Happy Monday! We’ve gone the whole weekend without a scorpion sighting, so I have high hopes. Mod R has been collecting your questions, so today we will tackle the first batch.
Are you still thinking about releasing part of Maggie as a blog serial? Will you be able to traditionally publish if you do that? Are trad publishers ok with sharing part of the book? What is the limit?
It depends on the publisher. A typical excerpt level is usually specified either in the contract or in the publisher’s policy and tends to be limited to 5,000-10,000 words. But it is sometimes negotiable depending on how good of a case the author can make for releasing it.
Will there be a blog serial this year, please?
Probably not. At least not a novel length.
Typically we have 2 new releases every 12 months, meaning that in a space of 12 months, the readers get a full novel and maybe a novella or sometimes a second novel.
In the past 12 months, we’re released Sweep of the Heart (a very long book), Magic Tides (a long novella), and Magic Claims (a novel). I know it doesn’t seem like it, but Magic Claims came out less than three months ago. And we have posted several short stories. We are finishing another novel, so this is our most productive year probably ever.
Online serials take a lot of work and energy, because we can’t make drastic revisions later, so we have to get it right the first time.
Dear BDH, we love you and we are working hard. We are doing our best.
Will Graphic Audio adapt Hidden Legacy?
I do not know, but I hope they will. We are definitely open to it on our end
Will there be an Innkeeper 2 season on Tapas?
I would like it to be, but the man who championed that project in-house has left the company. We haven’t given up on it, and if the printed edition sells, we can definitely revisit that topic with Tapas.
What prompted Avon to release Hidden Legacy with new covers? Will there be new covers for Catalina’s trilogy too?
Burn For Me came out in 2014, so the covers were getting long in the tooth. The market has shifted.
Covers popular in mid-2000’s, targeted at catching the reader in the store:
Covers popular in mid 2010’s:
You can see the change in cover trends driven by advent of ebooks. Large shapes. If there is a person, we are doing a close up, because the covers from the previous decade are difficult to see when they are shrunken to the thumbnail on your device. Some covers, like Nalini’s, are still detailed, but the detail blends into a pretty background when in a thumbnail.
Covers popular now:
As you can see, these are simple object covers. They are simpler, cheaper to make, because there are no people featured, and they put emphasis on font rather than image. This is driven in part by self-publishing, because these covers can be put together from stock images and still look very professionally done.
I timed myself. The goal was to slap it together as fast as I could. 27 minutes, 4 stock images, 3 versions of the cover with different saturation.
A graphic designer who knows what they are doing can do it better and faster than me. I won’t subject you to my typography – I am truly terrible – but someone with better skills can put a title on it, something like Of Thorns and Blades, and it won’t look that different from what’s on the market.
Avon wants to appeal to the new generation of readers, because they want to sell books so they are following the trend.
When you write other books in the Hidden Legacy world, if they are self-published, will you try to match the new style of cover?
Yes, if possible. Why confuse the readers if you don’t have to. But we may go with something else as well. We like to keep our options open.
lots of interesting views or there on covers right now. Especially considering the anti-clinch views.
It depends on the clinch. 🙂 This one was very popular. https://ilona-andrews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fated-Bklades-500.jpg
Because that one is just sooo pretty and tasteful! 🥰😊
And the color palette is very unusual and thus striking. It’s my favorite!
I love the cover for Fated Blades because it’s colourful, dynamic and beautifully drawn by a great artist
Not a clinch … they are dancing!
Sorry, just took up ballroom social dancing as a retirement hobby.
🙂
So happy to hear -0- scorpions over the weekend.
idk if you have heard about this drama. it seems the clinch cover is too much for some people?!
https://twitter.com/naviareads/status/1704768230722789474?
I personally appreciate the clinch. (and Fated Blades is a good one!)
Twitter Romancelandia has two dramas one can count on: does Romance need a Happy Ever After to be considered a Romance? Everyone gets in a tizzy about this with clockwork regularity, and the camps switch every couple of months.
