Books Gowns & Crowns Chapter 4
Come be the main character for a weekend!
Date and time
Location
Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert Street Northwest Washington, DC 20008Refund Policy
About this event
- Event lasts 2 days
Have you ever wished you could fall into the pages of your favorite books? To meet the authors who have dreamt up the worlds that you love? We had one goal in mind when planning this event, to allow those to live out their bookish dreams. So grab your gowns and crowns and get ready for a weekend for the books.
*This is a loose itinerary detailing what occurs throughout the weekend. Details will be finalized in the coming months.
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025
Registration:
The fun begins for Crowns ticket holders to check in and receive their Swag Bag.
*Gowns & Books Registration day TBD.
Panels:
Hear from some of your favorite authors and learn about the worlds they created and what inspired them. *Please note: Some panels may include explicit language and topics.
Mad Hatter Tea Party: $100
*Please note this will have a separate ticket sale date
We are finalizing details for this event, more information and ticket sales coming soon! Ticket numbers will be extremely limited. Please follow our newsletter and Facebook group for up to date information!
BGC Sponsored Event:
Our BGC events in the past have ranged from Cocktail Parties, Meet and Mingles, Movie Nights, etc. This event is going to be a blast and we can't wait to share more info soon!
Friday, Sept. 26, 2025
Convention:
Authors, artists, and vendors of bookish services and merch will have booths set up for you to shop until your heart's content!
*Crowns tickets will receive 1 hour early access into convention.
Special Event Friday Evening With Author Holly Black:
Come join us for a private event with author Holly Black!
*Please note, this will have a limited number of spots available! We are working closely with her team to bring you this special event. Tickets for this event will be sold separately and only available to Crowns ticket holders via a lottery system. Ticket details including time, ticket prices, and tickets available will be announced in the coming months. All attendees will receive an email via Eventbrite when information is finalized.
BGC Sponsored Event:
Our BGC events in the past have ranged from Cocktail Parties, Meet and Mingles, Trivia Night, Movie Nights, etc. This event is going to be a blast and we can't wait to share more info soon!
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
Convention
Authors, artists, and vendors of bookish services and merch will have booths set up for you to shop until your heart's content!
"We're All Mad Here" Fantasy Ball:
Gowns and Crowns ticket holders get ready to dance the night away at our bookish-themed ball. Come dressed to impress in your gowns and crowns as you take in the sights and sounds. Take a spin on the dance floor or venture out into the space for fun photo opportunities. Grab a cocktail or mocktail and fully immerse yourself because tonight, YOU are the main character in this story.
TICKET TIERS:
We are pleased to bring you 3 ticket tiers for this event.
Books - $100
Admission into our Friday & Saturday bookish convention, complete with vendor shopping, and author signings! *Must be 18+. Please note: This ticket tier does NOT include a Swag Bag or admission into any events outside of the signings/vendor marketplace Friday and Saturday.
Gowns - $275
- A small Welcome bag
- Admission into our Friday & Saturday bookish convention, complete with vendor shopping, and author signings!
- Admission into the Books Gowns & Crowns We're All Mad Here Fantasy Ball- Hors d'oeuvres will be provided
- Professional photo opportunities by our photographers
*Please note this tier does not include access to Thursday panels
Crowns - $399
- Swag Bag filled with amazing goodies
- One (1) Raffle ticket for swag giveaways
- Admission into all Books Gowns and Crowns sponsored events Thursday and Friday *Please note this does not include guaranteed admission into Author Sponsored Events or the Mad Hatter Tea Party
- Admission into Thursday panels
- Admission into our bookish convention on Friday & Saturday, complete with vendor shopping and author signings! (1 hour early access on Friday)
- Admission into the Books Gowns & Crowns We're All Mad Here Fantasy Ball - Hors d'oeuvres will be provided
- Professional photo opportunities by our photographers
- Only Crowns ticket holders will be eligible to attend Author Sponsored Events and the Holly Black Event.
What is the difference between a Books Gowns and Crowns Sponsored Event and an Author Sponsored Event
A Books Gowns & Crowns Sponsored Event is an event put on by BGC. In the past this has been events such as Movie Night, Cocktail Party, Welcome Party, etc. An Author Sponsored Event is an event put on by an author to offer a more intimate gathering. These events are free to attend, but access is at the authors discretion. Some authors may choose to give access to all Crowns ticket holders, while others may choose to keep it more intimate by utilizing a lottery system.
*The Holly Black Special Event Friday evening will be a separate paid ticketed event
When will Author Sponsored Events being taking place?
Thursday and Friday evening.
When will details about Author Sponsored Events be announced?
Sometime in November once our lineup is complete. We want every author to have the opportunity to sponsor an event if they choose, so we are waiting until our lineup is finalized so we may present them with this option. Once we know which authors will be sponsors, we will post updates regarding their events.
Age restriction policy
Any persons 21+ may attend with a Crowns or Gowns ticket. Must be 21 on/by September 25th, 2025. Identification must be provided and match the name on your ticket. Anyone under the age of 21 will not be permitted. *PLEASE NOTE: ANYONE 18+ MAY PURCHASE A BOOKS TICKET.
Ticket refund policy
Tickets for this event are nonrefundable; however, they are transferable up to 72 hours before the event. If you are no longer able to attend this event, you can fill out our Google Doc located on our facebook group. Transferring tickets is no longer an option within 72 hours of the event.
Frequently asked questions
No, tickets to Books Gowns and Crowns events are non refundable but are transferrable up to 72 hours prior to the event. Please join our Facebook group for the ticket resale thread.
You are able to buy tickets for other people, however, each individual ticket needs to have the attendees name who will be using it. You can use the same email for multiple tickets, but separate names on each ticket.
You can be 18+ to attend the convention portion of the weekend, however you must be 21+ by September 25, 2025 to attend any events outside of the convention.
Our Facebook group is a great resource to hear any information about the event, as well as the website. The Facebook group is also great for connecting with other attendees and authors.
Books Gowns and Crowns Chapter 4 is taking place at the Omni Shoreham in Washington DC September 25-27 2025.
Nope! We will continue adding to our list until shortly after we close applications in late Oct/ early Nov 2024. Throughout the year, we may also add names to fill in gaps as needed, so expect the lists to evolve.
Our lineup is always subject to change. Though we'd love to say everyone will make it there, life happens and things come up. Sometimes our authors/vendors need to pull out for health reasons, life events, and publication schedules, and though it isn't ideal, it is to be expected.
We have a special shopping window before all signings start that is for ADA only. We also will have volunteers stationed around the event to assist if anything comes up. The Omni Shoreham is also ADA accessible!
There will be a queue system set in place for all authors who we suspect may be in high demand to see. *Please note: Holly Black will be signing Friday only during a limited signing window.
Everyone will have the opportunity to have a place in each author's queue line, but given the limited time and attendee numbers, we cannot guarantee all authors will make it through everyone. *Please note: Holly Black will be signing Friday only during a limited signing window.
We ask that you bring only 3 books into the line with you at one time to give everyone an opportunity to have their books signed. You may go back in line multiple times if needed. *PLEASE NOTE: AUTHORS MAY IMPLEMENT THEIR OWN SIGNING LIMIT.