It’s raining again. What a surprise. I think I might faint from this surprise. It’s not enough that we have four inch deep lake on our lawn, oh nooo, no, we need more rain.
It has come to my attention that tiny snippets of Kate 5 are driving people nuts. I’m sorry about that. Driving nuts wasn’t my intention. I’m just working on the manuscript and I blog about what I work.
So. We can declare a moratorium on Kate topics for a couple of months.
What would you guys like to talk about? I still have some questions about the publishing and writing you guys left me, but I figured you were probably a bit sick of me talking shop.
I also tried to get Mark Del Franco to come over and talk about his book, but he won’t return my emails. HI MARK! If you’re reading this, come over to talk about your book!
So any particular topics you guys want to explore? Do you want to have some light fiction running in small chunks on the blog? Do you want to rid more about knitting? (That sounded vaguely as a threat, hehehe.) All suggestions are welcome.
(1) For cosmic record, I thought it was pretty nice of you to share snippets, however big or small, while you worked. Even if they all come down later, it’s pretty awesome being able to follow the work in progress and get those little hints of what’s to come.
(2) There’s always movies. TV. The light fiction sounds cool. Oh! Oh! We could rant about how publishers put “Look for the next book in such-&-such series to be coming out SOON” What they mean is a YEAR. It’ll be coming out in a YEAR. A YEAR is NOT soon. It’s a year, and that can be like forever. Why can’t they just SAY “to be coming out NEXT YEAR”?! “Soon” gives false hope and is just plain cruel!!
*deep breath* Sorry. I may be a bit peeved about that. Not that you’d've noticed.
(3) “Learn how to knit” is actually on my Lifetime To Do List…I just don’t know anyone who could teach me and I don’t think a book would be very…er…helpful to begin. Advice?
1. I agree with you on the snippets. Too cool that she does those. I really like the Curran POVs too.
2. I agree with the “soon” comments too. Worse is when they give you the first chapter of the next book in the series to read at the END of the last book to read. Most of the time it’s really good too. If the whole first chapter has been through the “editing” process…why will it be a YEAR before the next one comes out ?
3. If you’re really interested in learning how to knit, there are a lot of videos on youtube that give basic instructions. I learned to crochet there. Lionbrand yarns is another site that has video instructions. I found them much more helpful than following the picture instructions in the books.
Ilona.. I started reading your books when I bought my first kindle. Your stories were referred to me based on other books I read. Which may I say is WAY helpful. I’m on kindle v2 and lets just say I like pre-ordering my books there much better than walking to borders or ordering the hard copies online. Please make sure the kindle version is available for pre-order like your hardcopy version is.
I have no control over when Amazon decides to put the KIndle edition of the book up. There is absolutely nothing I can do on my end to influence that decision one way or the other.
That said, preorders for Kindle usually become active about a month before release. With the way Amazon conducted itself recently, I’m not sure when the Kindle edition would become available.
I noticed just last night that Kate 4 is now available on Amazon.com for pre-order for my Kindle. They will send to my Kindle on May 25. There’s a smidgen of hope for you peeps.
(By the way, why isn’t the Speech Enabled on your books, Kate?)
okay, Ilona…. I have a philsophical question
is it possible to drive somebody nuts who was nuts to begin with?
meheheh.
I think that people are so hungry for kate 4, the kate 5 snippets make the wait somehow seem longer. but that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the snippets and by god, we DON’T WANT THEM TO STOP ENTIRELY.
alrighty… that being said….
Do you want to have some light fiction running in small chunks on the blog?
SOUNDS AWESOME
I think its your blog and you should write about whatever you want. I for one, also thought it was very nice of you to share snippets. The people it drives crazy don’t have to read those posts. I’ve always liked how diverse your blog is.
I agree with everyone else, it’s your blog. Write what you want. Personally, I read this blog BECAUSE of the snippets. I love them. But if you stop writing them, I’ll still read your blog.
Mark Del Franco would be awesome to have talk about his book! That one is next on my list to get! Love him!
On your other topic…I think it is super nice of you to have snippets. It is just making us all want Kate 4 even more, and try to interpret the Kate 5 snippets for Kate 4 clues.
So really, you are hyping Kate 4 more, which is a good thing! Ha!
All snippets are welcome. They help us get our Kate fix.
If you get Mark Del Franco on this blog you would go up four notches on my favorite author list to number 1+4. Either that or gush about the new book with us!
