Floor

Join fellow romance readers for the second annual Steel Town Love, a full day of swoon-worthy events featuring author talks, signings, a romance book market and more. 

Registration includes access to a full day of romance-filled fun. Some of our most popular sessions may fill up, so we recommend arriving early to grab a great seat for your top picks. 

REGISTER NOW 

Event Schedule 

9–10am 
Welcome and Check-In 

10–11am 

Romantasy Author Panel 
Featuring Amanda Connolly, Kritika H. Rao and Anuja Varghese 
Moderated by Victoria S. Walsh 

10am–2pm 

Readers’ Lounge in the Hamilton Farmers’ Market 
Romance-themed crafts, activities and more. 

11:30am–12:30pm 

Hannah Bonam-Young and Lavanya Lakshmi in Conversation 
Moderated by Sophie Burraston 

12:30–1pm 

Author Signing 
Featuring Amanda Connolly, Kritika H. Rao, Anuja Varghese, Hannah Bonam-Young and Lavanya Lakshmi 

12:30–2:30pm 

Green Screen Fun in the Makerspace 
Star in Your Own Romance Book Cover 

1–2:30pm 

Break 

1–2pm 

Writing Workshop: Introduction to Self-Publishing 
With Hudson Lin 
Hamilton Room – Limited to 40 spots 

2:30–3:30pm 

Contemporary Romance Author Panel 
Featuring Lily Chu, Frankie Scott (Zoe Whittall) and Ellie K. Wilde 
Moderated by Anuja Varghese 

3:30–4pm 

Author Signing 
Featuring Hudson Lin, Lily Chu, Frankie Scott and Ellie K. Wilde 

Crafts, activities and the book market will be available throughout the day from 9am–4pm. 

Presented in partnership with Epic Books, gritLIT and the Hamilton Farmers’ Market. Book sales provided by Epic Books. 

Featured Authors and Moderators 

Hannah Bonam-Young 

A New York Times bestselling romance author whose work features diverse, disabled, marginalized and LGBTQIA+ characters. Hannah blends swoon-worthy romance with the realities of everyday life. She lives near Niagara Falls with her family. 

Sophie Burraston 

A romance reader, interviewer and publishing professional originally from Brisbane, Australia, now based in Ontario. Sophie works with bestselling authors Hannah Bonam-Young and Becka Mack. 

Lily Chu 

Author of eight acclaimed romance and women’s fiction novels, including Audible Originals performed by stars such as Phillipa Soo, John Cho and Simu Liu. Lily lives in Toronto with her family and two cats. 

Amanda Connolly 

A Canadian political journalist and editor, and recipient of the EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship. The Lure of Wolves and Whispers is her debut novel. 

Lavanya Lakshmi 

Lavanya Lakshmi has lived in nine cities across India, China, the US, and Canada. One of her many childhood homes was a suite on the 37th floor of a luxury hotel. She has a Master's degree from NYU and is in the Board of Directors for the Festival of Literary Diversity. Her debut novel, Leave and Come Back, was named one of Indigo's Best 100 Books of the Year (So Far) and one of Amazon's Best Romances for the month of June.

Hudson Lin 

Writes heartfelt romances featuring queer people of colour. Hudson is also Program Coordinator at the Festival of Literary Diversity and co-host of the Into the FOLD Podcast. 

Kritika H. Rao 

A speculative and children’s fiction author whose work explores identity, consciousness and belonging through stories shaped by her international lived experiences. 

Frankie Scott 

The romance-writing pen name of bestselling novelist and TV writer Zoe Whittall, known for work on Schitt’s Creek, Degrassi and Baroness von Sketch Show. 

Anuja Varghese 

An award-winning Hamilton-based writer whose debut romantasy novel A Kiss of Crimson Ash launches a new trilogy inspired by medieval India. 

Victoria S. Walsh 

Author of The Iron Hex Trilogy and creator of fantasy, fashion and book content online. Victoria is a graduate of McMaster University. 

Ellie K. Wilde 

Writer of contemporary romance and romantic comedies featuring fiery heroines and lovable heroes. 

*Steeltown Love Illustrations created by Ashley Cheree