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The Inheritance Cover Reveal

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::waves:: Happy Monday!

Behold the gorgeous cover for the Inheritance by Candice Slater. Please click to enlarge. It is very fun enlarged because you can see all the different elements Candice put into it. The actual painting is much larger, so we all zoomed in on it and scoured it for the little details. Candice is ridiculously talented. We will see about including it somewhere into something, because it is so pretty.

While we are on the subject: if you like this style and would like to hire Candice Slater, absolutely do it. Not only she is skilled and talented, but everything was on time on a ridiculously tight schedule. Incredible artist and a fantastic creative partner. Clicking on her name above will lead to her website.

Oh, and the back cover for the printed edition.

What Is It?

THE INHERITANCE get the caps treatment, because it has officially crossed into novel territory. It is almost 75,000 words long, which puts it into the same category as CLEAN SWEEP and MAGIC CLAIMS.

THE INHERITANCE will have a sequel. It was meant to be a stand alone, but we ended up with the origin story instead. Not the plan. Not the plan at all, but it is what it is.

THE INHERITANCE is connected to one of our other series, and at least one of the characters from THE INHERITANCE will be featured in the final duology.

THE INHERITANCE will feature at least 8 illustrations from Candice Slater. They will be rendered black and white on Kindle or other devices that do not have color capabilities and in color on the devices that do like Kindle Colorsmart, phones, andtablets that are not dedicated ereaders. The print edition art will likely be black and white. There are no plans for an illustrated special edition at this time. We will likely do that when we have a sequel finished and bundle them.

When Is It?

THE INHERITANCE was sent to our copyeditor and she expects to have it back to us this Friday. We will need to implement changes and respond to her queries which will take us 2-3 days.

There will be no preorder. We are hoping for the publication date of Friday, August 8th. This is a soft date, ebook only. Print will take a couple of days to pop up for sale because it is processed differently. Audio will take a few weeks. It’s a much longer process.

Ebook – hopefully Friday August 8th. There might be unforeseen delays for some reason, so it could be pushed to the beginning of next week, but the goal is Friday.

Print – shortly following the ebook. It will be POD with horrible pricing. We are sorry, but we must make at least $1 per print book.

Audio – we are delighted to announce that THE INHERITANCE will feature a dual POV. Ada’s parts will be voiced by Hillary Huber, who voices older Kate in Magic Tides and Magic Claims. Elias’s parts will be voice by James Konicek, who performs as Mahon in Graphic Audio Kate Daniels series.

Both Hillary and James have very full calendars, and we are incredibly fortunate to work with them. Because we blew past our original audio date – deadlines do not make a whistling sound as they fly by – we are now waiting for the slot to open up in their calendar. That means that the audio will arrive in a few weeks to a few months time period. The contracts are signed; there will be an audio; we just cannot give you a firm date.

Where Is It?

THE INHERITANCE will be available across all of the usual retailers and, if things go well, directly from our website. More to come later. Please watch the blog for announcements.

Questions collected by Mod R

How much of the book have we seen as serial already?

It’s hard to say, because we added scenes, but about 90-95% was posted on the blog.

Backseat Driver edit from Mod R: Ilona’s being very conservative here. We’ve seen about 60k words and the developmental edit brought the manuscript to 73k. So we haven’t seen about 18% of the story … and copy edits are still to come! We’re getting a Horde feast on the 8th! Squeee, more to devour devour devour!

Will it definitely have a sequel? Also timing of sequel?

Yes on at least one more. Because THE INHERITANCE was never meant to be a novel, we do not have any idea when we can get to the sequel. Hopefully soonish.

Did you always plan on them not meeting?

Why do you think they are not meeting? Wait for the book.

Did you plan on Elias not having such a big part of the narrative?

Do you remember Magic Bites? People kept asking, “Why, oh why do you have the Beast Lord in this book?”

Can we pay for an unfinished, unedited, unillustrated version?

No! Absolutely not. It comes out in two weeks. Our prose is not golden, and it requires multiple edits.

There was a comment that said you wrote Ada because she showed up in Hugh’s story and “wouldn’t leave you alone.”

Look, I know other authors sometimes make it sound as if they have no power over their characters or the characters made them do something. That is usually a shorthand for describing inspiration. It’s very hard to convey how inspiration works.

