Frequently asked questions
general faq's
Are there any entry fees? No! ROMY-Con is FREE to "attend" and run and supported by donors and volunteer members of ROMY Nation. If you feel like supporting the con, you can buy a shirt or donate to the raffle/prizes!
How does the event timing work? The cosplay contestant gallery and artist alley will be open to the public on the website for ONE WEEK, during Rogue and Gambit Week. (Next Open June 2026) Peruse them at your leisure anytime during the week.
The "convention floor" Discord server will be asynchronous and open 24 hours a day for use, as we would like to accommodate users from all over the world. Pop in to the server whenever you can for conversation with fellow ROMY fans. There will be special channels for sharing your work, finding others local to you, and exchanging socials- as well as a special fanwork contest, games, and raffle! The discord will open for use one week prior to the start of the event, and will close 3 days after the conclusion of events to allow enough time for users to make connections and with other ROMY fans!
Panels will be posted throughout the week in the discord Panel Hall and will be in a format that allows users to view them mostly asynchronously as well (pre-recorded videos, text questions/answers, or pre-recorded audio). Panels with open questions/conversation will be monitored by the panel runner throughout the convention. There may be additional live videos or games in the voice channels which will be announced.
You will also receive special roles/virtual "badge ribbons" for engaging in conversation within the server. The more active you are, the more badge ribbons you earn!
What is the fanwork contest? Fanartists and Fanfic writers on the discord will be able to participate in the quick-challenge fanwork contest. The prompt will be announced on the first day of the convention, with peer voting starting at the conclusion of the week. Winners for best quick fic and best quick art receive a special autographed prize pack, and yes you can enter both (one entry per category). Read more about it here! Other fanwork challenges might pop up during the con, so keep your eyes peeled!
When will I get my discord Invite? The discord invites will be sent out to the email address you provided starting one week before the start of the convention.
Why is the discord temporary? The discord is meant to mirror what happens at in-person conventions. It's short-term to encourage networking, exchange of social media handles, and forging bonds with fellow fans. As we hope to make this an annual event, you will be able to (hopefully) see your new friends next year!
Can I donate an item to the discord raffle? We are always taking donated items for the discord raffle, if you have something you would like to donate, email us!
Can I be an cosplayer and in Artist Alley (or on a panel)? Absolutely! and we'd love if you did!
Who is putting on the event? ROMY-Con was set up by fans, for fans! A committee of dedicated ROMY fans have volunteered their time to curate this experience for you.
How can I support ROMY-Con? You can help by donating small items to our raffle (see above) or buying a some ROMY-Con swag. Proceeds from shirt sales go to support fees for the website/discord server, and help with any prizes, setup expenses, or advertising related to the promotion of the convention.
How does the event timing work? The cosplay contestant gallery and artist alley will be open to the public on the website for ONE WEEK, during Rogue and Gambit Week. (Next Open June 2026) Peruse them at your leisure anytime during the week.
The "convention floor" Discord server will be asynchronous and open 24 hours a day for use, as we would like to accommodate users from all over the world. Pop in to the server whenever you can for conversation with fellow ROMY fans. There will be special channels for sharing your work, finding others local to you, and exchanging socials- as well as a special fanwork contest, games, and raffle! The discord will open for use one week prior to the start of the event, and will close 3 days after the conclusion of events to allow enough time for users to make connections and with other ROMY fans!
Panels will be posted throughout the week in the discord Panel Hall and will be in a format that allows users to view them mostly asynchronously as well (pre-recorded videos, text questions/answers, or pre-recorded audio). Panels with open questions/conversation will be monitored by the panel runner throughout the convention. There may be additional live videos or games in the voice channels which will be announced.
You will also receive special roles/virtual "badge ribbons" for engaging in conversation within the server. The more active you are, the more badge ribbons you earn!
What is the fanwork contest? Fanartists and Fanfic writers on the discord will be able to participate in the quick-challenge fanwork contest. The prompt will be announced on the first day of the convention, with peer voting starting at the conclusion of the week. Winners for best quick fic and best quick art receive a special autographed prize pack, and yes you can enter both (one entry per category). Read more about it here! Other fanwork challenges might pop up during the con, so keep your eyes peeled!
