Mod R sent over the April questions. There are a lot of Innkeeper questions. They are very helpful to us because they let us know what to clarify in text, and for that reason we probably will try to answer the majority of those in the narrative rather than the blog. But I did want to touch on this one. It gets asked frequently.
Is there a plan or are you just making it up as you go along?
Both. There is an overall plan but the details get finalized as we are writing. For example, we have three challenges ahead of us. During each challenge, the 3 lowest ranking candidates are eliminated, until we have 3 candidates left for the finale. This is the framework of the spousal selection, but things rarely go smoothly. Our internal timeline is to take roughly one week for each challenge. Hopefully we can stick to it.
A lot of questions regarding the mystery project.
Is the snippet from a book you are planning on publishing?
I’ll be honest. The fact that our agency didn’t see this as a viable project shook my confidence a bit. Gordon is bulletproof when it comes to that and he feels that this project is worth developing. We have almost 30,000 words on it. It’s very different from our previous work, so this would be a bit of a gamble.
I know IA said that it’s different than their normal stuff- but I don’t recall them explaining how–less romance, maybe?
Also
Will HA be staying in the romance genre? Or is there the possibility of branching out (especially with the new self-publishing thing)? I could really use a book without romance as the central focus/storyline these days!
The mystery project has romantic elements but it’s not as romance focused as Hidden Legacy. It would be more along the lines of Blood Heir level of romance, meaning it’s there, it’s important, but it’s not the central theme. It’s a slice-of-life fantasy, meaning that instead of a mystery where someone must solve a murder, the narrative is more about the character surviving and altering the events that are taking place. For example, the original Star Wars trilogy is an epic fantasy with a definite goal, while Mandalorian series is a slice of life.
As to moving away from romance, we finished our commitment to Avon and Hidden Legacy. As an aside, we’ve seen some advance reviews for Ruby Fever – they are overwhelmingly kind, thank you. We are very glad that the conclusion of the series was satisfying. We are free from all publisher commitments, so we may choose to continue Hidden Legacy on our own with Arabella trilogy or some shorter works with Rogan and Nevada or Catalina and Alessandro. We do not have any solid plans at this moment.
While romance is a wonderful genre that brought us many fans, our next work is likely to have romantic elements rather than be categorically romance. This is not at all reflection of the genre. It’s more that we’ve worked in that space for 6 years, and it would be good from the creative point of view to switch gears. We may pivot back to it at any point.
Everard is the love interest, right?
Eh…. There are several interesting men in that work.
The man next to him, in a grey cloak with the hood down, was younger by two years. His skin was darker by a couple of shades, and there was something lupine and dangerous about his face and the way he looked at you, emotionless, calm, and merciless. His hair fell to his shoulders, and like the stubble sheathing his award-winning jaw, it was completely white, Solentine was handsome, but his best assassin was sizzling hot, and to top it all off, his eyes were a bright shade of blue.
Because why not? After all, who could possibly remember a stunningly handsome man with honey-colored skin, blinding white hair, and piercing blue eyes running from the scene of the murder? He would blend right into the crowd.
The two men stared at me.
Wow. The double impact was almost too much.
It’s a fun world. Very different from what we’ve done so far.
But don’t worry, we know that you have your favorite series, and we have taken your wants into consideration when planning our schedule.
So is she a seer? Does she see the death of people that she meets? Or is that info strictly for the benefit of the reader? She has currency, so why is she so hungry? Who is she running from?
I’m wondering if she’s telling this in hindsight, or whether it’s a time travel issue or precognition?
All good questions.
Can we have the Blademaster snippet back, please?
Mod R, if you don’t mind, could you please unlock that snippet for another 48 hours and link it here?
In return for unlocking the snippet, I have some questions for you. Our next post will be a poll. We would appreciate your participation as it will help us determine the format and nature of our future projects. I am bribing you to do a little bit of market research. Since we are flying solo, we are own marketing, publicity, and sales. Oy.
I love secret snippets!
Happy to give you some market feedback! I love the mix of genres that you do-some urban fantasy, some paranormal romance, some sci-fi with romantic elements…it all satisfies.
