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.)
The Horde is well…THE HORDE.
Glad you all had a great time, and thank you for the book recommendations!
Tuesday first! 😘
The line is because your writing is amazing! My kids have picked up TKWNKM and have been reading it on repeat. They have strong feelings about shipping characters. I love that we can share this world you created!
that sounds absolutely lovely! Do any of you agree on a favorite?
We do NOT. Which makes the discussion all the more energetic.
awh it sounds so fun- wish I could’ve attended! and am I first?
well it’s not called the devouring horde for nothing
+ 1 LOL
Congratulations! Maybe we should call it the “Maggie Effect”
I am so glad you guys had a wonderdul time! The Horde shows up everytime! I just finished It Ends with Fire last week. It was amazing! I am waiting for Libby to get me part 2!
Thanks for all the book recs as well.
Yay! Congratulations!!!! Well deserved.
Hugs!!!!
You thought that “Horde” was only a metaphor?
Heehee
🤣🤣🤣🤣😉🤔
Your writing is amazing, all of your books is what I reach for when I need comfort and Columbus is driveable so I will need to come next year.
Wow! I am envious of those who went to this event. Horde love at its best!
It was wonderful to see your panel on Saturday. Alas, I was not able to brave the line for signatures but please know my husband and I were so thrilled to see you and love everything you’ve written!
Thank you so much for being so amazingly patient with us! Other hordelings and I chatted in line and many of us were from places that make getting to some of your usual events difficult.
And shout out to the Columbus library staff and volunteers-they were all so awesome and helpful! Came home with my signed books and so much book merch 🙂
That sounded like such a fun event. I’m so happy to see that you had a good time and that the horde came in droves. 😀 If I lived closer, I’d be tempted to attend next year.
I’m new to the horde. Haven’t gotten to read my books yet but so thankful for the bookplate!
I was in the massive 2-5:30 line on Saturday and got through at about 5:00.
I can’t express how grateful I am to you and Gordon for the time spent to ensure that the fans are taken care of.
It made my eventual reading (which will probably be next week) so much sweeter.
Here’s hoping we see each other in the future or even just online.
Welcome to the Horde! So glad you had such a lovely experience meeting Ilona and Gordon 🙂
Welcome to the Horde! Yes, we are that enthusiastic of all things House Andrews.
Rejoice! The Horde expands(apparently by a lot)!
Welcome, and know that we all envy u the amazing first reads u have ahead of u. It sounds like it was a wonderful, well-run event. Too far away for me, but I’m glad the Horde showed up in typical overwhelming fashion.
I already got through the prologue and chapter 1 of Burn For Me while waiting in line! It’s very much in line with some of the fantasy I used to read before I fell out of reading and I very much am looking forward to hunkering down with it. I’ll probably start Kate Daniels soon as well as Gordon mentioned it due to my previous love of Anita Blake novels!
It was AMAZING to meet both of you!! The author speed match was a lot of fun! And thanks for the fantastic Anime recommendations!
You two are great. You aren’t egomaniacs, so you don’t see it.
We fans see it and we want in!
I don’t think you can go anywhere now and be part of the background, especially post-Maggie.
Thank you for being the wonderful people you are and writing the fascinating books you do.
Agreed. From the sounds of it, Ilona and Gordon went to that book festival expecting to do their assigned panels followed by two to three hours of book signings — with the rest of the weekend free to browse the festival and relax. Instead, they spent an extra six hours ensuring that all their fans who wanted to meet them and have something signed were accommodated.
People remember and appreciate that sort of kindness and courtesy from public figures.
Can attest that this will stick with me for a great while. I work at a different library system in Columbus and I know I love sharing experiences like these!
The Horde is mighty and long reaching!
All Hail the Horde!
It was a life changing moment meeting you guys. Thank you for the pictures, signatures, and hug (Ilona). I hope you consider coming back next year. Until we can meet again keep writing and I will keep reading 📚
Congratulations!!! One of these days, I’ll get to a signing. Maybe it’ll be Columbus next year!
You’ve tapped into a whole new fandom.
