What if one of the best “networking spaces” in your city… is a romance bookstore?

In this episode of The Awkward Handshake, we sit down with Katherine D. Morgan, the owner of Grand Gesture Books, a romance-focused indie bookstore in Portland, Oregon that has quietly built one of the most engaged communities in the city.

This conversation isn’t about traditional networking. It’s about what happens when people gather around shared interests, feel safe being themselves, and keep coming back—not because they have to, but because they want to.

Katherine shares how she built Grand Gesture Books into more than just a retail space, how her events bring people together in a way that feels natural and fun, and why romance readers might be some of the best community builders out there.

If you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a better way to meet people…”
This episode might expand your definition of where connection actually happens.

• How Grand Gesture Books became a community hub, not just a bookstore
• Why romance readers show up differently (and why it works)
• The power of interest-based communities
• What makes events feel welcoming, fun, and low-pressure
• How Katherine curates experiences that keep people coming back
• Why not all “networking” has to feel like networking
• The role of storytelling and shared identity in building connection

Meet the Guest

Katherine D. Morgan

Writer and owner of Grand Gesture Books, a romance bookstore in Portland, Oregon.

Katherine is the author of the chapbook No Self-Respecting Woman, with work featured in outlets including Huffington Post, Bitch Media, LitHub, The Rumpus, and HelloGiggles. Her work has been nominated for Best of the Net, and she’s built a thriving in-person community through her bookstore and events.

Connect with Katherine:

• Website: https://katherinedmorgan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blcktinabelcher/?hl=en

About Grand Gesture Books

Grand Gesture Books is a romance-focused indie bookstore in Portland, Oregon that hosts events, readings, and gatherings for readers who want connection as much as they want a good book.

Learn more + check out upcoming events ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/grandgesturebooks/

Keep in touch!

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