I hope you can write what you love for the future.
I can’t wait to read the new work!
Ooooh, I can 100% guarantee that if YOU publish it, I WILL buy it. Branching off into New things is good and I am giddy about new work from y’all. I just giggled like a kid with a new toy, lol
+10’000’000
I concur!! Count me in.
Seriously, take my money.
Also, the questions I posed were in the nature of pondering; I am perfectly happy (prefer, in fact) to find the answer in the eventual book.
And the same for romantic elements rather than genre romance. A nice balance of elements is my favorite. You write what you want; I’ll read it.
+1
The Agency has underestimated the BDH. You write it we will buy it in all formats.
So very true!
+1
I love everything you write. Well, except for the Alpha origins short story – that was a little too Stockholm syndrome for me, although lovely writing, and who knows … you rehabilitated Hugh!
My favorites are Innkeeper and Maud.
I’m very “ok” with slice of life stories.
Thanks for unlocking the Blademaster.
Omg I feel the same way! I’ve read and loved everything but alpha origins. Also my favorite stories are the slice of life books because you can read them over and over and sit in the story.
OMG i’m number 6! haha highest ever! We will read whatever you write! And thanks for bringing back the snippets briefly!
Wait .. am I misreading the statement about Ruby Fever being the conclusion of the Hidden Legacy series? I thought it was final in Catalina’s story. Is Arabella not getting her a story told? Maybe, it’s just going to be awhile before her storyline appears?
Hi Kiffany,
It’s the end of the road with Avon as publishers for Hidden Legacy 🙂 .
House Andrews have explained before that Arabella’s story would include a non-conform storyline, where she has multiple suitors to begin with and the actual love interest isn’t revealed until later on in the story. It would likely be self published 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/flowers-and-questions/
I thought that was the answer, but had a minor panic attack anyway. Hope we get Leon too! (I’d want Bern, but hoping he’s already on his HEA track.)
Thanks!
Thanks for details. I really love this series and am glad to know that something is pencilled for Arabella ????
Oh. I saw that Arabella’s trilogy won’t have a definite love interest until later in the story. So, I’m not reading Arabellas’ story, I guess. That kind of romance is too stressful for me, heh. ????
It was one of the reasons that I couldn’t stick to Kate Daniels. It got to Hugh and, although I knew she would end up with Curran, it was still too close to a romance triangle for comfort. I got waaaaaaaaaay anxious. (Fushigi Yuugi flashbacks).
I’m happy for the romance triangle/reverse harem fans though!
The Expanse and Disney’s treatment of Star Wars’ Reylo was pretty rough and it sucked all my joy, so I’m glad that HA is going to at least maintain a romance element to future books. I love your writing of anything, but 0% romance, like 0% sugar, is kinda sad. It’ll be another 20 years before I trust another 0% romance narrative about anything.
Hi Mariana,
I understand your position and of course you should never read anything that you don’t like, life is too short!
I just want to clarify for anyone reading that multiple suitors/potentials does NOT mean it will be a reverse harem story. That is a very specific trope and content, and House Andrews have made it clear it’s not a direction they would be writing in.
PS – and yes, like the rest of the BDH, I will buy what you write!
Always happy to accept bribes!
+1!
Bribe away!
Oooh market research – love it! I am up for a zoom focus group in any time zone!!!
There hasn’t been enough of the secret snippet sharing for me to really understand the story focus. I am fine with the romance angle, plus I feel like it’s a smart angle since it broadens your market base. On the other hand, there was little to no romance in Diamond and that is one of my favorite stories in that world.
On the romance side, I prefer the Kate slow build over the quick Kinsmen hook up (both were fine) because there are more quips and stumbles in the slow build. I enjoy the repartee and surprises you build along the way.
I’m sorry that your publisher shook your confidence. I support this new direction. Your readers have grown with you and if you decide to self-publish, I’m relatively certain it will be a smashing success. Lots of love and thank you!
