‘Ruined careers': Book festival ends in disaster

News.com.au

07-05-2025

A book festival in Baltimore has been dubbed 'Fyre Festival 2.0' after leaving event-goers bitterly disappointed and thousands of dollars out of pocket.
What was promised to be an enchanting weekend for romance-fantasy novel fans quickly turned into what people are describing as one of the worst events they have ever seen.
The much-anticipated 'A Million Lives Book Festival', was set to take place over May 2-3 and promised attendees: Hundreds of fans, a vendor-packed hall, author panels, cosplay contests, and a glamorous 'Lavender Romantasy Ball.'
In multiple clips shared to social media, excited event-goers can be seen frolicking through halls in elaborate ball gowns and dapper tuxedos.
Their excitement can be seen quickly dissipating as they arrive to find a near-empty warehouse with blaring lights and some tables and chairs. In place of a DJ, a lone bluetooth speaker sits on a chair as attendees awkwardly stand around it.
Panels for the festival also didn't have chairs or tables in their rooms, forcing people to sit on the floor.
It was marketed as the ultimate escape into magical worlds and swoony stories. But by the end of day one, many were left wondering if they'd accidentally walked into an abandoned side quest.
Weekend attendees were set to enjoy a vendor hall where they could meet their favourite authors, a cosplay meet-up event, access to a content creation room, panels, event swag bags and much more.
Ticket prices ranged from $50 to $250, and book vendors were told to expect crowds of 500 to 1,000 people. But when the doors opened on the first day, a mere 30 people wandered in. On the second day, close to 100 showed up.
Some authors reportedly sold fewer books than the cost of parking their car.
Fantasy author and lawyer Perci Jay took to social media to share a four-part series exposing the event that she dubbed 'A Million Lies' and 'The Willy Wonka experience for books.'
'It was even worse than what you're seeing,' Ms Jay told her 54,000 followers.
'We put our deposits down 18 months ago. I even flew out from Texas.'
She went on to reveal she had planned 'a lot of major life events around the festival,' including her pregnancy and her uncle-in-law's funeral.
The mum-to-be stressed there was no food, the doors opened late and ticketholders were forced to pay $5 for 'tiny' cups of soft drink or water.
'People flew from outside the country, others are thousands of dollars in debt because of the lies, and it has ruined others' careers,' she said.
Ms Jay told Metro UK that she spent around $2,000 on the event, including flights, books, art, table fees and event sponsorship.
In an email sent to disappointed vendors and authors, organiser Grace Willows of Archer Fantasy Events said she 'wholeheartedly apologises for the failures of this weekend.'
'This event was unacceptable,' she stated.
In a clip that now has 2.8 million views, the young event co-ordinator issued an apology to ticketholders.
'I understand the ball was not set up to standards, if you would like a refund please contact me and I will issue a refund immediately.'
Viewers were quick to compare the disastrous book festival with the notorious Willy Wonka event of 2024, which saw children crying and police arriving at the venue.
Similarly, the event promised a 'fantasy like never before' but when eager attendees arrived to the venue in Glasgow – they found a near-empty warehouse with a few decorations and chairs.