When will I get my discord Invite? The discord invites will be sent out to the email address you provided starting one week before the start of the convention.
Why is the discord temporary? The discord is meant to mirror what happens at in-person conventions. It's short-term to encourage networking, exchange of social media handles, and forging bonds with fellow fans. As we hope to make this an annual event, you will be able to (hopefully) see your new friends next year!
Can I donate an item to the discord raffle? We are always taking donated items for the discord raffle, if you have something you would like to donate, email us!
Can I be an cosplayer and in Artist Alley (or on a panel)? Absolutely! and we'd love if you did!
Who is putting on the event? ROMY-Con was set up by fans, for fans! A committee of dedicated ROMY fans have volunteered their time to curate this experience for you.
How can I support ROMY-Con? You can help by donating small items to our raffle (see above) or buying a some ROMY-Con swag. Proceeds from shirt sales go to support fees for the website/discord server, and help with any prizes, setup expenses, or advertising related to the promotion of the convention.
Celebrity Panelist Q&A faq's
How does the Q&A work? Each celebrity panelist has graciously agreed to respond to a pre-determined number of questions in a text-based format. There will be a period of three days where ROMY-Con will be accepting submissions of questions for each guest. The link for submitting questions will be posted on the announcements page and on Instagram (@romy.con.official). At the end of the three day window, the form will be closed and the convention committee will sort through the responses and provide a list of choices to the panelist. The panelists have final say over what questions from the final list they choose to answer. Panelist responses will be posted on the discord server daily as listed on the event schedule, in the Panel Hall under their name.
Do I have to be in the discord to read the Q & A's? Yes. Though some snippets from the Q&A's will be shared outside of the server, only those in attendance in the discord will have full access to the responses.
Will the panelists be on the server for the Q&A? No, the process will be completed prior to the event. Only the responses will be posted on the server for you to read at your own pace. In the past, celebrity guests have been known to join in on chats in server common areas for short periods of time, so keep your eyes peeled and you may be lucky enough to catch them!
Will my question be chosen? While we want everyone to receive an answer to their question, we cannot guarantee this will happen due to the volume of requests that will likely be submitted and the limited time of our panelist. We will try our best to select questions that cover the most requested topics submitted by attendees.
What are the rules for submitting a question?
Please be respectful with your inquiries, and be mindful that certain topics may be off limits due to contractual obligations/NDA’s.
No story/character pitches allowed.
Please keep your questions simple and as brief as possible (ideally under 150 words).
Please only ONE question per attendee, per panelist.
No anonymous questions will be allowed, you must provide your name on the form.
Do I have to be in the discord to read the Q & A's? Yes. Though some snippets from the Q&A's will be shared outside of the server, only those in attendance in the discord will have full access to the responses.
Will the panelists be on the server for the Q&A? No, the process will be completed prior to the event. Only the responses will be posted on the server for you to read at your own pace. In the past, celebrity guests have been known to join in on chats in server common areas for short periods of time, so keep your eyes peeled and you may be lucky enough to catch them!
Will my question be chosen? While we want everyone to receive an answer to their question, we cannot guarantee this will happen due to the volume of requests that will likely be submitted and the limited time of our panelist. We will try our best to select questions that cover the most requested topics submitted by attendees.
What are the rules for submitting a question?
Please be respectful with your inquiries, and be mindful that certain topics may be off limits due to contractual obligations/NDA’s.
No story/character pitches allowed.
Please keep your questions simple and as brief as possible (ideally under 150 words).
Please only ONE question per attendee, per panelist.
No anonymous questions will be allowed, you must provide your name on the form.
artist alley faq's
What do I need to be on Artist Alley? These are the criteria for inclusion: No resellers, original art only (NO AI), must have ROMY art for sale (family-friendly, please), must have an online storefront to refer visitors to (Etsy, Patreon, Teespring, Redbubble, etc), must submit 2-3 photos of your art or your in-person display for your virtual display.