The characters don’t make us do anything. They are figments of our imagination. We could have forced Ada’s story to be a novella. We didn’t because quality controls kicked in.

Imagine you are cleaning the house because company is coming over. You picked up most of the clutter, the house looks decent, but you didn’t vacuum. It looks kind of okay without vacuuming, but you know you haven’t done it. You know it’s dirty.

Writing is a little bit like that. You know when a scene is missing or a character isn’t developed properly because you wrote too small. Eventually you give up and vacuum the floor, because you are a professional and you don’t want to put out half-baked stuff.

Ada never showed up in the Hugh story. I think the confusion here came from the fact that at some point I mentioned that we discussed Hugh, realized that it is completely unsuited for serialization, and we had an idea for a novella – stop laughing – that would make a much better serial. Serials do best with a very specific structure: action-packed scenes, limited character cast, a relatively straight-forward plot. Otherwise people get confused and forget who was who and why they were in the narrative.

When will the Inheritance posts be archived?

They will stay up until you can purchase the book.

The release Zoom chat?

Ehhh. Do you want one? Let us know.

Thank you once again for reading the serial with us! We have to go and work on some proofreader queries for This Kingdom, but fear not, we will try to keep you entertained with something once or twice a week.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thanks for the info 🙂
    Very nice cover. Pity that only print books have back covers. Kudos to Candice Slater – both for the artistry and for the illustrations actually depicting scenes from the book.
    The publication time is incredibly short – did you cheat and make most in advance? 🙂 And yet it feels so long to wait for the ending.
    I’ve really appreciated this serial, thanks again 🙂

  2. I know it is whooshing and not whistling, but all versions of that comment remind me of Douglas Adams.

    I am thoroughly convinced that I simply cannot hear the sound of deadlines over my “AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!” as I fly from one to the next.

  4. So two weeks of pacing up and down, muttering to myself. Sigh. Okay.
    Seriously, though, yay! Only two weeks! I love, love the cover.

  5. I was hoping that the release timing would be something like this! Leaving for vacation on the 11th, and I didn’t read the serial version this time so I could read it all at once. (It took a lot of willpower.) Looking forward to reading it on the plane!

  6. Thank you so much! As a newer member of the BDH, I am excited for anything you guys write! And also, YES to release Zoom chat! Thank you!!!!!!!

  7. Yaaaaaaassss! Zoom release chat and animal pagent galore! Please Please Please. Also, update on knitting projects.:)

  9. I appreciate you three so much!

    The fact that we got to read this as a biweekly serial, and now only have to w*it two weeks for the completed book is miraculous! You’re incredibly generous to us, and we see it.

    The cover is lovely. I’m so looking forward to seeing—and reading—the fully edited and complete NOVEL.

  10. Thank you again, for an entertaining Spring-Summer chapter read. I can’t wait for the release. I enjoy your blog so much. My friends/family do not read SciFi. At 60+, I am alone wolf. My book club reads: Book Thief, The Women… very worthy books but not my first choice. I love being a part of the Horde, facts be damned.

    • Same!! I love my book club, they’re all long time friends, but the books they choose…….

  11. Thank you so much for this serial! Looking forward to reading the complete book. And Maggie when it comes out. And Hugh 2. And the rest of the Innkeeper books. And…
    And…
    And…

  12. Chanting softly, “I am chalant, I am chalant, I…. will be chalant,,,, someday. Okay, I am procrastinating again. I am chala… need more tea.” 8/8/25 is now entered on my appointment schedule, see you all there. 😊

  13. Thank you for all the updates. The art is LOVELY and I’m really excited the release date is so near. SQUEE! You’ve definitely spoiled us with a great story.

    This is absolutely my favorite blog. House Andrews, Mod R and the whole BDH community is just a true joy to behold!

  15. Yes! If you are asking, Yes to the Zoom chat! Put Arthra on, parade the pets, share your pet BDH theories, tell us how you like to use cinnamon or butter toast – I always enjoy it when you have time to chat with the Horde!

  16. thank you so much vor all the Work and effort and the novel to come.
    looking forward to reread everything and be happy about the ending – I know that I’ll be happy, I always am with the e ding of your books.

    I’d very much appreciate a zoom chat, preferably on the weekend, ’cause of the time zones.

