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A Mod’s Life

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Hi everyone, Mod R here.

I don’t really understand what Moderator R function is. What do they do? P.

Way to trigger a girl’s existential crisis. Just kidding hehe, I have fully embraced that I’m more of a girl moss than a girl boss, thank you P. for your question.

A few of you have asked me throughout the years what I do here and it’s understandable, because although I’m one of the most visible parts of the team, my contribution is by far the most modest. Here is a breakdown of all the things the authors’ agency accomplishes, for example- on top of which House Andrews also have more qualified consultants for things like the comic adaptations, and newly, for marketing.

But back to my purpose: unsurprisingly, I moderate the Ilona Andrews blog. Which means I read all your comments, answer any questions I know the answer to, and football the others to House Andrews. I keep a running list of your questions and blog prompts for HA to peruse when they need inspiration for posts, and keep track of newsletter replies and contact forms issues. Also for when the BDH are about to break the comment limits on the server- which happened on several occasions during online serials! (I think we’re up to 1k now, but if I know the Horde, it’s a limit meant to be broken.)

From time to time, I have to hide a comment when I think there’s potential for tension, derailing the topic or other things mentioned on the Blog rules page. For anyone who needs them, contacts that can provide qualified assistance during a mental health crisis can also be found there. I mostly remove bot comments, like Doctor Babalooba’s miracle love potion and the (niche, but I assume very lucrative?) proofreader hot-tub business that assiduously tries to advertise on the blog.

Sometimes I get to do other fun fandom-related things, like chat with the focus group for the selection of a new audio narrator or tell Graphic Audio what the fan favourite scenes of Kate Daniels are. No, you can’t have my job, it’s mine, all mine!

I know a lot of you are also curious what it’s like to work with House Andrews and, again unsurprisingly, the answer is: a dream. Well, for me. I torture *them* almost weekly mwahaha.

It’s actually a running joke in my group of friends how many times my bosses ask me if I want days off, whether I need a holiday, or send me emails where the subject line or first sentence is “Please do not work today“. I just checked, the tally for this week is already 4, and it’s only Tuesday. In exchange, they get Sonic the Hedgehog memes at 1 am, random “Roman rules, Augustine drools” messages (I’m marking territory!) and emails that begin with “Sorry to wake you up with boobs“. How they put up with me, I’ll never know, but I’ll always be grateful!

I have done some very weird things for money in the past and been spectacularly bad at them. I think my defining Darkness of the Soul moment, if there ever was a Mod R: The Movie, would pan on me looking up and cursing at the raining sky, whilst on the terrace of the Ritz Hotel penthouse in London, back in 2017. There was a party inside, which I had arranged for my then-boss, an upper-crust, old money, British millionaire. One small snag: the 6’5 priceless antique map that was supposed to be the surprise present during the festivities, and which I was meant to keep out of sight, had arrived unwrapped from the auction house. It survived 500 years, but wasn’t going to make the day, because of my incompetence. Or at least that’s what I heard when I got fired later that evening. I was very beaten up by this type of career failures at the time, and didn’t really feel like I belonged anywhere, at least not without permanent masking.

Around the same time, I stumbled upon a place online- which just happened to be an Ilona Andrews fan group- where I felt I could express my passion, and behave without too much self-censorship. Being unapologetically myself led me to become the moderator of that group and, after a while, drew the attention of House Andrews, who offered me this job. Wouldn’t you know it, my parents were wrong, doing what you like *will* actually put food on your table hehe. Delicious baskets of goodies that Ilona and Gordon send me every year for my birthday and Christmas, even.

So if you take anything today from my ramblings it’s this: it feels really, really good to be appreciated for who you truly are. Take a chance, and show the world what you love!

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Comments

  2. Wow, sorry to hear about the map snafu! Especially given the personal consequences. But did an auction house really send out an expensive old antique into the rain without protection? Grounds for a lawsuit if it was damaged and I’m not a litigious person. I suppose I’m weird but I fail to see their incompetence was actually your fault.

    We’re happy you’ve found your niche! And we enjoy your sense of humor and kindness. Thanks!

