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ILONA ANDREWS

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The Special Editions and Horde Anxiety

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The context of this post: Owlcrate released a premium edition of This Kingdom. It is a gorgeous book. It went out to their subscribers, and it is highly sought after on resale sites. They recently released the left over copies for general purchase and the copies sold out in something like 3 hours. The Horde is angry.

::hug::

I’ve fortified myself with the last on my Earl Grey Starlight Sencha tea. One thing at a time.

We have nothing to do with Owlcrate distribution. We didn’t notify you about this sale, because we didn’t know about it. We do not have any backstock of Owlcrate author copies. They gave us 4 books, and we kept one, gave each of the kids one, and I’m saving the last for for Jeaniene Frost at her request.

Much is being made about the exclusive content in Owlcrate edition. It’s a very short story that describes the events you will discover in the first chapter of the next book. We designed it to be a true bonus. It is not essential. You are not missing vital information.

I’m so sorry it sold out so fast. However, there will be other special editions. One is coming up in July. Since I got in trouble last time for mentioning the Owlcrate too early, we can’t announce it, but there is a hint on Maggie’s page.

There is going to be another special edition after that. Look, here are all of the tip sheets (signing pages) we have to sign for it.

A stack of tip sheets wrapped in paper with Nykie the dog giving the whole thing a serious side eye.

We understand the frustration. We are discussing our options in regard to special editions. We will see what we are allowed to do.

On a somewhat related note, there is a sudden uptick in concerns on how the vellum is packaged. This is why we did the trial run. Two out of ten packages arrived damaged, so we’ve leveled up our envelope stuffing skills. The velum is placed into a plastic sleeve with the chipboard and then into a bubble mailer with a cardboard insert.

I made a video for you. It is not as pretty as when the kids do it, but it shows the whole thing. I even set it to lofi music for you.

Each package is insured, so if your vellum arrives damaged, email us and we will fix it. I’m not even going to show you the pictures of our dining room, because it looks like a warzone with fortifications of bubble mailers and cardboard and stacks of vellum a foot high. We are prepackaging your orders. Right now our hold up is Becka’s map. She is putting the finishing touches and as soon as it’s ready, we will print it and rev things up.

Please chill.

Deep breath, everyone. Especially me. I need to handwrite a letter in French this morning for the French special edition. This will be a whole thing.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I understand Maggie, you have to sympathize with Solentine, he’s the way he is for good reason. So much hate and abndonment at such a young age. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop when anything good happens to you.

    Ahhhh, so well written. Thank you so much for the snippet. May the headaches of merch and special editions never trouble you again.

  2. Thank you for the snippet! Now, I am anxious that Solentine is still considering killing Maggie

  3. I skipped the snippet as I haven’t gotten to the end of the book yet. I’m not sure of the name of the little dog in the picture, but they look very worried. Please, dear horde, don’t make the little dog worry. Be chill and chalant. Our author loves us.

  5. This topic made me think of if any of Ilona Andrews’ books get picked up for a movie or tv show that we, the BDH would howl at every nit and the poor Authorlords wouldn’t have much say in any of it! However, I believe this is the right problem to have.

  7. Loved it thank you! I’m thinking that drezmur may be the horde’s spirit animal. You need to keep feeding us your magic 🙂

  8. The Sol snippet was really awesome and a lovely surprise – a massive happy thank you! 🥰(I’ve never seen it before either). *has devoured!!* thank you for the video too ^_^

    I hope you know that we the Horde appreciate all you do for us, and we know that you had nothing to do with the disappointing Owlcrate mess up, but thank you sooo much for still taking time out of your unendingly insanely busy schedule to talk about it and to treat us to something brilliant💗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
    Also sending all the hugs and good vibes for safe and stress-free vellum packing!
    Hope all went well with your letter in French and it wasn’t too stressy to write *hugs more* I pre-ordered the French special edition so that’s something I’m also super excited about🥰📖
    *Goes back to trying to w*it most p*tiently and chill*

    • I know people were mad owlcrate didn’t email anyone about the extras sale, I’m sure that’s what spurred emails to you guys. Not sure why people do that though, take it up with owlcrate guys 😔

      • (sorry Samantha! didn’t mean to send as a reply! it’s very easy to misclick on mobile when trying to scroll down the comments 😔)

        • No problem Kah 😊 no offence taken, and to be fair I didn’t notice it was posted as a reply to me, I thought you were the next one to post after me, but it’s fine either way 🤗

          (For the record though I didn’t and wouldn’t ever email HA personally about this sort of thing.

          I did take it up with Owlcrate, but only because I had previously been in contact with them about it and they were supposed to be letting me know when they were putting the book up for sale again. They even emailed me that exact day to give me a disount code but of course I wasn’t able to use the code either because Maggie was sold out by the time I saw on instagram 😭)

  10. Thank you for the snippet! I love Sol so any background inofmration about him is throughly enjoyed.

    Quick question, I missed something- what is Maggie’s page?

  11. I am totally looking forward to Aunt Griele. Solentine goes from wanting to kill Maggie to adopting her as a cousin all due to this one woman. I bet she is pretty awesome…

  13. Thank you! I loved this long snippet! Sol definitely had a traumatic life with his grandfather. ☹️ Your words make such amazing pictures. I love it! ❤️

    Owlcrate does make pretty books, but I have my Blackstone copy and really can’t afford more. So I’m fine with missing the Owlcrate release.

