Let’s rewind to 2016, where two smut-loving English students running a book blog decided a blog just wasn’t cutting it when it came to showing love to indie romance authors. We needed something more than Page One Books. While Ash stepped back to focus on her PhD, I started looking at how I could go bigger and better. And so, I created Indie Love Wales with the support of my husband, family and friends.
Since 2018, Indie Love Wales has been bringing Wales’ romance community together through annual romance writing retreats, quarterly author networking dinners and creative workshops for readers.
In 2023, we held our first inclusive romance book signing in Cardiff, welcoming more than 50 authors and 150 readers. Two years later, in October 2025, we opened Wales’ first romance pop-up bookshop in Maesteg, filling the market with indie romance for two chaotically bookish weeks.
Giving back is also at the heart of what we do. We raised £750 for Cardiff Foodbank following our 2023 signing and £500 for Bridgend Foodbank through our Maesteg pop-up. Our collaborative anthologies have also supported charities including Welsh Women’s Aid, Broken Biscuits and Mind.
This October, we’re returning with our second large-scale book signing in Swansea—continuing our mission to champion indie authors, create welcoming spaces for romance readers and make a positive difference within our communities.
For authors, we’re all about creating a super safe and supportive space where you can learn, grow, network and collaborate. Think of us as your personal cheerleadering squad, your writing buddies, your go to for asking the ‘silly’ questions and your safe space, all rolled into one! (And no, we’re definitely not a cult—just passionate about people, romance and self-publishing.)
For readers, bloggers and everyone else in the bookish community, we’re your low maintenance book bestie. We’ll grab dinner or coffee and chat about the finer points of what STFUATTDLAGG means. We’ll rave about our favorite books and swap recommendations that will have you blushing on the bus. And when you tell us you want more local inclusive events, we’ll make it happen.
So, grab a cuppa (or a cocktail) and join our creative, crazy book community!
Our Vision:
To support and encourage indie romance authors while offering a safe, positive space to develop, grow and succeed.
Mission Statement:
To raise awareness of the UK romance indie publishing community, bring more events to Wales and support indie development.
Our Values:
Community over Competition
Honesty, Transparency and Trust
Education, Improvement and Innovation