Michael J. Sullivan's Blog, page 36

Riyria Kickstarter, how far will it go!

The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter Kickstarter has done amazingly well!  Yes, we're fully funded, which means there WILL be hardcover editions of the book (rare, limited, and regular) and we've already hit two stretch goals which will include everyone's name in the ebook and the creation of a searchable on-line glossary.
Here's jut a bit about what's happened so far: $34,500 raised in the first 12 hoursFully funded $47,600 in the first 54 hours$56,144 raised in the first 130 hours1,321 backers (8th most-backed US backed fiction project of all timeTwo stretch goals reached next level is $3,856 away (custom bookmarks)Given how well it's done has Robin speculating at the final numbers. So she thought it would be fun to do a little contest and have others join in.

So here's the deal. We'll give a limited edition of The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter to two people:

 The one who guesses the total number of backers the closest The one who guesses the final amount the closest. Now, you DO NOT have to be a backer to participate in this contest, and if you're a winner and already have a limited edition, we'll give you the choice of receiving a second one (to give as a friend) or give you a credit back on your pledge that is equal to the value of the book ($50). Sound like fun?

Here's some data I've collected so far to help with your guesses. First, the amount of funding we've seen so far (plotted over the number of hours of the Kickstarter.


And here is he same data for the # of backers.


And here is the link where you can add your guesses.

Now, of course, the closer to the end of the contest, the easier it will be to guess, so we'll stop taking guesses on October 17th. Also, you can put in multiple guesses. If you put in more than one in a day, we'll take the latest one as your official guess.

I think this will be a lot of fun. So put on your thinking cap, look at the data, and make your best guess as to where we'll end up. If you're smart, you'll get a free book!

Some more astounding covers from indie authors

The other day I shared an amazing cover from Davis Ashura and I held it up as an example of the kind of attention to detail and professionalism of many of the leading indie authors.  Well, today I stumbled upon another set of covers.  These are from Benedict Patrick and stunning doesn't begin to do justice to these incredible works of art. I said it before, but I'll say it again. We certainly have come a very long way.

KIckstarter launches is a really big way!

Well, I really shouldn't have been surprised, as I have the best, most supportive readers a writer could wish for, but the Kickstarter for The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter has kicked off in a really incredible way.

As of this writing, we are 76% to fully funding and it's been less than 24 hours!

















Here's some of the really impressive stats:

- $10,000 raised in the first 10 minutes of the launch!
- $18,452 raised in the first hour
- Currently the 22nd highest-funded Fiction Kickstarter in the US based on total pledges
- Currently the 18th most-backed Fiction Kickstarter in the US based on # of backers

If we look at this project compared to my other Kickstarters, it blows them out of the water. The following data is for first-day sales as tracked through Kicktraq:

The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter | $34,234 | 728 backers
The Death of Dulgath | $19,082 | 472 backers
Hollow World | $1,545 | 50backers

At the time it ended, The Death of Dulgath was the 2nd (or maybe 3rd, I forget) highest funded Fiction Kickstarter. It's now currently #6 (#2 as far as most-backed). With such good first-day results, we may just be able to surpass it!  Thanks everyone for all the support.

Winter's Daughter Kickstarter is Live!

Well, today is finally the day. I've just pushed The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter Kickstarter live. Our advance thanks to all the backers who are working to make hardcover editions available!

Kickstarter Launch Date Set!

Okay, the Kickstarter project is approved! So I'll launch it tomorrow.  Here are some specifics on the project:

- Project launch:  Thursday, October 5th at 12:00 noon EDT
- Project end: Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 8:30 p.m. EDT

Find a link for the project by searching "Winter's Daughter" in Kickstarter after the launch.

Backers will be able to read the book on December 5th, a full 6 months before the retail release!We are raising money for a print run to produce: rare editions (faux leather bound books in a slipcase), limited editions (linen hardcover with a custom cover), regular hardcovers, and trade paperbacks.

