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Monday Before the Storm

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The release storm that is. At the end of the post there are the two new ads for those of you who are worried about missing out.

We are finalizing the merch store, and I am hoping it will be ready in time for the release next week. We are doing both Sanctuary and Sweep of the Heart merch because we didn’t open the store during the last innkeeper release. We hired a relative to help us, and she has missed her calling. Her Barsa line straight up could be sold in Maurices. If I ever give up on writing and open a boutique, she’ll be my lead designer, heh.

We’ve gotten more questions about Maggie and worries about what it will mean to the schedule. We won’t be answering those. We are not ready to give you more information, except that no, it shouldn’t affect the announced schedule. BDH was not even supposed to know this book exists for another year. If everything went right, we would’ve quietly finished the edits and started Hugh in the fall. It’s just that it was leaked accidentally through no fault of anyone, and Reddit ran with it. We didn’t plan to announce it. We had to get in front of it.

So in the interests of transparency: we must contractually finish this edit before the start of the Dragoncon. If we disappear for a bit in August, you will know why. It’s because we are furiously editing. After the Dragoncon, Iron and Magic 2 will be the primary project and we will sort out what may become the next serial novella.

I know you guys are fans of Arabella, but I’m wary of starting that novella because it may grow too long to be a novella. We really need to focus on Hugh.

::looks at the edit:: Page 531 of 744. No clue how much of those remaining 200 pages will need to be rewritten. There are days I wish for additional brain power. Like I need to cook something for dinner and there is so little mental fuel left at the end of the day, I open the fridge and stare. I’m probably going to go and marinade some chicken in a minute so I don’t have to confront this horrible dilemma after a full writing day.

Well, it’s almost 10:00 am, which means I need to get a move on. The ads are below. We wish you a quiet week!

Second Set of Ads

To nobody’s surprise, the kitten ad had a massive reach. We have no shame.

Note the lovely iced over text. I watched a Youtube tutorial.

Chris Brinkley has another Sanctuary preview for us.

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Comments

  2. The question I have been asking myself is whether to start at the last chapter of Sanctuary to read the ending, or go to the first page and start right from the beginning!

  3. I don’t usually comment, even tho’ I am a card carrying member of the horde. There were no comments when I got to the end of the post. That won’t do. So, thank you for your stories. They are my favorite.

  6. I’m happy with whatever you release, whenever you release it. I listen and read to your previous books when the waiting gets to be too much. 😄
    Fortunately it’s not too long before we get Sanctuary! 🤩

  7. I am really really looking forward to the audiobook! And I loved the bark side ad🤣

    Thanks for cheering up my Monday! Best of luck with the edits!

  8. Good luck with the edits.

    I laughed when I saw the “Bark” ad. Not much longer for Roman. I think I heard a squee from Mod R. 😀

    Hugh 2 coming down the writing pike? A small squee from me. Ahem…now back to being part of the fluffy branch of the Horde. 🙂

  9. I’m really pleased Hugh 2 is next on the list. I didn’t expect to enjoy Iron and Magic as much as I did, and I’m so looking forward to the sequel!

  10. You know what would be exceptionally cool? Pushing that 744 up another 256 pages for a lovely round number. I mean, think of the credibility of having a thousand page book published. Who needs War and Peace? Not this horde.

  11. Oh boy. My iPhone is set, my Audible is purchased. I love Roman and his Slavic pronounced name!

  12. Sounds like I will have to wait for my “Team Metal Rose” mug until Hugh2 or other Kate related books come out?

    • A Team Metal Rose mug was already available last time the store opened 🙂- cannot guarantee it will be still in the KD collection this time, but you can email the store contact if you want one, they may be able to accommodate you 🙂

  13. I’m really looking forward to Sanctuary. 🖤

    I know everyone has their favs and preferences but just happy and supportive for whatever comes next. I went back to re-read Magic Burns and onward and it was like being with old friends. Those fav scenes are still awesome!

    Thank you for sharing the schedule stuff.

  14. Thank you. It is so nice to know that something (Hugh 2) I have been waiting for for several years is finally in the works.