    • I fairness, the delivery people thought they would be taking it somewhere inside and installing it 😅. It had special protection for travelling inside the art van, but I should have specified it had to be (gift) wrapped for the presentation.

      • Hey Mod R,
        It’s not fair for you to take the whole hit for the snafu. You are a fine communicator and convey information clearly. They are a ‘professional’ auction house. It should have occured to them to ask a few more questions (who, what, when, where, why, what time, how do you want it packaged, how will it be displayed, is there anything else we can do to help, etc…) in order to completely satisfy a client purchasing an expensive historical piece that was clearly going to be unveiled as a gift at a party. Letting you take the hit was weak of them. The only thing you did wrong was to assume that they knew what they were doing. They deserve a jack-donkey award for failing a client with odiously bad customer service. You deserve the promotion to Moderater/Herald for House Andrews.
        That said, their loss is our gain and we’re so glad to have you.

        • Awww, thank you!

          At the time, as unfortunately in most toxic situations, you don’t necessarily feel the injustice mounting, like a lobster being slowly boiled.

          Looking back, and having experienced true consideration and care in a place of employment, I can totally give myself a break!

  3. Thank you Mod R for all that you do 🙂

    And I love that House Andrews is as wonderful as I thought them to be…

  4. You are an absolute treasure, Mod R. Thanks for shining so brightly so that House Andrews could find you ❤️

  5. I am lucky to have found a job that I love. I know the joy of finding that place that just fits you really well. I think that’s why you are such an awesome Mod, it’s the right job for you! I will admit to being envious of getting to work with House Andrew but I have a more than full time job that I love so I will just be envious from afar!

  6. What an interesting time you have had! And, because I missed out the first time, are there plans to open the shop again soon?

    • I think once edits to Magic Claims finish, there will be more time for the admin of the merch store 😊. Watch this space for announcements!

      • We cannot unsee that Magic Clams book cover. Nor would we wish to! (My sides have phantom aches, when I remember how hard I laughed.)

        One more brick in the monument to the legendary House Andrews and its faithful BDH.

    • Hee-hee! Magic Clams, followed by online merch clams and a deliriously happy Horde 😀

      Thanks for all you do, Mod R – the comments and vibe for Blog are something really special. Thanks for fostering that!

  8. You do a very good job, I enjoy your comments.

    On another vein, would it possible to get a BDH Serious on a t-shirt? Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask.

  9. That is one of the most charming experiences of becoming a moderator I have ever heard! So glad that IA has you to take care of them (and them to take care of you)! What an absolute dream!

  11. Mod R, you are a gem! We are so lucky you took this chance to herd the BDH and internet bots alike. I suspect I’m also a member of that same Ilona Andrews fan group that you also moderate and I have the utmost respect for all you do to keep everything civil and respectful and still hilarious and fun both here and in that group. I also appreciate how you provide clear information with relevant, on-point details, and all that with good grammar and spelling. Lol. Seriously though, you are so talented at communication. I am in awe of you. You have really enhanced my fandom experience, so thank you very, very much!

  12. And, Mod R, you are spectacularly good at your job!!!

    Also, in case no one know, Mod R experimented with the creations of many dinners documented in House Andrew’s books. I loved seeing those tries and hubby critiques on FB back in the day!!

  13. Thank you so much for sharing all the wonderful things you do. I can only imagine what a dream it must be.

    I have a question: Is there a timeline for when the store will be open again? I missed it the last time and am eager to purchase some items.

    Thanks,
    Bree

    • Hi Bree,

      I don’t have a specific date, because all the energy has gone into finishing Magic Claims and now the edits to the manuscript 😊.
      I expect an announcement either way will come soon, now that that is nearing the end.

    • Hot-tub proofreader!

      I can’t really figure out if it’s a proofreader who does the job in the hot-tub, or a business that provides proofreader services and hot-tub hire while you wait for the manuscript to be done.
      Some mysteries are not ours to question.

