The Burning Pages
2nd Annual Romantasy Ball

Society is taking a darker turn…Courts will be competing. Secrets will be shared. Magic will be flowing. The Queen will be waiting to be impressed…will you join the only affair in Wilmington that is made for fantasy readers?

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October 31, 2026 ✦ The Elia ✦ Downtown Wilmington ✦ 7PM until 11PM

2026 Theme: Gothic Regency

We’ll be transforming our beautiful Downtown Wilmington venue into a gothic sanctuary this Halloween night, where readers will join in on a dark and decadent event filled with dancing, authors, vendors, food, drinks, and keepsakes.

Admission is $225 for the 4-hour event hosted by Burning Pages Bookstore.
Tickets include:
- An immersive experience, where guests are encouraged to dress in formal attire or cosplay, that feels like you’ve stepped into a romantasy novel this Halloween night
- A physical ticket and invitation suite will be mailed to you prior to the event
- Live music, dancing, & entertainment from beginning to end
- Sweet treats & savory bites from local small businesses
- A regency-style professional portrait by a local photographer
- Themed keepsakes and curated experiences
- Author meet & greet opportunities
- Vendors available to shop with
The Fae Queen is hosting her annual Regency Ball, where five fantasy courts will compete in a series of quests & challenges throughout the evening to win her favor!
The Five Courts are:
- The Court of Eternal Flame
- The Court of Veiled Magic
- The Court of Shadow & Sin
- The Court of Loyal Hearts
- The Court of Emerald Heir
Guests will be invited to pledge their allegiance to their court and impress the Queen and earn their Court points.
The court with the most points is awarded a grand prize that is yet to be announced.
Secrets may be shared, so prepare your finery, and get ready to spend the evening inside of a dark, gothic romantasy novel.
Guests will enjoy a variety of savory bites from Wilmington’s own, Electric Biscuits, and sweet treats from Snack Time Sweets.
An affogato stand will be set up and ready to serve from Gilded Coffee Company and The Wandering Cone.
Signature drinks will be available at the bar that fit the theme of the event.
Attending authors include Camille Wolfewood, Jacqueline White, K.D. Miller, Lindsey A. Hart, and A.L. Sterling.
Guests will have the opportunity to meet and take a photo with at least 2 authors.
Additional meet and greet, signing, and photo opportunities may be available.
Signed books and special editions will be available for purchase at the event and SWAG will be distributed (if available).
Participating vendors include Kathryn Holeman, who will be doing live watercolor portraits, The Photo District, who will be taking regency-style portraits that will be available for download within 48 hours, and Princess Poppins, who will have a tiara pop-up.
More vendors to come!
There will be live entertainment by Bella Rose Violin throughout the evening as well as a DJ keeping the party alive.
Last year, Ray from Active Entertainment gave us a night to remember and he’s back for round 2.
Bella is joining us to provide all the classic Bridgerton-inspired classical music to help elevate the vibes of this year’s gothic-regency themed event.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I wear?

This is a formal event, and formal wear is encouraged. Guests can wear regency-era attire, formalwear, or cosplay as their favorite character! This is an immersive, fun-filled event that feels like you’re stepping into a romantasy novel, so don’t hold back. It’s a fantasy addict’s dream…plus it’s on Halloween!

Can I attend solo?

Absolutely. Nothing about this event requires a partner. As with any bookish event, the reader community is STRONG and you’ll find something in common with almost every attendee there. It’s just as fun coming solo, with a friend group, or a partner. Rest assured, you will not be alone!

Is it a signing event?

This is not a signing event; it is a curated experience that is focused on the theme and the ball as a whole. There will be opportunities for scheduled meet-and-greets, signings, and photo ops with select attending authors, special edition books for sale, and more! You will be partying alongside your favorite authors for an evening of decadence and lore.

What’s included?

Each ticket includes:

✦ Admission to the 4-hour event
✦ A keepsake invitation suite and physical ticket
✦ Savory bites and sweet treats
✦ Live entertainment and dancing
✦ Vendors to shop with
✦ A skilled portrait delivered in 48 hours
✦ A series of quests and challenges to win prizes
✦ The opportunity to meet attending authors and purchase event-exclusive books and signed editions

✦ Keepsakes and more!