It’s been kind of fun online to see new readers popping up. For years, most people looking for new reads had already read at least some, if not all, IA books. Now, I’m constantly seeing posts from new readers that loved This Kingdom and are looking for more IA suggestions or joining the horde.
Apex pools must have sneaked in. I was reading it and thought it was a Steve joke that you guys now need security…… made me laugh!!!
The apex pool comment was removed.
Wow, though not too surprised. The Hoard is a beast that will devour all your delicious books and wait patiently for the next (while inside we wishing next year was tomorrow).
Come on scientists invent time travel and teleportation for the Hoard, we will give you cookies and cake and bring you into our generous community.
I am glad it was a wonderful event and now I have new authors to check out. The Horde is awesome
Thank you, Ilona and Gordon, for being such amazing caring humans! Congratulations on extending your readership in such an incredible way! Your creative skills have spawned a whole new hatching of Hordelings!
Hopefully now you can both catch a little down time to refresh and restore….
Sending peace, health and safety to all!
I was there at your first signing at the tent. I didn’t know you were going to be there that early , so I left my books in my car. Gordon was so wonderful when I told him, but I didn’t mind buying another book so that you both could sign it. I was so happy! I have worked at that library for over 15 years and that was my first time going to the book festival, and I went because you were going to be there. I really hope you can come back to do an event with just the two of you. I think the last two days showed you how much our community would love that.
I‘m so happy, all your hard work is paying off. I‘m so grateful for your many books and stories, which have enriched my life for years…must be since around 2010, when I found one of the Kate Daniels books in a train-stop-bookshop here in Germany. Glad to be one of thousands, millions, who appreciate you and your dedication to what‘s important to you. Thank you. I hope, you get to be happy too and enjoy the moment.
Also, shoutout to awesome librarians everywhere. We like you too. You open worlds. You connect us. You inspire.
+1000
If it weren’t for librarians, my life would have been so much duller.
Thank you, Johanna. love your comment
Wow! What fun it must have been to be in line with fellow BDH members!
How awesome that so many readers were able to get there, spend the time, and meet you two. I’m so glad, on behalf of BDH, you were able to take care of everyone.
Columbus was a blast. I was astounded you all had any swag left by the time it was my turn.
Also surprised that you weren’t in the auditorium for all of your sessions, but it sounds like the library staff coordinating the spaces were not members of the BDH, else they would have known…. When I was pointed to the end of the line for the world building session, the library person was genuinely concerned there wasn’t going to be enough space in the room.
A 3.5-hour signing period is competitive with getting William Shatner’s autograph at a Trek convention; you all have definitely arrived.
It was cool to see the Horde grooving to KX Song and John Chu; I’m looking forward to reading their books. And a shout out to my waiting-in-line-for-an-autograph BDH BFF Emily. Hope we cross paths next year too.
Congratulations!!! And thank you for the book recommendations!
Hooray for the Horde!!!
I was so excited when my schedule cleared up to allow me to go to Columbus.
The excitement increased when I saw you from a distance as you were finishing up at the Spicy Books tent as I walked in to the fair.
It was amazing to hear your first panel discussion on Saturday, well worth sitting in the humidity.
By the time I got to sit right next to you at the speed dating panel I was about as chalant as it was possible to be.
Getting my book signed and taking a picture with you increased the level of awesome.
Listening to your final panel discussion was the cherry on an amazing experience.
I’m so glad that you were able to make it to the Midwest and I am impressed with all of the other Midwestern Horde members that made it out to show our rabid appreciation. Last weekend was one of the best times I have had! Thanks for braving all of your slightly unhinged fans!
The HORDE showed up in force. I sat with ladies who drove down from the middle of Michigan. We were very challant!
There were parts of the fest I never made it to, it was huge!
Speed matching was more fun than I can even explain! Day one Jeaniene Frost, day 2 Ilona Andrews! I was getting a book signed by Shalini Abeysekara and even she was fangirling because Ilona & Gordon were right next to her. Her books are also fantastic!