The second one is the cinch cover debate.
Meanwhile, audiences continue to buy whatever romance book makes them happy and the genre continues to be the one paying for all the others in the industry 🙂
It is truly lovely as a cover. Their passion for each other really shows.
When I first saw that one I saw a fist, guy about to punch the woman. Have never been able to unsee it. (Not that there’s anything wrong with a fight scene!)
That’s not how you would punch in that position. The elbow is way too low, and he is carrying a shield. 🙂
Fated Blades is one of my favorite covers for any book ever!
That cover reminds me of the project runway rain dress, so I always think they have just danced in from the rain when I see it!
YouTube clip of the rain dress ->
https://youtu.be/bX7S03hBC0I?si=jq79aEv3thHaqRvS
Thank you both for all the stories! If you write it I will buy it!
Happy October!
I’ve always found it interesting to see the changes in cover art with different genres over different time periods. having terrible vision, i have been appreciating a little more the larger letting on covers to get a better idea of what it actually says from further away (although i do love some of the older, impossible to decipher artistic ones as well)
*out there 😑
Dear authors, we appreciate you and know you are working hard for us ingrates. Please do whatever you feel to do and ignore any whinging.
+infinity
+1!
Definitely!!!
+1 I so agree with this!
+1
I am eagerly awaiting the ‘available for pre-order’ notice for whatever you decide to call Maggie’s book.
There are several others I am awaiting even more eagerly, but I’m not one who thinks ‘patience’ is a dirty word. And I did promise I wouldn’t whine at you again.
Re Hidden Legacy covers, my Nook books updated to the new covers. I don’t mind, but I didn’t expect it and was surprised.
Mine did too. One day I had the half-naked Rogan, the next day I had carnations. 🙂
At least when you get around to writing a story called “Of Thorns and Blades,” you already have the basis for a cool cover. 😆
I have found over some decades that writers who don’t repeat themselves ‘wear’ better, and I go on buying their books which I don’t do if a writer just rehashes the same story with a bigger bad. (honestly how many world threatening monsters can one character encounter?) I didn’t read the Kate books initially because I thought that would be the pattern. Having read your other books I decided to trust you with such a long series, and boy was that trust justified! Which is to say I would prefer you to go on writing what works for you, I know you won’t be gratuitously cruel so I trust you to go dark without ‘torture porn’, but I also know that writing something different takes time. I am happy to w**t until you are finished – note I don’t say satisfied as I don’t think you are always the best judge of your own writing 😉
TL;DR Thank you for what you write!
There are about three authors I used to read their long running series and then they all went over to the dark side of having truly horrid things happen to both the hero and heroine in endless multiple page detail that I just had to quit them all. I tired some of their other series but it was like a disease that just spread.
As always, thanks for taking the time to indulge our curiosity about the process and behind-the-scenes stuff.
“I know it doesn’t seem like it, but Magic Claims came out less than three months ago.” Umm, I may have checked the other day to remind myself when the magic clams came out because I was convinced it was soooooo long ago. So long. Forever, in fact. We were due for another book in the near future because the last one came out in eternity past.
Eternity is evidently less than three months. So, basically, I have the time perception of a small child waiting for Christmas. I shall endeavor to be a well behaved small child.
Thanks for the updates on everything!
Hehe, subjective time is subjective when it’s about things you love!
Best description ever. I am aware of my 3yo tendencies and try to contain them 😂.
Dear authors,
I’m really sorry but I have to ask … are there any plans for Iron Covenant 2?
The Iron Covenant series will continue 🙂 . House Andrews have decided not to announce projects until they are ready for preorder or publication, however, so we won’t know anything until the very good news drops.
I could do without the headless torso covers. They look alike and just don’t relate much to the story. One author’s recent newsletter proudly announced new “manchest” covers for one of her series. Gah!
