Happy Tuesday and spooky season, everyone!
Ilona and I started to plan the rest of the blog year yesterday, and I am happy to announce we have a lot of treats (and perhaps a few tricks!) in store for you. There will be giveaways, surprises, snippets, author interviews, spoilers and assorted bits of book-related mischief. Because this year has been A Lot for everyone, and the Book Devouring Horde deserves aaaall the nice things.
But we also want to hear from you!
What would you like to see on the blog?
Do you have questions about writing, publishing, or the mysterious inner workings of the creative process or author life? Do you want to hear about things that aren’t all related to books? Recommendations, weird and wonderful research, hobbies? We’re equal-opportunity curiosity enthusiasts around here.
We can’t promise every one will become a post, but we’d love to know what you’d enjoy reading about. Drop your questions, ideas, and suggestions in the comments, please. We’ll send the ferrets in to retrieve them.
First?
Certified!
Omg another Jo got first!
Yay! makes my day!
I love all the holiday posts you normally do this time of year. I’d love to hear more about why people thought maggie wouldn’t initially be a big hit and if its success has change the evaluation of other series ideas the authors have had? Like how much is a book a fun idea that’s being written vs a response to market trends? Thanks!
Thank you Moderator R to give us the floor. I would like to know if maybe we can have a short story about the wedding from the Fated blades. I think about it each time I re-read the book. it could be so much fun.
Oh golly yes!
I’d love that as well!
Greetings from the Texas Hill Country! I’d like to know more about y’all’s writing process: People seem to think that writing is a very solitary activity, but as a team, yours is more likely to require external communication. I’m especially curious about this process as it relates to creating Maggie’s world and the complex politics involved.
I am greedy and want all the things! Yarn, crocheting, pets, cooking, book writing and finances explained, snipits. …. all the things!
Thank you all for the fun and joy you bring!
any little snippet, story, crazy idea or whatever. I love every post!
I love the “day in a life” snippets. House Andrews is so good to us with goodies and such, but I like seeing the authors kick back and do non-authory things from time to time. It feels like a connection (in a totally non-creepy way).
Snippets
I really love stories about all the pets.
Seconded!! More Tuna, please
thirded! i love seeing pet pictures, even if they’re just lounging around doing nothing. they still put a smile on my face.
I came here to say this! The pet updates always make me smile. Especially Tuna.
I love reading the blog for it’s humor, creativity, and interactions. I still tell people about the laugh I got reading the lawn mowing shake down by the lawn orphans. Made me laugh and laugh. I love and appreciate the snippets, and items that get cut from the books. I love the Inn interviews, and stories regarding the Hoards reactions. Clutching pearls, while secretly wishing I had a sword to swing.
Would love more recipes! Is it possible to add recipes to the app? Maybe an Orro blog? Agree, it’s great to hear about your knitting projects as I’m a knitter too. But I enjoy whatever you post, especially the snippets.
Snippets, recipes, a day in the life…., all notes are welcome
More of the same is fine with me. There have been only a bare handful of posts over the years that haven’t interested me enough to read more in the same veins, and of that handful, others found those same posts engaging. The blog frequently introduces us to subjects I wouldn’t have thought to look up, and my life is richer because of what I learn here. Rabbit holes R us! So carry on. Here for all of it.
I would love to hear more about how you do world building, what pieces you decide ahead of time, what you figure out while you write, etc. All your worlds are unique and have so much detail.
Yes, this!
I love HA world-building and all of the details that make the non-main characters unique and memorable. It’s always really interesting to hear about how decisions are made pieces come together.
In true Horde fashion I want it all!!
Especially enjoy snippets of course, and all things yarn and knitting! Love the pet updates and pics, and holiday and life stuff.
Thank you for asking!
Everything…snippets…recipes…cats!
I’d love to know how HA found their journey into epic fantasy as a different subgenre of fantasy. As the other series are mostly Urban Fantasy and a bit scifi is it harder to be completely free in a world you create from scratch or a world were you lean on what already exists like in urban fantasy?
Will there ever be a chance for a space opera with a strong romance subplot? Scifi romance is full of aliens/cyborg mating and abduction.
