'Fyre Fest of book festivals'? Baltimore's 'A Million Books Festival' draws criticism
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Social media slams Million Lives Book Festival
Attendees and authors of a Million Lives Book Festival in Baltimore took to social media after they witnessed the lackluster event.
A Million Lives Book Festival? More like "A Million Lies," according to some attendees.
A romantasy book festival recently held in Baltimore has left some attendees feeling like they experienced the book version of infamous Fyre Festival.
Romantasy is a fiction subgenre combining fantasy and romance.
The event, held at the Baltimore Convention Center May 2 and May 3, was advertised as the "perfect event to make more bookish friends."
Archer Management promised prospective attendees and authors a magical evening complete with a vendor hall, panels, a content creation room, a cosplay competition and a ball. But according to various testimonials posted to TikTok over the weekend, the "A Million Lives Book Festival" was anything but.
Disgruntled attendees, many of them authors, said they felt cheated by event organizers, who failed to deliver on most, if not all fronts.
Numerous authors, including writer Perci Jay, have spoken up about the things they saw at "A Million Lives Book Festival" on social media, pointing to a lack of clear communication, materials like chairs or water and access to certain billed amenities over the course of the festival.
"It felt like Fyre Fest of book festivals. It was advertised as something really awesome and the actual execution of it was horrible," fantasy romance author Kate Disney-Leugers said in a TikTok detailing her experience. "This is my cautionary tale to you, in that, do not ever do this event, go to this event because you'll be ripped off."
Here's what we know.
Lavender Romance Ball was also an 'absolute mess,' author says
Aside from the low turnout and lack of profit, attendees, including authors, said they were especially disappointed by the ball.
"I know all of you have seen the ball at this point, but everyone was so shocked about the lack of anything at this ball that no one talked about what actually happened at the ball," Jay said.
The venue where the Lavender Romance Ball was slated to take place was bare, with very little decor or sound system. Banquet-esque tables, sparsely decorated with foam rose petals and books, and chairs could also be seen in the conference room.
Guests were welcome to feast on a selection of desserts set up at a table but were expected to pay additional amount if they wanted a drink. (Guests who attended the ball paid $250 for a ticket that included access to the event.)
"When the ball is discount ballin," one attendee wrote in the caption of a TikTok posted May 4.
A convention center security guard dubbed "Speaker Steve" came through for the group, who were milling around in silence by playing music from a speaker he brought from home.
Another unsung hero in the situation, according to Jay, was dark fantasy romance author Kalista Neith, who allegedly confronted event organizer Grace Archeron about what an "absolute mess" the ball was and asked her to issue refunds immediately.
Archeron's apology video, posted May 4, was filmed about 30 minutes into the ball at the Neith's request, not out of the "goodness of her heart," according to Jay.
The latest 'Fyre Festival'? A Denver book expo that drove Rebecca Yarros away
Event organizer extends apology, offers refunds
Archeron issued a formal apology, not about "A Million Lives Book Festival" as a whole but rather about the Lavender Romance Ball because it was "not set up to standards."
"There were a lot of issues with getting set up and it was not set up well," Archeron says in the video. "I want to apologize. If you would like a refund, please contact me and I will issue a refund immediately."
Archeron provided an update to attendees who requested a refund on May 6, writing in an Instagram post that they "are currently processing funds as fast as we can."
"All refunds will be processed by May 31st," the post reads. "We thank and appreciate you for your patience!"
Archer Management did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
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