  17. So excited!!!! When the next book comes out could be get color pictures in a box set? All the art has been super beautiful and I’d love to own a book with the art inside!

  19. Congrats! Looking forward to it. Absolutely astonishing cover. I love the color palette she chose. The result is lovely. I’ve been eyeing a color Kobo e-reader. Maybe now is the time…!

  20. Thank you for sharing your imagination with us. Each title becomes a new favorite read/listen.

  22. Thank you so much! The cover and back cover are gorgeous, just as rest of Candice’s artwork that’s been shared in the installments.

    If you have the time and energy for a Zoom chat, the answer is yes please (I want Gordon to take the Throne of Spoilers)! 😁

    • And yes to zoom chat, if you can do it without it stressing you! They are fun for the BDH, want it to be fun for you both as well, and ModR too. <3 <3

      You all are awesome writers and so generous to us!

  24. yes please for the Zoom chat! I can never join them in person but I LOVE watching the video later in YouTube.

  25. Stunning! I love the back cover – it reminds me of Eyvind Earle concept art for early Disney animated films.

  26. I’m so excited about this!!! Am planning to get the print edition and just dive in.

    About the illustrations being black and white in the print edition. Would you (or the artist/s) consider selling colored overlays of the illustrations that could be bought separately? That way readers with the physical books could just place the colored overlay into the right page and have the illustration in color? That would be my dream also for other illustrations like in Innkeeper that are in black and white.

    • Overlays would be amazing! I’d be tempted to buy them even if I only have ebook editions just to have physical copies of the artwork

  27. Wow. The cover is absolutely stunning. I’m an ebook reader but uh I might need to get a physical copy of this one. Candace does amazing work. Would buy a print…just saying.

    I listed to A Mere Formality over the weekend (and giggled a lot). I’ll p*tiently wait until this book releases by doing some more rereading.

  28. This is my favorite line from today’s blog post:

    “we had an idea for a novella – stop laughing – that would make a much better serial”

    I still haven’t stopped laughing…..

    Also, YAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! New book to buy very soon!!!!!!!!

  29. I’m excited! I’m really excited!

    I know you’ve are overworked and likely have Too Much Real Writing (seriously) to be doing it, but I have to ask: will the store be open to celebrate?

  31. Congratulations!!

    Fantastic News, all 3 formats are staggered and I will have them in my sticky mitts, yes I will 😆

  35. the cover is amazing!!!! Candice is so talented. Very exciting! vote for Zoom chat! ty ty

  36. August 8! Yay! So close! I’m chalantly looking forward to the finished book. The covers, front and back, are beautiful.

    This serial has been so much fun. As a mother (and woman well over forty, with lousy knees), I deeply identify with Ada. As a business leader, I empathize with Elias, whose competence porn has me caught – hook, line and sinker. Even as I celebrate soon getting my hands on The Inheritance, I voraciously anticipate the sequel: The Legacy?

    This is the only blog I read regularly. Thank you ModR and fellow members of the BDH for the thoroughly enjoyable, shared journey and the fantastic comments!

  38. Thanks for the timeline — very excited and also for your team! This serial got me thru losing my two dogs, one due to medical condition and the other run over — very grateful for something that helped move thru the hurt hearts. On the good news front, we adopted to rescues Thursday and Saturday.

  39. Beautiful! I’m just one person but I’d buy the special editions for the pictures if they happen. I’m usually digital only, because I can’t afford a new house to have space for more books. I make exceptions though and this will be one if it happens.

  40. The cover is beautiful — as is all the art that has been shown so far! I hope you and Candace will consider letting us have high res versions for backgrounds and things. The back cover in particular would be a gorgeous desktop background.

    Thank you both even though this grew beyond what you originally planned. 🙂 Ada received an inheritance but we received a gift!!

  41. yes please for the Zoom chat!

    Also, I love the art work so much – I’m going to ask Candice if she would be willing to do a calendar or a couple prints separate from the book. I’m an old school ebook reader with a b&w kindle but I want to enjoy them in full color!

  44. Voting for a website-based sale of the ebook so HA gets *all* the moneys!

    (I didn’t include the print version as I know firsthand how big a hassle packing and shipping can be!)

  46. Yes to a release zoom, mod r is a fantastic guide to discussion from the two of you about your work. This serial has been so wonderful, please sirs may I have some more.

  48. All the dances of happiness and joy!

    A book!

