Today is a day of romance, dear reader, and I can think of no better way for you to combine your surging passions with your appreciation for fine prose than by viewing the proceedings of What is Love? Romance Fiction in the Digital Age, a major two-day conference sponsored by the Library’s Center for the Book last February. The conference, noted John Cole, Director of the Center for the Book, brought together “authors, scholars and fans to explore the changing dynamics of the genre, its relevance in popular culture and how digital technology is shaping the future of romance fiction.” The conference marked the first time the Library held a major gathering focused on the romance genre.

The webcast for the second day of the program, embedded below, features the following four panels:

  • What Belongs in the Romance Canon? Why?
  • What Do the Science and History of Love Reveal? [starts at 1:18:34]
  • Community and the Romance Genre [starts at 2:43:51]
  • Trending Now: Where is Romance Fiction Headed in the Digital Age? [starts at 4:10:27]


What Is Love? Romance Fiction in the Digital Age, February 11, 2015

Watched the video and still need a little more romance in your life? Peruse the following Valentine’s Day blog posts we’ve offered in previous years: