Michael J. Sullivan's Blog, page 18

So far, so good for Age of Empyre's release day

So, today Age of Empyre was released in audio and ebook (the hardcover is still on the press. And even though it has been less than a day, it's pre-orders and early sales have sent the audiobook racing up the charts. The only Sci-Fi & Fantasy audiobooks that are selling better than it are Tolkien's first two books, and they are also part of the 2 for 1 sale. If the sale wasn't ongoing, there's a chance we could have hit #1.  Given that Tolkien inspired me to write, it's pretty surreal to see one of my books side by side with his from a selling perspective.  Here is the full list of bestsellers.
































As is usually the case, these big jumps on release day can be quite short-lived. But for now, I can feel a sense of satisfaction on the conclusion of this series, and Robin and I want to thank everyone who pre-ordered or picked up the book when they heard it came out today.

Ordering Age of Empyre

The final book in the Legends of the First Empire is at hand. Ebooks are already available through our site & live at online stores on May 5th.The audiobooks will download to devices on May 5th.The hardcovers will come off the presses on May 20th (we'll be shipping books ordered from our site on May 21st, but I'm not 100% sure when the online bookstores will have copies in their hands as the books have to first go to Ingram's warehouses, and then ship out to the distribution centers at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the like. I doubt books are being shipped to any brick and mortar stores right now and I'm not sure when they will. For people looking for mass-market paperbacks, we don't yet have a ship date for them, but they will be produced and will likely start selling around the time that the hardcover sales fall off.If you've been waiting for the final book, now is the best time to get your copies. This page will provide links to all the various retailer sites.

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If you are not in the US, Book Depository (the blue book icon between BAM and IndieBound) offers free shipping worldwide. In addition, here are links to various Amazon sites for various countries.







Audio book versions can be purchased from the following Audible Stores:

Age of Empyre #1 Bestseller and Most on the Most Anticipated List

So Audible came out with its Most-Anticipated List for Spring, and I'm thrilled to announce that Age of Empyre was one of the 50 titles they picked.  We are less than 2 weeks from the May 5th release date and pre-orders are strong.  In fact, It's #1 in Sword and Sorcery - and Age of Death is #7





















If we get enough pre-orders in, there is a good chance we'll hit the New York Times Bestseller list again (both Age of War and Age of Legend made it).  If you have been waiting for the end of the series, and want to hear Tim Gerard Reynolds knock the narration out of the park, please consider picking up a copy.  As always, Robin and I thank you for your support.

Breaking Chains

Hey all, Robin here. For those that don't know, I'm Michael's wife and I do some of the administrative tasks related to the work. Presently, I'm doing a proofing of the audiobook by reviewing "the dailies" as Tim Gerard Reynolds records each day.  I listen to Tim as I follow along in the book.

Anyway, for those who have read Legends of the First Empire, you know that each chapter starts with an entry from the famed "Book of Brin." I just hit Chapter 9, and it made me reflect on our current situation -- even though Michael wrote this years ago, and it has nothing to do with what is going on these days. We've not said much about Covid-19 -- what more is there to say that hasn't been said? But I thought I would share this with all of you.

Extended trips are the most frightening to begin, sheer cliffs the most difficult to climb, long falls the most painful to endure, but it is invisible chains that are the hardest to break.— The Book of Brin
A few days ago, our governor extended the Stay-At-Home restrictions in Virginia until June 10th. I can't even begin to imagine what hardships that will cause to people in our state, but I also know that desperate times call for desperate measure.  So, I have faith that we, too, can break the invisible chains that Covid-19 has shackled us to. Stay safe. Stay strong. We'll get through this together.

Theft of Swords on sale for $2.99

I didn't know this was happening, and I'm not sure how long it will be this way but I found out that Theft of Swords (a 2-book omnibus that includes The Crown Conspiracy and Avemparta) is on sale for $2.99.


In other news, the recording has started for Age of Empyre (the last book in the Legends of the First Empire series). Obviously, we aren't able to be in New York (which we normally are during recording) but we are getting the "dailies" and finding ways to "work around." More on this as the work continues.