    I do hope the Maggie editing goes smoothly so you have enough brainpower to keep yourselves properly fed. Food is one of life’s essentials.

    Also, remember to breathe.

  17. Love, love, LOVE Chris Brinkley previews and yes we are all coming to the Bark Side. All of my pre-orders have been placed. I’m so happy Hugh’s story is next. I resisted Iron and Magic (he’s a murderer my mind kept screaming whenever my cursor would hover over the order button) until Magic Triumphs then I was all in. So take the time you need, don’t exhaust yourselves and know we are here waiting mostly patiently.

  18. Oh my, oh my I can’t wait for Sanctuary. Love all the novels and novellas by our esteemed authors. Thank you for the snippet! What a great job Chris Brinkley does!

  19. Oh my! I love this. All of this! The ads, the pronunceation, the voice, the impending merch. Squee!!! Also, thank you guys for taking time this year to come to DCon. I’m so excited I can’t help but squeal!!!

      • Oooo…Caldenia merch?! Can’t wait to see what lovely stuff is in the store this time around.

      • Will these be available in the non-US store? The last time the store was open there were lots of items that were only available in the US 😞

        • It’s all dependent on the local printers the merch store works with and their stock, so I cannot guarantee it, but all effort is going into having a wide variety available internationally. If you want a specific design that you cannot find, it’s worth getting in touch with the store contact and asking them 🙂

      • Omg Caldenia merchandise! And Barsa barsa barsaaaaaaaa.

        Barbaraasssaaaa Barbsaaaa. Barsa! It is practically the same name.

  21. I know the creative process can’t be rushed, you probably write whichever story speaks to you the loudest and one can devote your energies to. I’m just grateful that you’re so prolific that I always have something new to read from you between re-reads. Your books are like the best kind of hugs on hard days. Thank you for writing ☺️

  23. I would happily lend you some brain power, but I’m on overload today. My kitchen sink is having issues linked to some badly done work while it was bring renovated and my washer broke Saturday. It thinks it is off balance even when empty and we have a lovely big dent in the drywall to show for it! I am improving now that all appropriate tradesmen are scheduled to come out and make it better, so we’ll see how it goes. I wish you both a happy, smooth edit!

  24. Can‘t wait for the release of Sanctuary, the merch store, and the future books, novellas, shorts….
    But take time for a break every day anyway, it‘s really important for long term (time?) mental and physical health

  25. I predict that your Merch Store will be overrun the first day. Best of Luck, can’t wait to hear posts about it.

  27. I’m just – one of my favorite things about y’all (outside the books!!) is the combination of transparency and totally appropriate boundaries.

    It is SO NICE not to feel strung along by marketers. Thank you thank you thank you for your authenticity and integrity.

  28. I have to SHARE!!!! I got (won?) an advanced copy from Netgalley!!!!!! Just received the email! I am so so so so excited🤩🤩🤩
    I’ve never won anything.

    Already downloaded!

    Whooooo hoooo! Calling out of work tomorrow!!!!!

    Can I add any more exclamation points to express my excitement? Yes I can!!!!!!!!!!!!

  29. I love everything, but Hugh may be my favorite because the characters are so rude. Hugh’s a jerk, and Elara does not put up with it.

  30. I’m cursed with timing for the merch store. Every time it opens, I promise myself that next time it will be within my budget.
    So here we go again lol.
    Not this time, but *next time* the merch store opens, I will be able to partake.
    My toddler is expensive but well worth it (:

    So excited for Maggie, so excited for Sanctuary, and currently re-reading all of Innkeeper for quite literally *at least* the 5th time in the last couple of years, so REALLY excited for any upcoming Innkeeper announcements!

    Thanks for the amazing books—they genuinely keep me going💕

  31. 🎉👏🏻🎆 for HUGH! Very excited about this one. THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my BDH 💙

  32. love it! so excited to be able to re-read on the flight home next week!

    in other news, I’m anxiously awaiting what I think will be a third Arabella snippet? but will it be called Lollypop or Lollipop? the Horde being completely psychotic will likely read hidden meaning into the spelling differences 😀

  33. Oh wow. The news on Maggie wasn’t due for another year?! It got leaked that early? Wow.

    I’m excited for Sanctuary and the Merch store to open. My Cutting Edge sweatshirt has seen some things and needs replacement. I have a flight next week so Roman can keep me company.

