Scranton, PA – The Electric City Love Con, a romance book convention, has seen a important impact from increased border scrutiny, leading to cancellations by several foreign authors. The event,which sold out within weeks of its announcement,will now be held entirely in a ballroom at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel,down from its originally planned two spaces.
Approximately 50 foreign authors, predominantly from Canada, canceled their participation, citing fears of crossing the border. This trend reflects a broader wariness among Canadians, fueled by President Donald Trump’s repeated statements about potentially annexing Canada. High-profile incidents of travelers and U.S. citizens facing delays or detentions at borders, even with proper documentation, have contributed to this apprehension.
The Electric City Love Con,featuring 113 authors and on-site tattoos,highlights the substantial business of romance writing.The genre’s revenue in the United states is estimated at $1.4 billion annually, experiencing a significant boom following the bestseller status of “Fifty Shades of Gray” in 2011. The growth of self-published books and e-books has further expanded the community of both authors and readers.
Convention organizer tara Conrad, an author herself, emphasized the legitimacy of the romance writing industry, stating, “Sometimes people laugh at us. But you know, we are cashing our paychecks.” Conrad, known for her 14 books that blend darkness and love, including Edgar Allan Poe retellings with mafioso characters, will be present to sell and sign her work.
the convention is scheduled for Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel, located at 700 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton. Tickets are priced at $25 and can be purchased at the door or online at taraconradauthor.com/eclc.The website also provides a list of participating authors. Library and bookstore staff receive free admission upon presentation of identification.
