I Attended Falling for Fiction

Australian and international books. Special edition books. Cookie books. Cock plushies. Consent traffic light badges. And more. So much more. That nearly sums up Falling for Fiction: Chapter One, presented by Sunshine Coast growing icon, Tales and Tomes.

With over seventy authors across an array of romance sub-genre —plus bookish vendors, Falling for Fiction: Chapter One ranks amongst the biggest QLD book signing events in recent years. Did I know anyone attending? Well, no. I must admit I've been out of the local circuit for a while. Not since my own published work with small press REUTs Publishing. Well before the pandemic. But it was time for me to get reacquainted.

Can you see any of your favourites? Did you get to meet them?

Novotel Twin Waters hosted the event in their exhibition centre, 20 June 2026. Various sponsors jumped on board including the other local author-owned bookstore E.P Bali's House of Fantasy. Given the size of the event and its location (a few hour drive out of our home city), my friends and I made an overnight trip of it. Well worth it. (Even with Novotel well behind their resort hey-day).

Some of the best of Australia's indie publishing circuit was on display and the passion and glee? Infectious. Many authors I talked to noted how stuck we get behind our desks and journals; creativity can be a very isolating journey despite being grounded in connection. Events like these are important celebrations of the community. A chance for like-minded individuals to bask in the wonderful support of not just fans, but other authors and bookish collaboratives.

But given I am primarily a book cover artist and designer, I didn't arrive empty handed. Who can pass up book cover biscuits? Not authors Kiki Townley and Aleisha Jade who were two of the most gorgeous women I met at the event. (See more biccies here).

At the end of the day, my friends and I bought well over twenty books, plus other fun magnets, pins, and stickers, from authors including M. K. Jewell, HM Hodgson, Cassandra B Andreucci, Opal Reyne, L. A. Clyne, and many, many others.

We had a blast and already our group chat is filling with out next outing.

We're you can hopefully find us next? The opening of Romancing the Novel Brisbane, 15th August, and potentially even Love on the Beach at Mantra next week!