Steamy Lit wants you to celebrate romance and yourself

You might not realize that August is Romance Awareness Month and with that comes romance of all varieties. Thankfully, that’s the specialty of Steamy Lit.

Started by Melissa Saavedra, the brand has branched out. Now you can order your very own The Steam Box which is a twist on the usual bookish subscription box. Of course, you can enjoy a romance book written by a woman of color or LGBT+ author along with other goodies including self-love items.

That isn’t where the fun stops, though. The company has branched out even more to include an upcoming romance convention called Steamy Lit Con. Happening in Anaheim, California on August 18th and 19th, it’s a way for romance readers to connect, attend panels, and meet some of their favorite romance authors.

As a romance reader, it sounds heavenly. Let’s hope Steamy Lit ends up deciding to host an East Coast version (please!) but there is so much exciting stuff going on with Steamy Lit that I wanted to feature it on Culturess.

Steamy Lit wants you to embrace self-love and romance reading!

Whether you’re new to the romance community or not, there is no denying how much steamy romance books have taken off. That’s why I was so excited to sit down and talk to the founder and CEO of Steamy Lit as she’s featured a lot of amazing books in the Steam Box, has an amazing Instagram, and has now become a romancelandia queen with Steamy Lit Con so let’s get into it.

Culturess: As a company, Steamy Lit is all about romance books and sexual wellness. How did you come up with an idea to combine the two for The Steam Box?

Melissa Saavedra: I’ve been reading romance novels for over 10 years now but my love for books started long before that. I’ve always been a reader and from a young age I would constantly find myself drawn to books that had any kind of romance related plot. This is something that has developed and evolved over time and is now one of my greatest passions as an adult.

Every time I would finish a romance novel I’d find myself wanting to have conversations with like minded people about the books, the characters and the plotlines and then one day I casually mentioned to a friend that someone should create a box with both romance books and sex toys. To which she replied, “You should do it!” and the rest is history!

Culturess: Are there any romance authors you’d love to work with who haven’t been featured in the box yet?

Saavedra: Absolutely! I have a wonderful list of romance authors who have not yet been featured in our Steam box and I’d be thrilled to work with any of them. Just some of the authors on my wishlist include:

Lauren Asher, whose ability to blend romance and emotional depth in her stories is truly captivating; Zoraida Cordova, who is known for her unique blend of romance and fantasy elements; Jasmine Guillory who offers refreshing and diverse portrayals of love and relationships that resonate with readers from all walks of life and have earned her a dedicated following; Emily Henry, who has a gift for writing heartfelt and humorous romances;
Penelope Douglas, who is a true master at writing intense and passionate romances that keep readers on the edge of their seats; Brittainy Cherry, whose beautifully crafted stories often explore emotional journeys and second chances; Love Belvin who is known for her engaging and emotionally charged romance novels.

Each of these authors bring a unique perspective and writing style to the genre, and I believe that joining forces with any of them would produce a collaboration that all of our subscribers would absolutely love.

Culturess: There is a lot of excitement around Steamy Lit Con and rightfully so as it seems amazing. Did you always plan for your love of romance books to branch out into a convention?

Saavedra: Yes, from the beginning of Steamy Lit, I knew that I wanted to host a convention that focused on celebrating diversity in romance. The idea of bringing together authors, readers, and industry professionals in one place to celebrate our shared passion for romance books was always a dream of mine. However, I must admit that I didn’t have a clear plan on when or how it would come to fruition.

It was during this journey that I had the opportunity to connect with the incredible romance author, Adriana Herrera. Speaking with her about my vision and the convention idea, her confidence in me and unwavering support were truly pivotal. Adriana’s belief in the concept and her encouragement to take that bold step pushed me to turn my dream into reality.

With her mentorship and inspiration, I felt empowered to bring Steamy Lit Con to life. The convention aims to embrace the diversity of voices and stories within the romance genre, creating an inclusive space where everyone feels welcomed and represented.

Now, seeing the tremendous response and excitement from both authors and readers alike, I’m grateful for Adriana’s guidance and the community’s support. We believe Steamy Lit Con will be a place where romance enthusiasts can come together, connect with their favorite authors, discover new talents, and celebrate the power of love and storytelling in all its forms. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to continue growing and evolving the convention in the years to come.

Culturess: Would you consider branching out and having Steamy Lit Con on the East Coast?

Saavedra: Absolutely! Now that I am located in Florida, I am incredibly excited about the possibility of bringing the Steamy Lit Con to the East Coast. The East Coast is home to a vibrant and diverse community of romance lovers and expanding to this region would allow us to reach a broader audience of romance fans, authors, and industry professionals who may not have been able to attend the convention in other locations.

Furthermore, I am thrilled to share that we have recently launched Swoony Lit, a YA romance-focused box, catering to the young adult romance readers. Considering the current challenges with bans targeting YA books written by authors from marginalized communities or identities, it has become more important than ever to create safe spaces for diverse storytelling.

Down the line I’d love to organize a convention that focuses specifically on young adult romance, where authors from all backgrounds can share their unique perspectives and stories. Such a gathering would not only celebrate the genre but also foster an environment of inclusivity and empowerment for all.

Speaking with Melissa was such a highlight for me as a writer and as a romance reader. I’ve been following the Steam Box for years and I’ve always loved the covers and posts she’s shared. It’s clear she has a real passion for romance books and promoting self-love. I honestly can’t wait to see how Steamy Lit Con goes and to see how she expands her company in the future because this is just the beginning.

I’d like to thank Melissa for speaking with me and I just can’t wait to see what the rest of 2023 holds for Steamy Lit. You can check out Steamy Lit’s shop and subscribe to the Steam Box so let us know what you think, romance readers!

Are you a fan of Steamy Lit? Will you be ordering a Steam Box for the summer? Share with us in the comments!