Our power is back on! Muhahaha! And I have tea. My oolong obsession continues.
Has Subterranean Press expressed interest in any more IA books? Will you have any more special collection pretty hardbacks at some point?
We are delighted to announce that we have not one, but two projects coming for you. Innkeeper Collected edition will be coming from Subterranean Press and a bundle of Iron and Magic and Blood Heir will be coming from Arcane Society. There are no buy links for these yet. Both projects are several months from the preorder stage. These will be beautiful, illustrated, show-off heirloom editions, signed, numbered, and priced accordingly.
Can we get signed copies of the newer books anywhere?
Generally Blue Willow in Houston will stock them. But we can do try different things. We can do bookplate packs, where you pay $3-4 or something for shipping, and we mail you 5 signed bookplates.
We’ve tried the self-addressed envelope before with a post office box and BDH cannot be trusted. The PO Box was abused in the worst way. You sent us money – like actual money through the mail, you sent us socks, yarn, and coffee, and then you would send us mis-addressed envelopes without postage. Heh.
Alternatively, there will be a new release this year around summer time – more on that later – and if you would like we can do an in person event somewhere in Austin. We’ve had a really good relationship with Austin Public Library in the past, so I can ask if they would be willing to host something. It’s just that most people no longer travel during pandemic, so I’ m not sure if an event would draw any participants.
Also we might do a small giveaway next week or so.
How is self-publishing treating you? Do you feel like going back to being traditionally published full time and letting the publisher take the reins on most of the stuff? Or hybrid?
Would we go to the traditional publisher again? Yes, if we could find a good editor and if they would agree to the terms of our contract.
::puts on Business Kitty corporate hat:: Discoverability is still an issue with self-publishing. We are actively focusing on acquiring new readers. So most likely it would have to be a new project, not connected to anything.
That said, the self-publishing, as much work as it is, is very rewarding and not just in financial sense. We decide when we work, when we publish, what kind of people we work with to bring the project to you, so all of that is an epic win.
Will you be attending any cons this year?
Probably not, unless we can drive to it.
Can we have an easily accessible place for all the art on the blog? Like an Artist/Illustration gallery?
The website is due for some technical tightening up, so we will try to add art gallery in there. We’re waiting for the money from SOTH to land, so we’ll know where the budget is. If you you have any suggestions about which content you would like highlighted, please let us know in the comments.
::takes off Business Kitty hat::
Also, we watched Lockwood and Co on Netflix and it is so good. It’s a YA for people who don’t like YA angst. It is so good.
Which oolongs are your faves right now? I am in a tea slump.
In the OP, Ilona mentions ” waiting for the money from SOTH to land” so budgets can be figured out. I’m just curious (in general terms, not specific numbers) – how do books sell over time? Is there a big bump at pre-sale, another bump at release, and then just tails off to almost nothing? Or is there still steady (if lower) income even from older books? I know in my case, I didn’t discover HA until Kate was almost done, so I bought most of those books (and Edge, and early Kinsmen, and early Innkeeper) well after any pre-sale or release time frame, but maybe that’s unusual. And is it different with traditionally published books vs self-published?
If this is too intrusive, or would take too long, please don’t answer – it’s just my curiosity bump, no real purpose, and doesn’t matter much. And if it’s been answered before, I’m sure ModR will know where! I did search a bit, and poke through some of the more recent “writing” posts, but didn’t see anything…
And thanks again for all the enjoyment your books, blog, snippets, and m*rch (even if that last one’s a dirty word) provide!
I’m also curious about this. I often discover series quite late, so I buy an entire series of books after liking book one, all in the span of a week or so. I must have bought all extent Ilona Andrews books in every series, one after the other, within the space of a month, about 2 years ago.
Do authors notice when this happens, or are the numbers consistent enough that a single reader buying each single book all at once would be buried in the general flow of things?
This isn’t on topic for this post, but I’m rereading Magic Rising. Can we have Magic Turtle T-shirts in the merc store?
+1
i’m rereading magic rising right now too! and i have a pet tortoise who is 22 years old and i’ve had her since she was 3 months old. the idea of turtles spitting fire is intriguing.
She’s so cute!!!
I don’t think you have to worry about people showing up to live events, travel is bursting at the seems and live events are happening with big turnout. I suspect if you held an event in Austin you would get good turnout, as long as an apocalyptic storm isn’t going on ( maybe Rogan should ‘influence’ some storm mages to make sure the day is warm and sunny…storm mages hate bridge overpasses dropping on their car, ruins their day).
[looks around and whispers to the rest of the BDH]
Hey, guys, the jig is up: she’s on to us!
????
Just kidding! Thank you for all of the updates. I can hardly wait to see more about the special collector editions…they sound amazing!
New release??! Yay! ????????????
I would drive to Austin for a public appearance. I really miss the Murder by the Book personal visits you used to do in Houston. (I understand it’s hard on you ti come here – My turn to do the driving!)
Failing that, I would definitely buy the bookplate(s).
Thanks for the info. Hopefully I don’t miss the Subterranean Press order. I really want that book to go with the first one!
Oh, c’mon! I proofread that twice and still missed the typo!
This is why I am not offering proofreading services…
The artist little clyde has a sticker titled “I enjoy a good book.” There are a few others that resonate, like “A Quiet Place,” (and many lovely ones that have nothing to do with books) but the good book one has BDH all over it.