Thank you for the answers to these questions. I can commit to following you to a new universe even if romance is not central. While I enjoy the “find mate/love” books, it is also wonderful when a relationship can be part of the story but not a major plotline.
I like that you solicit feedback from your readers. I’m happy to participate in any and all polls without bribes. I do, however, immensely enjoy the bribes. 🙂
+1 I support research of almost any kind. Almost. I trust you to ask about useful stuff. Unlike some people I could name, but won’t.
Also, even before the poll, I’d definitely buy, read, and enjoy this mystery book!
Yal are fantastic! Really liked both the Blademaster and mystery snippets.
Kinda makes me wonder though, what kind of stories did you enjoy reading/telling your kids growing up? I’m thinking you could probably do really well with those kinda books too because yal are so imaginative. My daughter is 26 and she loves your books. It could be amazing if you wrote some for future grandkids when they are learning to read. Maybe when your kids have kids, you will decide to explore that genre too.
The Kid reads topic was covered here https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/favorite-kid-reads/
I just reread both snippets. If they were for sale now, I would buy them so fast my debit card would kick up a puff of dust like the cartoon roadrunner. Hope that helps ????
yep!
Same. These are definitely one-click-purchase-level snippets!
+!
+1!!!
same!
SAME!
OMG – how did I miss Blademaster snippet first time round!!!! *now questioning if I need to go back and reread all posts to see what else I could have potentially missed out on ????????♀️* Brilliant by the way – I would buy in a heartbeat….
No worries, it was up possibly for 24 hours total, possibly less, as a general “here’s a new shiny, but it’s quite different than our other stuff, would you be interested enough for us to pursue this direction?” Which they of course received a resounding “are you kidding? Of course we’re interested enough & would buy that in a heartbeat” response.
Ahhhhh I forgot how much of a cliffhanger that first snippet was!! And thank you for the third wee snippet – I do really hope you publish this one day, since it seems like a really cool premise! I’m so intrigued by how the main character knows things. (Also, I got a good chuckle over our “unnoticeable assassin” in the post snippet here. ???? Love it.)
I am loving the snippets you’re shared on your WIP and I’m looking forward to a future novel. Although I can’t help but ask if Arabella is ever going to get her own romantic storyline? A man who can overlook the fact their woman turns into a beast probably strikes a chord in a lot of women. LOL. I’d love to see how you’d navigate that storyline. Does your publishing commitment for Hidden Legacy prohibit your self-publishing her story arc? You sound pretty firm in that series being concluded. I’d love to hear your thoughts?
“We finished our commitment to Avon and Hidden Legacy”
This means the contracted books with the traditional publisher have been delivered and there is no further onus on House Andrews to write more HL manuscripts. It has been discussed before that if Arabella had a storyline (be it trilogy or something else), she would not fit in the “traditional” forms of the romance tropes and that would be tricky in terms of a traditional publisher. She *is* the Beast of Cologne after all! For more on that please see here https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/flowers-and-questions/ Her books would feature several suitors to begin with, before she settled on The One and would likely be self published so HA have full creative freedom.
The publishing commitment with Avon is over 🙂 . No publishers owns any of their copyright and there is no boundary or restriction on House Andrews from publishing new material in any of their worlds. https://ilona-andrews.com/2022/on-follow-up-questions-unexpected-nature-of/
I hope this helps 🙂
What Mod R said. We can write more Rogan and Nevada right now, and nobody can tell us no.
A lot of us are saying “yes” tho 😀
+1
I love that for you both! Write what your imagination brings you joy.
I read any and everything you write, so I’ll be pleased regardless. I do hope you stick with this series. I am totally invested in all of the characters. I’d love more Rogan and Nevada stories, they are my favorites but can’t help but be intrigued about Arabella’s beau. Thanks!
Maybe one day there will be a book about Rogan and Nevada‘s son. Your books are so amazing, thank you.
This is meant entirely as a squee, and not a pile-on:
I’m glad you linked these posts, because I’ve honestly been so excited for a book about Arabella since reading them– especially since the “Cool Aunt” excerpt/short/epilogue. (hello, high femme debate champ pulling different threads of your magic to get different results, I see you)
What HA’s produced via Avon has been FABOULOUS. Strong writing, amazing world, excellent characters. But the idea that they could explore the world more outside of the romance-first angle, and give Arabella the freedom she really needs as a character? In a word: CATNIP.
