Michael J. Sullivan's Blog, page 63
January 8, 2015
So very behind...
Happy New Year everyone!! What, wait, it's already more than a week past January 1st? Where does the time go? I have a ton of news and will start rolling them out in the next few days, but for now I wanted to mention to provide an update. I've been pretty busy as of late.
First let me discuss Phyre Book #4 of the First Empire. As with all the First Empire books the h is silent, so it is pronounced pyre. You know, the heap of wood that dead bodies are burned on. I won't say anything more about that, I'll let your imaginations go where they may.
Oh, and as with the other covers of The First Empire, the above is just a mock-up to help me visualize and provide inspiration. It's a "placeholder" and I'm sure the final version will be different. So don't get wedded to it.
Generally, I'm one to avoid deadlines, but my wife wanted only one thing for Christmas and I wanted to give it to her. What was it? Well, to read the next book in the series. The book was done, but rough, and I wanted to give it one more pass before she saw it. But...there was a little matter of changes to Book #1 because the first beta read had concluded. So through most of early December I worked on incorporating beta feedback into Rhune, Book #1. The beta readers did a great job, making it so I had a lot of work ahead of me. I got that finished up and sent it back over to Robin for copy editing, allowing me to go back to her gift.
Even though I was pretty fried from the beta changes, I wrote night and day and finished up on December 24th at around 11:00 pm - just in time. She read it nonstop on Christmas and the day after (thank Maribor she took a break to make us dinner and at least acknowledge the kids were around).
Considering how hard I pushed on those two projects, I was looking for a bit of time off and a kind of cool down. After all, I earned it based on how hard I was working. Right? Well, that didn't turn out to be the case. You see, Robin had been over my beta changes and has some changes to the changes. Doh! Also, she and my agent had told the publishers they could get their eyes on book #1 when they got back from the Christmas break. So a new deadline loomed, January 5th.
Hitting that date was important for two reasons. One, we had convinced the publishers to wait until the beta changes were incorporated (they had been hoping to get it in early December, and Robin had the second beta primed for that date.
We felt like we were cramming for finals, all housekeeping duties were pushed onto the kids, who were on Christmas break from college - Merry Christmas kids. They were sent out to fetch food because Robin didn't have the time to cook. We worked long into the night and I raised several coffee companies stock by all the coffee I was downing. The last three days are pretty much a blur.
We were exchanging files back and fourth and working late into the night. Robin gave me her final review of the last chapter around 1:30 am, I got finished with my last pass around 2:30 am. She finally turned over the last chapter to me very late on January 4th and I got done around 2:00 am. Robin woke up at 5:00 am to compile the book and get it sent out. And it's now officially in the hands of others - to see whether they want to release the series or not. We'll keep our finger's crossed.
With all that done, I've been spending some time reorganizing my notes for Book #5, and revising the outline. It's massive. Still, I'm hopeful that I'll be done with by April or May.
One last item on my "honey do" list, I helped Robin with the layout of the print version of Rhune for the limited edition early, early advance copies. Some may recall a lucky few are getting their hands on the book in basically the "beta read" version. I think we'll be doing another round of these as the second beta starts wrapping up. So stay tuned for that. In the meantime, the book is at the printer, and once we get the proof reviewed, it should be out to the winners within a few weeks.
So, today I hope to start digging back into Book #5. It's always exciting when writing the final book. I see light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not even a train...I hope.
First let me discuss Phyre Book #4 of the First Empire. As with all the First Empire books the h is silent, so it is pronounced pyre. You know, the heap of wood that dead bodies are burned on. I won't say anything more about that, I'll let your imaginations go where they may.
Oh, and as with the other covers of The First Empire, the above is just a mock-up to help me visualize and provide inspiration. It's a "placeholder" and I'm sure the final version will be different. So don't get wedded to it.
Generally, I'm one to avoid deadlines, but my wife wanted only one thing for Christmas and I wanted to give it to her. What was it? Well, to read the next book in the series. The book was done, but rough, and I wanted to give it one more pass before she saw it. But...there was a little matter of changes to Book #1 because the first beta read had concluded. So through most of early December I worked on incorporating beta feedback into Rhune, Book #1. The beta readers did a great job, making it so I had a lot of work ahead of me. I got that finished up and sent it back over to Robin for copy editing, allowing me to go back to her gift.
Even though I was pretty fried from the beta changes, I wrote night and day and finished up on December 24th at around 11:00 pm - just in time. She read it nonstop on Christmas and the day after (thank Maribor she took a break to make us dinner and at least acknowledge the kids were around).
