The festival was amazing.
We thought we were well prepared. I brought 175 pieces of vellum, 10 maps, 100 bookmarks, 250 bookplates. I thought we would have to drag some of it back.
We were not well prepared.
So imagine this old library with beautiful marble facade in the middle of a park. In front of it is a small tent city of white canvas filled with vendors. You clear it, walk into the library across a stunning mosaic floor and enter three floors of books. It is airy and spacious, and it looks like it would make amazing film set for a sequel to Relic. Once you make it through to the back, there is another park and more tents. Live music is playing, books and book bling is being sold, and everything is green and gorgeous.
We started the festival in the back with a signing in Steamy Lit Bookstore booth. There was a longish line, the day was very humid, and we signed for about an hour and then moved on to the large tent where our first panel would be.
The interesting thing about the festival is that it offers signings after every event.
So we do the panel with Jeaniene Frost and Shalini Abeysekara. You already know Jeaniene’s new release, but I have to tell you about Shalini’s book because it sounds amazing. It’s a law drama dark romance set in ancient Rome. With magic. I was like, “Yes, please, where do I get a copy?” (She signed a copy for me, hehe.)
This Monster of Mine
She knows the taste of death.
He’ll stoke her hunger for it.
Eighteen-year-old Sarai doesn’t know why someone tried to kill her four years ago, but she does know that her case was closed without justice. Hellbent on vengeance, she returns to the scene of the crime as a Petitor, a prosecutor who can magically detect lies, and is assigned to work with Tetrarch Kadra. Ice-cold and perennially sadistic, Kadra is the most vicious of the four judges who rule the land – and the prime suspect in a string of deaths identical to Sarai’s attempted murder.
Certain of his guilt, Sarai begins a double life: solving cases with Kadra by day and plotting his ruin by night. But Kadra is charming and there’s something alluring about the wrath he wields against the city’s corruption. So when the evidence she finds embroils her in a deadly political battle, Sarai must also fight against her attraction to Kadra – because despite his growing hold on her heart, his voice matches the only memory she has of her assailant…
A dazzling Ancient Rome-inspired romantasy debut, This Monster of Mine is a bloodbath of manipulation, deception, and forbidden love.
The panel was moderated by Kris Hickey, who is a librarian and who did an amazing job.
After the panel, we go to our designated signing on the second floor, except that Gordon and I are intercepted and led to the third floor instead, because we have “a line.” We go up the stairs and I’m thinking that we just had a signing, how big of a line could there possibly be?
Gordon nudges me, and I see people lined up along the wall. Like lined up aaaalll the way back… And then we get to the table. This is the front of that line. It looked just like that for hours.
This was the moment that I realized we did not bring enough stuff. Like, we normally get a line, but this was not a normal line. This was… a lot.
Elisa Stone Leahy, the Programming Chair, gently inquired if we would be willing to stay longer than an hour. We were willing. We started at 2:00 pm and were done by 5:30 pm.
We crawled back to the hotel, semi-coherent, had a great dinner with Jeaniene Frost and her sister, and congratulated ourselves on a job well done. The signing was so massive that we had gotten overwhelming majority of our fans taken care of.
Sunday brought a break in humidity and speed dating panel, where we spent 10 minutes with a small group of readers and then moved to the next table. Everyone was awesome, and then we had another signing. We happily travelled to our table. I had brought knitting, because I thought we would chill and then I saw another massive line.
Me, to Gordon: What is going on? I thought we got everyone yesterday.
Gordon: No clue.
Another two hour signing later, we escaped to the outside for a 30 minute break, where we sat at a table, listened to live music, and tried to get our bearings. Then we went to our next panel, God Complex: World-Building, which was moderated by Andrew, a librarian with an amazing voice, and featured John Chu and K.X. Song.
John’s book is a hard SF, and his website is minimal, so I will send you to his Tor/Macmillan page instead.
The Subtle Art of Folding Space
The Subtle Art of Folding Space is the exhilarating debut science fiction novel from Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author John Chu which channels unhinged physics, generational trauma, and the comfort of really good dim sum. This isn’t your usual jaunt through quantum physics.
Ellie’s universe—and this one—is falling apart. Her ailing mother is in a coma; her sister, Chris, accuses her of being insufficiently Chinese between assassination attempts; and a shadowy cabal of engineers is trying to hijack the skunkworks, the machinery that keeps the physics of each universe working the way it’s supposed to.
Daniel, Ellie’s cousin, has found an illicit device in the skunkworks—one that keeps Ellie’s comatose mother alive while also creating destabilizing bugs in the physics of this universe. It’s not a good day.
If she can confront her mother’s legacy and overcome her family’s generational trauma, she just might find a way to preserve the skunkworks and reconcile with her sister…but digging into her family’s past is thornier than it seems, and the secrets she uncovers will force Ellie to choose between her family and the universe itself.
K.X. Song‘s book has one of the most stunning covers I have seen. It is beautiful. The first book of her duology is inspired by Mulan and features fascinating Chinese mythology. (And I scored a copy as well, haha!)