But knowing what a slog Ruby Fever was? As a reader I’m totally content to bide my time and enjoy whatever HA feels drawn to next.
+1!!
Thanks so much for allowing us to re-read the Blademaster snippet. I didn’t remember much beyond the terrace and tea, but I’d be very surprised if I wasn’t enthusiastic the first time around. Yes! I would read this, buy the various formats and re-read it often. Pretty much like all the rest of your books. As someone else mentioned, the only one I really didn’t care much for was Alphas, probably because I didn’t warm to any of the characters.
I love a bit of romance, but it doesn’t need to be the defining plot line. I think this has real promise as a fantasy work. I’m not sure it would be urban fantasy as it doesn’t seem to be very contemporary. But the characters are already fascinating and I have to say, please publish!! There’s already real depth to the story and we only have the tiniest bit.
Bring on the poll! Happy to help in any way.
Looking forward to the Innkeeper “challenges”, so much intrigue, so many chances to kill off the competition, so darn much fun to be had!
almost forgot, love the art work today!
Oh how captivating, I like this different storyline. I have zero issues in a book with romance as a side dish versus main. Could certainly see it as a new writing path for IS. Simply put – IA writes, releases to the Hoard, we will devour. ????
Ugh back to vacuuming, then copying financial documents.
I loved it, and I would definitely buy the completed work (who am I kidding, I’d buy any Ilona Andrews books…) ;0) Thanks for sharing the snippet, it’ a lovely Monday surprise (yeah, I hate them…)!
If the mystery project were to show up on Kickstarter, I would love to buy in.
Attempting to read between the lines, and I apologize if this was already spelled out elsewhere, but do you mean that Arabella is NOT getting a trilogy? The Hidden Legacy series completely ends with Ruby Fire?
Lol never mind, I should read the previous comments first. Thanks Mod R for explaining above.
“We are free from all publisher commitments, so we may choose to continue Hidden Legacy on our own with Arabella trilogy or some shorter works with Rogan and Nevada or Catalina and Alessandro.”
House Andrews have explained before that Arabella’s story would include a non-conform storyline, where she has multiple suitors to begin with and the actual love interest isn’t revealed until later on in the story. It would likely be self published ???? https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/flowers-and-questions/
You need to have that on repeat. 😀
Thank goodness Gordon is bulletproof. The Blademaster story sucked me right in and I seriously want to know what happens next.
+1 Agreed!
+1
Basically I’ll buy whatever you write. ????
I hate that the pub shook your confidence. I read whatever you write because of your characterizations, not necessarily the specific genre. I know another author who stepped outside her normal sphere and didn’t go well. I believe it was not because it outside what was expected, but because her characters were unlikable and fairly unrelatable. You never do that. If you can make me root for Hugh, I firmly believe you can do anything!
I concur, great writing works in any genre.
For me, the only genre I won’t read is horror.
I’m ok with being an outlier in life, and have bought series of books other writers have done that are in different genres, to support the authors. They’re in my slush pile of e-books to read. That numbers in the 400+ so {shrug}
So business/industry question… You mentioned you were done with commitments of Avon and Hidden Legacy. While you’re under contract for a series of books, are you able to do another set of books or novellas with the same characters or universe on your own (self publish) or are you contractually not allowed to do anything with that universe while under contract unless it’s through that publisher?
Both The Blademaster and Mystery Project sound intriguing. I’d read it in a heartbeat regardless of romance or not.
🙂
“viable project” – As part of the market research, I know your time is an investment in the book. As you’ve pointed out, there are expenditures which have to be paid to people other than Gordon and Ilona to produce the book like editors, cover artists, etc.
What’s the level of investment when self publishing in the manner you want vs doing a few more things yourself? Would the break even point be less financial risk than you were thinking? I mean, I doubt it would be poorly written (ha!), just that it might not become a series or perhaps less people would like it? So financially not a disaster and more the rejection of trying something new but it doesn’t do as well as it could?
