Mid-Sentence | Modern Lovers: Changing Faces in Romance Fiction

Mon. Feb 11, 2019 at 6:30pm EST
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Event Description

A panel of writers discuss the rise of romantic fiction featuring POC and LGBTQ protagonists.


FEATURING:



  • Alysia Constantine, author of Sweet

  • Adriana Herrera, co-creator of the Queer Romance PoC Collective & VP of Programs for the Romance Writers of America New York City Chapter

  • Nisha Sharma, author of My So-Called Bollywood Life

  • Damon Suede, author of Lickety Split


Protagonists in romantic fiction novels are purposely meant to be stand-ins for the reader; an alternative version of their ideal selves living out their ultimate romantic fantasies free of judgement. However, an overwhelming majority of romantic fiction features cis-gendered, white, able-bodied, heterosexual protagonists—an inaccurate reflection of the genre's diverse readership. 


Adriana Herrera speaks with Nisha Sharma, Alysia Constantine, and Damon Suede about recent rise in inclusive and diverse romantic fiction, and the ways in which their own experiences and backgrounds have influenced their written work. 


Alysia Constantine’s debut novel, Sweet, was awarded the 2016 Foreword Indie Awards Honorable Mention for LGBT literature. Adriana Herrera is one of the co-creators of the Queer Romance PoC Collective and serves as the VP of Programs for the Romance Writers of America New York City Chapter. Damon Suede has served on the national board of the Romance Writers of America. Nisha Sharma grew up immersed in Bollywood movies, eighties pop culture, and romance novels, so it comes as no surprise that her first YA novel, My So-Called Bollywood Life, features all three. 


This panel will be followed by a Q&A. Participants’ books will be available for sale and signing.


Mid-Sentence presents a series of conversations with groundbreaking literary voices. Indie authors and cult favorites explore the intersections between literature and lived experience




ASL interpretation and real-time (CART) captioning available upon request. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance by emailing accessibility@nypl.org.

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Venue Details
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Mid-Manhattan Library Program Room 476 Fifth Avenue (42nd Street Entrance)
New York, NY 10018