Intersectional and Intertwined: Why Romance Needs Diversity

Romance-Con | Presented by Toledo Library

The Romance genre is one of the most loved and accessible areas of fiction. This panel will discuss why diversity and inclusion are critical to the genre's popularity and continued success.

At each program, authors will speak, followed by a question-and-answer session. This event is free, and tickets are not required.  For other Romance-Con events and offerings, visit toledolibrary.org/romance-con.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Terreece M Clarke Bestselling author and journalist Terreece M. Clarke writes love stories about courageous women in extraordinary circumstances who are loved completely and unapologetically. She has written for various websites, magazines, and newspapers and her work has garnered the attention of the New York Times, Disney.com, and Jezebel.com. Her debut adult novel, Heartbeat: A Courageous Love Novel, became an international bestseller in three categories and launched the bestselling Courageous Love series. Terreece was born in Toledo, graduated from St. Ursula Academy and now lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, three children - two of whom are published authors as well. 

Dani Galliaro is a stack of ferrets in a trench coat, hunched over a keyboard and pecking out stories about normal people falling in love. She’s known for the wholesome filth she writes, full of teeheehees and OMGs. She’s a proud Appalachian and spends her spare time crocheting lumpy crafts alongside her spouse and two delightful kiddos.   

Katrina Jackson has a PhD in African American and African Diaspora history. She's a professor by day who writes erotica, erotic romance, women's fiction, and historical fiction in her spare time. She writes racially diverse and often queer stories that show love and the world in all its beauty and colors. 

Cara Tanamachi (also known as Cara Lockwood) is the USA Today bestseller of 39 books, including The Takeover and The Second You're Single. She wrote the novelization of the Hallmark movie, The Dater's Handbook, starring Meghan Markle, and her first book, I Do (But I Don't), became a movie on Lifetime starring Denise Richards. She lives in Chicagoland with her husband, blended family of five kids, and one large goldendoodle. 

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Katrina Jackson is all the things listed above, as well as one-half of the hosting duo of the Black Romance Has a History podcast where they dig into the history and cultural context behind Black romance novels, the authors who wrote them, and the industry behind them.

Sensory Considerations: This program will use artificial lighting. All speakers will use microphones.

Accessibility Details: Located on the first floor, accessed by elevator and/or stairs. All doors will feature an automatic function or be propped open prior to program start. Tile or low-pile carpet throughout the building. Limited free parking is available in the attached garage. 

Please call Public Services at 419-259-5293 to request an accommodation at least two weeks prior to the program date. 

Romance-Con is presented by Toledo Library, with support from Destination Toledo, the official Destination Marketing Organization promoting the Toledo, Ohio region to visitors, meeting and convention business locally, regionally, and nationwide.