Over 1,300 people gathered at the Central Bank Center to attend Authors in the Bluegrass, a book signing event hosted by The Next Step PR.
The event allowed readers to come together to meet their favorite authors and purchase “bookish” merchandise on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Authors in the Bluegrass is organized by The Next Step PR, a company providing public relationship services for authors.
Authors In The Bluegrass largely caters to readers of the “dark romance” genre, a subgenre of romance that explores darker and more mature themes.
The convention hosted Penelope Douglas and other popular authors on “BookTok”, a subgenre of TikTok devoted to books.
Authors in the Bluegrass has held three events so far, but this is the first time it has been hosted in Central Bank Center.
CEO Kiki Chatfield founded The Next Step PR in 2015 and is the current owner. In 2017, Authors in the Bluegrass hosted its first event at Kroger Field.
Chatfield said she was not originally an avid reader. In 2012, her mother bought her a Kindle for Christmas and her love of reading inspired her to create her company.
“I was reading so many books, like I wasn’t showering, I wasn’t eating. It just consumed my life. And then I found this indie world, and it just changed my world,” she said. “And then in 2015, I opened The Next Step PR, and obviously (Authors in the) Bluegrass was born because I loved going to all these events.”
The event allows readers to connect with their favorite authors and vice versa.
K.C. Mills, an author from Atlanta, Georgia, is a “happily ever after” romance author. She wants her books to always have “that swooning-worthy moment at the end.”
“To get love on social media is one thing, but to feel the energy of being in the room with people, when you see their smiles, and you get to feel their energy is just top tier,” Mills said.
Many of the authors write books with diverse characters and themes. For author Vinni George, she said that bringing her LGBTQ+ romance novels into a conservative area, such as Kentucky, is important.
George said she writes gay romances with low angst. She focuses on contemporary and “shifter” romance, a subgenre where the characters are able to change their form at will.
“I write LGBTQ+ romance, so I think any time I can come into areas that are a little more conservative and bring my particular brand of romance, that’s really huge for me,” George said.
The event also hosted various book-themed vendors, such as Wonderland Booksleeves and Bookish Baddie Shops.
Wonderland Booksleeves, a company owned by Pamela Lagoudakis, specializes in hand-sewn book sleeves and other “bookish” items.
The company mainly operates on Etsy, but occasionally sells their items in-person. She started the company in 2018 as a way for her and her mother to afford to go to book signings.
Lagoudakis is from Ozark, Missouri and is a first-time visitor to Kentucky.
Being able to physically speak to customers during transactions is an important part of why she loves conventions such as Authors in the Bluegrass.
“I love to just talk books, in general, so I just love to chat with all the readers,” said Lagoudakis.
Many of the attendees and authors traveled to Lexington for the event. Some traveled from states as far as Texas, such as author R.K. Lilley.
Tiffany Hellen, Danielle Roberts and Nicole Horton are from Lexington and are avid readers and book convention attendees.
They all had wristbands for their favorite authors; the wristband system was implemented to cut down on wait times and to organize lines.
Some of the most anticipated authors, such as Penelope Douglas and Aiden Pierce, required ticketed wristbands. Each of the wristbands had a number and each number group was called at different times at the event.
While most of the authors in attendance were female, male author W.S. Greer is a dark romance author.
Greer’s novels focus on “teaching people outside of whatever the stereotypical information that’s out there.”
After serving in the military for 20 years and retiring in May, he then picked up writing. As romance is a female-dominated genre, Greer is proud to be an author.
“I take a lot of pride in it. Honestly, I think that probably my biggest word is just pride because there are so few (male authors) and the ones who try tend to miss the mark a bit,” he said. “So I know it’s an honor for me to get as much attention and love as I get and I definitely don’t take advantage. I love being able to do what I do. It’s the best job in the world.”
Authors in the Bluegrass is set to return every other year, with the next event being held in 2026.