I remind you of the very vocal anti-Julie person (people?) and so many more people were hoping for her book that we reminded each other to play nice so all your various fandoms get a little something now and then, lest we poison our story supply. Many of your fans support you trying new things and will still buy your books if one world isn’t our favorite. If traditional publishers don’t express too much interest, well, good thing you have a mix of publishing formats and aren’t committed to other contracts. The IA publishing house specializes in Ilona Andrews books, after all, while a traditional publisher has target markets specific to their imprints?
Yes, i still remember when IA said that had the Julie Story all fleshed out and then they received negative comments about a Julie book and scrapped it.
I was devastated.
I was so thrilled when they wrote it during the 1st covid outbreak as a serial and then published it and it was a best seller.
YEAH BDH (and IA)
I think this just goes to show sometimes you just have to do what you want and ignore the naysayers.
(I still do wonder how the book changed/stayed the same from the original outline.)
Love the new snippets too, no worries on HA’s automatic pre-order status.
I will take all the polls. You give so much and ask so little.
“Not marketable”? OMG, I’d buy it now.
OH! Am I the 47th post?
When I think of writers who are favorites and really good, Asimov comes to mind. He wrote well in several genres – science fiction, mystery, scientific papers, magazine articles . For me, I read several genres, so if a favorite writer (IA perhaps) does different genres, it is a bonus. I do notice, however, that when some authors change genres they also change names. To me that does not matter – “a rose by any other name…”
Pick a genre- you write it, I’ll read it.
I really like the Blademaster snippets. They are very interesting and while it may be slightly different genre for House Andrews, I have no doubt the book will be wonderful.
I will be very happy to participate in a poll- but really I love everything you have written! The details and character development are just so wonderful!
Hope you have a wonderful week!
I like romance, but I look for good stories that make logical sense with characters that aren’t too stupid to live. I trust you to write those kinds of stories, so I will happily buy anything you write in any genre.
This is absolutely my point of view as well! I have HA on “buy it as soon as it comes up for pre-order” because I don’t care what the genre might be classified as – the important thing is great characters written with flair and sensitivity, fantastic stories and plots that keep me guessing. You write, I buy. It’s that simple, so write what makes you happy!
I agree with this. I am not a big romance fan (in fact the cover of Burn for Me put me off HL for a while) but I find I get so completely invested in your characters, stories and settings that the genre is irrelevant. The Baylors are a family I want to join, post-shift Atlanta (and Kentucky) is a world I never want to leave and Innkeeper is an absolute sensory feast. I will read anything you write regardless of genre (you invented “rustic fantasy” and I went with it!) because it’s the writing I value.
Hidden Legacy question:
In Diamond Fire Catalina says only she can see her wings. But in Emerald Blaze Alessandro badgers her about whether she’s shown them to Albert Ravenscroft and talks about their effect on Benedict DeLacy. Can only mental mages see them or has she learnt to make them visible to everyone when she wants (like the black wings)?
I love that it is more high fantasy than urban fantasy. I mean, I will read anything you write but have been missing high fantasy a bit.
Absolutely my opinion as well. I’m so into these snippets and this world. The imagery soars in my head, I feel the tension of her situation. I love innkeeper but I can’t stop thinking about the new place every Friday. I’m more than ready for HA to walk me into a high fantasy world, and I have every confidence I’ll love it.
Ditto!! You are on autobuy for me as soon as a link is up and I have all digital formats unfortunately moving with all my dead tree friends a few years ago yet again I had to reduce it all when I can finally afford to buy a house all my favs are being bought including your series!! And seriously if you decided to write a time traveling historical whatever I would buy it in a heart beat.
As an aside—There was also a cool snippet you posted by guest authors or up and coming authors and did critiques on and one of those stories is still with me in my head but never did get an update. So would love if you could link those previous critiques if they have been published by chance? Thanks and can’t wait for the secret project to e published. I love trying new genres and the only reason I have is because if your recommendations whether they are friend or just a cool book or series you loved and told us about. You don’t steer wrong you understand intuitively what we may also love being fans of yours. So write what u want screw the big pub houses. Many self published authors make more than traditional do. And I thought u did a few self published works and did very well already? Take care!! Happy MAY!!