Considering how hard I pushed on those two projects, I was looking for a bit of time off and a kind of cool down. After all, I earned it based on how hard I was working. Right? Well, that didn't turn out to be the case. You see, Robin had been over my beta changes and has some changes to the changes. Doh! Also, she and my agent had told the publishers they could get their eyes on book #1 when they got back from the Christmas break. So a new deadline loomed, January 5th.
Hitting that date was important for two reasons. One, we had convinced the publishers to wait until the beta changes were incorporated (they had been hoping to get it in early December, and Robin had the second beta primed for that date.
We felt like we were cramming for finals, all housekeeping duties were pushed onto the kids, who were on Christmas break from college - Merry Christmas kids. They were sent out to fetch food because Robin didn't have the time to cook. We worked long into the night and I raised several coffee companies stock by all the coffee I was downing. The last three days are pretty much a blur.
We were exchanging files back and fourth and working late into the night. Robin gave me her final review of the last chapter around 1:30 am, I got finished with my last pass around 2:30 am. She finally turned over the last chapter to me very late on January 4th and I got done around 2:00 am. Robin woke up at 5:00 am to compile the book and get it sent out. And it's now officially in the hands of others - to see whether they want to release the series or not. We'll keep our finger's crossed.
With all that done, I've been spending some time reorganizing my notes for Book #5, and revising the outline. It's massive. Still, I'm hopeful that I'll be done with by April or May.
One last item on my "honey do" list, I helped Robin with the layout of the print version of Rhune for the limited edition early, early advance copies. Some may recall a lucky few are getting their hands on the book in basically the "beta read" version. I think we'll be doing another round of these as the second beta starts wrapping up. So stay tuned for that. In the meantime, the book is at the printer, and once we get the proof reviewed, it should be out to the winners within a few weeks.
So, today I hope to start digging back into Book #5. It's always exciting when writing the final book. I see light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not even a train...I hope.
December 30, 2014
Hollow World Makes Another Best of 2014 List
@baneofkings posted the books he thought were best for 2014 on his site The Fictional Hangout . I'm honored to make his list of 25 books that he enjoyed the most. We certainly have similar tastes since much of the books he selected, I've enjoyed as well. Here's the list:
Here's the list in text form for people who prefer to see them that way.25. Koko Takes a Holidayby Kieran Shea (Ebk 1)24. Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan23. Defenders by Will Mcintosh22. The Abyss Beyond Dreams: Chronicle of the Fallers by Peter F. Hamilton21. Sworn in Steel by Douglas Hulick (Tales Of The Kin 2)20. The Crimson Campaign by Brian Mcclellan (The Powder Mage 2)19. The Widow’s Houseby Daniel Abraham (The Dagger & the Coin 3)18. The Forever Watchby David Ramirez17. Shadowplay by Laura Lam (Micah Grey 2)16. The Severed Streets by Paul Cornell (Shadow Police 2)15. Glaze by Kim Curran14. The Oversight by Charlie Fletcher (The Oversight Trilogy 1)13. Half a King by Joe Abercrombie (Shattered Sea 1)12. Breach Zone by Myke Cole (Shadow Ops 3)11. Prince Of Foolsby Mark Lawrence (The Red Queen’s War 1)10. The 57 Lives of Alex Wayfare by Mg Buehrlen (Alex Wayfare 1) 9. Traitor’s Blade by Sebastien De Castell (Greatcoats 1)8. Cibola Burn by James Sa Corey (Expanse 4)7. Our Lady of The Streets by Tom Pollock (The Skyscraper Throne 3)6. Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie (Imperial Radch 2)5. The Martian by Andy Weir4. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel3. The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North2. City Of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett1. The Girl with All the Gifts by MR Carey
December 27, 2014
Guest Author at I Read Encyclopedias for Fun!
During the month of December, Jay Dee Archer featured me on her blog as the Guest Author of the Month. Thanks, Jay Dee, I was honored. As part of this series Jay asked a number of questions to both me and other authors. Here is what we discussed:
Which mistake or bad habit in writing is the most difficult for you to stop doing?Christmas is coming! In your opinion, what would be the perfect gift for a writer?The New Year is coming soon. What are your plans for 2015 in terms of writing?In addition to myself a number of other authors weighed in.
H. Anthe Davis S. R. CarrilloLinda G. HillJay Dee ArcherElizabeth RhodesCaren Rich
Jean DavisD. T. NovaAmy Morris-JonesTracey Lynn TobinPaul B. SpenceThere were some interesting answers...most notably what most of the authors wanted was "more time." Of course, writing full-time is the best way to get such a thing. I really feel for those authors (the vast majority) who have to balance a "day job" and work. I'm eternally grateful for all my readers who have given me this gift. I couldn't ask for anything better.