There is very little variation in my opinion and I think HA would absolutely kill it in a basically empty space (there is the Firebird chronicles, Jessie Mihalik, Michelle Diener and Mandrake company and that’s basically it…).
to verify, have you tried their Kinsmen books yet? not full space opera but a hearty meal of space based SciFi well seasoned with romance.
I love the POV from different characters and the little snippets of our favorite characters lives. Things along the lines of Kate’s and Curran’s texts. Or maybe deleted scenes that was just cute or funny to you but for some reason was cut from the books. Anything from from any (or every) book would be greatly appreciated!
Are there writing items, nibbles, scents, etc that differ for various types of scenes created?
I’m with Char! All the things – knitting, research, rabbit holes, kids, cats, weather! ALL THE THINGS! I love it that Ilona’s knitting and the Buc-ee’s I pass on my way to visit family in Houston are part of Dina’s story, that my Texas hill country terrain is part of Beast Business and all the other little bits of real life like Buffalo Bayou make our Book Friends’ lives ring true!
I would love some more interviews by Dina! That and more adventures of Steve and the BDH too!
I love all the different random topics that come up in your research for all of your books.
Hoouse Andrews should be careful with their tricks or they’re basically asking for another Hugh AFD event 😉
I’d like to know how you both visualize the settings/landscapes in your books (especially in Maggie), and how much you refer to real-world inspiration to help guide your descriptions.
I’m really not great at ‘seeing’ the places as described in text, and I can generally only capture a basic gist/mood of what is described. However, I was watching Monty Don’s Mediterranean Gardens a few weeks back, and his Croatia episode was STUNNING and I felt like I was finally able to ‘see’ a fantasy setting as an author might describe it to me. It wasn’t the Plitvice Lakes that actually stayed with me the most (and I was already familiar with), it was the mountain meadow he visits and *especially* the ancient communal olive grove that he visited… I could picture the Maggie characters in them so easily. So I know if I ever wrote a fantasy world I would have to build it from Earth references… but how do you two do it? Can you ‘see’ a place without ever having seen it? Do you build in your mind from references or can you picture in detail total inventions?
I mean, I ALWAYS want more pet pics and more recipes! (The “more fiction” goes without saying but the Powers That Be don’t need that kind of pressure!)
This is not helpful but I love any and all the stories and snippets into the characters’ perspectives. Please and thank you
I want to hear that IA (and our beloved ModR) are taking care of themselves and taking much needed breaks! This has been a hard year on them too with all the demands but they’re so giving they’re still thinking of us. I want to make sure in giving back to us they aren’t pushing themselves too hard.
So I’ll appreciate anything they give us as the gift that it is but hope they know that their fans understand that it comes second to their lives and family! The Horde is mighty and growing but we want the best for our beloved author team and Mod R!
+1
The whole Maggie 2 book by the 23rd (my bday 🤔🤣), or pictures of soft yarn.
Snippets! Yes!
I have a friend of mine who has finished the novel and is now in the process of writing query letters. Does Ilona have any advice? Because the internet is dark and full of contradictions.
For me I want all the escapades of Tuna, moar Tuna
upvote for more kitty content!
Writing questions, advice, ways, and means, etc.
In writing, I compared books of yours like Kate Daniels, with other books I liked, but didn’t love. One of the things I noticed is that you all have a knack for giving life to, really, any character. (Also your research is amazing. Being a historian makes the books and characters even more transcendent.)
Your books are so three-dimensional, every single one.
Is there something that you do before introducing a character? Or does that come later? Or, does it come from your magical minds instantly to the keyboard?
For example– the man who is waving the sign outside Cutting Edge, saying, “Wake up people, the end is here!”
In the last Kate book. And, many other questions.
Also, all the other stuff people have suggested.
Second vote for a blog about the character building process! I’d love to hear about character ideas that were scrapped or changed drastically from first draft.
I agree! Every character in every book is a real person. I’m thinking of Maggie in the street seeing a teacher, in a wheelchair, continuing to lecture as her students take care of her. One line, and I can see the classes and the respect and love her students give her. And I would love to learn the apothecary subject as well.
I’m all for snippets and alternate POVs. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but I’d love to see something, literally anything, of Mom&Hart.