Don’t let them shake your confidence! I was so excited to read those snippets! They sounded super intriguing. I’m excited for your next project whatever it at be.
Thank you so much for unlocking that! I don’t know how I missed it the first time around.
For what it’s worth, I’ve loved all the snippets that I’ve read of it and I would happily purchase that book! I think they underestimated the ravenous appetites of the BDH. Just because it doesn’t fit into their mold, doesn’t mean it won’t be popular!
I hope you can write what you want to write and not worry too much about what they said. I bet if you put up an order link for an unnamed story with an unknown availability date, we’d buy it. I imagine that would create too much pressure though.
Also, I love polls and will gladly answer all the polls that you want, as many times as you want to ask them. Especially for snippets, but I’ll do it anyway too! ????
Also very true. I would by an unnamed book by HA with no idea what it was about. Post the link. I’m there for hardcover, paperback, and e-book. I indulge myself with Ha books.
Ah, this is super exciting. Romance is great but sometimes you want to read different genres as well.
What I would really love is for HA to write a litrpg series. I’m a gamer and some years ago I discovered the wonderful world of litrpg and litrpg inspired books. It’s really blown up in the last few years and is now one of the fastest growing genres (I recommed everyone read Iron Prince by Bryce O’Connor and Luke Chmilenko if you enjoy sci fi and video games).
haha I’d die and go to heaven if they wrote some litrpg. But it would be a ton of work making a system of rules for someone who didn’t start out already obsessed with numbers.
It would be the absolute best wouldn’t it? Isn’t Ilona a gamer though? I still have hope
Very interesting world – hooked me already. Happy to purchase any stories you share, especially if they are exciting for you to create!
I think I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again – if you’re writing it I’m reading it ???? Pre-order finger ready…
Yessssssssss!!!! Thank you for answering my question 🙂 Blademaster sounds awesome and I would have read it no matter what, but I’m doubly excited for the romance being the side plot instead of the main focus. Bring on the market research!
I will buy anything you write. That being said, the Blademaster/Mystery Project snippets are very enticing, and I will specifically buy that book if you write it because it already sounds fascinating.
Really excited to see what you two create when you’re flying solo without a leash. I read more than just romance, and am ready for this new style.
I always reread what you both have made, new works won’t change that, just gives me more selection.
I’ve loved ALL of your books. Your world building is spectacular and you write fascinating characters. I don’t care if your writing has romance or not. I’m there for your stories and your boundless imagination. I’ve been reading your works, and other SFF authors for a very long time. As far as I’m concerned, you and about 4 other writers rule the world!
I far prefer my favoured authors change style and genre than become stale. We’ve all read authors that we adored, their first however many books were brilliant, but as time went on their books became formulaic, eventually so predictable right down to phrases found in multiple books – “almost inhaled the [food]” yes I’m looking at you Mercedes Lackey, though to be fair she has changed sub-genre etc – that they became boring. I don’t want you to become boring, I suspect it would be soul-destroying for you as well as depriving me (and the rest of the Horde) of the surprises your imagination will provide if you are not confined by the expectations of conventional publishers.
Thank you for calling out Mercedes Lackey. I used to love her books. But recent years the books have gotten stale and I just don’t care about Mags at all. But he’s got like 6+ books now.
That’s where I dropped her too. I just figured I’d become too old for another round of growing up. I wish that series had just stuck to the Collegium being established, instead of turning into spy novels. (I don’t care for spy novels, so that might have been a part of it too). I saw something about her writing about the noble houses that came to Valdemar from the empire, I might pick that up in hopes it fleshes out the history of the world.
I love your romantic elements, they’re so .. romantic.Please, do not erase them from your new books. There is a golden balance between your romantic scenes and the action/mystery ones .Oh well, I think I’m a hopeless romantic soul/fool.