How does it work? Each vendor will have a "booth" on the website, listing their shop name, location (for shipping information), provided photos and link. It will be a static entry that does not require further interaction (other than filling orders as usual). After your application is accepted, your photos, shop name, and a link to your site will be put on the "Virtual Artist Alley" page on the website in a static format. This page will be "live" to the public for viewing 24-hours a day, during convention week. You are responsible for fulfilling orders placed in your shops as you would normally fulfill your orders. If you would like to have a ROMY sale on your respective pages to entice buyers during the week that would be lovely, but isn't required. At the conclusion of the week, the links will be removed from the site when the Artist Alley "closes" for the year.
How do I apply? Applications are closed for 2025, they will reopen for 2026 on January 1
When are applications due? Applications for 2026 will be due by June 1st.
Does my shop need to be open year round? No, your shop doesn't need to be available year round. If you have a temporary or occasional shop you can still participate. It must, however, be open the duration of ROMY-Con during convention week.
What if I only do commission work and don't have a storefront? Those who do commissions only are also accepted with referral links. Use the same application just select "an artist who accepts COMMISSIONS ONLY" on the menu. Submission photos must be from your own portfolio and link must include pricing and contact information (Caard, Linktree, Patreon, own site, etc)
What if I have a storefront and do commissions? If you are an artist who has a storefront and does commissions you do not need to apply for both categories. You only need to apply separately if you are only taking commissions and not selling in a storefront. Make sure to add that information to your storefront so customers can contact you if interested!
How do I know my entry was accepted? After your application is processed, you will receive an email saying your entry was approved (with instructions on what happens next) or denied (with how to fix it). Please allow up to (7) business days for a response.
Are there ways to interact with attendees? To be listed on Artist Alley, only the above static booth information is required. Additional Participation is not required but is encouraged. This can be accomplished by joining the event discord, where you can chat with attendees and share your portfolio in channels dedicated to Artist Alley artists. In 2025, we had several artists pop into video chats (or Instagram lives linked in the server) at regular intervals and share livestreams of in progress works. Some artists also chose to auction off original pieces either during livestreams or in a dedicated auction channel on the discord. If you are interested in engaging with the attendees during the convention in this manner, please let us know.
How does it work? Each vendor will have a "booth" on the website, listing their shop name, location (for shipping information), provided photos and link. It will be a static entry that does not require further interaction (other than filling orders as usual). After your application is accepted, your photos, shop name, and a link to your site will be put on the "Virtual Artist Alley" page on the website in a static format. This page will be "live" to the public for viewing 24-hours a day, during convention week. You are responsible for fulfilling orders placed in your shops as you would normally fulfill your orders. If you would like to have a ROMY sale on your respective pages to entice buyers during the week that would be lovely, but isn't required. At the conclusion of the week, the links will be removed from the site when the Artist Alley "closes" for the year.
How do I apply? Applications are closed for 2025, they will reopen for 2026 on January 1
When are applications due? Applications for 2026 will be due by June 1st.
Does my shop need to be open year round? No, your shop doesn't need to be available year round. If you have a temporary or occasional shop you can still participate. It must, however, be open the duration of ROMY-Con during convention week.
What if I only do commission work and don't have a storefront? Those who do commissions only are also accepted with referral links. Use the same application just select "an artist who accepts COMMISSIONS ONLY" on the menu. Submission photos must be from your own portfolio and link must include pricing and contact information (Caard, Linktree, Patreon, own site, etc)
What if I have a storefront and do commissions? If you are an artist who has a storefront and does commissions you do not need to apply for both categories. You only need to apply separately if you are only taking commissions and not selling in a storefront. Make sure to add that information to your storefront so customers can contact you if interested!
How do I know my entry was accepted? After your application is processed, you will receive an email saying your entry was approved (with instructions on what happens next) or denied (with how to fix it). Please allow up to (7) business days for a response.
Are there ways to interact with attendees? To be listed on Artist Alley, only the above static booth information is required. Additional Participation is not required but is encouraged. This can be accomplished by joining the event discord, where you can chat with attendees and share your portfolio in channels dedicated to Artist Alley artists. In 2025, we had several artists pop into video chats (or Instagram lives linked in the server) at regular intervals and share livestreams of in progress works. Some artists also chose to auction off original pieces either during livestreams or in a dedicated auction channel on the discord. If you are interested in engaging with the attendees during the convention in this manner, please let us know.
cosplay faq's
Are there any prizes? There will be digital certificate/awards for all cosplay subcategory winners. Celebrity guest category selections and Best overall Gambit, Rogue, and Couple will receive a special additional prize!*
Who will be doing the judging and how? For the main cosplay contest, contestants will be judged by a panel comprised of no more than 5 individuals, using standard cosplay scoring systems. Celebrity judges (if any) will use their own criteria for selecting special category awards.