Which mistake or bad habit in writing is the most difficult for you to stop doing?Christmas is coming! In your opinion, what would be the perfect gift for a writer?The New Year is coming soon. What are your plans for 2015 in terms of writing?In addition to myself a number of other authors weighed in.
H. Anthe Davis S. R. CarrilloLinda G. HillJay Dee ArcherElizabeth RhodesCaren Rich
Jean DavisD. T. NovaAmy Morris-JonesTracey Lynn TobinPaul B. SpenceThere were some interesting answers...most notably what most of the authors wanted was "more time." Of course, writing full-time is the best way to get such a thing. I really feel for those authors (the vast majority) who have to balance a "day job" and work. I'm eternally grateful for all my readers who have given me this gift. I couldn't ask for anything better.
December 25, 2014
Merry Xmas - 16 Daily Deals from Orbit for the Kindle
Daily deals are the best! Exclusive low-cost kindle books for 24-hours. On this Christmas, Orbit and Amazon teamed up to offer 16 ebooks each priced at just $2.99 (generally a savings of 70%!) I'm so pleased that Orbit included the first book in my Riyria Revelations series, Theft of Swords in today's daily deal. Here are all the titles on sale.
Here's a list of all the titles as well:Ancillary Justice (Imperial Radch) by Ann LeckiePromise of Blood (Powder Mage Trilogy Book 1) by Brian McClellanThe Remaining by D.J. Molles (Jan 7, 2014)Theft of Swords (Riyria Revelations box set Book 1) by Michael J. Sullivan2312 by Kim Stanley RobinsonParasite (Parasitology Book 1) by Mira GrantCharming (Pax Arcana Book 1) by Elliott JamesA Dance of Cloaks (Shadowdance Book 1) by David DalglishDirty Magic (Prospero's War Book 1) by Jaye WellsShaman by Kim Stanley RobinsonThief's Magic (Millennium's Rule Book 1) by Trudi CanavanDefenders by Will McIntoshThe Falcon Throne (The Tarnished Crown Series Book 1) by Karen MillerThe Shambling Guide to New York City (The Shambling Guides) by Mur LaffertyIce Forged (The Ascendant Kingdoms Saga) by Gail Z. MartinEloise by Judy FinniganSo if Santa brought you a kindle, or you have one and want to get some great titles, inexpensively. Check it out...but hurry - the sale ends in about 14 hours.
December 22, 2014
Audiofile Magazine's Best Fantasy and Science Fiction for 2014
Considering how few spots there are in the various "best of" lists, I'm always amazed and honored to find my books on them. Audiofile Magazine is "the source" for keeping up on books in audio and I'm thrilled that The Rose and the Thorn made their best of 2014 list.
Here's the full rundown:
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell (Multiple Narrators)The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda)Dark Eden by Chris Beckett (Multiple Narrators)The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey (Narration by Finty Williams)Influx by Daneil Suarez (Narration by Jeff Gurner)Iron Man: Extremis by Marie Javins (Full Cast Recording)Loot of the Shanung by L. Ron Hubbard (Full Cast Recording)Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett (Narration by Stephen Briggs)Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Narration by Tim Gerard Reynolds)The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan (Narration by Tim Gerard Reynolds)Salome by Oscar Wilde (Multiple Narrators)Skin Game by Jim Butcher (Narration by James Marsters)Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (Narration by Kristine Potter)A Sudden Light by Garth Stein (Narration by Seth Numrick)The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman (Narration by Neil Gaiman)Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson (Narration by Michael Kramer & Kate Reading)I'm thrilled that the narrator for Riyria, Tim Gerard Reynolds got not one but two nods on this list. The only narrator to do so. I'm also pleased to announce that Tim Gerard Reynolds will be on board for two new projects of mine coming up soon. The first is The multiple book series The First Empire, and the other is Riyria Chronicles #3. No release dates on these works yet, but I'll be sure to let people know.
Here's the full rundown:
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell (Multiple Narrators)The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda)Dark Eden by Chris Beckett (Multiple Narrators)The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey (Narration by Finty Williams)Influx by Daneil Suarez (Narration by Jeff Gurner)Iron Man: Extremis by Marie Javins (Full Cast Recording)Loot of the Shanung by L. Ron Hubbard (Full Cast Recording)Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett (Narration by Stephen Briggs)Red Rising by Pierce Brown (Narration by Tim Gerard Reynolds)The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan (Narration by Tim Gerard Reynolds)Salome by Oscar Wilde (Multiple Narrators)Skin Game by Jim Butcher (Narration by James Marsters)Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (Narration by Kristine Potter)A Sudden Light by Garth Stein (Narration by Seth Numrick)The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman (Narration by Neil Gaiman)Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson (Narration by Michael Kramer & Kate Reading)I'm thrilled that the narrator for Riyria, Tim Gerard Reynolds got not one but two nods on this list. The only narrator to do so. I'm also pleased to announce that Tim Gerard Reynolds will be on board for two new projects of mine coming up soon. The first is The multiple book series The First Empire, and the other is Riyria Chronicles #3. No release dates on these works yet, but I'll be sure to let people know.