If House Andrews has the time and fortitude, a free for all AMA for the individual worlds could also be fun. (Where did Kate’s name come from in world? She isn’t named after her mother or Voron, clearly. Why Daniels?) (What was Saiman going to ask that cat?!?) Etc etc…
I love posts about the pets. I also enjoy posts about yarn and knitting/crocheting. I love the cooking posts, especially if there is a recipe. I enjoy the free shorts and snippets.
Honestly, I read all the posts on the blog and generally enjoy them all.
I would like another Steve Antics story please (that should have been possessive but I typed it wrong and may have now suggested he has a surname)
Snippets, giveaways, pets and daily life updates! (And I will read anything else, too 😀 )
I feel like I wouldn’t want to put another burden onto any of you. If there are things that you post about that are helpful for you to take a break from writing that make it feel worthwhile that would be great. I thought it was funny that you thought people wouldn’t like a fall tree post but that was actually pretty neat. And I like that it was a stress relief for you.
+1
I always enjoy the book-related treats – snippets, deleted scenes, stories about the editing process, what had to be cut and why… plus updates on what’s coming next. Knowing that old proverb always applies, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”
I would love to know how polished a first draft is now that our dear Authors have published so many fabulous books. I hear the advice “if it’s not on paper it can’t be edited” so often, but I look at Ilona Andrews and wonder. Do you leave block- [insert scene info here] and move on? Or is it more than that?
Research! Deep autheor-dives are awesome.
I most enjoy snippets, pets, and cross over interviews at the Inn. But that said, one of my most favorite funny posts were the back and forth with the vampire character writing in to the blog. His name and s escaping me and I think Jeannine Frost was involved. So your interactions with BFFs always great too!
Hobbies, holidays, snippets, life, odd facts,recipes. Everything you both have done so far! Remember to take time for yourselves along with some pampering! Life can often be stressful and we don’t always realize when that tipping point between managing nicely and dropping all the eggs in the basket comes. Have a happy Halloween and enjoy your beautiful fall decorations!
“Bring all the donuts!” I love everything about this blog, all varied posts as well as the BDH comments! 😍
As others have mentioned before, I don’t know of another author that offers so much and engages so much with their fans so thank you once again!
1. I would love to hear about the most epic rabbit holes of research you fell into that resulted in either 2 lines in a book (any book) or was the lynchpin for a major plot point. something memorable that stayed with Ilona or Gordon.
2. Ilona has mentioned wanting to re-write the first Kate book. What would she change?
3. As far as business goes, I’m curious about the sales for the back-catalogue when there’s a new release. Is there an increase for the other series or the spin offs and how much?
For example, was there an increase in sales for Kate’s series when This Kingdom was released or Nevada’s series when Beast Business was released? Or the Edge series when Gaston reveals George’s marriage in Innkeeper?
4. Will there be any more web comics?
I’d love to hear about all the various background characters you come up with,how do they manifest themselves,do you have a whole background made up for them? or do you just make them up as you go along.
Hello! As always, thank you for giving a platform to the horde and not judging the crazy. Could I please request another release of the recommendation thread, maybe with a type of book genre specified that we haven’t covered before? I think we’ve done sci-fi, paranormal romance, urban fantasy & epic fantasy. So maybe we do just plain romance? Or thrillers? Murder mysteries? I dunno, I find like-minded readers in the horde and always vibe with the recommendations given. But it is a lot to moderate so please ignore as needed too!
I always love your book recommendations. I have added so many authors to my must read list from your recommendations
I always enjoy hearing about the crochet projects! Planning, progress, and finished objects are equally fascinating, also problems (with possible solutions) and frog attacks.
Snippets, Puffles, posts about the writing process.
It’s been a really turbulent year.
I just want regular life: tea, knitting, family, PET STORIES (I adore your pet stories and videos, and TUNA), and to know you guys are well. And to support you when you aren’t in some small way.
Stories like the lawn orphans, regular every day stuff relayed in your voice with your empathy and humor and insight are the best. But most of all, I just want you guys to be safe and happy.
I really enjoy the weird and wonderful research particularly as it relates to current projects!