      • I was wondering how that worked.
        Perhaps they are specific to proofreading warning labels on hot tubs? That’s all I could come up with. 🤷‍♀️

      • My adhd chaos gremlin would be tempted to give this one enough room so we could find out how the hot tub/proofreading enterprise came to be and what it involves. Which is firmly why you are the mod and I am not!

  15. I gotta say, the cat eyeing the mouse picture for this post is another good representation of the Horde as we wait for the next book/blog post/serial installment/novella-that-just-keeps-growing snippet.

  16. It seems like House Andrews found the most perfect person! I was a virtual assistant at one time, for a few years , when my daughter was a baby. I covered social media, editing, proofreading, beta reading. It was great in a lot of ways but you tend not to sign off, ever. And it was hard to log hours!

    You’re the best Mod R!!

  17. We love you, Mod R, and would definitely not have fired you for any map-related stuff. Nor would we fire you if, say for example, you revealed any Magic Claims related secrets. 😉

    Yeah, I knew that wasn’t going to work, since you are loyal and trustworthy Mod R and since the BDH isn’t actually your employer, but as a dedicated member of the BDH, I was sworn to try! 😂

  18. The crusty British millionaire’s loss, House Andrews and the BDH’s gain.

    You’re not just a Mod R, you’re the BDH wrangler and sometimes instigator of ships. 😁

    Finding what you really want to do and being able to do it is the best way to live and enjoy life.

    We’re so glad you’re here with us! 😎

  19. Many others have expressed it much nicer but just wanted to let you know, that we adore you, Mod R! So wonderful to hear that you are in a happy workplace now which is absolutely more than just work ☺️

    • And I would definitely be less happy without the Horde, the books and our favourite author duo!

  21. Lovely, Mod R, thank you for sharing, and for being exactly who you are!!! Your cheerful playfulness and good humor shine thru your posts and comments, and it is always a delight to hear from you. Big smiles, sally forth with vigor, and shine on!!!

  22. +1M to everything stated above, especially the attempt to get spoilers in 😛 Mod R makes the BDH a great fandom to be a part of, thank you for taking care of all of our craziness.

  23. I really very badly need more context on the “Sorry to wake you up with boobs” subject line, please?

    (Also, ROMAN FOREVER! I’m doing my full Kate re-read before the new book and I have just gotten to Roman and I really just adore him so much!)

    • You will just have to learn to live with the mystery of the wake-up boobs, I’m afraid 😂.

      Roman is the best, I really hope he gets a book, even if it’s not the Volhvs in Moderation one I’m pushing for!

      • Yowzaa, that’s definitely a great line to start the day!! I’m thinking Curran and Jeaniene’s troupe of bad boys certainly wouldn’t mind that kind of wake up call. (Just finished Bones’ POV 2nd book “Both Feet in the Grave” – who needs sleep when there’s books to be read!!)

  24. Thank you for all your hard work! Moderation is such a thankless job, and I can’t imagine how much spam/drek you have to deal with every day.

  25. Proof of the old saying….if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life…it will always be fulfilling your passion. Good on you !!!!!

  27. I’ve wondered that too! not because you don’t seem to do anything but because mod implies someone who mods comments (to me at least) but I knew you did a lot more than that but wasn’t sure where the wibbly wobbly line of ‘things mod R does’ was
    😂

  28. It’s great learning more about you, Mod R. You’re really fun on the Zoom chats. I’d love to get paid to do what I really like (learn and travel).

    Also, several months back, I asked if we could get a recommendations post of books that are space opera or sci-fantasy with romance elements but not romance first and was told after Innkeeper wrapped. I think this might have been forgotten with all the great news and goodies we’ve received, but wanted to see if it could happen after Magic Claims edits? Thanks!

  29. I can’t speak for BDH, but I love you Mod R 🤗. Modding this horde must be hard. So I am happy to hear that you love it.

    Thank you for being a fount of wisdom and a source of hilarity. 🤪 it is just what we/ I need.

    Love this blog! Thank you.

