ATLANTA — More than 3,000 readers from across the country traveled to downtown Atlanta over the weekend for the second annual Black Romance Book Fest, a three-day celebration of Black love stories, the authors who write them and the readers who support them.

Held at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, the festival brought together some of the biggest names in Black romance, including Kennedy Ryan, Jahquel J, K.C. Mills and Alexandria House.

Throughout the weekend, attendees packed author signings, panel discussions and networking events, often waiting in long lines for the opportunity to meet their favorite writers.

Authors said the festival’s rapid growth sends a clear message to the publishing industry.

“Black women read. Black women support. Black women, they’re going to sell you out and they’ll spend that money for books that they love,” said USA Today bestselling author Jahquel J.

The turnout was evident throughout the weekend as readers filled ballrooms, lined up for signings and carried stacks of books from event to event.

For USA Today bestselling author K.C. Mills, hosting the festival in Atlanta carried special meaning. The author is a native of the city and said seeing the event’s success in her hometown was especially meaningful.

“I am ATL and to see this and to have this here and to be a part of it is just beautiful and it makes me feel like I am seen, my city is seen, we as Black women and Black creators and Black entrepreneurs are seen in this environment,” Mills said.

While romance novels are sometimes dismissed as light entertainment, authors at the festival said the genre has a much deeper impact on readers.

“It teaches you empathy, and it teaches you about people and I think everybody should read it and enjoy it, especially Black romance,” said Alexandria House, whose books have topped Amazon’s African American Romance bestseller lists. “This is the best time to be a Black romance reader. I like to call it our renaissance.”

Authors said the genre continues to grow as readers seek stories that center Black love, joy and relationships.

Mills said readers remain the driving force behind her work.

“The readers are the why, and if they can take something from what I am doing and show up and send me messages and tell me, ‘Hey, you’re useful, you’re relevant, I love what you do,’ that’s my why,” she said.

Jahquel J echoed those sentiments, saying her family and the connection readers have with her stories are what keep her writing.

“Somebody always relates and they share their stories with me, so it makes me keep going and writing about stuff people are really going through,” she said.

For many attendees, the festival was about more than books. It was also an opportunity to build community with other readers who share a love for Black romance and support authors whose stories often center Black joy, love and relationships.

Organizers announced that the festival will return next June. Tickets are expected to go on sale in August.