Like many Horde-fellows? Horders? Horderary Members? I love reading about the creative process, and I would be so happy to learn how you name your characters. How much research do you put into it, do you always look up the meaning of a name or just go with what feels right? Do you think a character named Brunhilde Bonecrusher The Third would be make a good healer? 😉 How much magic is in a name?
And yes, snippets! Pets! Yarn!
+1 for Horderary Members
Of course the snippets and any and all narrative, but in addition I find the weird research rabbit holes really interesting.
My favorite blog posts (aside from snippets and free fiction of course) are the Day In The Life pieces, or “how we wrote ___” pieces. I love nothing more than seeing glimpses into the great minds of House Andrews.
I also have a fondness for interesting research and Tuna escapades teehee
Snippets. Research Rabbit Holes. Book Recommendations. “Minor” characters’ points of view. Animal stuff.
And, because the Horde is so wide ranging, maybe conversations about our own individual obsessions? Bc we’re family, right?
Thank you anyways for all you give us. One of the Best Blogs anywhere.
I’d love to hear more about the creative process. For example, what was the inspiration behind The Inheritance? How did you come up with the layout for Kair Toren or the Baylor residence? If there a favorite planet or place in the Innkeeper series?
I enjoy reading about your research for ideas. The mysterious inner workings of how you bring the research into a storyline.
Snippets!!!!! Maggie2 is a LONG way off. we need to feed our addiction.
This is no help but all of the above sounds wonderful. 😉
I like the crafty hobby updates, I’m a beginner with yarn and feel inspired. The recommendations are good, snippets are the best 🙂 it’s nice to see the business side of writing and random life stuff too.
Do you ever take inspiration from music? Do you listen to music while writing or do you need silence? Also, snippets, food, animal adventures, and House Andrews adventures. Thank you for everything!
I would love recipe content. Any time your characters cook something it sounds good. A bonus would be an in-character cooking segment for the blog.
Otherwise, I always enjoy what you decided to share. And yes, more snippets!
A dinas inn episode where Orro is trying to make a cooking show episode. Fire!
I also love interesting research! what are some of the craziest rabbit holes you have fallen down in search of information?
What size are were rats when they shift to rat form? Are they giant rats? Rodents of unusual size? And what about it half form?
I don’t know why this bothers me.
Snippets are great. I’d also love recommendations or more info on the writing process.
This is definitely a Horde response: anything you want to post is fine by me. 😊
I love when you do recommendations. I have found several great new to me authors that way!
anything! but I always especially loved the less traditional “snippets” like:
-Kate and Curran texts
-Dina interviews [character]
I would like to know about how special edition book decisions are made.
who decides how many copies get printed?
why use a subscription book box which only sells to subscribers, instead of selling the special edition to everyone?
As you know, the Horde has been desperately trying to find copies of Owlcrate special edition of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me. Any possibility of a reprint from Owlcrate?
You previously informed your fans that the publisher Ace has refused to print a special edition of your Kate Daniels series. Any discussion of why they refused?
I think we are all very curious about special editions.
But I love your blog and will read anything you post. A snippet of Everard’s point of view would be spectacular.
I always enjoy your recipe blogs, whether it’s the ones from your books or meals you make.
Oh, thanks for asking! I’m not an especially long time reader, so these may be in the archives, but here are my offerings:
1. How do you plot your stories? Does it vary based on length or intended purpose?(By purpose, I’m thinking that perhaps you treat a web serial differently from something you know is going to be a single book which you do differently from a multi-book series. But maybe you don’t, and everything starts out the same because of interesting reasons…)
2. What is your process for deciding what to self-publish vs trying the traditional route? Has it changed as your career has matured?
3. You write a lot of romance, and I’m curious about that. What draws you to it and keeps you interested in that specific type of relationship? Or is it more of a market decision, maybe you started there, and that is what your audience expects now?
I’d like to have some more ‘Sky dreaming Dragon’ story, please! We haven’t had much Author-lords pet shenanigans updating of late, you know the trivial, mundane stuff that gives Writing the break.
I would love another one of those posts where everyone is encouraged to put things they’re grateful for in the comments. Maybe a holiday themed one?