  32. I just want to say I echo all the wonderful things everyone said about you Mod R! This BDH member loves you!

  33. All the praise!! Thank you so much for everything you do to support both House Andrews and the BDH!

  35. We love you Mod R! You do a fantastic job keeping the BDH corralled lol. Your comments make me smile and lighten my day. We are lucky to have you!!

    I couldn’t do your job in a million years!!

    Have a fabulous week!! June can’t come fast enough hahahaha.

  36. So if you take anything today from my ramblings it’s this: it feels really, really good to be appreciated for who you truly are.

    Well said! Very well said.

    Have a great day,

    Ed

  38. Thank you for the awesomeness you are, Mod R! You really do add so much to the BDH experience. Loved hearing your origin story as well. Inspiring to me as I am looking for new work and grappling with the question of how much of my background/freak flag/personality do I share in interviews.

    Re: Magic Clams: in one of Elliott James’ Pax Arcana books, there is a giant magical clam called a Chen that is said to tell the future. I think it is based on this from Chinese mythology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shen_(clam-monster). So I mean, magic clams are a thing…..

      • Of course not! You are going to get tired of hearing all the clam jokes and all the awesome cooking suggestions. 🙂

  39. Hope you’re feeling the love because we appreciate you Mod R and all your contributions!! One of the smartest things House Andrews did was to put you on their team. Win. Win.

  41. Mod R, I believe that everything we do gives us something that we’ll need for the next phase of our lives. We go through the bad to better appreciate the good. And you, darling moderator for House Andrews and BDH, have found your good! Thanks for sharing! I adore your humor and sarcasm and you do a great job with the blog!

    • Yes to “Mod R Rules, Crusty Billionaire Drools”!
      Placed on a mug, for example, it could serve as a reminder to be true to ourselves, you know?
      And it is very much needed from time to time.

      Thank you, Mod R, for keeping HA blog a nice place to visit and for being yourself.
      You are very inspiring!

  43. I mean, if you’re gonna curse the universe then from the Ritz penthouse seems a good option 😉
    Masking sucks, so yay on finding a job you can be you in 🎉🎉

  48. thank you for today’s post! It was very heart felt and I loved it – glad you found your place to be you!

  49. You go girl! Love your work! When first I joined the BDH I thought you were an avatar used by House Andrews for comments that they could mask as third party. I quickly figured out that you were an essential team member for the gestalt that is House Andrews’ presence. Impressive.

  50. You’re doing an amazing job and are amazingly kind and witty, we’re lucky to have you!

    I have a question about moderation. I had a comment hidden once when I expressed criticism towards a text posted here, although I think (I hope!) that I was very polite about the critique. Are those comments that you generally hide? I understand if you don’t want negative comments on the blog, but sometimes I’ve been surprised that everyone loves everything and there is not really a discussion about for/against in scenes/snippets posted. Are those discussions best held in the Facebook group? Just curious 🙂

    • It depends on the tone, and whilst I don’t remember it, I’m sure yours was polite 😊.
      However, sometimes people will pile on, and especially if it’s something very beloved, the OP might suffer the BDH slings and arrows. I then remove the entire thread, so things aren’t derailed by flame wars.
      Ultimately, if the authors kindly share free stuff with us, it should be about that, not people throwing insults (even veiled) at eachother.
      Thank you for your understanding 😊

  51. Having been a mod on several boards and forums (fora?), I know the job isn’t as easy as it seems. You’re doing a wonderfull job and I can imagine that you are also a help and support for your bosses. 😁
    Thank you for all you do!
    💕

  52. Thank you for all the hard work – whether it’s fun or not, it’s still work!

    The blog is better for the stuff you handle so Ilona and Gordon don’t get so frazzled dealing with the BS and the minutia of the site. (There’s a lot of that floating around the internet…)

    Keep up the good work – and if it ever stops being fun, take some of that offered time off. Okay? (You are our buddy now and we’d miss you soooo much.)

  53. You do pretty much what I thought. And you do it very well. Thank you so much. An unmoderated blog is a nightmare

  54. Thanks for your replies, they are helpful and great. The insight into what you do was so funny. Was the mysterious millionaire getting the map as the start of an around the world mystery treasure hunt? Unfortunate that that the map was destroyed, but probably for the best. Who knows what a British millionaire would have done of the map led him to the holy grail, there have been enough traumatic crusades.