Can I wear someone else’s costume? Yes you may, but you will be limited to participation in the performance/action categories only.
What constitutes 75% for the craftsmanship category? It may be difficult to determine what constitutes 75% so here are some general guides. If you made your costume but purchased your props or wigs you likely fall within the parameters. If you purchased or commissioned your entire cosplay from someone else, or you only made your props it is not eligible for the craftsmanship category.
Can I compete in both individual character and the couple category? Yes! This is also highly encouraged! If you can find a Rogue for your Gambit or vice versa, you are absolutely allowed to enter both categories- the caveat is no editing, you must be physically together in your entries!
Can I compete with different cosplays? Yes! You may compete with different cosplays, however you must submit a new appropriate level application with EACH cosplay costume.
Can I use different costumes in one entry? No, each cosplay costume needs to have its own entry.
Can we do alternate versions, or do they have to be canon costumes? Variants are welcome! Just be sure the characters are recognizable!
When are applications due? Applications are closed for 2025. Applications for 2026 will open January 1st, 2026.
How do I know my entry was accepted? After your application is processed, you will receive an email saying your entry was approved (with instructions on what happens next) or denied (with how to fix it). Please allow up to (7) business days for a response.
Safety Reminder: Even though this is a virtual convention and contest, attendee safety is paramount. If you are a cosplayer that has been blacklisted from in-person cosplay contests/conventions due to severe or violent misconduct, ROMY-Con reserves the right to disqualify and remove your entries from the competition.
What are the important dates to remember for the competition?
How do I apply? Applications are closed for 2025, Applications for 2026 will open January 1st, 2026.
* Winner certificates will be sent via email. Physical awards will be mailed to winners. If physical award winners reside outside of the USA they are responsible for paying their own customs/import fees on prize.
Who will be doing the judging and how? For the main cosplay contest, contestants will be judged by a panel comprised of no more than 5 individuals, using standard cosplay scoring systems. Celebrity judges (if any) will use their own criteria for selecting special category awards.
Can I wear someone else’s costume? Yes you may, but you will be limited to participation in the performance/action categories only.
What constitutes 75% for the craftsmanship category? It may be difficult to determine what constitutes 75% so here are some general guides. If you made your costume but purchased your props or wigs you likely fall within the parameters. If you purchased or commissioned your entire cosplay from someone else, or you only made your props it is not eligible for the craftsmanship category.
Can I compete in both individual character and the couple category? Yes! This is also highly encouraged! If you can find a Rogue for your Gambit or vice versa, you are absolutely allowed to enter both categories- the caveat is no editing, you must be physically together in your entries!
Can I compete with different cosplays? Yes! You may compete with different cosplays, however you must submit a new appropriate level application with EACH cosplay costume.
Can I use different costumes in one entry? No, each cosplay costume needs to have its own entry.
Can we do alternate versions, or do they have to be canon costumes? Variants are welcome! Just be sure the characters are recognizable!
When are applications due? Applications are closed for 2025. Applications for 2026 will open January 1st, 2026.
How do I know my entry was accepted? After your application is processed, you will receive an email saying your entry was approved (with instructions on what happens next) or denied (with how to fix it). Please allow up to (7) business days for a response.
Safety Reminder: Even though this is a virtual convention and contest, attendee safety is paramount. If you are a cosplayer that has been blacklisted from in-person cosplay contests/conventions due to severe or violent misconduct, ROMY-Con reserves the right to disqualify and remove your entries from the competition.
What are the important dates to remember for the competition?
- January 1st, 2026 - Entries open for 2026.
- June 1st, 2026, at 5pm PST – all entries are due.
How do I apply? Applications are closed for 2025, Applications for 2026 will open January 1st, 2026.
* Winner certificates will be sent via email. Physical awards will be mailed to winners. If physical award winners reside outside of the USA they are responsible for paying their own customs/import fees on prize.
