Thank you so much to everyone who had come to see us at the signing. You guys are absolute best. If you read my tour summary, you probably know by now that book tours tend to be grueling. Meeting you is the only reason we actually go on tour. It’s not the sales – sorry, bookstores, and it’s not the publisher’s requests – it’s you. We absolutely love hanging out with you.
Now, to own up to some logistical issues: we have reached the point where the signings draw 200+ people. The Horde is mighty. We will probably have to limit signing of the stock from home in the future. We have some reports from people who came to the signing but could not stay long enough to get their book signed.
Our policy is always to defer to the store; however, we do specify that if you have mobility or health issues, small children, or pressing time commitments, we will accommodate you and you should be moved to the front of the line. That has been our touring policy since the very first tour. In the future, if you are attending, please let the store staff know.
We are very sorry if you missed us. We will try to get a couple of informal meet and greets in Austin area, probably one in the north, in Round Rock and one in the south. You can come, chat with us, and get you stuff signed.
This is not special-trip worthy unless you guys actually want to have a longer event, in which case I can rope a couple of local authors into it, and we can have an extended meet and greet. I can rent a hotel conference room very cheaply, we can park ourselves in there for the day, and I am sure I can get a local bookstore help us out with purchases. So let me know in the comments if that’s something you want to do.
Bookplates:
Sushi bookplates look like this. They are crack and peel, meaning you bend them and peel off the backing. We’ve received a lot of requests for these, so here is the deal: we are finishing signing 2,600 for a special edition, and then we are moving onto the store requests. Once we are done there, we will try to open the bookplates for general readership through the store. Unfortunately, we will have to charge you a small fee for the shipping and processing. So it might be like, I don’t know, $3-5 for ten or something. But we must honor our retail and special edition commitments first.
Despite us actively discouraging gift giving, you still brought us loot. We got books, treats, wine, and yarn. I am not going to shoot myself in the foot and tell you all about them, because we are very grateful. Please do not take this as encouragement for more gift giving. First, as grateful as we are, you already have given us a gift but purchasing and reading our work. Second, we have limited room in our suitcases. Meeting is is honestly enough. It makes us so happy.
First, I must tell you about this tea. Someone gave it to us at the signing, and I almost did a little dance.
This is Sencha Earl Grey Starlight. So I am not actually a fan of Earl Grey. I had gone overboard on drinking it at one point and kind of burned out on it.
This is unbelievably delicious. It tastes of creamy vanilla, and the traditional Earl Grey citrus is not the main star, but more of a supporting player. I am hoarding it. In fact, I am going to get up and brew myself a cup of this right now as a special treat for having done the taxes.
You can purchase this yumminess at Sencha.
Many thanks for my new drug of choice.
Second, BDH gifted us a couple of books. Full disclosure, I haven’t read either of them, because we are back at work on Maggie 2, so these are not recommendations. Just a thank you for the gifts.
The Doodle Knit Directory by Jamie Lomax
This tour demonstrated that all of you have zero intention to help me kick my knitting addiction
Kentucky Horse Country by James Archambeault
A very beautiful picture book that will be living on our coffee table. I looked through it and there are gorgeous horse pictures inside
This trip also reaffirmed that we both love Kentucky. There is just something about Lexington. We really love the city and the green pastures that roll just outside of it. Our biggest regret is not spending more time there. Also we were hoping to see Gwenda Bond, with whom we’ve been friendly online for years. Unfortunately, we missed that opportunity.
The person who crocheted this beautiful shawl is going through her second battle with cancer. Thank you so much for this gift. We are thinking of you. You’ve beaten it once, you can do it again. Please don’t lose hope.
Next we have this amazing bag. It was a most fortunate gift, because I stuffed all of the yarn and small gifts into it.
Mmmm, yarn. So excited about this.
I also bought some yarn in Baltimore.
It was pretty and I got tempted.
We were also give delicious things, and I have no pictures of those for obvious reasons.
Thank you again for the fantastic tour. ::hug::
If I lived closer to you I would love to meet up for the day. Unfortunately, I live in Tennessee. Oh well. Fun for someone else.
😱
FIRST? I’ve never been first before! I need to go buy a lottery ticket!
Certified – good luck on the BDH numbers 😀
Pretty yarn
First?
Sounds like a blast! I would be very keen to attend if you guys ever go international and come to Australia haha 🙂
I live in Austin and am trying to be chalant. I would love to come see you.
I wish you had been signing anywhere near where I was, but California is pretty far from where you guys were. Someday, maybe, our paths will cross, but in the meantime, just know how much joy you have both brought me with the words that you write. Life the last four years has been challenging for me, with lots of personal losses, but having your books to read has been a great de stressor for me. As a proud member of the book devouring horde, I’m so glad I found your works.
