Michael J. Sullivan

Joyce wrote: "I had to let down some patrons, as well as myself, Age of War would not be released until July 3rd! Thank you Michael for another awesome series!"

Yeah, sorry for the 45-day delay. It was necessary because we took the time to send it through a second set of copy edits. I think it was the right choice, the book is better for the extra work and the delay wasn't that large in the grand scheme of thing.

Thanks for continuing to spread the word about the books!

Michael,
Since I work at a library, as you know, every time some ask me for a great fantasy, I always recommend a Royce and Hadrian adventure, two of my favorites! Now, with the Legends of the Empire series, I now recommend this series as well! However, I had to let down some patrons, as well as myself, Age of War would not be released until July 3rd!
Thank you Michael for another awesome series!
Joyce

E.A. wrote: "Just thought you should know you really nailed that whole section of the book :) (I've read your series probably 7 or 8 times because I love the books and I feel like i'm going home to friends when I re-read them - and yet, it still gives me the willies when I get to that part! :)

I'm honored! Thanks for the kind words. And 7 - 8 times. Wow! That's amazing. So glad you have enjoyed the books so much.

Hi Michael, I've been wanting to share this with you for a while, and finally found the time! Please take this as a complement:

I've read so so many books of all levels of gruesomeness in a variety of genres (Game of Thrones, Joe Abercrombie's series, Bernard Cornwell, Stephen King... just to name a grisly few) and yet, the fear generated during the chapter in which you describe Arista's imprisonment was palpable. It is the only time I've ever felt absolute terror at the thought of being in a dungeon... I'm not afraid of rats (cockroaches, yes. Rats, not at all) but the rat in that dungeon was horrific.

Just thought you should know you really nailed that whole section of the book :) (I've read your series probably 7 or 8 times because I love the books and I feel like i'm going home to friends when I re-read them - and yet, it still gives me the willies when I get to that part! :)

Andrew wrote: "Hi Michael as a huge fan of your work, can I join your Dark Room group please?"


Sure can! Thanks for asking. I just sent you a link that will get you in.

Hi Michael as a huge fan of your work, can I join your Dark Room group please?

Thanks in advance

Andrew Keane
Tasmania, Australia.

Heather wrote: "I will simply say thank you. Thank you for reminding me why I love reading. I can't wait to delve into the rest of your books this year! "

It was my pleasure. I'm so glad to see you back on Goodreads. Go find some great books to pick up!

I have been pretty sporadic on Goodreads as of late and seeing a friend request from my favorite author discovery of 2016 reeled me back in! I must admit, I panicked and didn't hit accept for quite some time because I didn't have anything exciting or witty to say.

I will simply say thank you. Thank you for reminding me why I love reading. I can't wait to delve into the rest of your books this year!

I am having trouble finding books to read. You have spoiled me. You and Patrick Rothfuss, and now nothing that I read seems good. Keep the books coming!

Thank you for the friend request! I was caught a bit off guard when I opened up my inbox and saw a notification from one of my favourite authors but it definitely made my day!
Oh, and Age of Myth was fantastic! There are some mighty big shoes to fill after the Riyria squad (there can never be enough of them ♥) but Suri and the rest of the cast have already started worming their way into my heart so I'm pretty certain this series is going straight to my favourites! :)

Hi, Michael.

Thanks so much for your friends request! It made me especially happy because you are one of my favorite authors - and have been pretty much from the first time I was introduced to Hadrian and Royce. (Love the bantering friendship.) I can tell that Age of Myth kicked off another of what will be a favorite series because of the wonderful ensemble cast you've got in it. And the cutest wolf EVER!

Dustin wrote: "Hi, Michael!I hope this finds you well.:) I haven't read any of your work, but II haven't read any of your work, but I've yet to hear anything negative. I cannot wait to delve into Riyria's world."

I am well, thank you, and I hope you are as well. I do hope you'll take a peak - there are two free audio shorts on Audible.com (Professional Integrity and The Jester) they are less than 1 hour to listen to, and as I said completely free. If you don't listen to audio books, I'd be glad to send you ebook versions of them. They are a great way to "try out" Riyria to see if it is a good fit for you.

Hi, Michael!

I hope this finds you well.:)

I haven't read any of your work, but I've yet to hear anything negative. I cannot wait to delve into Riyria's world! Thank you for accepting our friendship!

Daniel wrote: "Love you're books (kickstarter backer :) ) so keep em coming. And yes, Germany is a beautiful country to visit so hopefully you'l get lots of inspiration for further books. Love you're books (kickstarter backer :) ) so keep em coming."

I'll certainly do my best. I have six completed novels working their way through publishing, an while they are coming out I'll be writing a lot more. Can't wait for our trip to Germany - 13 months and counting.

Candace wrote: "Thanks Michael, I am a big fan. I also gave a friend the first Riyria book and he immediately bought all the rest of your books! It's so much fun introducing you to others!"

Nice! Thanks for "Sharing the love"

Thanks Michael, I am a big fan. I also gave a friend the first Riyria book and he immediately bought all the rest of your books! It's so much fun introducing you to others!

Having a successful author as a friend is always nice so thanks for the friendship request. Love you're books (kickstarter backer :) ) so keep em coming.

And yes, Germany is a beautiful country to visit so hopefully you'l get lots of inspiration for further books.

Meg wrote: "I am just about to finish The Heir of Novron and I would like to say that I have not enjoyed a series this much in a long time."

