Michael J. Sullivan's Blog, page 12

Fatemarked Kickstarter

I belong to a small group of indie authors, and we get together at my house here in Luray for little mini-conventions in the summer.  They are a talented group, and I'm thrilled with seeing so many indies doing really well. One thing I've been trying to do is help in taking them to "the next level" which basically means utilizing Kickstarter, doing print runs (rather than print-on-demand books), and selling directly to readers.

As some have heard (via our Kickstarter updates), Robin is having to scale back because of decreased cognitive ability. The good news is our son James is stepping in to fill those really large shoes by making a new company called JMS Book Logistics. James will run my Kickstarter campaigns going forward, but he'll also be available to help out indie-authors who want to do Kickstarters but don't have the time to do so.

Well, James launched his first project a few days ago and it's for David Estes' Fatemarked. one of the authors from the group I spoke about. Now, I've not read books by all the authors in my little group, but I did read this one, and it's very good.  Those who know what a tough critic I am, realize that's really saying something.  I don't recommend books often, but I feel confident doing so for this one.  

Here's a bit about the book.

THEY ARE THE FATEMARKED. MISUNDERSTOOD. WORSHIPPED. HATED. MURDERED AT BIRTH. THEIR TIME TO STEP INTO THE LIGHT HAS COME.

An ancient prophecy foretold their coming, the chosen few who will bring peace to a land embroiled in a century of mistrust and war. When kings start dying, that hope and belief swiftly turn to fear. Roan Loren is one of the fatemarked, but he has hidden his mark of power his entire life, fearing the damage it might cause to those around him. A great evil is coming, and he can't hide anymore.

If funded, the Kickstarter will produce:

Limited edition faux-leather hardcovers $65Regular hardcovers with dust jackets $25Trade paperbacks $15Fatemarked is the first in a completed 5-book series:


David has sold more than 346,000 copies across the series (120,000 of which were for book one). The ebook has been a #1 top-seller in 10 categories including Epic Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Military Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, New Adult & College Fantasy, Coming of Age, Myths and Legends, Arthurian Fantasy, Medieval Fiction, and Historical Fiction. That's doing a lot better than any of my books did!
So, if you are interested in a really good classic fantasy tale, I hope you'll stop over to the Kickstarter and grab a copy.  All books are signed, and just like with my Kickstarters, you can have your name printed in the book (or a loved one's name).   Here's the link.

Mark Your Calendar - Farilane Kickstarter Launches 2/15!

Our 10th Kickstarter has been approved, and it will launch 2/15 at noon EDT.  You can preview the Kickstarter now from this link, and even read the pre-copyedited first chapter of the book. Or, you can use this link to sign up to be notified once the Kickstarter launches.  

SOME TRUTHS ARE DANGEROUS, CERTAIN SECRETS BEST CONCEALED,
AND ONE STORY NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN AT ALL.

Being an unwanted twin in the imperial line of succession, Farilane became a scholar, adventurer, and in a time when reading was once more forbidden - a book hunter. Her singular obsession is finding the mythical Book of Brin, a tome not just lost but intentionally buried. Respected and beloved by the Teshlor Knights, not even their legendary skills can protect her for what she finds is more dangerous than what she sought.

Like the Nolyn Kickstarter, we will be creating a faux-leather limited edition version with
Hubbed spineFull-cover foil stamp designed by Sarah Sullivan4-color end sheets with art by Marc SimonettiLimited print runSigned by the author (numbered and dated)Built-in ribbon bookmarkThis is what the Nolyn book looks like. Farilane will be similar but probably with navy blue faux leather and silver foil stamp. We are offering a wide variety of reward levels and most of them come bundled with the ebook which you will receive several months before the retail release date of June 7, 2022.  Here is a breakdown of the reward levels.

If you missed getting a copy of Nolyn, you can add that to your order by choosing the DOUBLE DIGITAL DELIGHT or the DOUBLE TROUBLE reward levels (and we've provided a discount for multi-book purchases).
This Kickstarter will also provide discounted add-ons for the other books in my series including:


Calculating overseas shipping (especially if add-ons are selected), can be quite tricky, so we've setup the shipping of physical books ONLY in the United States. But non-US residents can still participate through a "manual add" process where we will calculate shipping to your location based on total product weight. If you are outside the US, you can use this form to have the postage calculated for the rewards you are interested in.
And last but not least, our son James is going to be stepping in to manage the Kickstarter and work with our daughter Sarah for the shipping process. This will free up Robin from having so much on her shoulders.
So, go take a look , and if you have any questions, you can provide feedback or pose queries right on the Kickstarter site.  And don't forget to mark your calendar so you can be there on day #1. It's usually a pretty exciting launch. We hope you'll join us!