The Night Ends With Fire
The Instant New York Times and No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller
Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.
The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.
The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.
In the army, Meilin’s relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.
With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.
After the panel, there was another signing. We both felt that there was no possible way…
Yes.
There was a line again.
A long one.
I don’t know what the hell happened, but it was strange. There were 4 book stores offering books and we sold out everywhere. Gordon had a surreal moment where one of the booksellers came up to the table and asked if we would be willing to sing bookplates. We had less than 20 left, so he also brought over plain labels, and when Gordon went to drop it off, the book seller commented that although we were around for years, we had “blown up.”
My binder is empty. Like there is nothing in it.
The library invited us over for a us-only focused event, and we would love to come back for that next year. I have to say, the event was spectacularly well ran, especially considering the sheer number of people present. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much to everyone who came to see us. Despite our insistence on no gifts, we came home with pins, cookies, yarn, beautiful handmade mugs, books, bookmarks… Thank you, guys. This was truly an awesome experience.
A bit of admin: I am hitting up all of your customer service requests. Sorry about Columbus taking precedence. If you haven’t heard from me, don’t panic, I am on it. (105 customer queries left as of midnight.)
This is awesome and amazing. People brought their kids to stand in line with them, because your stories are important to their whole family. they want to invest in a future with more of you in it. I think your blow up comes from Maggie and inheritance. You may be tottering on the edge of full Harry Potter level multigenerational fandom. If the movie and anime offers start coming in, I want to see the Kair Toren anime series in Ghibli style. I want an Innkeeper series with Helen Mirren playing Caldenia. Can we come up with a role for aging Duncan Regerh. possibly the warlord.
Agree that House Andrews stories are important to the whole family. I’ve definitely used Maud’s explanation of rigid minds to explain interactions my young children have had. It really helped and started their love for the innkeeper series (we skip the steamy scenes since they are young)
I was sneaky and hooked my then teenage nephew on the 1st Innkeeper novel by playing the audiobook when he was stuck in the car with me for an hour drive. By the end of the hour he didn’t want to get out of the car. lol
+1
Congratulations on a well deserved reception at the book signing. I live in Denver and it would be wonderful if you could do a signing here. I plan to petition Barnes and Noble and the Tattered Cover bookstore (formerly independent but, sadly, now owned by Barnes&Noble) to invite you and hope you will be able to come!
Massive congrats on a fun (if exhausting!) book festival!🥳🎉🥰📚
Oh you really do not do yourselves justice, you underestimate your popularity and awesomeness so much!! 🤗It’s really refreshing and nice to see this kind of modesty from such great authors, but I actually cackled when I read this bit : ” We thought we were well prepared. I brought 175 pieces of vellum, 10 maps, 100 bookmarks, 250 bookplates. I thought we would have to drag some of it back”😂😂😂
Mmhmm the BDH is out in full force and growing at such a rate you’d prolly have shifted 10 times as much stuff you know?😉 Maggie has brought in a whole new crowd of BDH members that will continue to grow to epic proportions, so I guess next time take enough time out to get a good rest to be prepped for loooong queues before you go to an event?
Thank you for sharing the experience with those of us who couldn’t be there, and also for the Author/book recommendations as well – they look so good!
Please go get some rest and have some tea! you are deserving and we don’t want your to suffer from burnout from looking after the Horde so well *hugs*
PS – sorry for typo and incoherence. today is kindof hectic for me and my brain cells are obviously not working 😅
“ We thought we were well prepared.” Can anyone ever be truly prepared for the hoard though? You’re perfect HA, never change!
Ilona Andrews and Shalini Abeysekara are two of my favs colliding and I love it!! I’ve been apart of the Horde since 2012 and while Shalini is a recent love she truly does deserve all the hype and love from the horde!
I’m so glad HA had such an amazing turn out! Someday I’ll get to be one of those waiting in line and I might pass away when it happens.
I always find it hilarious how you are surprised by your own popularity…
You‘ve earned that.
Seconded.
The only reason I wasn’t in that line is I couldn’t make the trip from WV to OH that weekend
Congratulations on being such a hit in Columbus! Thank you for being so kind and patient with the gushing, awkward fans. (Me, I was a gushing, awkward fan.) Hope you’re able to relax and rest your hands.
I am so glad you both had a good experience :)) and also so happy that so many fans got to see you in person :)) may you sleep well and rest up!
Oh and thank you for the awesome looking book links!!
congratulations on a fantastic event by the sounds of it.
I would recommend taking learnings from this for any international tours and bringing maybe 3 times more then you think – esp for Australia as I suspect the fans will take full advantage of you being in the right hemisphere got them 😆
if you did follow that recommendation , I suspect that then only half the queue might go home sad if they aren’t able to get any signed bits… but if they are like me, I’m sure we’ll bring our own 😁
keeping fingers crossed for a UK tour over day….
Aside from snippets, these are my favorite posts. A glimpse into the life of Gordon and Ilona, feeling the satisfaction of knowing they are loved. Feeling proud of the horde for representing our love and respect accurately.
