10/12/2026
RARE was founded in 2014 with the aim of creating a welcoming space for romance readers and authors. Since then, thousands of readers and hundreds of authors from around the world have come together through RARE, building a vibrant international community united by a shared passion for literature and storytelling.
Inclusivity has always been an important part of the RARE community. From the very beginning, RARE has welcomed people from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, cultures, faiths, and nationalities, including a longstanding LGBTQ+ community. We are incredibly proud of the diversity of readers, authors, exhibitors, volunteers, and supporters who have helped make RARE and our community what it is.
We recognize that the past week has been incredibly difficult for many people and that recent public comments have caused concern and uncertainty within the community. We understand that people have questions and strong feelings about what has happened, and we respect everyone’s right to feel and express those emotions.
The decision to remain quiet over the past week was not made lightly. We needed time away from social media to process what had happened, reflect on the situation, and seek appropriate support and guidance before making a public statement. We appreciate that, from the outside, this period of silence may have been frustrating and difficult, particularly for those who have been left with unanswered questions.
Our immediate focus is on listening to those affected and carefully understanding the legal and contractual obligations surrounding the event. There are many people who have invested significant amounts of time, money, planning, and trust in RARE, and we do not want to make promises or provide incomplete information before we have a clearer understanding of what is possible.
We know that this uncertainty is difficult, and we are sorry that we cannot provide all of the answers at the moment. We ask for a little more time while we work through the situation properly. Once we have meaningful and confirmed information to share, we will communicate directly with those affected and provide further updates.
For more than a decade, we have worked to build a community around a shared love of romance, books, and storytelling. We remain committed to our community and to listening, learning, and handling this situation as thoughtfully, professionally, and fairly as possible.
Thank you and we hope to have more information within the next couple days.
Team RARE
