First romance book convention in Utah on Saturday

A new romance book convention called Romance Out West is coming to Utah. It will take place on Saturday at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy. The event was organized by Shaylee Allred, who rediscovered her love for reading in 2023. She became inspired after reading a cowboy romance series called "Chestnut Springs" by Elsie Silver. After attending a book convention in South Carolina, Allred felt that Utah needed a similar event. Romance Out West will feature more than 75 authors from both traditional and independent publishing. These authors will showcase various subgenres, from contemporary to paranormal. Allred wants the convention to be a space where people can meet new authors and make friends who share their love for books. Several local authors will be present, including Tiana Smith, Sariah Wilson, and Amilea Perez. Perez, who studies at the University of Utah, writes Indigenous fantasy and is excited to interact with readers at this unique event. The convention will also have about a dozen vendors selling book-related goods, including the local bookstore Lovebound Library. Allred emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for romance readers to connect with each other and share their interests. Tickets for the event are priced at $60 and are still available for purchase.