The A Million Lives Book Festival in Baltimore, intended to be an enchanting romance-fantasy event complete with a formal fantasy ball, fell drastically short of expectations, leading to widespread disappointment among attendees. Hundreds of authors and fans arrived excitedly, only to find a poorly organized space that resembled a warehouse more than a ballroom. The event became a trending topic online, reminiscent of other infamous gatherings like Fyre Fest.
Attendees reported a lack of direction, decorations, and essential amenities such as chairs and tables, which forced many to sit on the floor even during panel discussions. Grace Willows, the organizer, acknowledged the shortcomings in a public apology, admitting the festival did not meet expected standards and citing setup issues. Meanwhile, the event management company promised refunds by May 31 but many participants, like author Perci Jay, expressed anger over the financial losses incurred just to attend, with individuals spending over $2,000 on travel and lodging.
Promised features, including a vendor hall, speaker panels, and a DJ, were either non-existent or severely lacking; only minimal decorations and a single speaker playing music from a phone were present. With estimated attendance far below the 500-600 tickets suggested, many authors were left with unsold books and financial losses after costly preparations.
Efforts have emerged online to support the financially impacted authors, as the fallout from the mismanaged event continues to unfold. Participants shared their experiences, highlighting the extensive losses suffered by independent authors who relied on the festival for exposure and sales.
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