  34. The ads are great! So looking forward to this! and then Hugh 2, which will also be great. Also, anything else you decide to write. Awesome, every last bit!

  36. Remember when Kate and Curran went looking for Eduardo and ended up fighting the wind scorpion? AKA Camel spider? Found one of those suckers on my garden gate latch (I live in the Sonoran desert). At five inches, its the scariest bug type creature I’ve ever seen. If Mod R wants to see the horror in photo/video, let me know via email. At least Kate prepared me to deal with the miniature version. Thank goodness there was no reanimative metamorphosis! Thanks, House Andrews, for preparing me for real life.

    • Thanks for the reminder, I had to look up a photo. This thing is more disgusting than the whip spider I saw in the Peruvian Amazon. 😱😬

  37. Thank you! And I hope that everything (writing and still having fuel for other things) goes kindly for you all!

  38. I really like Chris’s voice for Roman. I’m considering buying the audio version too. If so, it would be my first audio book.

  39. I am sending love and prayers for the Brainpower you need. {hugs}. I hope you can make time to do the important things – Eat, sleep, drink tea and craft!

  40. Hugh is my favourite book!! I’m so very happy book 2 is coming next. I loved the redemption, I loved the banter between him and Elara. I especially enjoyed how you made him likable, but without changing his character. He is a lovable arse. Thank you! I’m so happy! Looking forward to finding out more about Elara’s story. AND I suspect Era is Hugh’s mum!!! I have no proof, I’m rereading all of Kate and Hugh and Julie to check if I can find anything to support this idea.

  41. Your ad reminds me of my first house. I got a kitten and puppy. All my decorations were non breakable. Mostly styrofoam covered with yarn. There was no breakage. I waited a few years before I started collecting nice breakable ornaments.

  42. oooohhh,.. don’t know how I’m going to handle that pronouncement of Roman… I’m going to have to go check now how it was pronounced in KD.,

    • Roman is pronounced correctly in the clip above 🙂 . He is a man of Russian descent- here is a handy link explaining more https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/roman-audio-follow-up/

      The self-published audio recordings all have direct involvement from the authors, who have Zoom calls with the artists and folders full of pronunciation clips. There is less control with publisher narration.

      Audio narrators are also artists, with their own artistic input and pronunciation abilities, no two will be exactly the same. The way names are pronounced far from being the most important thing when selecting a voice for the audiobooks, not even in the top 10.

  44. I highly recommend crock pots for days when all the brain energy is expected to be burned up.
    I should have done a crock pot today but was not expecting brain drain. Fortunately I got my CSA (community supported agriculture) so all I have to do is cook some pork chops and boil some potatoes and peas that came in the CSA and voila! dinner.
    I’m looking forward to Roman’s book and Hugh’s book and Maggie’s book and whatever else you feel like writing. yay! new books!

  45. That’s a great Sanctuary snippet. I like seeing how Chris is conducting himself with his right hand, too.

    Take care of yourselves!

  46. I loved the first Sanctuary ad. Facebook rightly recognizes me as a card carrying member of the BDH, as I found the first Kate Daniels back in 2010.

    Love Hidden Legacy, Innkeeper, and the Edge too. One of your most exceptional pieces of storytelling is Iron & Magic- I still can’t believe you redeemed Hugh!

    I’m so BDH, I’ll watch even the ads over and over again. 😀

    • BDH! BDH!

      (But to anyone who might feel slighted about not being shown the ads on Fb, I haven’t seen them either! And I have a more-than-casual acquaintance with the Horde 😉, so don’t worry. The ways of Meta are mysterious.)

      • I saw the first Sanctuary ad on one of Jeaniene F’s socials, not on FB. Then I came here to the blog, and scrolled down to the list of IA socials and caught up with the rest of the ads.
        Mostly I have native animal rescue groups from Australia, US zoos, greyhound rescue groups from everywhere, and several alpaca farms (US and England) in my general FB feed.
        Yeah, I know. I’m weird. 💖

  47. It’s been a very dry summer for fiction. I read the serial, I think I should know what’s going to happen. And yet, I find myself so excited to have this to read, so soon!

