2026 Updates Compiled

📝 “Guess Who Wrote It?” Panels
The authors selected for the panels are:

10:15 AM Panel
  • Suanne Laqueur
  • S. Ashley
  • D.M. Darcy
  • Regina Kyle
  • Sabrina Silvers
11:15 AM Panel
  • C.W. Rose
  • Lillian Beltaine
  • E.G. Verot
  • Emily R. Bellas
  • MercyAnn Summers
Note: the panel facilitator chose authors based on the submitted quotes

🎟  Current Ticket Sales (4/11/2026)

Current ticket numbers are looking great:

Total Tickets Sold: 443
General Admission: 293
Early Entry: 100
VIP: 50

🏨 Hotel Block Reminder

The Delta Hotel in Utica has officially sold out of rooms for Friday (4/17) night. Rooms are still available for Saturday (4/18), so if you haven’t finalized your stay yet and only need Saturday, you may still be able to book there. 

If you still need a room for Friday, here are several alternative hotel options conveniently located on Genesee Street in Utica:


🎨 Friday Night Workshop – Edgy Pages (Author/Vendor Only)

If you’ll be attending Friday night setup, Edgy Pages is hosting a fun workshop exclusively for authors, vendors, and assistants participating in Romance in CNY.

Details:
Date/Time: Friday (4/17) at 7:30PM
Cap: 26 participants (sign up ASAP)
Payment: At the workshop (cash, Square, Venmo, or PayPal)

What’s included:
• Custom stencil for your book
• All paint and supplies

Workshop Sign-Up: Please reach out to Liz or Chrissy for the signup form

Questions? DM Liz at @edgypages on Instagram or Edgy Pages on Facebook.

🕡 Friday Night Check-In & Setup (April 17)
Check-in begins around 6:30 PM at the hall entry
  • Volunteers will help guide you to your room/table if you’d like to set up Friday night
  • Doors will lock around 9:00 PM and reopen at 8:00 AM Saturday for authors and guests only
🌡️ Venue & Volunteer Updates
Last year the front room ran a bit warm — this year:
  • Doors will remain open but roped off (similar to movie theater stanchions)
  • Volunteers will manage entry and assist with moving supplies through the doors
We also have more volunteers this year, including one circulating with a cart stocked with:
  • Water & snacks
  • Extra Sharpies
  • Other helpful pick-me-ups you might need during the event

🔗 Pre-Order Link Sheet
The pre-order sheet has been shared publicly — feel free to promote on your own as well!
If you’d like your link added:
  • Email me your pre-order link
  • Include the order-by date in email

🗓️ Event Day Schedule – Saturday, April 18
  • 8:00 AM: Author/vendor check-in & setup
  • 10:00 AM: Vendor halls open + Panel #1
  • 11:00 AM: Panel #2
  • 12:00 PM: VIP entry
  • 12:30 PM: Edgy Pages Workshop 1
  • 1:00 PM: Early Entry
  • 2:00 PM: General Public
  • 3:00 PM: Edgy Pages Workshop 2
  • 5:00 PM: Event Concludes
📌 Reminder: When authors check in, your name will be entered into the Author Raffle Basket Drawing!

☕ Break Room (Behind the Pages) & Amenities
  • Break room located between the first author room and the panel/workshop room
  • Coffee, tea & breakfast goodies available 8:00–10:00 AM
  • Water stations available in each room
🗺️ Signage, Maps & Table Placement
  • Increased signage this year to help attendees navigate
  • Maps will be shared closer to the event due to table adjustments
  • I’m intentionally spreading out subgenres — but if you’d like to be near someone (shared PA, etc.), just email/message me and I’ll do my best!
🎟️ Assistants / PAs
This is a free-to-the-public event, so there is no charge for assistants or help staff.
  • Let volunteers know at check-in how many guest badges you need
  • Guest badges allow access to signing rooms
🎉 New this year: Larger, colorful 3”x5” badges designed by Liz at Edgy Pages — easy to identify attendees, authors, vendors, and staff!

🌮 Food Trucks Joining Us
Due to the incredible turnout, we’re excited to share that we will have three food trucks on-site for attendees and participants to enjoy:

Food Trucks should be setup by 11, so you can grab something prior to the author signing doors opening at 12! The Delta did advise that food is not permitted in the signing rooms, but you're welcome to eat in the hotel lobby space. I believe it's because they need to be the ones to  cater. If you do not have a PA/Guest with you at your table, and you need a break at any point when doors are open, please grab a volunteer! We don't have enough volunteers to cover everyone at once, but we can watch over a table for 10-15 minutes, if needed.  

🛜 WiFi

On the back of your badge you will find wifi details. The author signing rooms will have a Romance in CNY private network available. There is also Delta event general wifi. I quadruple checked with Delta to make sure the information is accurate 🤞🏻 

If you experience any issues, please let a volunteer/check-in table know! 

🗺️ Updated Event Map
The event map has been updated and can be viewed here:  https://romanceincny.com/blogs/2026-registrants-need-to-know/2026-map

Please take a moment to review it and let me know if you notice any misspellings or issues—but as of now, everything should be all set!


Back to blog