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Vellum Updates and a Bribe Giveaway

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We will start with a brief vellum update and then switch to the giveaway. I am bribing you.

Some people saw me testing things on Facebook this morning, and I wanted to explain it before any misunderstandings occured.

It’s our first time printing vellum so we made some decisions that slightly complicated our life.

Our original vellum, the one that is advertised in image below is printed on 40lb vellum. It’s thicker, the colors are brighter, and it is exactly 6×9 so it fits into US hardcover.

It fits in the book, but it is thicker and it is a bit of struggle to make it stay. It should have been printed slightly smaller.

We have now tried 5 different printers. At some point, I invited Grace Draven to the house to get unbiased opinions.

First, we dropped the white border and settled on the size that would fit both UK and US hardcovers.

Next we found a thinner vellum at 28 lbs that still shows the beautiful colors but is much thinner and lays better in the book.

We have one more batch coming to us before finalizing the no-border vellum. After that, the no-border vellum will be available as a separate product. We don’t want to throw it out there before we have pictures to show you.

We would like to give you options at the fulfillment.

  • You can choose to stay with the original vellum with white border. We printed a ton of it and we have it in stock.
  • You can switch to the no-white-border version at no additional charge. It is a one for one swap.
  • And those of you who would like to get both, border and no-border, will be able to grab a set of no-border vellum at a discount. We will just stuff it into the same envelope, saving you on shipping. The add-on pack will be available only with a regular order.

Once we have finalized this second variant, we will send you an email through the store explaining how to choose your options. If you run into trouble, please email us and we will sort it.

A little warning about the fulfillment: we expect it to take several weeks. We have in excess of 2,000 orders. Kid 2 is stuffing maps into the envelopes as we speak. We even put Rito to work.

We appreciate your patience.

We will start shipping after 07/08, and if you get worried, email me through the store and I will be able to tell you your place in line.

Also I now know way too much about vellum.

Giveaway Bribe

We have received beautiful collected editions of Innkeeper Chronicles Volume 1 from Subterranean Press. It is a gorgeous book, and we are very grateful to Subterranean for reissuing it.

(And also an unexpected gift of the wonderful Sencha Tea! A giant bag of it. Dear Geralyn, thank you so much! It is appreciated beyond all reason.)

This collector edition contains Clean Sweep, Sweep in Peace, and One Fell Sweep. Clean Sweep is currently available free in our store.

This is your chance to grab one of these copies. The giveaway will run until 07/09 and the winner will be chosen on 07/10.

  • US only – unfortunately, it is a massive book, and shipping it internationally will be a nightmare. House Andrews will host other international giveaways soon.
  • To enter, please let us know in the blog comments who is your favorite character from the Innkeeper Chronicles.

PS Mod R:

Ilona wrote this post, but I am changing author to myself so she doesn’t get the thousands of comments alerts – House Andrews are on the last scenes of Maggie 2 and they need full focus!

Please read the instructions before making your comment, I have had to void so many entries in the previous giveaway.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. It might be stereotypical of me to say Caldenia, but also my favorite character absolutely is Caldenia.

  2. My favorite character is Orro. I love his development and adaptation to this new world for him.

  3. Since it’s an impossible decision I’m going with the one for whom I hold the most hope for: Magnolia Green. Taking her cutting and grafting her to Gertrude Hunt is one of my favorite moments.

  6. The Inn is filled with wonderful characters how could anyone pick just one…but, if I really had to choose…Orro is my favorite.

  9. So many amazing characters in the series but I think Maud is one of my favorites.

  11. I adore Shawn is my favorite then Dina but they are pretty equal in my eyes.

  12. I have to say my favorite character is Helen. And I can’t wait to see how she becomes the first innkeeper on Khahr.

  13. My favorite character has Arland since he got drunk on caffeine in the funniest way possible.

  14. Caldenia! She always has an insight or a sapient creature tastiness comment. Officer Marais’ wife Donna runs a close second!

  16. Can I say Gertrude Hunt is my favorite? She (don’t know the right gender pronouns but she feels like a girl) has such a range of emotions and is absolutely hilarious. She is also so protective of Dina and loves to help everyone and can rip holes in space to other worlds. Can your house do that? Though…Orro with his dramatics and monologues is a close second for me.

  19. I love them all, but I absolutely admire Maude for her fierceness, and her determination to succeed in a society where she is physically at a disadvantage–and for raising a child while she does it.

  21. So many wonderful characters but I’d have to go with Dina because she is the heart of the Innkeeper family

  23. Caldenia is one of my favorite book characters all stop, so she is definitely my favorite in the series 🙂

  24. Dina. Although, as I type this, I hear it in Nuan Cee’s voice from the Graphic Audio.

  25. I like Karat best, but probably because I’m most like the Costco Lady aka the cop’s wife.

  26. I’d love to be able to sample Orro’s cooking, but my favorite character is Helen.

  28. My favorite character is Helen. I love her ferocity and then her childlike joy and naivety.

  29. My favorite character is Maud. I identify with raising a daughter who has to be taught not to hurt her classmates in my case not so literally, but still…

  30. Orro. Hands down. His penchant for drama and being over the top speaks to my soul. 😛

  31. This looks wonderful! My favorite character? Hmm, Helen, probably, or maybe Cookie. Thanks for the chance.

  33. My favorite character is Orro. He is a diva but thrives on his “second chance” at Gertrude Hunt. Full of contradictions and fascinating.

