Hi friends! So I know this is coming down to the wire (like a lot a lot) – it was meant to go live on March 5th, but timing didn’t align – but if you’re a procrastinator or were on the fence… hopefully this gives you information/the push you need! While this is the first ever KissCon Weekend Affair … I will say I’ve been to other Avon events, and a KissCon, and they were all great. Avon puts together fabulous events for readers – where you get actual time with authors, but not just that, there’s the swag, treats, everything is really well done. Anyway, without further ado, info from Kayleigh about the event! 

Avon Presents KissCon Weekend Affair

I’ve always thought there was something magical about cons. For one weekend, like minded individuals are brought together to celebrate something that they love so irrevocably, that it’s deeply rooted in their soul.

For some, it’s comic books. For us? It’s romance novels.

Avon has been hosting regional KissCon events for years, bringing a panels of 6-8 authors to indie bookstores (and libraries!) around the US for a two-part ticketed event filled with cheeky games, Q&As, a signing, and for VIP ticket holders, a wine and cupcake mixer that allows for more intimate mingling with their favorite authors. Basically, these small one day affairs are four hours of pure romance bliss, where you’re definitely going to go home with an HEA moment (and a lot of really great swag).

After the continued success of the regional KissCons, we began to wonder: what would happen if a KissCon lasted the entire weekend? Could we take four hours and stretch it into a full weekend of romance and wonder? Being the overachievers that we at Team Avon, we could say only one thing: YES!

Thus, KissCon Weekend Affair was born!

From April 5-7^th, 2019, 32 Avon and Harlequin authors (as well as some friends from William Morrow and Harper Voyager) will be taking over the Hyatt Regency O’Hare to bring attendees a weekend of panels, parties, and enough programming to make any romance lover’s heart sing.

We know how absolutely mad book conventions can be as well, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost in a sea of people while you try to interact with your favorite authors. We’re aiming to keep KissCon Weekend Affair intimate, selling no more than 600 tickets. Stop and think of that author to reader ratio. Pretty good, right?

Friday kicks off with a special writing craft discussion in which Beverly Jenkins, Tracey Livesay and Charis Michaels will share their tips of the trade. This is just one of the many panels we’re hosting on Friday, including a can’t miss discussion of Sarah MacLean and Sophie Jordan’s favorite Bananas Books! Do you know a crazy trope that they can’t recommend a book that includes it? Bring it with you to KissCon Weekend Affair! We bet you can’t stump this dream team.

Get your game on and root for your favorite authors as they show off their deepest secrets and poker faces with rousing rounds of Never Have I Ever and Tell Me a Secret. We’re bringing back the fan-favorite “CLINCH IT” interactive team vs. team game, and we can’t wait to see which talented team is going to bring home the grand prize: a big bag of books! Saturday will bring even more games, and the one I’m most excited for is, survey says…..ROMANCE FAMILY FEUD! We’ll be sourcing all of our answers from our attendees, and we can’t wait to watch our authors go head to head and fight to be champions!

On Saturday, kick off your morning with yoga led by best selling author Lori Wilde, then settle in for a day full of fun panels! Interested in heat levels in romance? Deconstructing Fairytales and giving them a romance twist? World building? Talking about your favorite book boyfriends? (Of course you wanna talk about your #bookbaes, because I’m moderating!)

Panels aside, what makes KissCon Weekend Affair special is all of the interactive events attendees will have with authors. Since I know we all are curious to find out our favorite author’s favorite ice cream flavor, Friday will feature the coolest ice cream social, on top of an even more special movie event, brought to you by the Slayer of Words herself, Beverly Jenkins, and Popcornopolis.

That’s right, KissCon Weekend Affair will feature one of Beverly Jenkins famous pajama parties! Bring yourself, your cutest jammies, grab a bag of popcorn donated by our delectable sponsor, Porcornopolis, and tune into a special showing of “Deadly Sexy”, with commentary by the author/screenwriter/producer herself.

Saturday brings not one, but TWO mega events that no one will want to miss.

First, is the oh-so special SENSATIONAL SIGNING, allowing VIP attendees early access at 2pm, and general entry at 3pm. With 32 authors signing, you may want to bring a bigger suitcase to haul all your goodies home!

That evening, put on your dancing shoes and dust off your vintage frocks and pantsuits to join Avon Books and BABE Rose for our sparkling Vintage and Vino party, featuring a night full of rollicking live music from the Blueswater Kings Band.

Sunday brings something special (and coffee, we promise) for our three day badge holders. While other attendees are sleeping in, our three day attendees are invited to join our “Hot Title” breakfast, where editors will give a sneak peak of the most anticipated upcoming romances coming out in 2019 and maybe even a sneak peek into 2020!

Curious to see who is joining in on the fun? We bet that more than one of your favorite authors will be attending!

Featured Authors at KissCon Weekend Affair

 

Tickets come in three tiered packages:

3-Day “French Kiss” Badges (Friday-Saturday-Sunday; only 15 tickets left!) are $185

2-Day “Smooch” Badges (Friday-Saturday only) are $150

1-Day “Butterfly Kiss” Badge (Saturday only) $75

 

Tickets come with a ridiculous amount of cool swag, and each registered attendee will receive a KissCon tote at Registration, with their badge, program guide, and special KissCon goodies.  In addition, those who purchase the 3-Day badge will receive six advance review copies (“galleys”) of upcoming hot romance titles; 2-Day badges get four galleys; and 1-Day badges get two galleys.

Tickets are going fast for this can’t miss event of 2019, and we’ve got attendees coming all the way from Alaska to join this unforgettable weekend. So buy your tickets now, Romancelandia, because this weekend is going to go down in HERstory!

Thanks so much for all that info, Kayleigh! You can buy your ticket(s) here!

Y’all! As of this morning I saw there was only ONE “French Kiss” pass left … so not sure if that’s still available, but other ones ought to be! Good luck, enjoy, if you’re going, I’d LOVE to hear about your experience!