The festival was amazing! I’m still buzzing from being around all the lovely readers!
Author Jenna Blum’s post on FB shows the horde along with more of the 50k that attended. I hope this link works! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BdDBM8W4w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Thanks for the entertaining link, Hollie!
I am happy dancing that the Author lords stayed longer to do the signing. You are both amazing❤️. Thank you.
I am sending prayers that you would, maybe, possibly, jump over the pond to London or Paris? I can get there easier than to Columbus. 🤪
+1! Somewhere in Belgium would be a stretch, but would love the opportunity to see you live in Europe!
I am not surprised at the size of the Horde that showed up at Columbus. We are many and very chalant.
When I found Author stage 2 on Saturday morning my first thought was – “There are not nearly enough chairs.”
I was lucky enough to be in the line at the Steamy Lit Bookstore booth and my first thought when I got to the table was “They didn’t bring nearly enough swag.” I was fortunate enough to score vellum and get to talk to Ilona and Gordon for a couple of minutes. I’m not sure I would have survived standing in line for 3 1/2 hours.
I really hope they can come back next year!
If you sign it, we will come 😉
Yes!!!
Please consider coming to Denver (or Colorado Springs or anywhere in CO) for those of us in the BDH in this area). I’m sure you’d get a similar horde!!
Oh yes, anywhere in CO please!!
So glad you had a great time! Also its about time you and Gordon “blew up”.
The Horde grows into a… Horde-Grande. (is there a word for a horde that continues to grow?)
The Expanding Horde!
Pretty sure if a horde continues devouring, expansion is the natural result! Happily HA is kind and accepting of all horde types. Hmm, I feel like there’s a Horde hotline joke in there somewhere…
Sounds like everything went well over all. I attended my first bookclub ever yesterday. I’m 61 and think I really should have been in one before. I absolutely had to attend this one though because the book was TKWNKM.
Beautiful independent romance bookstore in Temecula, CA called In Bloom Bookery. Everyone loved the book, we had a great discussion and can’t wait for the next book.
We all agreed that we would really love it if you ever came to California! (or even somewhere near this side of the country) We’d be willing to travel around for it!!
Forgot to include that I wore my Official Meme BDH shirt 😁
That must have been exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. I am happy for you. Congratulations. On your well-deserved popularity. I love your books and look forward to more (when you have time). 🙃
I was there Sunday and chatting with you while the nice man from The Book Loft brought those plain labels over! I just want to thank you for sticking around and signing and being so nice to everyone. It would be wonderful if you come back to Columbus to do another event!
WE ARE HORDE! Universal and Eternal.
(When are you coming to Toronto?)
+1
I would definitely drive the 3 hrs to get to Toronto to meet you
+1
I hope you will come to Toronto. I hate lines with passion, but I will stand in line to see you. You are my favourite writers and you deserve all the recognition you are getting.
The cover of The Night Ends With Fire reminds me of J.R.R. Tolkien’s own paintings for The Lord of the Rings.
Yes! Especially the Balrog picture.
I am waiting for the signing visit to Scotland! well, anywhere UK, i bet the Horde will be present in droves as well!
Your success is well deserved! Congratulations on having “blown-up”, I’m feeling like the BDH should be smug, after all, we new you were terrific for a looonng time!
My husband and I caught the panel on Saturday, and I’ve already downloaded “This Monster of Mine” … I agree it sounds so awesome. Also, I have to say that you all, the moderator & Jeaniene did a great job making sure Shalini got as much time to answer questions as the rest. It was also cute when she said how much of a fan she had been of yours as a young reader. 😊
I was in the massive signing line on Saturday and I think I got through it around 4:35, my husband and I really appreciated you staying late. This was his first time meeting you in person and only my second. It’s been surreal… I know you see the Horde online and at various events, but for those of us who are just getting a chance to see in you in real life after reading your work for years, it’s just … there are no words. Magical. Thank you, thank you for coming to Columbus!