    Я не могу дождаться!

  48. Lately I keep seeing kitchen towels everywhere with the phrase: “I’m just a girl standing in front of the fridge wondering what to fix for supper.” It really describes me. I feel you.

    SOTH in the store?!?!? Really!?!? Squee!!! Now I have something additional to anticipate. Thank you!!

  49. I appreciate you taking the time to share all this with us!

    HEB meal simples are amazing for the low brain power nights. I like the ones in the metal tray you pop in the oven best, but the microwave ones are pretty good too. It was the closest to cooking I got during most of 2020-21.

  50. I do love the iced over text! Thanks for all the fun, beautifully written stories. I will not panic if you all are quiet in August!

  51. This is just a suggestion, I don’t mean to pressure you at all! But if you want to avoid Arabella, maybe Augustine/Diana could be the novella serial? That way you could play in the Hidden Legacy world while working on Hugh 2.

    But I would be happy with anything. Augustine, Roman 2, Wilmington 3, Gerard/Helen prequel, etc. I’ve just been thinking about Augustine ever since that Corporate Agility short story last year.

  52. On the days I can’t brain enough for post-work cooking, I take from the stock of frozen leftovers. Of course, it only works when I /have/ a stock of frozen leftovers….*glares at Centerpoint*

    Wishing you easy editing and frustration free dinner prep.

  53. Between the kitten and the puppy, you should pretty much own the internet for awhile. What a shame…

  54. Hooray for Sanctuary and Hugh 2!

    Thank you for your patience and good gifts to the BDH.

  55. I reread IA books so much they should have become rote and boring by now, but they just never do. In fact I can now just pick a book at random for any series and be completely immersed again without having to read those previous in the series. Right now it is full on IA all the time because NOTHING else can hold my attention. This is how I deal with waiting for Sanctuary (and any other IA release). Thank you for all the delicious words!

  57. omg the iced over text is so nice 🙂 my comfort food is mac and cheese, I buy it premade to save time. Happy editing

  58. Sooooo:

    Sanctuary (SOON FINALLY <3)
    Undetermined novella (during holiday season)
    Hugh (2025)
    Innkeeper (2025/2026)

    Is still the schedule?

    • The only official news about the release schedule is on (drumroll!) the Release Schedule page: https://ilona-andrews.com/release-schedule/

      It currently states:
      2024:

      Sanctuary, Roman’s novella featuring dark Slavic gods, mercenaries, and adorable unclean critters is available for preorder. Release date July 30, 2024.

      2026:

      Maggie the Undying, an original epic fantasy romance saga that blends elements of heroic fantasy, romantasy, portal isekai, and D&D with the authors’ signature blend of humor, emotion, action, and imagination. First in a new series.

      This is everything we know will happen. Any other tentative plans are liable to change.

  60. Snicker … “We didn’t plan to announce it. We had to get in front of it.” Ayuh; when the mob is chasing you, start shouting “Follow me!” Chortle.

  61. I can’t remember the name of Roman’s staff (I really am a Fluffy Clan member), but I love what you did with the cold fog billowing from it at the end of the audible snippet.

  62. I am so looking forward to a Graphic Audio of Burn for Me and also an Arabella novella. It’s been a while since anything from the Hidden Legacy series so I would love to hear or read more.

  65. I love your newsletters as much as I love your novels — and congratulations on your new (supposedly secret) book deal. And thank you SO much for all the hard work you put in.

    Your books mean so much to me — I’ve needed the escape so badly at times.

    Having said that, I did get a twinge when reading this newsletter — Arabella novella? I was hoping for, Arabella, 3 more novels. I love the Baylor family so much. All of them.

    If by chance you find ideas coming to you in a Baylor sort of direction, I would be all in.

    Good luck with the editing. I’m sure that all of this is such hard work to manage. My very best to you both.