  34. Maud and Orro are tied for my favorites, but I do crack up every time I read about the “Space Chickens” aka the Koo-Ko.

  38. Beast, dangerous and deceivingly cute. Fierce and protective, I would adopt in a heartbeat.

    There are really quite a number of fabulous characters to choose from though.

  39. Having to choose just one is very difficult because for all different reasons I love all of them! However a choice has to be made…Dina! I so want to be her.

    P.S. I’m in the U.S.

  40. My favorite character is Dina. Like all House Andrews leading ladies, she does what needs to be done and doesn’t sit around feeling sorry for herself. She figures things out, tries her best, and owns her mistakes.

  41. Dina is my favorite, followed closely by Sean. I’d love to eat Orro’s food but his dramatics would be tough to handle.

  44. Dina! She may not have as many titles as Maud, but what else do you need besides THE Innkeeper!

  45. The Innkeeper Chronicles are my most reread series, although Maggie might eventually surpass that! I love Dina but my favorite character has to be Orro. Fire!

  50. My favorite character is Caldenia ka ret Magren. I just love her hauteur and unabashed viciousness that Dina respects. Makes her likable in a strange way.

  53. Im gonna say my favorite character is Maude. Shes strong, kind, and smart. She knows her worth, and most of her doubts come from wondering if the rest of the world is worthy of her and not the other way around. She is who I aspire to be!

  56. Maude is my favorite but it’s a tough call. I enjoy her determination and he ability to kick butt.

  57. This is a hard one because I do love Dina but I think I have to choose Tony. I love his character. I like how he loves to eat annd is so funny and yet he has this dark side that comes out when he does his job. I just think he’s a really great character.

  58. I think Maud is probably my favorite, with Arland a close second. I listen to their book to chase the crazy away (comfort).

  61. So many options, but I have to say Maud is my favorite character. She is a survivor and the blood debt dyer Melizards death…a little scary but definitely amazing.

  65. Maud is my favorite character. I already own a copy of the Innkeeper Chronicles Volume 1, so if I win, please draw again so that someone who doesn’t have a copy can get it (it is a beautiful book!).

  66. My favorite character in Innkeeper is probably Gertrude Hunt itself- I love how it interacts with Dina and everyone else and it’s one of my favorite aspects of the book

  67. I vote for Magnolia Green! She is a unique character with so much room for growth. I can’t wait to see how her character develops with all her quirks! High hopes for her!

  68. My favorite character from Innkeeper is probably Orro. I loved his depths and drama. Getting to see him grow from his self-exile in baha char to gaining confidence enough to serve his former mentor. I appreciated the emotional growth and the occasional stumble that came with it. In my dreams I’d get an invite to Gertrude Hunt dinner party.

  69. Olasard… mysterious kitty that has the secret to a pretty big question. I want to know more! Lol

  71. Maud is my favorite character. I don’t agree with her taste in partners particularly, but I love that she can hold her own with vampires and bad guys.

  76. My favorite character is Helen. Her ripper-cushions have made me laugh out loud every single reread.

  78. The Lees are my favorite – anytime they’re involved you know there’s going to be something mischievous happening. If I only get to pick one character though, then probably Orro. The *drama*.

  79. Caldenia is my favorite, of course! Orro is pretty awesome, too.

    Sorry for the resend, I just wanted to make sure this is in the right place!

  83. I love so many characters in the Innkeeper Chronicles, but I would have to pick Dina as a favorite. Innkeeper was my introduction to House Andrews. I identified with Dina; I rooted for Dina; I fell in love with a sexy exile from Auul with Dina.

    Thank you for giving us such wonderful worlds for our fantasy escapism!

  86. Maud is my favorite, no question.

    Although, if a Kinsman visits Gertrude Hunt, it might take me longer to decide. Thanks for all the rich and lovely stories!

    (US)

  87. Matilda ‘Maud’ Demille is my favorite Innkeeper Chronicles character. I love ‘fish out of water’ stories because no matter how well the fish adapts, there are always issues. Maud is a well-crafted character. She is a strong determined woman with intelligence and galactic savvy, a skilled fighter, a dedicated mother, a caring sister, and a faithful lover. Strictly speaking, Maud is a woman of all seasons.

  89. My favorite character is Dina, although there are so many enjoyable characters in the Innkeeper series and Helen is a precious delight whenever present.

  90. I love Dina, but for me it is Maud. Her story was powerful in hope that a shattered heart could learn to trust and love again.

  91. I think my favorite character would have to be Maud. She’s such a protective and caring mother.

    No spoilers but speaking of favorite characters being strong mothers in the Innkeeper series… someone with a German shepherd? 😉

  92. Arland is my favorite character with Maud a close second. There is just something special about their relationship.

  93. Helen is easily my favorite character in the series. She had me the moment she pulled her blades to defend Maud from Arland’s mother. Then there was the way she just walked onto the station because she had somewhere important to be.

  96. If I must pick a favorite, then Maud. Though I find it is actually painful, and possibly perilous, to pass over her Grace.

  97. Innkeeper favorite character today

    Dina

    (There are so many options, and all wonderful. Thank you.)

  98. Favorite? It changes almost every paragraph!

    Orro, Arland/Maud, Caledonia, Maud, Dina/Sean, Officer Marais / his wife in Costco and when she catches her husband moonlighting at Gertrude Hunt, Nuan Cee —
    HOW am I supposed to pick???

  100. Orro the chef is my favorite character! “It’s his wife bring all the donuts!”

    Please forgive me if I misquote.