House Andrews deserves all the love and recognition that they are getting. They are fantastic storytellers.
Oh wow. You had quite the event in Ohio! You are more famous than you knew! I’m so glad it went well. And now you’ve taken the time to write two blog posts. Thank you for that and please take some time for yourselves.
That is such a great response! I’m so happy for you both! I live all the way over in New Zealand, otherwise I would have been there too!!!
I’d love to see a Kate Daniel’s movie, OMG. ..or any of your books really.
Love love ALL of your books, & am waiting on the edge of my seat for the next Maggie book!
The BDH love you, you & your team are fantastic, thank you for all that you do.
I’m moving there next year – well, Athens where our son teaches – but 40 minutes away. PLEASE be there next year. Now I know to bring a folding stool, and the newest Maggie book (I hope.)
Wow, congratulations on such a reception at this event! Am I surprised – not a bit! It is probably readers like me spreading the word about how great your books are. Whatever it is, you have been found and I’m just happy I have been “in” on the “ground floor”. I love your books – spread the word to whoever will listen!
We have been devouring your books since 2007 when my sister called and said, “You need to buy this book.” Ilona Andrews has been on auto-buy ever since. We don’t consider ourselves part of the book devouring horde, because this is only our second post on your website. We were thrilled to see you and Gordon, and enjoyed the panel on Saturday. We lasted about 15 minutes in your line, however. We don’t need your signature to be a devoted fan.
Hope that you two are writing for a long, long time.
Russ and Lisa
Oh that looks amazing. Looks like I might have to bring a sleeping bag for the line and attend next year. Looks like a blast. I’m sorry we love you so much.
I’ve been a fan for years but Maggie still blew me away. Apparently what you needed was a high page count allowance. I am so excited Maggie 2 is over 1000 pages.
Well deserved!!!
Quick thanks to House Andrews for talking about “Dominion “. Sat down after lunch and couldn’t put it down. After dinner I may start my first reread. The characters and world building was captivating. I would never have found this book without out ya’ll.
By whom? If it’s an Andrews’ recommend I’d be interested …..
Cheers
Jean Kwok, the author they had an event with this past weekend 🙂
https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/a-conversation-with-jean-kwok/
Hello to Ilona & Gordon,
I’m not surprised to hear about the long, long lines and you running out of promotional material. I agree with the bookseller, you have BLOWN UP on the internet. I have followed and loved your books for years but this is the first time I’ve heard and read your name everywhere I go on the internet. Truly, I think you have been writing non stop and therefore haven’t noticed just how “in the spotlight” your newest book has become. Me thinks you might have hit a new level, I think they call it your breakout moment. Congratulations, you deserve it.
+1
Congratulations on your well-deserved success. You deserve the gifts- you share a lot of yourself- extra stories, recipes, etc.
Congratulations on such an amazing
turnout! It’s very well deserved and I only hope I can eventually make it to a signing!!
If there is an Ilona Andrews focused event there, looks like I’ll have to make a road trip!!!
This makes me so happy! I know it has to be exhausting but I love seeing the BDH grow. Rest well, HA!
It was such a great honor to meet the both of you in Columbus! I was the one in the scooter with the CAM boot in the last batch of people to get their book signed on Saturday! I definitely fan girled and nerded (is that a word?it is now!) out! Your big heart and great sense of humor show up in all your books, and that’s why we adore you!
ooo the scifi sounds so good, tbr thank you!
p s I knew you all are “blown up” Reddit tells all the tales and Everyone is mentioning Maggie and digging into your back catalogue (even the people who find out portal fantasy isn’t their sweet spot look for recs on what series of yours to read instead) if you and Gordon did an AMA for the r/Romantasy or r/urbanfantasy with crossover you would be run ragged lolol.
Thank you for coming to the book fest , thank you for coming to Ohio and thank you for taking the time to sign and greet us, your fans. It was so amazing , I’m still riding the high 😍
And Jeanine frost + the Gordon’s 👩🏼🍳💋
My favorite was the God Complex panel!
The God Complex panel was amazing! It was so cool to hear more about the prosses and see the two of you get so excited. Not only about Maggie but about the other author that were there. You two are so relatable and the horde loves to hear from you. I think event with you two would sell out! 🙂
It sounds amazing to go to a booksigning. I live in Holland so that’s not possible for me. I love all the series and auto buy every book. I’m a superfan and am thankfull of your talent to create a new world in just a few lines. I hope you will write for years to come.
I was there Saturday and it was so wonderful to see you both & to meet members of the BDH! One question: I was in the back and it was hard to hear some things. What were the songs on your writing playlist for Maggie?
Thank you so much for the shout out! This means the world to me. I can’t wait for Maggie’s second book.
I read a blurb of “The Night Ends With Fire” and saw that the main character’s name is the same as my birth (Chinese) name, so of course I had to read the book! Thanks for posting about it!
Congratulations! IA’s support and cosseting of BDH has reaped a mountain of well deserved TLC right back! BDH make it known to all IA is better, bolder and far cuter than any other. The proof is in the reading! Huzzah!
Come down under!! Please!!!