That would require Mark to actually read my emails. :grumbles::
Absolutely agree with everybody so far,except about the knitting that does come under the cruel and unusual for me, but hey it is your kink.
I would always be delighted by hearing any of your book recommendations, especially past , best loved ones.
I love snippets.
You know that picture you painted with the dogs being all excited at another dogs presence? LOL That would be your snippets! *Frowns* I had the metaphor in my head perfectly.. really, I did.
It’s really VERY kind of you to take us into consideration at all… and I love your snippets and if I ever implied otherwise by teasing, I would say I’m sorry.
Talking shop is fun, you do it very well. Knitting pictures are great *grin* Funny topics, odd topics, shoptalk, entertainment… whatever you want, we’re all game.
I LOVE the snippets. I actually gasped out loud at reading “So. We can declare a moratorium on Kate topics for a couple of months.” It was just instant!Despair. Loving the work and seeing these little bits of it in progress is part of what makes the blog so fun, even if some of them don’t make it into the book. PLEASE don’t stop the snippets! I LIKE being tortured with them!
Bring on snippets, author chat, books, recommendations, family observations, general musing about anything and everything…. and of course… Knitting!
I wanted to cry at the thought of no more Kate snippets for a short time. I loves them, regardless of how crazy they make me for Kate 4!
As for new topics: I love the idea of some more fiction, I REALLY enjoyed your “shop talk” about the wonderful world of publishing, gotta love guest bloggers, I remember something about a Kate quiz at one point in time, the list could go on and on. I love that your blog is so diverse in what you talk about, I’m game for anything. Bring it on!
I love the snippets! As far as the rain/lake goes… At least it’s not the snow we’ve had on the ground since Dec 18th. What we want to read about? Whatever is fine with me.
in terms of going nuts. Have you ever read “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”? insanity isn’t always a bad thing. (especially considering that nurse Ratchet was the sane one) I say bring on the straight jackets!
As for other topics, I’m an animal lover and can never get enough goofy dog and cat stories.
I love the snippets even if they don’t end up exactly in the book. You are so interesting it’fs fun to come in here for a peek into your brain. You do what you feel you must but I likes it!!
I love to knit but never finish a project, I get comfused, (I don’t think I am stupid but you never know), so i like looking and hearing what you are doing.
Do not listen to the crazy people. More snippets please.
Since I don’t knit I kind of skip those blogs but I do look at the finished product.
Maybe you could invite other authors to talk about their works. I don’t have the time to troll other sites but I do have the interest in hearing about their work.
Especially if you could get them to drop their snippets here….oh yeah. mmmmm Lilith Saintcrow … Steel Flower sequel perhaps
Have I told you lately how wonderful you are…
I was insane before I came to your site and the snippets don’t make it any worse. They are little flirtations of what might be and personally I love them.
If you want to give us something else, howabout some different POV’s. I like the Curran ones, and would love to get inside some of the other characters heads too.
Of course you could always use us as a sounding board for your next series. I have read that for some unearthly reason you occasionally doubt your writing you ability – and personally find that a little mad.
I love reading the comments of your many loyal fans and the family/pet stories too.
You may have noticed this, but we are easily pleased and like the torment. The complaints are as fake as your Frost feud. I am sure we would beg if necessary to get our snippet fix and I do a good line in grovelling too (you pair are the greatest – more snippets please).
Bring on the Curran POV! Oh, wait, that’s a Kate topic. So…bring on the Curran POV!
I read your blog because you’re funny, I enjoy the snippets, and you’re doing something that I aspire to do myself, some day. Also, it makes you and Gordon seem like real people, instead of just a name.
It doesn’t hurt that the Kate series is one of my all-time favorites.
ditto!
Oh, and if you’ve got time (haha), bring on the light Fiction!
*cheers+runs around in circles*
Don’t stop the snippets! I beg you *does puppy eyes* Please!!
On the topics, I will read anything. I even contemplated trying to knit something. (somewhere my Handicraft teacher shudders right now)
And I love the entries about everyday stuff.
Thanks!
I love your blog for the diversity of it as well as you do update it so it keeps bringing me back. I just enjoy reading it even without Kate, and the Edge book information. I personally like the snippets.
Its your blog, right what you want. If you think something is funny or clever or you enjoyed writing it and want to share it with us please do. I will not complain about the snippets.