Welcome home! 🤣🥂sounds like a pretty terrific time actually! Congrats!! TKWNKM is an amazing addition to your already pretty wonderful bibliography. So I can’t say I’m surprised by the turnout. And I have to warn you, I think it’s going to grow exponentially with the sequel.
I think the other authors showcased look pretty interesting. Already have Jeaniene’s, so they go on the tbr list.
Congrats! So very glad you had a wonderful time and were able to sign for the horde! You guys are amazing people and your books are amazing as well.
Believe it!
You are amazing authors! Your worldbuilding is inviting, enchanting, engaging, captivatiing, and fever-inducing! Your characters are loveable, relatable, and so fun to hang out with!
I am SO happy for you guys!
Enjoy some rest, sounds like you’ve definitely earned it!
So glad you had a good trip! The Horde is everywhere and everyone! Hope you get some rest soon!!!
The Columbus Main Library is an Andrew Carnegie founded library and a beautiful building even with it always changing. So glad you enjoyed the event.
I was talking to one of the librarians who said the scheduler didn’t quite realize just how popular you two, and romantasy in general, are. You probably couldn’t tell, but in your first panel, you literally had people lined up outside the tent 6 rows deep. Fabulous to see the BDH turn out for you. And Love love love that they want to bring you back for a solo spotlight!
I was one of those outside the tent! And yes – I don’t think the scheduler did their due diligence on the popularity of House Andrews. I bet they won’t make that mistake again! But it was a lovely event with about 50k attendees so I have no complaints.
I suspect that no matter how much product you brought with you it would NOT have been enough! Thank-you for the information on the other wonderful books you have told us about over the years. Much appreciated!
My niece and I were lucky enough to attend the “Speed Dating” event with both of you and the one with Jeaniene. They were both fantastic and we got to meet other interesting authors as well. And I can see why you are BFF’s with Jeaniene – she is so lovely and bubbly! We got in line for your signing “early” and were already about 80th in line and were part of the group that followed the leader up to the 3rd floor where there was more room. We actually had fun standing in line talking with other fans. We met 2 sisters that traveled all the way from California to see House Andrews as well as Jeaniene Frost.
I can’t tell you how many “BDH” t-shirts we saw in the crowd! If the Library can entice you back for an Ilona Andrews event you can bet the Horde will show up in force!
I so dream of a BDH t-shirt spotting in the wild! 🤩
Mod R – It was so fun – I made sure to say to each person I saw “Hello Fellow Horde Member!”
I hope HA is not in the flash flood warning area of Texas that I heard about in the weather … stay safe if you are!!
And the same to everyone in TX.
love this for you guys ❤️❤️❤️
I’m glad it went well, I hope your hand can tolerate all the use.
THIS IS YOUR MOMENT!! Enjoy it as much as you can.
Wow! Hopefully you get some rest before diving back into editing, writing, or anything else.
Lol! This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is a wee bit popular! Guess you have officially reached a new audience, and there’s a LOT of them, and they’re willing to wait in long lines. Good to know the newcomers are as chalant as the rest of us
Oh my gosh, can I just say that you two are just so adorable! No matter how many times the BDH shows up not ‘in force’ but ‘IN FORCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’, you are surprised! 🥰💕💕💕💕💕
I hope that despite the hard work these events and the huge turnouts are for you, you are both also delighted and very much feeling the love! You deserve it!!!! I’m glad the event went so well!
Next year I will make sure to take off work to be there! So close to home and I still missed meeting you guys!
We are so grateful to you and Gordon for spending time with us. We were so excited to get to meet and chat with you. The panels were amazing and I met folks in line that traveled from California to see you. ❤️❤️❤️ Much love from a fellow yarnie who was so excited to meet you both I forgot to get a picture!
HORDE POWERRRRRRR… so happy to see fellow BDH members. I hope one day to make it to a signing! I need a Horde T-shirt to wear in the hopes that I’ll one day meet one of you!
Ilona, you don’t know your own HORDE! We love you! I am so happy the event went so well.