    Cool pics! Ridiculously talented, indeed.

    A sequel! — which we will w@it for chalantly and fluffily.

  49. I love the cover! Might have to buy the paper copy too, just for that alone. And display it! So cool that it’s possibly coming out so soon!! Keeping fingers crossed for no unforeseen problems!

    And I will happily wait for the audio. I do like multiple voices, so thank you! This has been a great serial and I’m honestly happy that the story and characters have grown enough to support a second book.

    Re a zoom chat. Only if you honestly feel that you have time for it. They are always fun, but you two have so much on your plates right now. The deadline for Maggie 2 is growing closer and we’re all hoping you’ve time and energy to go back to Hugh 2…..not to even mention….. nope, my lips are zipped, zipped I say.

    This blog is such a bright spot. Thank you HA and ModR!

  51. Thank you!!! The cover looks awesome! I’m so happy with the short waiting time for ebook and will definitely be buying it from you if and as soon as it’s available.

    Regarding the Zoom I probably will not attend due to time difference but would like to watch later if it would be available.

    Loved the story and can not wait to see what’s next 😉

  52. I know we say it a million times, but to me the sentiment never wears out. I adore your books and this one is amazing. I can’t wait to read what happens with London.

  53. Hooray! I have a flight on the 10th and I hope I have the will power to wait, or do a reread. Thanks House Andrew, you are ever kind and merciful in feeding the hunger of the horde 📖

  55. Yes, please for the Zoom chat. Even if I can’t make the time it’s set for, I always watch them afterward.

    I do wish I could meet you in person sometime. Are you doing a signing tour for Maggie, maybe?

  56. Now I know what to ask for my birthday!! So looking forward to reading this book, and eagerly chalantly w*iting for the sssseqquaal. Can’t say it without stuttering with glee! Thank you for being such amazing writers and producing such awesome stories!!

  58. Gripping story. Gorgeous art work. Wasps made it to the cover (book back cover). Ada may not feel so dan-ger-ously unique when she sees the special powers of the Cold Chaos elite team.

  60. YAAAYYYY! August 8!!!!! Or sometime later!!!!!!! 😉

    The cover is gorgeous. You guys rock. Can’t wait!

  61. I am like the Cookie (Couki?) monster. Cute but terrifying. You put it in front of me and I want it.

    Yeah 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Zoomy zoom zoom for me.

  62. Is it next Friday yet?

    HAHAHA! We will always laugh if you use the word novella. To be taken seriously for novella, you need to use „short story“ instead.

    Is it next Friday yet?

    Zoom? Of course!

    Is it next Friday yet?

    And.. thank you! You keep us going in dark times.

    Is it next Friday yet?

  63. Book, gulp. Book, please. OMGosh. Book.
    Thank you HA.
    So glad you realized Hugh was awesome and could easily carry a (series)book(s).
    So glad you realized Ada/Bear and (more) Elias could carry a series 🙂
    My life is so much better with them as friends.
    You are awesome, HA.

  67. “…and at least one of the characters from THE INHERITANCE will be featured in the final duology”

    So, that sounds as if the sequel isn’t necessarily a continuation of the first part. Are we being sneaky by not saying WHICH character it will be? Not asking for any secrets to be given up (not that you would) just seeking a confirmation that my understanding is correct.

  71. With the tight turnaround you have planned, I do understand the no pre-order, but DAMN.

    Ah, well, I do still have time to get hopping up and down excited – and I will buy it as soon as I see it available.

  73. Are the authors upset it ended up needing to have a second book? I feel kinda bad hahaha

  74. 1. Your prose IS golden!!!
    2. Thank you for your commitment to quality that led to unintentionally writing a novel for us. BDH is pleased.
    3. You did a fantastic job balancing the voices of Elias and Ada. I felt like I had enough of both, and I absolutely can NOT wait for them to meet. Also, really looking forward to Ada’s interaction with London. How tough a scene/dialogue would that be to write? Or satisfying?

  75. I know writing is your job. May I just say how deeply grateful I am for your service ❤️ Every new character and story is a gift. Thank you.

  78. I think it goes without saying about the pirate part! After all the work, the amazing story and Ilona and Gordon’s goodwill sharing the story so far with us, it would be a shame if this happened. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful world you create for us. 🥰

  79. The covers are stunningly detailed and captures the essence of the book well. I’m so excited to read the rest of the story!!

