Bestselling author Casey McQuiston has revealed that fans of their celebrated novel “Red, White & Royal Blue” can look forward to a new project connected to the beloved storyline. The announcement was made during a panel at BookCon, held in New York City on April 19, where McQuiston shared the stage with fellow authors Tia Williams and Jasmine Guillory.
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During the discussion, McQuiston divulged that they have recently completed a draft for an undisclosed project which is linked to “Red, White & Royal Blue.” Despite the excitement surrounding the announcement, the author maintained a degree of secrecy, stating, “I just turned in a draft for something that is also secret that I’m not supposed to talk about, but it is Red, White & Royal Blue-related… and that’s all I can say about that.”
“Red, White & Royal Blue” was first released in 2019 and chronicles the romantic relationship between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the President of the United States, and Henry, the Prince of Wales. The novel’s popularity led to a film adaptation that premiered on Prime Video in 2023, featuring Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez. Moreover, a sequel film, titled “Red, White & Royal Wedding,” was announced and is slated for release in October 2025.
In addition to this new project, McQuiston shared that they are also working on their fifth novel, which is expected to be released after their upcoming 2024 title “The Pairing.” The author describes this latest work as a queer adult romantic comedy with elements of fantasy. McQuiston hinted at the storyline, mentioning, “It’s sapphic, but this one has a lot of fantasy elements to it. The love interest is like a six-foot tall hot lady knight.”
The panel at BookCon also provided a platform for Williams and Guillory to discuss their upcoming literary works. Guillory’s new young adult novel, a modern retelling of “Dirty Dancing” titled “It’s Only Dancing,” is set to be published in October. Meanwhile, Williams’ latest adult romance, “The Missed Connection,” will be released in June, focusing on a woman who hires a detective to track down a charming man she met on an airplane.
Throughout the panel, the three authors addressed the challenges and opportunities that come with writing within the romance genre. Guillory remarked on the common perception that romance stories are often predictable, asserting that she seeks to challenge this notion. “One thing that I do is start and keep writing in a way that people will think one thing is going to happen and then have something very different happen,” she explained. Her intention is not to mislead readers but to introduce novel twists that enhance the enjoyment of the narrative.
Williams concurred with Guillory, highlighting the serious approach that dedicated romance readers maintain towards the genre. “We know this. We’re all very serious about our rules, and about our guidelines, and about the way romance has to go. The biggest one is the HEA, right? You have to have a happily ever after,” she declared, referring to one of the cardinal rules of romantic storytelling.
Despite the established conventions of romance writing, Williams expressed her excitement for exploring diverse paths to the inevitable happy ending. “One of the things that excites me about writing romance is that there are a million ways to get to the HEA, and there are so many wonderful ways to torture your character, and torture your readers, and throw the most insane obstacles their way,” she stated, emphasising the creative freedom authors possess within the genre.
As anticipation grows for McQuiston’s new project and subsequent publications from Williams and Guillory, it is clear that the landscape of contemporary romance literature continues to evolve. Fans can expect fresh narratives that not only capture the essence of love but also challenge traditional tropes.
With “Red, White & Royal Blue” having already left a significant mark on popular culture, the forthcoming works from McQuiston, Williams, and Guillory promise to keep readers engaged and excited for what’s next in the world of romance. As these authors continue to carve out their unique paths within the genre, their contributions will undoubtedly resonate with audiences for years to come.