    • 😂 The same British millionaire once cancelled my Christmas bonus because I sat him near the fireplace one faithful Christmas function and, in his own words, “roasted him alive for several hours”.

      Reader, there was no fireplace. I had one of those “Cosy fires for your home” videos projected on a screen for ambiance in an otherwise very comfortable room with AC (which is a rarity in itself in London, but this venue had it).

      I’m not that worried about the possibility of world exploration from them 😂

      • Why do I picture the British millionaire today: eating bland pablum fed to him by an exasperated assistant, taking a short break from eating every now and then to growl menacingly at said assistant for no reason at all and stopped only by a fit of coughing and wheezing?

        (Yeah, I’ve definitely pictured some of my past bosses playing the part of the millionaire!) 😂

          • Or even better… they’re one of the BDH bitterly regretting not parting on good terms to try and have an in onto the next book!

            —

            Sorry but my first take home from your post was like the King or Queen, you have multiple birthdays! (Been a long day!)

      • oh boy that virtual heat really cuts, what a special flower. People will forever boggle my brain with their rude/cruel pettiness.

  55. I’m just going to echo the praise that everyone else has said about you here, because you deserve it. What you do actually entails quite a lot of work. The behind the scenes underworkings of a truly great successful organization, such as HA, has to have really dedicated,organized, efficient, and sometimes sane engine pushing it forward. HA is the pretty vessel and you are that engine. As you’ve stated what you do isn’t always readily seen nor appreciated in other circumstances. I’m so glad to hear that my favorite authors are not like that. I’ve worked in jobs where the bosses were absolute s*** and it made it impossible to enjoy a day at work. I know that this impedes performance. I know this because I went on to work for other folks who were fabulous and with other employees at those places that were fabulous. It made all the difference! If only everyone could be as lucky, or as some say blessed, as you are. I think our world would be a much better place.

    • I am absolutely in no way the engine, oh my, not even close! But I’m very blessed to be here for the magic and creativity that drives it all forward.
      It does indeed make all the difference!

  56. Dang Mod R. Go you. Fabulous things come to those who destroy 500 year old maps, I guess. And does it really only take 1000 comments to break the server? Mission accepted. Good to have you right where you are and that you work for goody baskets is awesome.

  57. “Roman rules, Augustine drools”
    Pancakes isn’t happy you tease but don’t show, Mod R. If there are memes, please do share!

    Sad to hear your previous boss mistreated you, but at least now you’re where you are loved and valued. 😘

  58. Good for you!
    Very happy that things worked out for you.
    And, why would they blame it all on you when there obviously was someone incompetent at the other end of that Map Shipping Incident. Who the heck would send out a priceless map unwrapped and uncrated from the auction house?
    Enjoy your ‘better job and better life’.

  61. I don’t think my husband would appreciate me being an ethical guinea pig breeder… 😬
    But that’s why it’s a dream! Lol

  62. I think the world of you, you caught my attention early on and I am Unflappable, BECAUSE, I pray for the grace to be peaceful and harmonious nearly every day. This 76 year old veteran, truck driver, bartender, taxi driver, pizza delivery guy, blockbuster, apprentice bookie knows about strange and wonderful jobs, keep up the good work.

  63. You do a great job managing the authors’ requests and BDH’S slavering demands/questions.Thanks

  64. I am so happy that you are doing a job you love! I will say you are incredible at it. Even more, you shine as an incredible human being. I’ve posted some emotional posts on the blog and, I must say, your response to them gave me comfort. This member of the BDH is very happy you are our Mod R!

  66. Mod R,
    Sorry, just one more quick question from me and then I promise I will stop commenting for now since I have added enough today to that 1,000 comment goal!

    The picture you used in this posting says “Proud” Member of the Book Devouring Horde. The tee-shirt in the merchandise store instead says “Official Member of the Book Devouring Horde.” This is obviously very, very low on the request priority list but if possible, could the merchandise be changed to say “Proud Member of the Book Devouring Horde”(instead of “Official”)?