I check your blog a few times a day and am always delighted when there is a post. From snippets, to Curran POV, to knitting, to Curran POV, to tales of the Andrews household, I am always grateful to find something to distract me from my troubles or to entertain. Thank you!
Hey Ilona,
I was just wondering why I cant seem to get your books vai kindle. I just got onw asn was all excited about it but it seems my favourite authors are not available
I am loving your blog btw and like hearing about your families life and how you cope with the stresses of day to day.
I just checked and the books are up in the Kindle store. Ping me if you get stuck again and I can send you the link directly.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D154606011&field-keywords=ilona+andrews&x=0&y=0
A random title:
http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Strikes-ebook/dp/B001TLZE8M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1265460131&sr=1-4
Says buy now with one click.
Worked out the problem is me not living in the States. Apparently I cant get them in the UK
Hey Kadie, Kindle is not terribly Kind to us Brits. I have ranted and emailed and bored for Engalnd on this.
When I pretend to be a grown up I would rather have some books on Kindle than none -as I love being able to buy them at midnight, sweet guilty pleasure- but always seem to be my best authors are unavailable.
Exception- I don’t know if you are Jeaniene Frost fan ( avoiding certain word ) but her latest is available preorder, out on 9th- bliss.
Bring on the snippets
I will admit a small simmering sadness while devouring Kate 5 Snippets, but it’s only because I am so freaking excited for Kate 4, that reading Kate 5 is like pure torture, because we have no real idea where Kate is, what’s she’s doing… or who for that matter 
But don’t stop! Gosh, that would be even worse torture.
What about Guest bloggers? I always enjoy reading other authors on your site. You could always run an ‘ode to Frosties’ **
“Ode to Frosties” hehehe Can you be a Frostie AND a Biter?
Errr…
I liked the snippets. They did not make me crazy. Handcuffs = LMAO.
If Mark won’t come over, maybe Nalini? (Because her book ROCKS)
Forgot to say something
Psst… it rains in Oregon. A LOT. For months. Just sayin.
Yes but the sun does come out some time.
Is true.
In winter, we gasp and cower. Bright thing hurts eyes!
In summer, we adjust.
It’s been rather nice here the last few weeks. Yes, we’ve had rain, it is still Oregon after all. But the temperature has been pretty nice. A bit warmer than usual.
I think it’s your blog so you should write what you want to write. I love the snippets and I can always go back and reread books already out while waiting for the next. I read your blog because I am generally interested in whatever you have to say regardless of the topic. On a side note anything to do with Jeaniene Frost is always something I like to read about since she is another of my favs
Oh and I do find the knitting entertaining, lol, since I crochet
I enjoy reading everything you write (Though I’m completely lost when you talk about knitting) so as long as you keep updating I will keep reading. For a suggestion though, how about some more critiques? I have a hard time watching someones work get corrected (It’s like asking someone what they think of your baby, any criticism is going to hurt. However, it is very useful to see the process to know what others look for in writing. I’m too much of a chicken to post mine but I like hearing about what an author thinks is good or bad in any given paragraph, maybe even show critiques by other authors or corrections of the Kate books made by editors or friends in the past, either about writing style or world building
Who the hell said the snippets were driving them nuts?? I love the snippets, even if they get cut from the finished book. It’s not like people are FORCED to read the snippets if it bothers them. Hey, look away then.
Write what you want to write. Oh, and I’m with you on the rain, over 2 inches here in 24 hours but at least it’s not the 2 feet of snow my friends in Va are getting. I’ll take the damn rain.
Ha ha, I’ve never seen so many long comments
More Curran pov’s are always welcome. Hee Hee
I am firmly in the pro-snippet camp! 4, 5, 7 i dont care! I get so excited by every little crumb that falls from your table Ilona!
You post whatever you want to hun, Im happy with anything (well except for knitting, sorry but it’s not my thing). I always love when you share stories about your dogs, I get to tell my husband about them and we laugh. Then we look at our dog and make fun of him and he just wags his tail.
Fiction…please:) I feel rude asking…but between you and the 5 other authors I love to read, I just don’t have enough to keep me occupied.
::Gasps:: Jeeze Illona don’t you realize that most of your fans are masochists who like to be tortured with snippets! Rather apropos considering Kate’s penchant for uhm handcuffs wasn’t it? LMAO
No, no, no.