Thanks for the book recommendations. They will help while we re-read TKWNKM and p*tiently w*it for Maggie 2 (although, I must say, all the books I read after Maggie were like meh….. at a certain point I was really worried that TKWNKM ruined me for all other books until I read Beast Business which I loved… phew…)
You guys were amazing! I was so excited you came to a place I live close enough to go. I’ve been a fan for years and I enjoy all your books. I’m not surprised by the long lines at all.
Congratulations House Andrews!
This was my first panel and book signing. We made it on Sunday and caught the last workshop and book signing. It was a toss up whether to sit up front and be last in line for the signing or sit in the back and be at the front of the line. We sat in the back. The panel flew by. My daughter hasn’t read Maggie, yet, so when Ilona said “If you know, you know”, she was so mad because she didn’t!
The event workers were great: patient and kind with everyone even to the end.
Thank you for coming to Ohio!
Do I remember correctly that HA once said something along the lines of being concerned about how TKWNKM would be received? Hahaha!
You should not doubt yourselves – the BDH certainly does not and that event just further cemented it. 😍
Congratulations on hitting it big – again – with your new book and series. I hope you get to enjoy a few days of just staring at the walls. Yes, it really happened.
You take such good care of the BDH, but you should take some time for yourselves as well. Veg for a few days, sleep late, have tea, cookies, and knitting. Have dinner with Kid 1 and Kid 2. Maybe a day trip to a lake or the coast and paddle your feet in cool water. We love you and don’t want you to risk your health or burnout.
congratulations!!!!!!
I have been waiting very patiently for you guys to come to Australia one fine day! Was super excited to read it may be on the cards soon. Will be in that line for sure.
Not sure how much I’m allowed to say but I’m pretty sure we get to go to Australia next year. We’ve never been and we’re super exited. The only downside is that I might just look at Ilona and announce that I’m staying.
For once y’all were in my city and I couldn’t go!!!! I was devastated!! At least my friend got a picture with you two, so I guess I lived vicariously through her?
I was there earlier in the day Saturday, and yes, there was lots of humanity. My original plan (before I could no longer go) was to go to the book festival by myself simply for the two of you and jeaniene. After that chaos though, I’m glad I didn’t.
Dreams really do come true! Thank you for coming to Columbus! We are a city of readers with some of the BEST libraries in the country! I am so grateful that House Andrews made it here. You are both so delightful, genuine, and kind! You should be showered with love! If you come here again next year, expect even more fans! I would love to show you the city. Lastly, thank you for all your stories. They have gotten me through some really tough times and I was so happy to be able to thank you both in person. Also, the BDH truly represented at the Columbus Book Festival! ❤️
Congratulations! We love you. You’re great. Please give us more books and sneak peaks. 😂
Congratulations on your more than deserved success! If you’re ever in my country I too would be in that line 😀 I hope you get some rest these following weeks. Happy Summer!
So proud of you and your success!!! All well deserved!
I understand that you are pausing selling stuff right now except for Vellum. Might there be further opportunities at some point to once again buy tee shirts or sweat shirts?
I have been a Bad Hoardite and have not purchased them before but after reading all the wonderful stories about BDH members meeting each other at your signing in Columbus, I want to wear something for solidarity.
Thank you
Hey mz,
Once the vellum adventure is concluded, there will be other merch items 🙂
Yay, I need to start hoarding some horde merch
I bet everyone in thoses lines was thinking “Standing in Line Will Not Kill Me”.
Shalini’s book “This Monster of Mine” is fabulous! One of the few 5 star reads I have.
I wish more people know of her! Because she’s so unknown as a debut author, her books didn’t perform too well upon release and I’ve head that she’s been dropped by her publisher 🙁
Thank you House Andrews for sharing her work here.
Oh no! That’s not good. Not good at all.
Ok, Horde, let’s give this new author some love. As we do with HA, let’s do it with Shalini (rhymes with another author I read. 😉). Her publisher will wish for her to be back with them after we get our hands on her book.
To clarify here for everyone, Shalini still earns royalties from every copy sold, so the most effective response is to support her work and make sure she gets paid 🙂.
She cannot sell the book herself, so please do not boycott the book by boycotting the publisher.