This has been a productive year for you! And a wonderful one for us, tbh. Eagerly waiting for the next preorder link, whenever it comes our way! Promise not to whine too often hehe
I appreciate that you make time to answer BDH questions – always learn something new as a result.
I often re-read HA books while w**ting for the next release – love that I often find I missed something from the previous read.
i love that you had to edit out that horrible w word. 🤣🤣
Thank you for the answers to BDH questions. It’s been interesting to see how book covers change over the years.
No fussing from me about when books, novels, and/or any other writing coming out. When anything comes out, it will come out.
I agree with others that it seems like forever when Magic Claims (aka Clams) came out. 🤪😁🤷♀️
I do like your “blades and thorns” cover art!! 🗡️🗡️
A cheer for the books that are here!!
And happy anticipation for the future!!
I miss the vibe of the mid 2010s covers, personally. Even the mid 2000s covers.
I also am getting tired of every book being the court of and . Or house of and .
I ended up reading the fourth wing because it was a very different title in a sea of courts and houses of adjective nouns.
That is, court of (noun) and (noun) or house or (adjective or noun) and (other adjective or noun).
+ 1
Thankyou for this update on what’s happening in the industry. I much prefer the new trend towards objects on covers instead of clothing challenged people. I am looking forward to buying the Hidden Legacy books as trade paperbacks with new covers. I always thought the publishers dudded HA and marketed what were excellent adventure stories with romantic elements as generic romance with some adventure.
Having just finished relistening to Sweep of the Heart I naturally hope the next Innkeeper story will be on the agenda for next year. Nora does a great job of narration and I hope we also get a Graphic Audio version. I was initially a bit hesitant about them but the dramatisations are so much fun.
I suspect I am like the other members of the BDH who are trying not to channel our inner “ small child waiting for Christmas” and are trying to wait patiently for the next offering from our favourite authors. We appreciate all you do for us and want you to stay healthy and happy in your work.
It’s springtime here in Australia so thankfully I have audio of all my beloved IA books to listen to while I do some spring cleaning.
Sweep of the Heart is coming from Graphic Audio in December 🙂
I missed this. Ignore my question I just posted, thanks.
I hope Graphic Audio adapts Hidden Legacy. With the plethora of multiple characters, it would be a perfect fit. Also, GA could really improve their offerings. Another IA series would really up their listenership.
Wow only three months, seems like way longer! I feel fortunate that I have discovered several new authors I have enjoyed free books from the last few weeks. I’m going to have to make a list as they are not cemented into my brain yet. Speaking of books, I preordered a book due out next year and the kindle price is listed at $18.99! I may have to get it from the library and wait until the price drops before I buy it but I am so excited there is another book as the author is 78. He doesnt have have a web presence so there isn’t any information available until an official notice. I have purchased the entire series over the last few years and have re-read them all several times.
I truly appreciate your incredibly productive year! Thank you most gracious House Andrews.
Is Sweep of the Heart coming to graphic audio? I see other pre-orders but not that. Thought you might know if it’s in the queue.
Sweep of the Heart will be released by Graphic Audio in December 🙂
I kinda like the newer covers… but as an artist/graphic designer myself, I’m drawn to object and fonts… with the right color scheme, it’s very effective! Love anything they do really, as long as we get the words and the stories! Thank you for keeping everyone in the loop and taking the time to do these blog posts! I know there is nothing on the publishing timeline for 2024, but when do you see yourselves returning to the Blood Heir world? I find myself re-reading those last two chapters in book 1 just to get my Derek/julie fix, and after reading the novella and novel, I can see the set up happening 🙂 so exciting 🙂
Yes, the Blood Heir series will continue. The Wilmington Years are paving the way for the setup of Blood Heir 2.
I saw the new covers for HL on LAPL Overdrive. I like them. Those Mercy Thompson covers are some of my favorites. A few years ago I bought a set on the artist’s website. I really love the KD covers with the gal on Magic Triumphs. It feels like year since Magic Claims came out….. I love that book.