Winter Sale - Save 15% - 50% off

 

It's that time of year again when we deeply discount our books.  Just a reminder, all physical books are signed and all ebooks are DRM free (and come in .mobi (kindle), .epub (nook), and .pdf (phones and tablets without readers. Here is what's on sale:

ebooks: 50% offNolyn hardcover - 25% offIndividual hardcovers - 15% offIndividual trade paperbacks - 15% offRiyria Revelations 3-book set - 20% offRiyria Chronicles 4-book set - 25% offLegends of the First Empire 6-book set - 25% offWe also have done a second printing of slipcases for the Legends of the First Empire hardcovers and while these usually cost $40, you can get them for just $31 when buying the books as well. 
We also have a bunch of ebook short stories for just a penny including:The Jester (a Riyria short and comic editions)Pile of Bone (a Legends of the First Empire short)Little Wren and the Big Forest (a Legends of the First Empire short)The Game - a LitRPG shortBurning Alexandria - a homage to Ray BradburyAutumn Mists - an homage to one of my favorite songs from my youth
The sale is running now through January 21st!

#1 Bestselling Audiobook - Nolyn!

 Thank you everyone for your enthusiastic support of Nolyn's Audiobook. It just hit #1 in the entire store! To be honest I can't remember if I ever had a #1 title before - I know I've come close on a few times but I'm pretty sure this is a first for me.

If you haven't picked up your copy you still have about 10 hours to get it while on sale for just $4.95.

Save 77% - Daily Deal - Nolyn Audio $4.95

One of the biggest promotions available to audio listeners is the Audible Daily Deal.  For only 24 hours, one title is deeply discounted. Well for today only, that book will be Nolyn (Book #1 in the Rise and Fall Series). What's even better is it's narrated by the amazing Tim Gerard Reynolds. Seriously, if you've never heard Tim spin a tale, it's worth $4.95, just for that reason alone!

Want some more incentive? How about these details about the book:

4.7 with over 3,000 ratingsA New York Times BestsellerAn Audible Editor's PickAn Amazon Editor's PickA 2021 Most Wished for TitleAbout the Book (The description or "back of book" information:

After more than five hundred years of exile, the heir to the empyre is wary about his sudden reassignment to active duty on the Goblin War’s front lines. His mission to rescue an outpost leads to a dead-end canyon deep inside enemy territory, and his suspicion turns to dread when he discovers the stronghold doesn't exist. But whoever went to the trouble of planning his death to look like a casualty of war didn't know he would be assigned to the Seventh Sikaria Auxiliary Squadron. In the depths of an unforgiving jungle, a legend is about to be born, and the world of Elan will never be the same.

From Michael J. Sullivan, The New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post best-selling author, a new adventure begins with the first book in The Rise and Fall trilogy. Although this series is set in the same world as the Riyria novels and the Legends of the First Empire books, it is a standalone tale. As such, no prior knowledge of the other works is required to enjoy this tale to its fullest.

And the best news of all, I JUST finished writing Esrahaddon (the last book in the Rise and Fall series). So if you are tired of waiting for titles by fantasy authors who still haven't finished their series (and you know who I'm talking about), you won't have to worry about that with this series. Book #2  (Farilane) is in beta right now (and you can even pre-order it as well ):


I hope you'll pick up a copy - and please hurry because this sale will last for 24 hours only (and ends at 11:59 PM PT).

Farilane Audiobook Available for pre-ordering!

 

The release date has been set and the audio book page is live.  So, if you read Nolyn and are excited about the next book in the series, place your pre-order now. Here's a bit about the book.

Some truths are dangerous, certain secrets best concealed, and one story never should have been written at all.
Being an unwanted twin in the Imperial line of succession, Farilane became a scholar, adventurer, and in a time when reading was once more forbidden - a book hunter. Her singular obsession is finding the mythical Book of Brin, a tome not just lost but intentionally buried. Respected and beloved by the Teshlor Knights, not even their legendary skills can protect her for what she finds is more dangerous than what she sought.
From the three-time New York Times best-selling author Michael J. Sullivan, Farilane is the second novel in the Rise and Fall Trilogy. This latest set of stories sits snugly between Legends of the First Empire and the Riyria books (Revelations and Chronicles). With this tale, Michael continues his tradition of unlikely heroes who must rise to the call when history knocks, demanding to be let in. This series will conclude in the summer of 2023 with the release of Esrahaddon, the final piece in a narrative that began in 2008 and contains 19 full-length novels spread across four series.

Gone but never forgotten

I often receive extremely touching emails from my readers. Especially during these many long months as the pandemic continues to keep us from our "normal lives." I'm honored that so many people have found comfort through the escape of my stories. That I receive emails from readers is not all that odd, after all I do encourage people to write, but to hear that my "little scribblings" have brought joy, or comfort, or a release from pain is something I never expected when I started down this windy road of writing.