  67. Yayyy, we get to hang out with Hugh and Elara again!

    ModR, do you know where in the timeline the next I&M will be?
    Like, will it be slightly-post-Book1 hooking into Kate’s big dragon/Roland war, somewhere roughly past that, or maybe further along, like mid-Julie’s book when ornery toddlers are levitating cows?

    PS – Ilona, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale, and Costco have tons of “just toss it in the oven and have dinner for 2-4 people” stuff in their frozen sections that’s useful to have as backups for crunch-time editing weeks.

  68. It sounds like it’s time to revisit crockpot cooking – throw it in the crockpot in the morning and it’s ready at night. Personally I find that it helps relieve some of the stress, plus there’s all those ideas for freezer crockpot meals where you can just pull one out at any time and cook it up.

    • Goodness! I forgot to say how excited I am for more books, always! I just really felt the comment about dinner, the planning of which is the bane of my existence.

  69. I will literally take whatever you have for us. But these offerings are so tempting and juicy. And we know we are demanding with full insight but my heart did a pitter-patter dance when Arabella was mentioned. We are as always, your humble readers. Power to you for your edits. Channeling all our postive energies to you 😀

  70. I started rereading the Kate Daniels this past weekend. I am up to book 3. I get a little misty-eyed.. I *magically* came across the series as it came out and it’s so wonderful to revisit the beginning and remember where I was, all those years ago.

    Looking forward to reading whatever you write, whenever you release. Just feel thankful and appreciative.

  72. Hi, I am hoping I can attend Dragon con just to see HA. Question – could you do a post on what it’s like behind the scenes at a major Con? You previously said that Dragon con was well run. It would be great to know what goes on, how things are organized, how you get from point A to point B when the whole thing is spread out over multiple hotels.

  73. i saw a meme that said:
    “i hate it when i go to the kitchen for food, but all i find are ingredients!”

    yay at maggie being more than 500 pages! and even more yay at it potentially being 700+ pages! *happy happy dance!!*

    yay at sanctuary’s release next week! and yay at the merch store reopening!

    yay at adorable puppies and kitties! and fun fonts too. you give us so much wonderful stuff!

    i wish you well with all the editing and writing, and hope you are able to get some meals prepared.

  75. I’ll be happy to read whatever you decide to write! And it’s so generous of you to always think of having a serial. I haven’t read Sanctuary yet, because I always wait for the serials to come out as a whole book. But I wonder if another Roman serial would make sense?

    I just finished rereading the Kinsmen Universe and Fated Blades because when Maggie was announced, I felt like I needed to reread one of your series. Maybe something set in the Kinsmen world can also be another serial idea?

  76. Yessssssss! At some point we will receive Iron and Magic 2! Thank you so much!
    It’s my most reread book of yours 😊
    Also, congratulations for Maggie 😊

  77. Marinaded chicken with a veggie and either rice or potatoes are my go to easy meal. Simple and delicious. I approve your choice.

  78. Thank you so much for being patient and with the BDH. Focus on what you need to focus on! We’ll be here when projects are ready. 🤗

  79. That is an interesting recording set up – the mike is to the side so he can read. Smart!
    Can’t wait til next week!
    I’m willing to wait if you are willing to write a BOOK rather than novella for Arabella. Pleeeease?

  80. (Lots of important announcements…)

    Eyes locking on: Arabella might grow too long to be a novella.

    Oh my, that would be a pity, wouldn‘t it? 😉

  82. it’s all good, you’re doing good, Maggie be good… but the focus on Hugh 2 be even gooder! (yes, this is a word, because I have used it 😁)

  85. Every time I read Hugh 2 being mentioned on this blog, I do a happy dance. (happy dance! more happy dance!)
    Hugh 2 is coming, Hugh 2 is coming, yay! I’m sooo happpy.

    Of course all the other stuff you write is absolutely awesome, too, and of course I read everything you write, but Hugh is my special favorite.
    I’m soo excited to know what happens to Hugh and Elara and Deidre (I hope I spelled that right 🙂

    Dear House Andrews, you are un-increaseably amazing.
    Thank you.

  86. Read and posted! Thanks for the ads and the audio preview … a great match for Roman – yummies!

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