‘Like the Fyre Fest of Book Festivals’: Inside The Viral Romantasy Convention Slammed by Attendees
Photos and videos of an underwhelming attempt at a fantasy ball are flooding TikTok
It’s being dubbed the Fyre Festival of the book world. Over the weekend, enthusiasts of the romance/fantasy (“romantasy”) genre were wildly disappointed when they arrived at an event that was supposed to be a themed ball, and it’s now going viral on social media for being a complete bust. Here are all the details and what fans are saying about A Million Lives Book Festival.
What ‘A Million Lives Book Festival’ promised
A Million Lives Book Festival was marketed as a romantasy convention for independent authors and book fans. The website described the event as “The perfect event to make more bookish friends!” and promised “a vendor hall, panels, a content creation room, fandom cosplay meet ups, a cosplay competition and a ball.”
It was held May 2-3 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland, and ticket prices ranged from $50 for a basic one-day pass to $250 for access to all offerings, including the ball on both days.
What actually happened at the romantasy convention
Disgruntled patrons have since taken to social media to express their discontent (along with photo and video proof) over what their A Million Lives experience actually entailed. Among the complaints: panels being delayed, swag bags not being received, significantly fewer guests than advertised, a lack of direction, signage, access to guaranteed amenities, even chairs and water.
Among many writers who felt unsatisfied was Perci Jay, who shared multiple TikTok videos calling the event a “disaster,” and stating that she flew from Texas and planned her pregnancy around the event “like a clown.”
“It felt like Fyre Fest of book festivals,” echoed author Kate Disney-Leugers in a TikTok, referring to the infamous scam disguised as a luxury music festival. “It was advertised as something really awesome and the actual execution of it was horrible. This is my cautionary tale to you, in that, do not ever go to this event because you’ll be ripped off.”
As for the Lavender Romance Ball, to which only guests who paid $250 were invited, visitors were welcomed by a huge, mostly empty room except for tables decorated with a few fake rose petals scattered. There was also a cash bar, a small table with desserts and a single Bluetooth speaker sitting on a chair playing music.
“People showed up, dressed to impress, tried to make the best of it,” author Stephanie Combs said in a TikTok post, adding that she felt bad for people who had flown in.
Author Kalista Neith also shared a series of TikTok videos recounting her experience, explaining that she had been invited 18 months ago as a featured author for the event. Despite organizers promising to put selected writers up at a nearby Hilton hotel, Neith said this was changed just days before the event to the Days Inn across the street.
After attending the ball, Neith said she felt the need to share her thoughts online, and apologize to followers who bought tickets to the event after she had advertised that she would be there.
“For my readers to spend money on an event and this ball, and having to walk into that, that is unacceptable,” she said. “As an author, all we have is the readers’ trust.”
Organizer responds to backlash and offers refunds
Grace Willows, the organizer behind Archer Management, posted a video statement over the weekend while the festival was still happening, apologizing specifically for the setup of the ball.
According to Jay, Neith raised the issues with staff and requested that the company behind A Million Lives issue refunds to ticket purchasers.
“I apologize from the bottom of my heart,” Willows wrote in the caption of the video shared to Instagram. “This was unacceptable and not up to our standards. We do apologize and are offering refunds to ball ticket holders. I am growing a team and we are working to make sure this does not happen again at any of our future events.”
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