Latest news with #MillionLivesBookFestival
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Fyre Fest of book festivals'? Baltimore's 'A Million Books Festival' draws criticism
'Fyre Fest of book festivals'? Baltimore's 'A Million Books Festival' draws criticism Show Caption Hide Caption 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.
Metro
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Organiser says sorry for fantasy book ball dubbed 'new Willy Wonka Experience'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Organisers behind a Maryland event dubbed the 'Frye Fest of BookTok' by attendees have apologised. A Million Lives Book Festival, held at the Baltimore Convention Centre over the weekend, was described as 'the perfect event to make more bookish friends'. Tickets started from $50 to as high as $250, which granted access to the 'Lavender Romance Ball'. 'This event will include a vendor hall, panels, a content creation room, fandom cosplay meet-ups, a cosplay competition and a ball,' the festival website says. Not quite, according to some attendees. Footage showed a near-empty grey room, as authors and readers alike donned fancy garments for the ball and walked around empty stands. Some compared it to the infamous Willy Wonka Experience, a recreation of the classic that left said children in tears and parents phoning the police. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But 'even the Willy Wonka Experience had decor,' half-joked TikTok influencer and New York City journalist Chloe. Others said it was akin to the Frye Festival, which was billed as a luxury music weekend in the Bahamas in 2017. When the ultra-elite ticket-holders arrived, however, they were greeted with no electricity, dirt fields, soggy tents and plastic chairs. 'The Million Lives festival was such a crapshow, the only good thing was trauma-bonding with my author friends,' described Jennifer Laubach, an adult fantasy author, on TikTok. Captioning the video as 'AML survivor', she said that while many authors attended the festival, only a few readers did. Laubach, who said she only had 18 books that day and was one of 120 authors, added that many things went wrong during the event. From author tables not being labelled to last-minute schedule changes, she claimed. 'I lost nearly three grand on this trip,' she said, which included travel, hotel costs and book costs. Another author said he lost 'about two grand'. The festival was organised by Archer Management, which is run by the author Grace Willows. 'Please never host another event, this was a complete disaster and you scammed so many people out of money,' one attendee commented on the festival's Facebook event page. 'I can't believe the police weren't called.' Hope Davis, a fantasy author, said she felt 'deceived' by the event. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'I did meet some amazing authors though, so while I took a huge loss at the event, I am going to try my best to stay positive,' she posted on Threads. In a follow-up thread, Davis described how authors were told up to 600 tickets had been sold. 'Only about 50 people showed up,' she said. 'Attendees and sponsors were promised 'swag bags' and none were delivered.' 'There were no decorations for the ball or signing. There wasn't food as promised, nor did I see a cash bar at the ball as promised,' she added. Fantasy romance author Kris K Haines posted on TikTok today, saying that authors and vendors received an apologetic email from the organiser. The organiser promised refunds by the 'end of May', Haines said, adding that the email said 603 tickets were sold and 140 people showed up. On a Facebook group for attendees, which has 515 members, some said they had a 'great time'. 'Thank you for a wonderful time, this weekend was amazing and I had a lovely time at the ball,' said Kate Springer. 'Can't wait for next time!' Another posted: 'Thanks for the wonderful time!' In a video, Willows issued a 'formal apology' for the festival 'not being up to standard'. More Trending 'There were a lot of issues getting set up, and it was not set up well,' she said. 'I want to apologise. ;If you would like your refund, please contact me and I will issue you a refund immediately.' Archer Management has been approached for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The most famous inmates of Alcatraz as Trump orders notorious prison to re-open MORE: Donald Trump orders infamous Alcatraz prison to re-open to house 'dregs of society' MORE: Police officer 'run over and killed by dad of teen who died in police shooting'
