Valentine's Day Black Romance Writers Panel
Romance novels are more popular than ever! On Valentine's Day 2026, the Author Series Committee at the Detroit Public Library welcomes four of today's best Black romance writers, all based in the Midwest, to discuss the ins and outs of writing romance. Whether you prefer your romance extra spicy, traditional, or with a touch of the paranormal, these ladies have you covered.
Joining us are:
Ebony Evans, Moderator: A Detroit native, Ebony Evans has always had a knack for creating and implementing exciting out-of-the-box ideas. EyeCU Reading & Social Network is a combination of a grand idea fused with one of her dynamic passions…reading.
The loud and proud founder and president of EyeCU Reading & Social Network and EyeCU Reading & Chatting, Ebony Evans is an enthusiastic reader, reviewer, and self-proclaimed “book nerd” at heart! In addition to reading and being a devoted wife and mother, Ebony loves laughing, cooking, dancing, karaoke, and spending time with family. Life has taught Ebony the value of surrounding herself with a close-knit circle of like-minded supportive friends, with whom she reciprocates compassion and that same support.
Ebony has been married since 2000 to her soulmate Michael and together they have one fur baby, Lacy, and a high energy and very talented daughter, Essence. Essence’s “bigger than life” personality and sleuth of extracurricular activities keep Ebony and Michael very busy and very proud as they watch her grow into a dynamic young adult. If you would like to connect with Ebony via social media, she would love to hear from you!
Katrina Jackson: Katrina Jackson has a PhD in African American and African Diaspora history. She's a professor by day who writes erotica, erotic romance, women's fiction, and historical fiction in her spare time. She writes racially diverse and often queer stories that show love and the world in all its beauty and colors.
Sylvia Hubbard: Sylvia Hubbard knew she’d wanted to be a writer of romance long before she knew there were Black writers in the world. Weaving stories magically as a summer past time to writing stories to get through the humdrum of school, she was able to create something from nothing.
Today, she has independently published over 50 high suspense dark romance books, is the founder of Motown Writers Network and The Michigan Literary Network, CEO of HubBooks Literary Services, runs over five blogs on a variety of subjects, Podcaster at The Literary World of Sylvia Hubbard Story Podcast and is a former happily divorced, but joyously newly remarried mother of three children in Detroit, Michigan.
“I’m no superwoman,” she states with a smile that seems infinite on her lips. “I’m just being an asset in the world instead of a liability.”
Aliza Mann: Aliza Mann is a Detroit based, Atlanta born author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her greatest love — alongside her partner of 23 years, children and grandchildren — are characters discovering exactly who they were meant to be later in life and blerds finding their very own happily ever after.
Aliza resides in Metro Detroit, enjoys golf, reading, and baking. You may find her nerdy self on socials as Aliza Mann and via her website, www.alizamannauthor.com.
Copies of the panelists' books will be available for purchase! This is NOT a ticketed event, meaning seats are available first-come, first-serve. Registration is strongly encouraged in order to recieve important updates about this event!
Questions? Email msummers@detroitpubliclibrary.org.
| Date | Saturday, February 14, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | 2:00pm - 4:00pm |
| Location | Main |
| Age Group | Adults |
| Category | Author Events, Art & Literature |