December 21, 2014
Audible's Five-star favorites
One of the cool things audible does each year, is provide a list of the books that received the most 5-star reviews broken down by a number of categories. In addition they provide their "Best of Everything" indicating the books with the highest 5-star ratings regardless of category. I'm pleased to say I've made the "Best of Everything" twice.
2012: Theft of Swords2013: The Crown TowerWhile I didn't have any books hit this year, there are a lot of great ones that did, and I wanted to share them in the hopes of you finding a great new book to try. Here's the selections for "The Best of Everything"
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk KiddMr. Mercedes by Stephen KingThe One by Kiera CassYes Please by Amy PoehlerWords of Radiance by Brandon SandersonInflux by Daniel SuarezShattered by Kevin HearneCapital by Thomas PikettyThe Book of Life by Deborah HarknessSeeing as how I write Science Fiction and Fantasy, this list is also one I care a great deal about. So here are this years top-rated audio books for those genres:
The Dragons of Dorcastle by Jack CampbellInflux by Daniel SuarezSkin Game by Jim ButcherMonster Hunter Nemesis by Larry CorreiaShattered by Kevin Hearne299 Days: The Preparation by Glen TateTech World by B.V. LarsonPrince Lestat by Anne RiceLock In by John ScalziEx-Purgatory by Peter ClinesThe Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. CareyThe Magician's Land by Lev GrossmanEarth Awakens by Orson Scott ard and Aaron JohnsonWords of Radiance by Brandon SandersonJust One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi TaylorTerms of Enlistment by Marko KloosThe Book of Life by Deborah HarknessOff to be the Wizard by Scott MeyerHappy Holidays and I hope you find something great to listen to!
December 19, 2014
The Best Book That I Listened to This Year
The fine people over at audible asked me and a 23 other authors to weigh in our favorite listens and here is the answer I gave:
Here is a link to the full list.
For those that are lazy, but still curious, here is what each person picked.
• Anthony Doerr - We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
• Lisa Genova - You are a Badass by Jen Sincero
• Lev Grossman - Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Fleming
• Michael J. Sullivan - The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
• Jennifer Probst - Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
• Kevin Hearne - Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells
• B. V. Larson - Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov
• Debbie Macomber - Wonder by R. J. Palacio
• Chris Bohjalian - One More Thing by B.J. Novak
• John Connolly - Light of the World - by Lee Burke
• K. A. Tucker - YOU by Caroline Kepnes
• Dan Bucatinsky - Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi
• Jasinda Wilder - Sand by Hugh Howey
• Willy Vlautin - Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton
• Suzanne Young - The Dream Thieves 0 by Maggie Stiefvater
• Caroline Kepnes - Big Little Lies by Caroline Lee
• Ilsa J. Bick - Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar
• Becca Fitzpatrick - Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
• Christina Lauren - Dark Skye by Kresley Cole
• A.American - The Martian by Andy Weir
• Lisa Renee Jones - The Rookie by Scott Sigler
• Katy Evans - Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
• Andrew Peterson - My Sister's Grave by Robert Dugoni
• Kathleen Brooks - The Wrong Todd by Donna McDonald
What's your favorite listen of the year?
December 13, 2014
Audible's 2014 Best Books in Fantasy
Yep it's time for yet another "best of" list. This one brought to us by the amazing people at Audible.com. So here are their picks for the Best Fantasy of 2014 .
The full list includes:
• Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson narrated by Michael Kramer & Kate Reading
• The Legend of Drizzt: The Collected Stories by R. A. Salvatore with multiple narrators
• Prince Lestat: The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice narrated by Simon Vance
• The Book of Life: All Souls, Book 3 by Deborah Harkness narrated by Jennifer Ikeda
• The Magician's Land: The Magicians, Book 3 by by Lev Grossman narrated by Mark Bramhall
Some fantasy showed up on some of the other lists as well, including:
Listener Favorites:
• Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
• Written in My Own Heart's Blood: Outlander, Book 8 by Diana Gabaldon
• Skin Game: A Novel of the Dresden Files, Book 15 by Jim Butcher
• Monster Hunter Nemesis by Larry Correia
• Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Editor's Picks:
• The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey
• Dark Eden by Chris BecketStation Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Series Conclusions:
• The Book of Life: All Souls, Book 3 by Deborah Harkness narrated by Jennifer Ikeda
• Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
• The Magician's Land: The Magicians, Book 3 by by Lev Grossman narrated by Mark Bramhall
So go grab some earbuds and give a listen, there's these and plenty more good listens over at audible.com.