Audible pre-orders for Age of Empyre

Well, it won't be long now.   We are set to start the recording of the LAST BOOK in the Legends of the First Empire!  And, yes, Tim Gerard Reynolds will, of course, be the narrator. For those who are waiting for the final installment and the ending of this six-book series, the time is almost here.  The title will start recording soon and the release date is May 5th.

Audible is featuring the title on their homepage:

Both Age of War and Age of Legend made the New York Times Bestseller list, and if pre-orders are strong enough, Age of Empyre has a good shot at making it as well. So, if you are thinking of finishing up the series, but haven't placed your pre-order yet, please do so today!

As always, Robin and I thank you for your support.

Audible's Stellar Storyteller Sale

I'm honored to have not just one, but two books in Audible's amazing 2-for-1 sale for storytellers they feel are at the top of the game. And with Age of Empyre coming out on Audible in May,  that means you can can get the six-book series for the price of 5 books since both Age of Myth and Age of Legend are in the sale. But, if you've already gotten these books, check out the sale anyway.  There are plenty of other great books from the likes of: Stephen King, Brandon Sanderson, Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, N. K. Jemisin, V.E. Schawb, Andrzej Sapkowski, Brian McClellan, Paolo Bacigalupi, Andy Weir, James Islington, Mary Robinette Kowal, Johnathan Renshaw, Rachel Aaron, Neal Stephenson, Andrew Rowe, Jack Campbell, William Gibson, James S.A. Corey, and dozens more!Sale ends March 16th, so hurrry!

Final Day!

It's been a fun 17 days but we are down to our last few hours on the Age of Empyre Kickstarter (will end today at 7:00 EDT).  While several days shorter than the others, it has been the most successful to date. Some details:More than 3,500 backersMore than $132,000 raised3rd most-backed and 4th most-funded fiction Kickstarter of all timeFully funded in just 48 minutes3 stretch goals metPeople who pre-order through the Kickstarter will receive the following:Receive the ebook in March rather than MaySigned (and discounted) hardcoversName added to the acknowledgments (in print and ebook)DRM-free ebooks for multi-device readingScreensavers of Marc Simonetti's ArtworkMatching signed bookmark for all physical ordersDiscounted overseas shipping12 bonus short storiesA behind-the-scenes ebook about the series as a wholeAdd-on tote bag (2 different designs: Montemorcey and Sullifan CrestIf you miss the Kickstarter, there will be a "back door" to be added, but that may mean you'll miss the window for certain rewards.  The good news is if you back the project in the next 9 hours and 30 minutes you'll get all the perks!

Non-US Book Sale

As most of you are probably already aware of, we are currently running a Kickstarter for the print edition of Age of Emypre (the last book in the Legends of the First Empire series). It's been doing really well (fully funded in just 48 minutes and currently the 3rd most-backed and 7th most-funded Fiction Kickstarter of all time). It is poised to surpass my previous all-time-best Kickstarter if it can raise just $69 in the next four days. If you are interested in learning more, you can click the following button:
Visit the KickstarterBut my reason for today's post isn't about the Kickstarter (except tangentially). One of the benefits of doing a project through crowdfunding is we'll have a large number of orders all at once. This allows us to ship pallets of books to fulfillment partners in Canada and the UK and have them handle the local shipping. Doing this is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than mailing books through the USPS, and we want to pass on those savings to the readers. Having a sale for non-US customers means we'll be able to get signed physical copies to parts of the world that we can't do when orders come in in dribs and drabs.
Not only will readers save 10% - 50% off the book's cover price, but the shipping can be as little as $7 (for one book) and $16 for five books (in most countries). Of course, the shipping for your part of the world will vary based on the weight of the package and where it's going, but we can calculate a price for you before you decide.
We hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity if you are outside the US and have been wanting to receive signed copies. Full details may be found by clicking the button below.Shop the Sale

Age of Death Bestseller List

I'm thrilled to find that Age of Death made the Top 10 Bestselling US Audiobook list for the week of February 7th.  And what's even nicer is it's the only fantasy title to do so. Thanks to all my audio readers who pre-ordered or bought the book in the first week!