If you love morally gray characters or the authors who write about them, you may be interested in a two-part event coming to downtown Portland in a few weeks: Fae Ball Events’ “Romancing the Villain.” 

The event is for those 18 years of age or older and will take place on Sept. 13 at The Secret Wine Room. 

A literary market will kick off the day’s festivities at 11 a.m. and offer a variety of books to browse and authors to meet. A Q&A panel with 14 (and counting) authors, many of whom are New York Times bestsellers, will begin at 2 p.m. — an adjustment from previous events which hosted the panel during the ball in the evening. An afternoon panel will allow readers to interact more with authors without sacrificing time on the dance floor.

The market will end at 3 p.m. and be followed by a five hour recess to allow attendees ample time to get ready for the fae ball, a party emulating those of fantasy books hosted by high fae, fictional royalty reminiscent of humans but possessing preternatural abilities and pointed ears. Lots of sparkles, formal attire and dancing can be expected. 

The ball begins at 7:30 p.m. for Fae (VIP) ticketholders and 8 p.m. for Shifter (general admission) ticketholders. Different tickets have different perks — gift bags, signed books — but music, photobooths and hors d’oeuvres are for all attendees. 

If channeling the magical energy of fantasy novels through dress and dance is not for you, tickets to solely attend the literary market are available to purchase. But don’t overlook the full-day experience too quickly.

“ I think that because we all come from different backgrounds, half the time people are embarrassed to say they’re a fantasy reader,” Ashley Hazelwood, owner of Fae Ball Events, said. But Fae Ball Events strives to create an encouraging, inclusive environment for readers to meet one another without fear of judgement. 

“It’s our escapism for reality, and it’s our safe space,” Hazelwood said of the ball. “So no matter your background or where you’re from, come meet some new friends.”

Many in the fantasy ball community seem to possess the same values of inclusivity — one of many reasons the community has grown rapidly in the past three years, thinks Lindsey Basicker, organizer of The Bookworm Ball in Indianapolis.

“People feel more comfortable when there are other people doing something with a similar interest, and seeing other people go to these events and, like, inspiring them … They’re like, ‘I want to join in now, because that’s me, as well,’” Basicker said.

Hazelwood knew this to be true, as well, with her background working in-and-out of large comicons for the last decade.

Five years ago, Hazelwood was working as an executive assistant for Planet Comicon Kansas City, one of the largest comic conventions in the United States, when she realized that fantasy book lovers, not just comic lovers, deserved a space to interact with one another.

Hazelwood then spent the next three years conceptualizing a ball whilst trying to convince her boss, the owner of PCKC, to support the event. In December 2022, PCKC announced that it would host its first Fae ball in March 2023. The event sold out five days later. 

“Who knew it would pop off and be this popular throughout the nation?” Hazelwood said. “I just knew we were missing something for the book community, for sure.”

Hazelwood went on to coordinate three more Fae balls over the next two years with the backing of notable comicons. PCKC supported balls in Portland and Kansas City, while GalaxyCon supported a ball in Austin, Texas, with Hazelwood serving as its literary talent manager. 

Now, Hazelwood is returning to Portland with Fae Ball Events as an independent company. The fantasy event landscape, however, has changed since Hazelwood last visited the Rose City. 

Hazelwood shared the difficulty in which Fae Ball Events has navigated an increase in direct competitors amongst an increase in the popularity of fantasy balls with ever-growing online platforms such as BookTok.

“Every girl and their sister thinks they can throw an event now, which we see …  It’s just kind of having to fight to be like, ‘No, we’re one of the OGs. We’ve been here; we’ve done this. Like, trust us,’” Hazelwood said.

Fluctuating ticket sales or not, the plot must go on.

Hazelwood assures you that each event is thrown because the Fae Ball Events team loves to make people’s day (“or a week, or a year”), not because it’s a money-making venture. The team of four that runs Fae Ball Events has full time jobs for that. 

So if you’re wanting a safe space created by readers, for readers and non-readers alike, everyone is welcome to attend Fae Ball Events’s “Romancing the Villain” literary market and ball in Portland this fall.

Not back in town from summer break, but you want to be a part of the community? Join Fae Ball Events’ book club here.