December 12, 2014
NPR's 2014’s Great Reads in Science Fiction & Fantasy
NPR's staff and critics came up with a list of 250 titles they loved for 2014. When breaking them down to the science fiction and fantasy category, here is what they came up with (and a link for you to learn more):
The format of the images makes it a bit hard to see exactly what was picked, so here is the full list for your reading pleasure.
The Bone Clocks by David MitchellOn Such a Full Sea by Chang-Rae LeeThe Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. JemisinStation Eleven by Emily St. John MandelAncillary Sword by Anne LeckieHorrorstor by Grady HendrixHow to be Happy by Elenor DavisDefinitely Maybe by Arkady and Boris StrugatskyAviary Wonders Inc. by Kate SamworthRules of Summer by Shaun TanThe Martian by Andy WeirRules of Summer by Shaun TanAfterparty by Daryl GregoryThe Memory Garden by Mary RickertThe Bees by Laline PaullValour and Vanity by Mary Robinette KowalThe Man with the Compount Eyes by Mu Wing-YiUnexpected Stories by Octavia E. ButlerThe Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang & Sonny LiewCalifornia by Edan LepuckiStone Mattress by Margaret AtwoodLittle Nemo Dream Another Dream by Winsor McCayHeap House by Edward CareyThe Hawley Book of the Dead by Chrysler SzarlanWhiskey Tango Foxtrot by David ShaferThe Tropic of Serpents by Marie BrennanThe Book of Strange New Things by Michel FaberThe Night Gardener by Johnathan AuxierThe Peripeheral by William GibsonThe Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 1 by Stan SakaiA Snicker of Magic by Natalie LloydThe Last Illlusion by Porochista KhakpourThe Three-body Problem by Cixin LiuThe Adventures of Beekle by Dan SantatThe End of the Sentence by Maria Dahvana Headley & Kat HowardFatale Ed Brubaker & Sean PhillipsLightSpeed Women Destroy Science Fiction Special IssueThe Apex Book of World SF 3Kaleidoscope by multiple autohrsQuest by Aaron BeckerThe Wrenchies by Farel DalrympleRat Queens Vol. 1: Sass And Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc UpchurchArea X: The Southern Reach Trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer
December 11, 2014
This kind of thing benefits no one
I must say that I get a bit tired of hearing how self-published books scam readers with fake reviews and artificial rankings. I've been in (and watched) the self-publishing world for a long time now, and I can tell you the professional self-published get their sales and rankings based on what they should be...readers who love books and say so. Yes, there are a few bad eggs who operate in disreputable ways, and this undermines an industry that has benefited many. Given how self-publishing has benefited both writers (making full-time income), and readers (inexpensive books they love), it's sad to see these things happens.Which brings me to All About A's. A book whose description says, "Have you ever wondered about the letter A? It's the first letter of the alphabet, but why? Who created it? This books purpose is to answer these questions, maybe. So sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride."
But the problem...is it's a book with six chapters and the entire content is just the letter A repeated over and over and over again. I'm sure it will be removed from Amazon soon, so I'm not going to bother posting a link. But it's current #222 in free stories:
Well, it's free so maybe some people downloaded it just as a joke or to show others. But this book is also in the Kindle Unlimited Library, and if a big part of that 222 ranking is through "borrows" it's going to hurt the legitimate authors in the program. This is because regardless of price, everyone in Kindle Unlimited gets an equal cut of a pool divided by a number of borrows. So, I do feel bad for the authors whose paychecks will be a little smaller until this book is removed (hopefully Amazon won't give this books author any cut and it will be a moot point).But, here's the part that really gets me...the reviews. A 4.6 rating and 119 of them.
Are they paid reviews? Are they friends of the person who did this book? I've even seen comments on a writing forum who thinks it was done by one of the big publishers, no doubt to hold up as an example about the "quality" of self-publishing.
So, I'm not sure if this is (a) a joke (b) someone trying to make a point (c) someone hoping for a viral 15 minutes of fame or (d) just someone trying to cash in with next to no effort. But no matter what the truth is, it's really not helping anyone, and I'm really sorry to see it released.