    Also: Not your fault! The Horde loves HA.

  14. Thank you very much for the snippet,!

    I do hope you are taking some time for yourselves in all amongst all of the work.

  16. Thank you so much, not only for the snippet, but for how hard you and Gordon work for us.

  18. This is a new snippet. One I didn’t realize I really needed.
    So good.
    *looks out the window after starting on a long trip* (i.e., waiting for the next book)
    “Are we there yet?”

  19. Thank you for the snippet!
    I somehow missed it the first time.
    Wishing you a wonderful day!

  20. We are vacationing in Bar Harbor Maine, and the village’s oldest bookstore had 3 copies of Maggie, so I got the dead tree version.
    You never know when Kindle might hold you favorite books hostage.

  21. I’m an OwlCrate customer purely because I knew TKWNKM was going to be coming. Love the edition, and the bonus story. Apropos of nothing, I use Google’s email service, first name last initial…

  22. I’m pretty sure that Owlcrate underestimated the interest in their edition of This Kingdom. I’m one of the lucky ones because I booked their sub a month in advance so I would get this edition, but a friend of mine didn’t get a copy. I wish they’d printed more. Is a reprint maybe an option? Visually it’s the most beautiful edition so far (to me), and that extra chapter is really enjoyable, too. Fingers crossed for those who didn’t get it. That being said, I also got the one by The Broken Binding because it’s pretty and they are reliable about doing sequels and making those available to buyers of the previous book.

  23. I never even got a notification. They send them for every other book on their site. Oh well, I guess. I’m not paying $150 for it.

    Sorry this is turning into a problem for you. *hugs*

  24. Fabulous snippet!! Thank you!! 📗

    Your pup looks like he/she is ready to help you with the signing sheets!!

  25. Perfect timing. I just finished the reread yesterday so it was all fresh in my mind. The snippet added so much to that situation and understanding the magic bird.

  26. Thank you for the snippet!!! Now I’m SO curious to read about the rest of Sol’s visit home, and find out what was in the notes Maggie gave him 😀 Thank you for all the wonderful stories you give us!!!

  27. Ahhh, having just finished my second reading, this was what I needed, more Sol. Second readthrough was like reading a new story, I missed little bits on the first read… maybe a third read will reveal more…

    As for the “editions,” I’m sorry, but I’m of an age of minimising, and quite frankly, I take pride in the first copy of any book I buy, even when back in the day it was old school PB. So release all the “editions,” but I take comfort in my firsts…. This new “trend” of everyone and their donkey releasing an “edition” of the same book I find irksome.

    Although I do get the Kindle edition of your books, so if I go travelling they are to hand… 😁 already sick with waiting for the 2nd Maggie.

  28. Oh thank you so much for this lovely fantastic scene. So much to grapple with, so rich.

    In hospital after lung surgery and this has added to what is becoming a much better day than yesterday. I’m feeling better. I’ve read this amazing snippet. My friend is coming to sing to me tonight.

    Thanks for being so generous with us. <3

    p.s. My "There will be Ripper Cushions" pillow is my cough/laugh pillow!

  31. Oh thank you thank you thank you for this snippet from So’s POV! I wanted to know everything that was said and happened back with the family!! But now I have devoured that, I’m hungry for more!😂😂😂 HA is the BEST!

  32. Another snippet!!! And so soon after the last one! The horde is so beloved. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’m sorry we’re a bit chalant about pretty book versions, we’re just, really enthusiastic! and unaware of our strength…
    The horde: all enthusiasm, no brakes.

  34. I didn’t buy the book when it released, because I waited until my birthday in May to get it as a gift. It’s now June, and I still haven’t read it, because we have a family vacation coming up in July and I wanted to savor it. So it’s sitting on my bedside table and I am anticipating the day I can read the book. I’m like that sibling who gets a gummy bear and I’ll take 3 hours to eat it while the others devour theirs and then just watch me. Haha! HOWEVER, after reading this snippet, I just don’t know if I can wait another month. I’m so tempted to just read it now. Craving me some Ilona Andrews writing. What to do, what to do…

  35. Wow, you guys are a heck of a lot nicer than I am. Seems to me like there’s a whole lot of bratty people in the horde. I can’t even remember how many times you’ve posted you have no control over what OTHER people and companies do. And I’m not sure why feel like you have to apologize for other people’s feeling of entitlement.

  36. Ok, thank you! for the story and the chill request lol

    Trying to breathe through not having made it to the OwlCrate SE. There are two more SE coming so all good…

    Plus the summer box! Let us please not forget promises of goodies in a summer box…Tis what is sustaining me… the prospect of a Maggie Box this summer…

    😊😊🌻

  37. Ah. It begins to make sense why Maggie has such a soft spot for Sol. This dude has been subjected to horrific trauma and come out the other side as a relatively good person. That’ll do it.

  38. Great excerpt. Of course Sol would think murder is the answer to his problems. He has been trained by abuse and desperate survival. This will be good. Off to a great start.