Toronto is set to welcome a new addition to its literary and cultural calendar this month as the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) debuts Ever After, its inaugural romance-focused festival presented by Rakuten Kobo. Running from Nov. 21–23 at the Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel, the event marks TIFA’s first foray into a dedicated romance genre celebration—one that organizers say reflects both rising industry trends and strong reader demand.
The festival arrives at a time when romance fiction continues to dominate global publishing charts, particularly in digital formats, an area where sponsor Rakuten Kobo maintains significant market influence. With readership expanding across demographics and subgenres, festival organizers are positioning Ever After as an experience-driven weekend designed to serve an enthusiastic, fast-growing audience.
Media were invited Tuesday to “turn up the heat as the temperatures dip,” with TIFA highlighting the weekend’s blend of author appearances, themed events and interactive programming. “Escape for a weekend filled with romance, high tea, engaging panel discussions, intimate book signings, inspiring interactive workshops and a themed costume ball,” the organization said in announcing the lineup. “From steamy contemporary love affairs to queer romance and romantasy, Ever After offers something to quicken every heartbeat.”
The three-day festival features several signature events, including the Ever After Ball, a highlight designed to bring readers into the imaginative worlds they love. Organizers describe the ball as an immersive evening where guests can “don their finest Romantasy or Regency fashion and dance the night away,” complete with live performances, dance instruction, “magical corners,” and recognition for debut authors.
High Tea events anchor the festival’s daytime programming. Attendees will have the opportunity to sit down with bestselling authors Cecelia Ahern—whose novels PS I Love You and Paper Hearts have resonated internationally—along with Bailey Hannah, known for the Wells Ranch series, and Marissa Stapley, writing under the pen name Julia McKay and widely recognized for Lucky, the first Canadian Reese’s Book Club pick. Guests will be served traditional high tea offerings including scones, cream and preserves, finger sandwiches, fruit tartlets, coffee and tea.
Additional activations include “Blind Date with a Book,” sponsored by Harlequin, where wrapped books are tagged only with romance tropes and gifted to guests. Tropes include Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity and Second Chance Romance. Tarot workshops led by author Lori Dyan will explore “intuition, inspiration, and the intersection of destiny and storytelling,” blending spiritual elements with creative practice.
The festival boasts a diverse roster of authors spanning contemporary romance, romantasy, cozy fiction and character-driven drama. Featured writers include Cecelia Ahern; Kelley Armstrong, author of Writing Mr. Wrong; Bailey Hannah of the Wells Ranch series; Briar Boleyn, known for The Bond That Burns from the Bloodwing Academy series; Jenny Colgan with The Secret Christmas Library; Nisha J. Tuli, author of Not Safe for Work; Amy James with Crash Test; and Uzma Jalaluddin, known for Much Ado About Nada.
Festival organizers say the lineup was curated to reflect the breadth of modern romance writing while offering readers meaningful opportunities for interaction. Many of the featured authors represent Canadian talent or international voices with strong Canadian readership, while others have achieved major commercial success across North America, Europe and online platforms.
Programming will unfold entirely within the Yorkville Royal Sonesta’s second floor, with events scheduled as follows:
Ever After Ball
Saturday, Nov. 22 • 7:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. • Yorkville Royal Sonesta, 2nd Floor
Blind Date with a Book
Saturday, Nov. 22 • 4:30 p.m. • Yorkville Royal Sonesta, 2nd Floor
High Tea & Paper Hearts with Cecelia Ahern
Friday, Nov. 21 • 4:30 p.m. • Yorkville Royal Sonesta, 2nd Floor
High Tea at the Ranch with Bailey Hannah & Julia McKay
Sunday, Nov. 23 • 5:30 p.m. • Yorkville Royal Sonesta, 2nd Floor
The festival represents a strategic expansion for TIFA, leveraging the romance genre’s commercial momentum and cultural prominence. With major publishers investing in romance imprints and digital platforms reporting record readership, Toronto’s newest literary festival appears poised to attract both devoted fans and new audiences.
Passes and interview opportunities are currently available, with organizers expecting strong turnout for the festival’s inaugural year.