    As always,

    A big fan!

  81. I started laughing at the Novella comment and died of laughter when you asked if we want a Zoom chat. Of course we do!!!

  82. LOVE! I’m a little disappointed that I already know 90% of the story. However, I will re-read the entirety once I purchase because… edits!
    On another note… this morning while waiting for this post, I came across an old post about Japanese milk bread. I haven’t baked any bread in a couple of years. This was inspiration for me. I plan to try baking some in the next week or two. Before the book is published!

  83. I am so looking forward to having this book in my hands! The story grabbed me and will not let go! I appreciate your keeping us up to date on when and how to purchase because as soon as it is available, I must buy it! I agree with Nami, the waiting is killing me!

  85. Gorgeous artwork to go with an even better story….thank you!!!!

    HA, I know it’s been said before, but you are the BEST! I mean it, you really astound me every single time! The stories keep getting better and better, and the quality (of everything: the amazing writing, artwork, voice acting, etc) is in my opinion totally unmatched by any other authors. You should be very, very proud.

    Some authors are obviously just in it for the money, and they care more about just getting words out the door than they care about whether or not those words make sense and are enjoyable to the reader. Not IA though: IA always clearly takes such enormous pride in their work and really does care about the BDH. 🥰💕💕💕

    And what other fandoms have their very own Mod R to wrangle them when they need wrangling, rally them when they need a boost, and in general just contribute so much to the amazing family and experience that is the BDH?!!

    I feel very blessed and look forward to August 8! 😁

  86. The cover is gorgeous, so gonna get the graphic edition when the sequel comes out 🙂

  87. Am I the only one thinking…is a single sequel going to be enough? I mean the story is so complex and there’s all those creatures and worlds, not to mention humans with super cool powers…I’m just saying *shiftily looks away, whistles innocently*

  88. It appears on the cover Ada is blonde haired and on the back cover she has dark hair. Or maybe she is wearing dark headgear on the back cover.

  89. I would always prefer to buy _any_ version directly from you, so please keep us informed about that option.

  90. thank you!! I am so happy that ETA for this book is 2 weeks. Can’t w*it! 😸😸😸
    *excited noises*

  91. Can’t wait to read it – your books never disappoint! I haven’t read the blog chapters so this will be completely new for me.

  92. Hi everytime I see MAGIC CLAIMS writen I want to correct it and go its true name Magic Clams. “featured in the final duology” Ah sweet summer child as if the horde gonna let it be only 2 books. Theres enought plot here to keep us entertained for a Kate amount of book series if my other earths theory is true and even if it isnt lmao.

  93. Just wanted to say LOVED the story, and can’t wait for the sequel. Well I guess I can wait because I do not have any power over the writing…BUT just keep using that imagination and we will keep appreciating the stories! The snippets have been making my day ( when released), so please know besides all the kidding we (the readers) love and appreciate you and the back-up team.

  95. Everything you do is to such a high standard we the reader benefit so much!! Love the cover, it’s beautiful and can’t wait to read that 18% lol

  97. The cover is truly gorgeous! ❤️ Thank you, Candice, for the beautiful artwork these past few weeks. It really made the story come alive!

  99. Gotta say, Candace’s work is gorgeous!! And her web site – wow!! I can draw one identifiable object – vertical, it is a grocery bag; horizontal, it is a fish aquarium.
    So much adventure goodness coming our way!! I’m a print book person, looking forward to ordering a “horribly priced” book when it’s available!! (POD is always more than mass market, and paper prices have gone up astronomically in the last few years.) I’ll just cut back on my incredibly bad habit of fast food dinners!! 📚📚📚

  100. My Hordian friends it is time to pack up the virtual caravan and head to the Texas compound to wait outside the gates until the book loads.

    I shall bring cushions, (of the non Ripper persuasion), to sit upon while we wait as I am soft and poof and not a dangerous stalker at all.

    We shall have a virtual fair with merchants of all kinds, including those who make snacks for the best of all doggos.. “Beast snacks”
    Someone must invite all the cover artists so we can wave our monies and snatch their wares!

    Evening cook outs are optional but highly recommended.

    If House Andrews notices shadowy forms outside the gates it’s just the energy of the virtual Horde bleeding through.