If the Kickstarter doesn't fund, the book will still be released, it just won't have any hardcover editions.We will be able to offer audio versions of the book. They will be distributed through download codes redeemed at Audible.com. If you don't have and Audible account, you can start one for free, and your book will still be available even after you leave Audible.com.If you want both a physical book AND an audio version, choose the appropriate paper level, and then add $10 to your pledge. You can then "assign" that $10 to an audiobook edition after the Kickstarter has ended.

If you want both a physical book AND an ebook, just pick any paper level, the ebook is already included for all people with physical books.Last time we did the shipping ourselves (which turned into a nightmare), this time we are going to use a fulfillment processor so the shipping should go much more smoothly.

There are a number of reward levels which have limited quantities (the rare and limited edition copies), and some early-bird specials (20% discount off of popular reward levels but only for the first 50 backers). That last bullet is why we are (a) pre-announcing the Kickstarter, and (b) launching at a particular day and time. This will allow everyone to have an equal chance at the limited quantity items.

Backer Levels range from $8 (for an early-bird digital only version to $125, for the rare editions) In order for  you to plan what level you will be backing at, Robin has put together this handy little table. Click here, or on the table to see a high-resolution version which is easier to read.











Once again, it's Robin who has done all the heavy lifting for the Kickstarter. My contribution was (a) writing the book and (b) recording a video. I hope you are excited as I am about the launch of this Kickstarter. I'm hoping it will be a huge success.

The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter Kickstarter Update

Hey all, I've been getting a lot of emails about the Kickstarter project (especially now that October is here.  Some of that stems from some limited and rare editions (which will probably go fast, as well as some early-bird discounts for people who pledge early. If you've not signed up for early notification, here is a link where you can.

We are really close to it's launch - probably within a week. Robin is still working on the content page, and I have to record the video. I can't today because I'm hoping to get the final beta changes in for Age of War, but if I get that done in a day or two, I'll be able to do the video.It took Robin a little longer than she had hoped to get me the beta changes to Age of War, and that put both of us behind.Copy edits are due back for Winter's Daughter in just a few days, and we leave in less than two weeks to go up to New York to sit in on the recoding. We are hoping to do some "live" sessions from within the studio.Once Robin has incorporated all the copyedits I need to read it one more time.  But I REALLY like the way the book turned out.Once we get the page finished and the video done, we still need approval from the folks at Kickstarter, but I'm guessing we'll be live in about a week - stay tuned!

Age of Swords Makes BookNest's Long List for

I'm honored that Age of Swords was nominated for BookNest's Fantasy Awards. The long list was created based on recommendations from three big fantasy imprints: Gollancz, Harper Voyager, Tor.com alongside six popular & respected blogs:  Fantasy Faction, Fantasy Book Review, Fantasy Book Critic, Parmenion, Grim Tidings, Kitty G.

They will be expanding their long list through reader nominations. There are the following number of spots left open:4 books : Best Traditionally Published Novel2 books: Best Self-published Novel4 books: Best Debut NovelTo add your favorite books to the list, go to this link before October 27th. Voting for the short list will begin October 8th. Only fantasy novels published between October 2016 to September 2017 qualify for this year's awards. Please nominate books that are *not* already in the longlist. 

Oh how far we've come...self-publishing professionally

Today's professional self-publishers, those authors that treat their books like a business and put every bit of care into them as traditional publishers, have really come a long, long way. The following cover recently caught my eye:



































This certainly meets my standard as "indistinguishable from a traditionally published book. And the most amazing thing about it?  The author had it created for $225!  Amazing!

Featured Pre-order: The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter

December 5th, is fast approaching and that means it's almost time for another Royce and Hadrian adventure, this time to Rochelle, where the mist-filled streets are hiding more than one murderous legend. I'm trilled that The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter has been selected as one of Audible's Featured Pre-orders. If audiobooks aren't your thing, you can sign up for notification of the Kickstarter (which will be offering print and ebooks -- also available on December 5th).  That'll be a full six-months before the book is available for sale through the retail chain. 

Age of Swords Hits the Washington Post's Bestselling Fiction Hardcover

What a nice thing to wake up to. Age of Swords hit the Washington Post's Bestseller's List for Hardcover fiction. Thanks all for the amazing support.