I’m at the hospital with my Mom who passed out this morning and crashed into her walker. She has thin skin from Eliquis and it was bloody. She went into afib so they are keeping her overnight. I managed to keep her healthy through Covid and now she’s in hospital. I’m a little frantic.
I’m so sorry, laj, sending health wishes!
I have read every author she posted except for one. I admit that I am attracted to a good cover and go oooh! that looks good!
When will we get Hugh Book 2 or Julie Book 2? I truly appreciate all the work that you have been putting into all the other books that you are writing but I am waiting patiently and this is a humble request as to when will we get to see more of Hugh/Ellara and/or Julie /Derek?
Both Iron Covenant and Blood Heir will have sequels 🙂. The Wilmington Years series are bridging the way to them, and House Andrews will announce publishing dates when they are ready for preorders.
Thank you for all of your hard work!
Considering all of the unwanted bugs you’ve mentioned I would hang a flyswatter with a sticky back hook on the side of the toilet tank facing the wall (so it’s not out there in your face)
Did you ever get a dragon/book image? I think of you whenever I see one.
We love your books and are grateful for all the free reading you give us. Thank you.
I can’t believed it’s almost 10 anniversary for Hidden Legacy. I hope them giving it a new cover means it’s still selling well, that first trilogy is some of my best comfort reads. That and On the Edge, the kid’s scenes, Jack and the chocolate bar and Georgie and the Fox village in that one make me cry every time and for some reason that makes me feel better.
Jody A Lee is a fantastic cover artist and I used to buy books just because I wanted to look at the art.
When only the cover changes, does that still make it a new edition?
Yes.
I have an observation to share with BDH. I have looked at other authors websites and none have so much content and active information for their readers. Moderator R does a outstanding job keeping us informed.
I want to thank House Andrews for this Blog.
I am reading the Daindreth books you recommended. Thank you.
One of my favorite things about House Andrews is their willingness to remind us they’re human beings and deserve lives and rest. (I’m a therapist, I always love a good boundary.)
Would it help if we told Graphic Audio we wanted Hidden Legacy adapted?
Fan support can never hurt 😊
I want to be very honest with you guys. You could give me a new book every month and my head would still pop up at the mention of anything new in between. I just really enjoy your stories, characters, and world building. Now, I’ve said that because I think you are being too hard on yourselves. You are not just “doing your best”, you are delivering! And in true BDH form, that just makes us hungry for more. We both know we come by the name “Book Devouring Hord” is very appropriate. Do I feel a little like Vercu Salt in that “I want it all and I want it now?” Yup! But I’m an adult who will patiently wait for whatever you decide to release next. You have been very generous this year, and I would prefer for you guys to have a good work/life balance and not burn out. As a people pleaser, I have been very proud of the boundries you guys have established because I know it’s not always easy to do so.
Thank you for keeping us updated! Now excuse me while I go re-read the whole back catalog again to help hold me over for whatever is coming next.
Im sorry just finished rereading sweep of the blade and now im just wanting more maud arland helen and the gang hahahaha i get like this every time i reread. Thanks for these worlds they are fabulous.
P.s maybe it will be in mauds second book where they find the door to dinas inn and the magnolia 😋😋
I own the three books from the mid-2000s. I own the Anne Bishop from the mid-2010s. I have never even heard of the authors from the recent books. I am not sure what this says about me and publishing, but I think that it says something.
OK, but did anyone else just start checking out the books whose covers HA posted above, even though they were clearly meant only to explain the way artwork was changing over the decades? Like – just in case these stories are somewhat similar to HA books and could provide a distraction in the meantime?
Totally guilty of doing that, me!
(I mean, these must have been on the shelf nearby or known to HA, riiiight?) Well, several of them have been referred to, or recommended before, and quickly bought and devoured actually…
Even unintentionally, you are helping keep us fed 🙂
Yes
I really like your example cover! ….