Jael and Lin pit literary festivals against book conventions, with this episode's guest, Melissa Saavedra, founder of Steamy Lit Con. We talk about the difference between literary festivals and book conventions, some of the challenges we face as organizers, and what lessons we can learn from each other.

About Melissa SaavedraMelissa Saavedra (she/her) is the founder of Steamy Lit, a romance literary collective dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and celebrating self-love through storytelling. Melissa launched Steamy Lit in 2021 with the debut of The Steam Box, a romance book subscription box that has since gained a loyal following for its commitment to inclusivity and sexual empowerment. When she’s not curating must-read romances or running her bookstore, Melissa can be found enjoying tequila on the beach or spending time with her beloved dogs. (https://www.steamylit.com/about)

Jael, Lin, and Melissa's Top 3 Tips for Organizing Book Events:

1. Think of the reader experience, and draw from book con or lit fest models as appropriate.
2. Treat the authors with respect and care.
3. Don't just create events to fill time, craft an experience for everyone in attendance.

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