This Monster of Mine is in top 3 books I’ve read this year (obviously along with TKWNKM). I got the ARC for book 2 on NetGalley. Within a page I knew it was well written, but I was a bit “what” til I realized that was book 2. So went and bought TMOM and holy fuck it’s good.
Basically murder mystery, with romance, and magic, and slutty robe (on him) and manly chest. It’s SO good. Get on it Horde. It’s SO WORTH a read.
I was so disappointed I didn’t get to Horde this year. I had to miss the festival because of a medical thing, but I would be so excited if you’d come back to Columbus next year! Pretty please?
The Columbus Metropolitan library system is where I got my very first library card over 40 years ago.
We used to go downtown to the Main library and just browse for hours.
I’m so glad they treated y’all well!
I am not surprised. Your books are Awesome and TKWNKM has helped discover your amazing books and just added even more readers to the BDH
Congratulations! So glad it was fun as well as tiring…..
Midwesterners drive 5 hours for their weekend vacation. We happily wait in lines and make small talk with strangers (with snacks for everyone, of course). And this is the Horde.
I didn’t come (it’s swim meet season for this mama), but this is exactly what I expected for you!
(Also, love the book summaries! one just got put on my “next up” list😀)
Yes, the BDH has expanded! thank you for sharing. Reading it made me smile big time and I found I had to share your post with my hubby who also enjoys your Innkeeper Chronicles series.
I’m so glad my fav authors discovered another fav author of mine, Shalini! Her book is amazinggg!!!!! A must-read for fans who love your books.
EVERYBODY LOVES YOUR WORK! And you! ♥️
Congratulations on your success. Finally, others are discovering what the BDH has known for years.
The Horde is vast and mighty. = ) I’m glad the CBF was so great! I’m not surprised about the lines…. If I was in the area, I would’ve put the word out and brought all of my friends along. I was able to sneak away from the Vendor Hall to be at one of your panels and meet you both at Dragon Con.
Congrats!!! It’s the Magic of Maggie. All the worlds HA builds are lush and addictive, Maggie just hit at the right time and place for expanding the Horde.
Welcome new Horde members! We are hungry book devouring, HA lovin’ folks living as challantly as possible-even when we have to be p*tient and w*it.
It sounded like it was going to be an incredible event. I was so sad to miss it and I’m hoping that next year we can try going again. Fingers crossed for a safer travel environment next year.
I’m so glad to hear it was run so well for you and you had a successful trip.
I kept telling my daughter that she needed to read Ilona Andrew’s. I kept talking about This Kingdom. She finally finally read it and now she hooked! Haha! I told her so! She LOVES the Innkeeper series and wants to read the rest. I am bring her Burn for Me to read next! Kate comes after that.
I was there! My Husband and I drove 4 hours each way so I could spend a few minutes with my favorite authors! 🙂 Thank you for your graciousness to your fans, and the extra time you took to get us taken care of. This is just one of the reasons why we keep coming back for more! Long live House Andrews and the BDH!
I briefly thought about flying to Columbus for this event. my daughter goes to school near there, and if it has been during the school year I definitely would have!
What about coming to San Diego comic con? You’d be mobbed though.
I wish I could have been there! Any plans to come to Florida?
I was in that line, thank you so much for coming.
What a fantastic book festival! The Horde will always show up! I’m going to check out those book recommendations!
I am so happy you have (as you said) ‘blown up’! I introduced my daughter and son-in-law to Maggie and they both loved it! I did too and have very much enjoyed your other series as well. The BDH is growing!
Congratulations on a successful and pleasant (and hardworking) Columbus Festival!
Get used to the massive number of fangirls and fanboys — BDH is everywhere and will always come to you (but not in a scary, stalker-y way) (okay, yes, in a wee bit weirdly devoted and omnipresent way).
Love you!
You guys are amazing, and the BDH is growing as predicted. Congratulations!
I know with the latest series I have had the opportunity to suggest IA to even more readers. It definitely expanded the probable interested audience who hadn’t discovered IA yet.