Ah – the horrors of being well loved!
Enjoy your tea,relax, look at and admire your new books and yarn but do NOT give into temptation (unless you just must! Who am I to stop you?)
I live in Houston and yes please would love if you had an extra event in Austin, I was unable to attend the tour event there!
Aww this was such a sweet post. My hand hurts thinking about all those signatures. Thank you for everything! This is the best horde to be apart of and it is so nice to feel a part of this community. It really is a bright spot in my life.
I’m so glad you are putting in so much time and effort to get the bookplates signed for the Horde. I’m personally not going to add to your burden, because just the words you write are enough for me.
I have to add that I get so much enjoyment from your tremendous talent that I, too would not be able to resist gifting you something if you ever came to Colorado (PLEASE!!!) because just paying for your books doesn’t seem enough thanks. You are giving me such an incredible experience, not just with the initial reading but with all the re-reads, listens, and all the blog goodies. Thank you again, enjoy your tea and happy writing.
Ilona, I think you might like this: https://www.tshirtpalace.com/products/dragon-colorful-yarn-eggs-just-so-we-are-clear-yarn-is-mine-gift-t-shirt_dcy1257189-at?color=black&size=L&gad_source=5&gad_campaignid=22599255962&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0_jT88rwkwMVXBitBh2UrhtvEAQYAiABEgKM_vD_BwE
Every time I see it, I think of you.
So glad there was enjoyment on your tour! It’s a lot of work.
BDH loves you!
Glad the tour had enjoyment as well as work!
I was a beta reader so I enjoyed seeing the changes and development.
+1
I would love a signing around Austin!
If at all possible, I would really appreciate if you might plan a signing in San Antonio? The end of the school year is super busy for us and I’ve been so gutted I keep missing you in Austin!
I live south of Austin and would love to meet up again.
Thank you for your kindness. I missed you this time, but it is epic for others to enjoy your company. So glad for all.
Best place for special editions?
All official special editions will be included here as soon as they become official https://ilona-andrews.com/maggie-the-undying-2/#special
I live in San Antonio and would love to go to a book signing.
I love you guys so much!
Ahhhhh! I was the one who gifted the earl grey starlight! I’m so so so delighted that you enjoyed it. Thank you for all the wonderful stories and for coming to the Twin Cities. It was so awesome to meet you both in person.
I was so excited about the tea that I thought to try it! £2.34 for a trial ounce (perfect) £33.46 for shipping, nearly choked on my hob nob biscuit!! Will be giving it a miss and living vicariously through Iona drinking it!
I’m from Kentucky and lived in Lexington for several years. It makes my Kentucky heart so happy that you enjoyed your visit. Come back and see us! Louisville is pretty great too. (And fun aside: I work for the publisher that produces the horse coffee table book. 😬)
Glad you had a great time with the Horde across the areas you toured.
Just be careful with the wrists when doing all that signing.
Thank you for all the past, present, and future precious. 📚😁
I am glad you had a good time, even with all the setbacks!!!
I hope someday you will come to Europe for book signing tour!!! I promise I will bring yarn and yummy things to be consumed!! Heheheheh
Finally finished Maggie #1, and whoa, what a ride. Absolutely superb in all ways.
Now I get to w**t breathlessly for the se**els.
It was not in the cards to see yall this time but maybe for Maggie 2 we can have a tour stop either in NC or upstate NY. I love another Earl Grey tea recommendations. For a second it looked like the one from adagio but this link is even better. We are the Horde and Obsessed. We are mighty, hear us roar! Yah Roar
I’m in the Austin area and would be happy to attend a meet and greet, or listen to y’all talk to local authors. I saw Jessie Mihalik at your event at the Barnes & Noble Arboretum.
Dearest Ilona, did you run this by your support people? Offering a generalized “we’ll hang out in Austin all day” seems a dangerous(ly wonderful) offer… 😁
My local sub-Horde is already figuring out how we can justify another trip from WTX to ATX!! 💛
Malabrigo! Yum
Interested in the Round Rock get together! How fun!
So very interested in the Round Rock get together. I’m loving every page of Maggie’s adventures! Thank you for this literary treasure. ♥️
200 people at a book signing. The Horde is puissant!
Despite my horror of crowds, wish I was close enough to express my love of your books in person. While I chalantly w*at for new ones (which never disappoint) the older ones have graduated to comfort reads. 📚
Thank you for all you do House Andrews! The Horde supports you!