    I think probably all or most of the BDH is, like me, very Proud to proclaim ourselves members! (Also, I don’t want anyone to think I paid dues to become an ‘Official’ member or anything…identifying as a member of the BDH is totally who and what I am!) 😁

    If this request is not possible, no worries: I will still continue to wear my Official shirt Proudly!

    • I think the merch design will stay with Official- unfortunately “proud” was flagged by a few people who sent the feedback that it’s used by unsavoury groups. Obv no such association is desirable- we may be a Horde, but we devour lovingly.

      • WOW 😳 I never even thought about that. it’s a shame that our species can ruin even a word with positive connotations.

        Anyway, onwards and upwards for the Horde.

      • Yikes!!! Thanks for the explanation Mod R! I didn’t even think of that…..now I like my Official shirt even more!!!! 😂

  68. But I love making love potions while proof reading in a hot tub and my dream is being shattered 😭
    For real though – best Mod ever, the authorlords are lucky to have you, and so are we!

  70. Thank you for sharing that! Very cool insight into your world and yes, we’re all jealous that you get to work with HA.

  71. Wow, that was an incredible – and a very funny and well written – post! Thank you so much! <3 I'm very sorry for that antique map fail – but it has brought you here, so it's probably good it happened in retro perspective. 😉

    Oh, and Mod R: It's not only HA who is happy to have you, we absolutly are too, your the best Mod we could wish for, too!

  72. Beloved ModR! Admiral of the Fleet! Herder of the Horde! Creator (I assume) of Polls! Deleter of bots! Sharer of Snippets!

    I haven’t read all the comments, but has the Horde offered to go find the aforementioned Brit and communicate to him the error of his ModR-firing ways? I mean, that kind of seems like our thing. The firing worked out well for us because we got ModR. But still . . . Can we at least pick an appropriate House Andrews method for (fictionally) dispatching him?

    • Awww, I bear no ill will- it was clearly just what I had to go through to now enjoy all the good employment karma 🤗.

      • But, if someday somewhere in one of HA books a crusty millionaire would get some carma lessons to correct the err of his disrespecting ways, in connection with any kind of a map incident, I think now BDH would enjoy the scene so much more 😉

        But, the most important – thank goodness the Universe has heard you “on the terrace of the Ritz Hotel penthouse in London, back in 2017”.

  73. Reading comments and picturing the BDH boarding a plane en mass and gathering on some poor unsuspecting auction house en mass cause that’s how we roll ( just ask poor dace collins)😉

    • Yeah! I’m in. Also where is this balcony located? While we’re there we might as well find it…

      (Just kidding. He can keep his stinky map. We’ve got Mod R!)

  75. Mod R you GO girl! We love you.

    You don’t need to be abused by some crusty billionaire. The BDH will keep you busy.

    Tell House Andrews that like everything they do hiring you was the best!

  77. You really do make everything/one flow effortlessly. So my Dad said, find a job you love and you’ll never work another day in your. ❤️

  78. Same here! I have a 1099 work from home job that I absolutely love. Why? Aside from the fact that it suits my introverted self and natural talents and provides the flexibility that I need, my boss appreciates me for who I truly am, no filters. Appreciates the same things that have been criticized anywhere else, but are part of who I am. It is delightful to know others have been through the professional ringer, too, but have found that happy niche!

  79. Mod R – this wouldn’t be a the wonderful, joyous, fabulous place it is without you.. from your fabulous avatars to funny (and Never unkind) comments, you make the world (real & HA) a better place for us all… 😘🥰😍👏👏👏

  83. Love this post! It is awesome you followed your passion and love what you do – and that you are appreciated for your contributions!

  84. I you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life! At least that’s the saying. Hope that is true for you! good job!!!

  85. I’m weird, but I kinda miss Dr. Balooba’s (or whatever it is) love spells ads. 🤣 It was like finding an Easter egg in the comments! They made me laugh. 😄 But I completely understand why you would need to remove them.