The Lockwood & Co books are so fun – the TV series has me on an epic re-read
OMG YES re Austin! The only reason I would deal with traffic into Austin is to see yall. Seriously. The BDH will show up. And I’ve been to book events at Austin Library and BookPeople and loved both. Thanks for considering it!
Also we lost so many trees and limbs it looks like a tornado went through our poor yard. That ice storm was no joke. We’re just north of Austin and couldn’t believe how bad it was. Thankfully no power lost this time. I am so glad yours is on and everyone is warm and back on the tea. 🙂
I was just searching for a Collectors Edition of the Innkeeper Chronicles. I am so excited! I am also already subscribed to Arcane Society and love the news!!!
Will the books from Arcane Society be free to buy for anyone, or does one need to have their subscription? I’m admittedly not keen on having to pay for who knows how many books so I can get the one collector’s edition I actually want.
Good news about Subterranean Press and generally beautiful editions, though.
Oooh! I like the signed book plates option. Being in Canada, the cost plus shipping for some of the other options are prohibitive, but bookplates – totally affordable.
So glad you have power again and that you have fireplaces & wood.
Hope Kid1 & 2, significant others and all pets are doing well.
Not sure how I missed this post, but congrats on having power again. Mine returned today and I’m so happy! I had moved in with a friend. She had heat but no water as the pumps for the water tower had no power. But heat rules. We used rain water for the toilets and combined our stash of gallon drinking water jugs. Everyone I know now has a stash of 5-10 gallons of drinking water.. to get thru various outages. Will need to replace mine heh.
I would definitely go to an in person event in Austin. What fun! I’ll keep my fingers crossed that this occurs. I bought an extra copy of Ruby Fever so I could have a book plate for SOTH. So a packet of book plates sounds great!
Hello. I coordinated your 2 events at APL, so awesome, but retired. Reach out to me if you have trouble getting anyone to pay attention because I would love to attend. You guys are amazing live. I just got my power on after 3 days. I was about to lose my mind.
I cannot wait for the Innkeeper collected edition!!! ????
I’m so torn between getting the Innkeeper collector edition vs waiting until the whole series is out to buy physical copies like I had planned
“We’ve tried the self-addressed envelope before with a post office box and BDH cannot be trusted. The PO Box was abused in the worst way. You sent us money – like actual money through the mail, you sent us socks, yarn, and coffee, and then you would send us mis-addressed envelopes without postage.”
Since my own family has told me to stop sending gifts based on a casual mention or discovery of something they’d love on Etsy*, and I have — so far — driven two friend to the same state of exasperation, I can almost guarantee I would be one of the abusers.
*which happens far too often, since Etsy is one of my happy places.
Yes, I can see how the BDH cant be trusted.
But also:
“ It’s just that most people no longer travel during pandemic, so I’ m not sure if an event would draw any participants.”
I think you also HIGHLY underestimate its powers if you truly believe this statement. Masks will be worn and covid tests will be shown if necessary but the horde would show up. Lol.
Ooh….we watched Lockwood & Co. too and I wanted to watch it all but the first 3 episodes was all I had time for right then, so glad you saw it all and liked it!
oh my signed bookplates would be awesome, as I live in Canada.
Thank you for the updates. I am in Fort Worth and I would happily come to Austin for an event.
I would absolutely come to an Austin event. I’m also excited for the new pretty books!!
Question: Unlike everything else IA-wise, I don’t have audio of Catalina’s story.
Will Graphic Arts be doing Hidden Legacy?
I don’t mind tripling up on Kate or Nevada’s stories, but may be more responsible and wait for the GA versions of Catalina. I love GA!!
“The PO Box was abused in the worst way.”
Wait there is a PO BOX?!!?!
I would totally send tea, dried/smoked meat products from TX butchers, and odd little figures from table top games which look cool and expect nothing in return. Does the PO Box exist still? …wait is that what the abuse is?
The P.o. box no longer exists ????
….sniff…sniff…
1. So excited for fancy Innkeeper Collection.
2. Austin resident here– I would show at Austin Public Library!!!
just had to share… my autocorrect updated “cleaning” to *Curran*. guess that’s a sign lol!
Ruby Fever is a semi-finalist for the Swoon Awards!!
Have you tried Revolution’s Dragon Eye Oolong Tea ?
That’s my favorite (after “Earl Gray, hot”, lol).
Is there any chance Subterranean Press will reprint any of the other 3 beautiful books full of gorgeous pictures again? I couldn’t afford any of them before, but I could now.
+1!
I’m not sure where to write. One item I ordered back in December when the store was open (I ordered seven and got six items). The missing item is the “ripper cushions” cushion. Where should I ask about this? Thank you.
Hi Kate,
Please email with your issue at store@ilona-andrews.com.
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one with a tea obsession. Not oolong, but Lapsang souchong in leaf form which I drink every day with milk and cannot bear to be without.
Hello! It would be amazing if the blog was linked by post date rather than grouped by topic. It makes for a difficult and clunky reading experience when I’ve missed a few days worth of posts. Thank you for all that you do!
Hi Shevaun,
For a chronological view of the blog, you can go to the blog homepage https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/ and you will see the posts and their intros in order from the most recent ????
The topic and tag categorisation is extra, very helpful for people who want to find something they vaguely remember.
All great news. On the signing at the library, please. There are many who would jump at that chance. A three hour drive (approximately) to get to see you and get something signed is a no-brainer. We want it!! Thank you.
As an Aussie fan, I’d love any possible way to get signed copies, special editions, or bookplates! 🙂
When can you be in Austin? And Where? Please say APRIL 7-14.