YALLFest Launches ROMFest Adult Romance Track, YALLWest to Follow with ROMWest
YALLFest, recognized as the largest young-adult book festival in the U.S., is set to launch ROMFest, a new programming track focused on romance for adult participants. Scheduled for November 13–14, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina, this initiative will feature panels with crossover romance authors such as Sarah Beth Durst, Tricia Levenseller, and Mary E. Pearson. The decision to introduce ROMFest stems from the observation that over half of YALLFest's attendees are adults, aiming to enhance the festival's offerings for young readers. Similarly, YALLFest's West Coast counterpart, YALLWest, will debut a related track named ROMWest in Santa Monica, California, in spring 2027. Co-founder Melissa de la Cruz expressed her excitement, noting the evolution of YA literature to include adult readers.
Key facts
- YALLFest is the largest young-adult book festival in the United States.
- ROMFest is a new romance programming track for adult attendees.
- ROMFest will run during YALLFest's regular hours on November 13–14, 2026, in Charleston, South Carolina.
- Panels will feature YA crossover romance authors Sarah Beth Durst, Tricia Levenseller, and Mary E. Pearson.
- YALLFest added ROMFest after observing that more than half of its attendees are adults.
- ROMFest is intended to complement YALLFest's programming for young readers.
- YALLWest, the West Coast sister festival, will launch ROMWest in Santa Monica, California, in spring 2027.
- Melissa de la Cruz, co-founder of YALLWest, stated that many YA authors now write romance and romantasy, and the new tracks serve former teens who are now adult readers.
Entities
Artists
- Sarah Beth Durst
- Tricia Levenseller
- Mary E. Pearson
- Melissa de la Cruz
Institutions
- YALLFest
- YALLWest
- Publishers Weekly
Locations
- Charleston
- South Carolina
- United States
- Santa Monica
- California