Ballrooms & Beyond
Bristol Romance Con:
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Join us for Bristol Romance Con: Ballrooms & Beyond where we will celebrate the genre of Historical Romance.
Presented in partnership with:
Join Bestselling Authors for a full day of Historical Romance in an 1810 mansion
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Where: Linden Place, 500 Hope St., Bristol, RI and
Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope St., Bristol, RI
Cost: All panels are free to attend, but space is limited and registration is required. The cocktail party in the Mansion is a ticketed event withan additional cost. More information below.
Attending Authors:
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Sarah MacLean
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Joanna Shupe
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Adriana Herrera
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Elizabeth Everett
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Caroline Linden
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Ginny B. Moore
with moderators Kate Canterbary and Catherine Zipf
Schedule of Events
9:30 AM - Taking Back Power panel
Sarah MacLean, Caroline Linden, Adriana Herrera, moderated by Catherine Zipf
10:35 AM - Romance Family Feud
Play along with the authors in a special romance-themed version of Family Feud
11:45 AM - Book signing
Joanna Shupe, Ginny B. Moore, Caroline Linden
12:30 PM - Lunch break!
1:30 PM - Bluestockings and Harlots panel
Joanna Shupe, Elizabeth Everett, Ginny B. Moore, moderated by Kate Canterbary
2:35 PM - The Future of Historical Romance panel
Sarah MacLean, Caroline Linden, Adriana Herrera, Joanna Shupe, Elizabeth Everett, moderated by Ginny B. Moore
3:45 PM - Book signing
Sarah MacLean, Adriana Herrera, Elizabeth Everett
4:30 PM - Cocktail Party in the Mansion
Come for one panel or come for them all!
Your registration provides access to the author panels and signings free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. Space is limited so registration is required.
All panels will be held in the ballroom at Linden Place.
Author signings and book swap
All signings will be held in the Herreshoff Community Room at Rogers Free Library across the street.
Books from each author will be available for pre-order through Linden Place. A few copies may still be available for sale on the day of the event in the Linden Place Gift Shop. You are also welcome to bring your own copies from home for the authors to sign.
We also encourage you to bring romance novels to contribute to the book swap! This is a great way to pass on books you've already read, have extra copies of, or just weren't for you. Help those books find a new home and take home some new books yourself. Even if you don't have books to swap, you're welcome to help yourself to books from the swap table. Please bring no more than 5 books to swap. Romance novels only please. The swap table will be available all day in the Herreshoff Community Room at Rogers Free Library.
Lunch break
Add a boxed lunch to your registration for $25. Lunches include a sandwich of your choice, cookie, chips, and a bottle of water, and will be distributed at Linden Place. You are also welcome to bring your own lunch from home. In addition, there are many wonderful restaurants within walking distance if you prefer to grab something nearby.
Don't miss the after party!
The party continues after the panels! Buy a ticket for the cocktail party, held inside the historic 1810 Federal-period mansion, to relax, mingle, and talk romance with other readers. Authors who are able will join us for the cocktail party. Your ticket includes appetizers, an exclusive swag bag, and a cash bar.
Don't want to wait until March for all the fun? Join the Historical Romance Book Club!
Rogers Free Library will discuss a different historical romance by one of our attending authors on the third Monday of every month. Learn more.
Registration is coming soon!
Sign up to receive email updates about Bristol RomanceFest, including when registration opens and when books are available for pre-order. Registration is required and space is limited.
Bristol Romance Con: Ballrooms & Beyond is grateful for the support from these community partners:
Proceeds from the cocktail party support arts and education programs, and the ongoing preservation of Linden Place.