Some of the letters tear at my heart. People tell me of the anguish they have experienced, and while I've spent decades penning my tales, I often find myself at a loss for words--not knowing how to express my appreciation for them reaching out and how inadequate I feel to respond. 

A recent email came to me from Leslie, who shared the sad news that her younger sister will soon lose her beloved companion Haddy (named after Hadrian Blackwater). And she requested a short memorial for Haddy. Hence the purpose of this post.

Our family has suffered this pain many times, but no one experiences it quite so acutely as my loving wife Robin, who upon each passing laments the injustice of a life so short. With each passing, Robin vows to never get another dog because the pain is too great...and yet, before long she opens her heart once more, knowing the scales are more than balanced: the joy of even a short time together will far outweigh the crushing agony she experiences with each loss.

So this post is for Teresa & Elizabeth, in the hope that this tribute can bring you some comfort. I'm sharing with my readers some pictures that Leslie sent of Haddy. What a fine boy he was, I'm sure!

As I mentioned, words often fail me at such times, and in these cases, I turn to those who are wiser than myself. I don't know who first said it, but I think this sentiment is in the heart of every dog lover when their friend has departed.
“I loved you your whole life. I’ll miss you for the rest of mine”

In closing, I'll turn to George Graham Vest (December 6, 1830 – August 9, 1904). An odd person for me to tip my hat to because there is much that he stood for that I stand against. But as with most people, there is almost always common ground to be found, and I find that we share the belief that a dog truly is man's best friend.  George was, among other things, a lawyer, and in the closing arguments of a trial in October 1869 (while arguing a case seeking damages for the killing of a dog) he said the following:

"The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens."

So, although I never met this particular Haddy, I bid you safe travels to wherever your soul will travel. Here's hoping for rich green fields and rabbits to chase until you and your loved ones can be reunited. I know you'll be dutifully waiting for that day.

Out of Print: The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter

The fourth book in the Riyria Chronicles is now officially out of print.  As such, the marketplace retailers are price gouging their few remaining copies (currently new copies run from $43 - $60.99, and used copies are priced at $59.99). That is completely ridiculous!  

The good news is we still have copies available directly from us (and they come signed and with a matching bookmark).  And the better news is we aren't marking them up at all, so you can still get them for just $17.00.

If you want to buy an entire set of the chronicles before our copies run out, then we'll offer all four books at a 25% savings ($51 rather than $68 a savings of $17).  That's four books for the price of three!

Once our supply runs out, we'll probably shift this over to a print-on-demand version and the books will be available through retailers once more. The only problem is it will be slightly taller than the other books which were produced by Orbit. The first two books of the series are 8.25" in height and the print-on-demand version (once printed) will be 8.5".  So if you are someone who wants all your books in a series to "line up" - buy directly from us now while supplies last.

New York Times Bestseller!!

 

So when I started this whole writing thing, I hoped—but never thought it would be possible—to call myself a New York Times Bestselling Novelist.  Well, lightning has now struck three times and Nolyn joins Age of War and Age of Legend on this prestigious list.

Nolyn is #11 on the Audio Fiction Bestselling List - which is a difficult list to land because it compiles data for an entire month whereas the print/ebook list just has to sell well for a single week.

My thanks go to Tim Gerard Reynolds (my long-time narrator, Kristin Lang (my acquisitions editor), and Esther Bochner (Senior Director, Content Marketing) for all their faith, talent, and hard work to make this possible.

If you haven't picked up your copy yet, you can get them here: Audio | ebook | Hardcover 

End of the Summer Multi-author ebook sale

It's that time of year again. Summer is coming to an end, and fall is quickly approaching. Before too long we'll be off the beaches and campgrounds and curled up by the fire with a good book. So this makes it a perfect time for savings. All novels on this multi-author sale are just $0.99 from Aug 30th to Sep 6th. That's 75% to 90% off the regular prices! And to make this sale even more special, one of the novels is a new release and another is a three-book omnibus. At these savings, why not get all 6? It'll cost you less than $4! And you just may find a new favorite author to follow.

Here's what's on sale:
TitleAuthor Reg Price  Savings Amazon Ratings  Dragontiarna Omnibus #1 
3 Books - 1 Low Price Jonathan Moeller$9.9990%4.6 - 293 reviews
 4.7 - 272 reviews 
4.7 - 266 reviews
KingFall
New ReleaseDavid Estes$4.9980% 4.7  -  46 reviews  The Death of Dulgath
NYT Bestselling Author Michael J. Sullivan $9.9990% 4.7 - 896 reviews I Was Legion
First in a New SeriesEvan Currie$3.9975%4.3 - 557 reviews