    • I’m sure he’s going to return with a vengeance now that we said his name so many times 😂

      • Oh no! I hope we didn’t conjure him! 😱 I don’t know if Mr. Mod R would appreciate you being bombarded with love spells! 😂

  86. A throwback to Ilona’s post from last Thursday:
    from Classic Art Memes on FB –

    “Books: helping introverts avoid conversation since 1454.”

    📚📚📚

  88. Hi Mod R! Keep up the great work! So I have a question and I wasn’t sure where to ask but hopefully you’ll read this and have an answer. In Magic Strikes, when Jim is relaying Derek’s history to Kate, he says the house where they found Derek belongs to Seth Hayes. Then we later learn Derek’s last name is Gaunt. Can you please explain why his last name is different? Thanks so much!!

    • I will ask to make certain 🙂, but my guess is after the horrors Derek endured and witnessed from his father, he would not chose to bear his name.

  89. I felt this should be more like a mwhaa-haa laugh statement, not a gentle hehe. “ Wouldn’t you know it, my parents were wrong, doing what you like *will* actually put food on your table hehe.” 😀

  90. Most Superior Mod R, I am delighted that you’ve found your niche. I can relate to your low point and firmly believe their loss is our great treasure. Be you, as we are most fortunate to have you.

  92. I know that HA appreciates you as much as we do. I’m mostly a lurker, and have only ever commented once before and your kind and hilarious response to my out of left field comment about the kingdom of Squishmallows on my bed was the highlight of my week. You are a kindhearted soul and just the exact kind of weird that so many of us are. We love you just as much as The House of Andrews.

  93. You are amazing Mod R and I love your zany sense of humor. Now I’m wondering what your other weird jobs were. One of my weird jobs was working at a petting zoo where I gave tours and fed a camel Pepsi. (He would spit out any other kind of soda and only drink Pepsi.)

  96. Thank you for sharing how HA and the BDH got so lucky! 🥰
    We are forever spoiled by having you!

  97. Thank you, Mod R for making this a place where I am never afraid to read the comments section! It really makes it feel like a community. I am so grateful for the work you do ❤️

  98. Mod, I am so happy you found your niche, your happy place, your life beyond work. I hope to find such as you did sometime in my life.

  99. I am sooo jealous, but very happy for you! I found my niche job after going back to school at 45 and am now happily retired, so it is never to late to look around and try new things.

  101. Excuse you, but you are a GIRL BOSS, and I live for your post…Heck, if I could spread you across at least 3 or 4 more of the authors I follow , I would be in heaven.

  102. Mod R, you keep us going with your posts when HA is hard at work and I really appreciate your encyclopedic knowledge of all things HA! You’re amazing at what you do!

  103. gosh Mod R, your story about the ‘ruined’ map, was what I needed to read *right now*. I am having so much trouble at work, despite my best efforts, and I’ve been feeling like the most incompetent (expletive).

    Sometimes, your work life goes through the dark part of the woods…but you kept walking and so will I.

  104. Bestest Mod R,

    Thank you for keeping this small part of the internet a “safe space” free from non book related ads and general toxicity!

    I have given up on all other social type media and really appreciate what we have here.

    Thanks again!

  105. Mod R-You are awesome and we’re lucky to have you.
    I once worked for a man that I still (MANY years later) refer to as “The Dog-Kicker”. He was the King of toxic office behaviors and I was the lowest-ranked person there. I had no power to effect anything (“Do what you’re told” was literally my job description) but got the very public ass-chewing whenever SHTF. I would often receive a private apology later but that never changed his approach.

  106. Since I now know you, Mod R, read all these (whew…it’s like when I have large scale online classes and have to read all the discussion board entries and replies)…I figure you’d (and other BDH folks who read this particular reply) appreciate this sharing.

    I got one of the Cutting Edge t-shirts. I have this great pair of black leggings that has shadow prints of unicorns. I have Pair Eyeware top frames with purple and teal dragons and castles. This is one of my travel outfits. I cruise through airports (like I’ll be cruising through Atlanta airport today) hoping that someday a fellow member of the BDH will give a shout out. I’m hopeful…it will happen some day.