Don’t stop the snippets. I love the snippets. Those snippets make my life (which is sort of sad, but true). Whoever said those snippets drove them crazy shall endure my murderous gaze. -murderous gaze-
But if you have no idea what to write, how about a Curran point of view. *wink wink* However, you are the blog master. You call the shots.
I really enjoy any and all snippets. I could always do with more Alpha Menz. I guess that makes me sick. You do what makes you feel the best.
Mua. I love the Kate 5 snippets. Makes the wait all that much sweeter. Also, I thoroughly enjoy it when an author talks shop. I live up by Seattle and this past week it’s actually been really nice out.Hardly any rain! Makes me wish I didn’t have to work so much >_<
Um. Yeah, I sometimes skip the Kate snippets because of the nuts making. And sometimes I don’t.
I like all of your blog topics, really. Knitting, family, movies. You’re interesting, must be a writerly side effect.
I especially like your interpretations of dog-speak. Hilarious!.
I’d be interested in hearing about books that’ve influenced you, particularly when you were growing up or before you started writing, or how you met and fell in love.
Are you sure that the “I tell you Ilona, your snippets are driving me CRAZY” comments aren’t a prelude to “Snippet me harder, *harder*, HARDERRRRRR!”?
LOVE SNIPPETS!!! Do not stop snippets. They make the wait less torturous. And the Curran POVs are pure gold.
I must say i really would enjoy light fiction here, just like it was going on with Alpha i would love to read something like what you have on free fiction in chunks, i love short stories and Im sure that would keep us entertained.
I also like a lot reading about your daily life, something i feel other authors lack. I like coming in here and reading about your day, it makes me feel closer to you… like if we were old friends reading each other normal blogs
I love snippets, dont take me wrong!
If that doesn’t give you to much work i’d very much like a light fiction on the blog
even something that has nothing to do with the edge or kate daiels series 
On the other hand i also like the blog as it is …
So do whatever you want
But….I really like the snippets! I like the blog as is. I think you should write about whatever you want (esp if you want to write snippets….)
snippets… good!
Curran (or others) POV…good! (especially for Valentines Day…)
knitting…good!
dogs…good!
moving hassles…good!
other authors…good!
light fiction…good!
anything else you choose to blog about…good!
in other words… its ALL good!
Keep up the great work!!! Whatever, whenever you decide to write I will read!
Will try to find Mark.
Did anyone actually complain about snippets? Or are you just fishing for us to tell you how much we love you- being that you *must* know that threatening to take away snippets is like taking crack from a junkie? I think we’re all Ilona snippet-junkies here. Aren’t we? We love you Ilona! (I mean that in a total non-cullen way
Somebody emailed me a link to a person’s blog, where there was some snippet complaining, and stated that they agreed with her and that snippets were making it difficult for them to read the blog.
note to self: Find and destroy aformentioned blog owner, blog poster, and the damned one who had the nerve to email it to Ilone. ARG!
Seriously- the active readers replying here speak louder, no? Those were the only 3 people in the universe. And….they don’t matter. ;D
LOL, please don’t do that. Everybody has their opinion and that’s all cool.
Sure, sure…it’s a cool…so long as those *few* opinions don’t rob the rest of us of our favorite addiction… snippets!
Oh, and another vote for Curran POVs as well, in case you didn’t get it- we LOVE those too! Just do your loyal readers a favor and don’t go looking out & about the blogosphere for the *few* blogging-haters there.
You have the Midas touch. So, like all your other loyal subjects- you write it, I read it…whatever the subject matter.
I love the snippets! Don’t stop please!
I want to have the choice to read whatever you wish to write. The magic is that you are putting yourself into this blog/snippet/knitting/etc.. that is why I check here regularly. If it makes them crazy they can just not look. I love looking and finding treasures/teasers here.
I’m totally in the KEEP THE SNIPPETS camp! I love those and the little hints they add to a story I LOVE to read and think about and obsess about.
My vote is: 1) keep the snippets, 2) More Curran (or other) POV, 3) ongoing fiction and 4) whatever you want to talk/vent about that’s on your mind. Just think…your “ongoing fiction”/procrastination attempt of “Alpha Menz” ended up getting you another book deal! (Which I’m ever so eagerly looking forward to).
So basically, keep doing what your doing. You are AWESOME!!!
I am already insane but still love the snippets.
Summer in Oregon is fantastic. Winter is survivable and you don’t have to shovel rain. At least that is what I tell myself during the winter.