Coastal Magic Convention is a beachside reader weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida each February. The 14th annual weekend was February 19-22, 2026, celebrating the magic of stories & storytellers. Each year’s goal is to bring authors and readers together for a memorable weekend with old friends (and new!) and to build TBR piles! This year, the theme for the event was “Secret Garden: Reading Helps Your Mind Bloom”.
I was a featured blogger for the event. Through the year, I spotlight some of the amazing Featured Authors here on my blog. Then, Feb 19-22, I helped out - moderating panels and guiding author/reader activities!
Thursday: Started the con by grabbing my preorder from the wonderful Veronika Kane. I attended the Welcome Mingle and got lots of goodies.
Friday: I was the moderator for 3 panels. I got to chat about Cowboys with Hildie McQueen, Nina Crespo and Veronika Kane. Chatted about Sports with Darie McCoy, Jeanne Adams, Tracy Solheim, and Victoria Sue. Chatted about Paranormal Creatures & Urban Fantasy with Eric R Asher, T K Lawyer, Chencia C Higgins, Christina Farley and Lisa Kessler. I went to the in person reading challenge group chat for Badlands by Morgan Brice - I am used to joining these chats through Zoom so having one in person was a lot of fun. I also attended the murder mystery event - I am absolutely terrible at guessing whodunit, but the storyline was interesting and all the authors acting is always fun. I also had lunch with Mona Shroff and a group of readers at an Indian restaurant - it was my first time having it and it was so good, there was a mango chicken that I am going to be thinking about for a while.
Saturday: I moderated 1 panel where I talked about worldbuilding with Lucienne Diver, Tina DeSalvo, K C Burn, Abigail Owen, Nancy Naigle and Chelsea Conradt. During Brunch with an Author, I got to chat with Leta Blake who's writing I LOVE. During the signing, I bought WAY too many books. In the evening, I attended the Game night where I created a Coastal Magic themed junk journal while chatting with Hildie McQueen & Caridad Pineiro.
Sunday: I moderated 1 panel - where I talked about character playlists and music as inspiration with Darin Kennedy, Tmonique Stephens, Carolyn Cross, Amy Christine Parker and Amy Lane. After that, I headed to the airport and despite an hour delay, was home by 10pm.
The book haul:
Storming His Heart by Nicole Blanchard | Shielding His Heart by Nicole Blanchard
Honey for the Beekeeper by Nina Crespo | Sight Beyond The Sun by Melody Johnson
Dead Draw by Layla Reyne | Training Season by Leta Blake
Original Sinner by Kai Ballenger | Black & White by Vinni George
Hollow Kingdom by Shana Galen | Defended by the Bodyguard by Caridad Pineiro
The Princess Smuggler by Celeste Barclay | You Can Do Magic by RL Merrill
For One Night Only by Jessica James | My Orc Pen Pal by Veronika Kane
Tempting Danger by Katie Reus | The Stolen Harlots Collection by Caroline Lee
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