    I also share another regular travel outfit is a t-shirt that says: I have the perfect body (at home in my freezer)…I wear blood splatter glass top frames with that shirt. I especially appreciated the shoutouts I got with that when I wore it cruising through airports on Valentines Day.

    Sending all the book devouring love. ~SR

    • Does the BDH have a rallying cry? “I love your shirt!” seems far too bland. “Here, kitty, kitty,” would be awkward to shout across the concourse. “House Andrews is awesome!” is a pretty good one. “Hello, fellow Horde member!” could work?

  108. Thank you Mod R for all your work.
    Is there any chance House Andrews would come and visit you in England ? (asking this without any self interest of course 😄)

  111. “I have done some very weird things for money in the past and been spectacularly bad at them”
    Same

  112. I know that if I pop in here I will leave with a smile on my face, that is priceless and you are a significant part of what makes the blog so welcoming. Long live Mod R!

  113. So glad you found your dream job and are very much appreciated for the excellent work you do. It’s definitely a fun blog!

  116. Mod R, how nice of you to entertain what appears to be a borderline rude question (to me anyway).

    There is *so much* involved with any business or creative endeavor. Does anyone really want to know how the sausage is made? No, we want more books…er, sausage? That involves taking care of the admin stuff so House Andrews can focus on whatever they need to do.

    It is a talent to be able to calm down the BDH with skritches and snippets. It is a skill to manage someone else’s life/business details with the degree of trust between you and HA. Thank you for being awesome!

    • Awww, thank you so much, Sheila!

      I took no offence in the question, several people have asked 🙂. Until someone spends a bit of time on social media, it’s not always obvious that most virtual forums need tidying up every now and again. Most mods are probably a bit quieter than me 😂

  117. Question: Is there a master post/list or specific tag for the books that House Andrews has recommended through the blog? There was a book they promoted a while back that I was very interested in but my bookmark for it was deleted and I can’t remember the author’s name for the life of me. (I think it *might* have been Jessica…. something… super helpful right??)

  118. All hail the amazing Mod R! Thank you hon. It was in fact the Jessie Mihalik novel. 😊😊

  119. Thank you for sharing about yourself. I’ve had so many discussions with you on various posts but I feel like this is the first time I actually got to know something about you. It’s very nice to meet you!

  121. I remember the first time I asked for a picture description on the blog, and you gave one. After that, all the pictures, or at least the ones I’ve come across, all have alt text. I’m grateful for what you do. I absolutely love this for you!! I’m happy you’ve found your dream job. I don’t necessarily believe you have to go through hell to get to heaven, but look at you now.
    This post is right on time. I almost cried reading it because I’m struggling with taking a chance on something I’m good at and that’s a fit for me, and I’m terrified. I don’t know if a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, but I think I’m gonna go for it. I’m speaking in idioms (metaphors? I don’t know…) today; ignore me.
    Anyway, this is wonderful, and I hope you all have a long, healthy, mutually beneficial working relationship for years to come.

    • I wish you all the luck with your decision! 🙂 Sometimes the Universe does like to give us nods…

  122. I know the Ritz terrace event must have been really hard on you. It also, however, sounds like a scene straight out of a book about an overworked underappreciated assistant who leaves for better pastures and their ex-boss realizes how much he or she really did. You are an amazing Mod and I always look forward to your posts. I’m glad HA recognized your talent and gave you a place to work that actually appreciates you.

  124. I’m late to the modR ´s party, but I want to add my compliment. Your sense of humor, your kindness, your smart and sharp mind, are now essentials for the BDH. You are awesome.

  127. Dream job, indeed! And it sounds like you and House Andrews are absolutely fantastic for each other, that is sooooo great to hear! You do a fantastic job for us, the BDH, and I can only imagine how much more vital all your hard work (and good attitude!) are to HA. [claps] Thank you!!!

  128. Thank you, this post is making me sob. Thank you for your words. I always come to this blog when I need comfort in the world. Thank you angina

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