Panel
1.45 PM – 2.45 PM
Hosted by acclaimed romantasy author Bex Hogan, Romantasy Ever After brings together an exciting lineup of rising and established voices in the romantasy genre: Anna Fiteni, Isabella Stofka, Ova Ceren, and Robin Alvarez. Together, they delve into the spellbinding intersection of romance and fantasy, where magic meets emotion, and stakes are both epic and intimate.
This dynamic panel explores what makes romantasy such a beloved and booming genre, from slow-burn love stories and morally grey heroes to rich worldbuilding and the art of balancing action with heart. Panellists will share their writing processes, favourite tropes (and how to twist them), and how they craft swoon-worthy relationships in worlds filled with danger and enchantment.
Whether you’re a longtime romantasy reader or an aspiring author, this panel promises insight, laughter, and a little bit of magic.
About Anna Fiteni
Anna Fiteni is a Welsh writer with a passion for Welsh mythology and a truly exquisite storyteller just bursting with ideas and excitement. From Cardiff, she studied English and Creative Writing at the University of Warwick, before going on to the University of Oxford to complete a PGCE. When not writing, Anna enjoys travelling, fashion history, and daydreaming about writing. The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire is her debut novel.
About Bex Hogan
Bex Hogan has always loved fantasy and faery tales, particularly the dangerous and somewhat unsettling ones her mother would tell her on long journeys, stories that often left her feeling thrilled and scared, but never in danger because of her trust in the storyteller. Writing her stories down was a natural progression and she enjoys sharing her time between the real world and escaping to her imagination. A Cornish girl at heart, Bex now lives in Cambridgeshire with her family. She has previously published the Isles of Storm and Sorrow trilogy and Black Heat with Hachette. Nettle was her first novel for Zephyr and the first faery tale set in the Faery Realms kingdom.
About Isabella Stofka
Isabella Stofka moved around a lot growing up until finally settling in Virginia Beach with her husband and three cats. Ever since she was little Isabella has woven epic stories in her mind and rambled about them to anyone who would listen. Eventually, she discovered the fine art of writing them down and has never turned back. When she is not writing, she is either binge-watching her favorite TV show for the 20th time or devouring a good book—all while getting kitty cuddles of course.
About Ova Ceren
Ova Ceren is the creator behind the highly popular BookTok and Instagram channels @excusemyreading, where she shares her love for books, cosy views of her garden library and adventures from her daily life. Half woman, half book, she was born and bred in Izmir, Turkey and now lives in Cambridge, UK. Ova never forgets a heartbreak. She writes to put the pieces back together and wishes her magical stories would give people hope.
About Robin Alvarez
Robin Alvarez is the author of the #1 New Release When Oceans Rise (May 2023) and the editor and author of OwlCrate's Monsters in Masquerade. Strong female characters, mythological creatures, and a mixed-race perspective are staples of her work. While she's spent the majority of her life in beach towns, having almost drowned several times, she currently resides in a desert where the waters are less likely to kill her.
