Toronto International Festival of Authors announces the launch of its inaugural Ever After Romance Festival Presented by Rakuten Kobo
Festival to feature the Ever After Ball, High Teas, Tarot Workshops and sessions with more than 30 romance writers including Cecelia Ahern, author of PS, I Love You
The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) is delighted to announce the launch of Ever After presented by Rakuten Kobo, the organization’s inaugural romance festival. Following a sold-out autumn line-up of events featuring celebrated literary luminaries Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Rachel Maddow, and R.F. Kuang, TIFA’s enchanting new romance festival will take place in Toronto November 21-23 at the Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel.
“Our first annual Ever After Romance Festival is a celebration of beginnings, in books, in love, and in life,” says Festival Artistic Director Roland Gulliver. “From first crushes to first novels, from stumbling into a new genre to recognizing The One, you never forget your first. This festival is a love letter to those pivotal, unforgettable experiences, refracted through the lens of romance literature.”
Readers and authors alike are invited to indulge in a weekend of engaging panel discussions, intimate book signings, and inspiring interactive workshops. From grand historical love affairs to sizzling modern-day encounters Ever After offers something to stir every heart.
“Following the success of Motive, TIFA’s Crime and Mystery Festival, it seemed a natural fit to welcome romance readers and fans into the TIFA fold,” continues Festival Artistic Director Roland Gulliver. “We are thrilled that Rakuten Kobo has stepped up to make the first edition of Ever After possible.”
"At Kobo, we've always championed the power of storytelling, and nowhere is that passion more evident than within the romance community," says Michael Tamblyn, CEO of Rakuten Kobo. "Romance readers are, without a doubt, some of our most voracious and passionate customers, devouring stories with an incredible enthusiasm that inspires us every day. We are delighted to support a festival that celebrates this
vibrant genre and its dedicated readership."
The inaugural festival will feature a wide range of events with signature experiences including:
- The Ever After Ball: Authors, readers, and romantics come together for a magical evening of candlelight, dance, and storytelling. Dance cards will be filled, secrets whispered, fortunes told and debut authors honoured in a dazzling spotlight.
- High Tea: Two elegant afternoons with authors featuring classic cakes, tea, sandwiches, stories, and conversation.
- Blind Date with a Book: Sponsored by Harlequin, this playful experience lets readers discover their next great love story wrapped in mystery.
- Tarot Workshops: Led by author Lori Dyan, these sessions explore intuition, inspiration, and the intersection of destiny and storytelling.
- For aspiring novelists, Ever After will offer practical and inspiring professional development opportunities, including TIFA’s renowned Masterclasses, a Romance Editor Q&A, and a Self-Publishing Session presented by Kobo Writing Life.
The festival will also shine a spotlight on acclaimed and emerging romance authors.
Tickets and festival passes are available now at FestivalofAuthors.ca.