Hey Meg, what a kind thing to say. I don't think you have to worry about me "not writing" - it's my favorite thing to do. And yes, I do think there are still seasons, although I wouldn't know for sure. We seem to be in constant "spring" weather with cool temperatures and LOTS OF RAIN! Grrrrr.....

Elwen wrote: "Thanks for you friendship request and have a great holiday in Germany, you will love it - I'm sure :)"

You are very welcome, thanks for accepting. I'm certainly looking forward to the trip to Germany. Can't come soon enough.

Thanks for you friendship request and have a great holiday in Germany, you will love it - I'm sure :)

I am just about to finish The Heir of Novron and I would like to say that I have not enjoyed a series this much in a long time. For the last three weeks I have become a hermit and I am now preparing myself for the empty/lost feeling and re-immersion into society.

I would just like to say thank you and please don't stop writing, ever.

Oh and just a quick question, it has been a while since I have seen the outside, does the world still have seasons?

Ren wrote: "Thanks for the friend request Michael! I recommended my girlfriend to read Hollow World, which she is doing right now and absolutely loving it."

Nice, so glad to hear that. Please tell her hello from me.

Thanks for the friend request Michael! I recommended my girlfriend to read Hollow World, which she is doing right now and absolutely loving it.

Jason wrote: "Michael -- I just wanted to let you know I received my Rare Edition Hardcover of The Death of Dulgath today and I love it! It's beautifully understated with the solid green slipcase..."

@jason - nice! Thanks for the amazing support. Enjoy!

Michael -- I just wanted to let you know I received my Rare Edition Hardcover of The Death of Dulgath today and I love it! It's beautifully understated with the solid green slipcase, and I'm happy to put it on my bookshelf of treasured editions.

It's probably the only copy in all of Italy, too!

Thanks again, and I'm always looking forward to your next book.

Thanks J. - I'll definitely check out the Looking Glass Wars. I'm not sure I would classify Terry's work as "not dark" - this is based on feedback by my daughter who did read a number of them but got frustrated with some sadistic tendencies and numerous rape scenes. I may be totally wrong about that - again getting my information second hand. Worth doing some of your own investigation on that front.

@Kristalia - thanks so much for the nice note. You are not alone - Robin is also going through Riyria withdrawals, but it is helped by the fact that she is loving the characters in the new series of books. Once I get done with the edits to the last two books in The Legends of the First Empire, I'm going to be able to determine if there will be a fourth chronicle. Based on feedback to date, I'd say the answer is yes. Will let you know.

@Nico - so sorry for the late response - I always forget to check posts to my profile - but always see direct messages. I'm hoping you've found the reading order elsewhere, but in case you haven't...here is my preferred reading order:

* Theft of Swords (contains The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha)
* Rise of Empire (contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm)
* Heir of Novron (contains Wintertide & Percepliquis)
* The Crown Tower
* The Rose and the Thorn
* The Death of Dulgath.

Thank you for the link to the grammar book; I will be sure to check it out. The Thomas Kane book is a 'must' read. I could not put it down. It even mentions mimetic rhythm - I just have not come across any other discussion of prose that outdoes: TK Grammar Book
The T.K. book does not take too long to read and I think it is worth it. No doubt.

I asked my pal, Tristan, an avid reader of fantasy books, if he knew of a publication since 2008 in fantasy that was not of the 'dark' genre. He recommended "The Looking Glass Wars", a book inspired from the author of "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass", Lewis Carol.

Its Trilogy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Beddors-L...

Another pal, Taylor, recommended I check out the works of Terry Goodkind, and I will.

T.G. Link: http://www.amazon.com/Terry-Goodkind/...

Thank you again for the links and communication. I will get to read one of your books once I get an amount of work done. The short story, "The Jester", was really awesome. -jcm3

Thanks for adding me as a friend ^_^ I'm glad you liked my reviews, and for commenting on one of them too! It was a nice surprise :D Hhehehehe and who doesn't love Royce and Hadrian. I still miss them and it's been only a week already :D

Hello Mr. Sullivan, I'm interested in starting your books, but I don't know where to begin! Is there a specific reading order?

Niels wrote: "Thank you for adding me as a friend. You said you hoped I enjoyed your Riyria books--well, I absolutely did! More than that, they’ve helped keep a roof over my head. I’m actually one of your translators for the Dutch editions (dividing the books evenly with a colleague). So thank you for that as well."

Hey there, It's great meeting a translator. I've met a few in the past. Thanks for all your hard work to get my books exposed to more people. And I'm glad to put a bit of coin in your pocket via the publishers as well!

Lubinka wrote: "I do hope that you'll consider having your books translated in Greek."

Hey Lubinka, sorry it took me so long to see this. I keep forgetting that people post comments on my author's page. I'd love to have my books translated in Greek (and I think a contract recently came in for that). Unfortunately I really don't have much say with regards to foreign language translations. It all depends on if there is publisher in that part of the world that is willing to make an offer. With the recent economic crisis I think there are fewer books being offered right now. Let's hope that will improve soon.

Adam wrote: "Dulgath has roped me right back in to the Riyira series, and I'm only pages from the end."

Hey, thanks for reading the latest book. I'm so glad you are enjoying it.

Adam wrote: "I haven't started on First Empire yet, but I very much intend to. What can we expect from the series both in terms of similarity and difference with Riyria?"

The First Empire isn't quietest yet, so you are not behind. Del Rey will be releasing it in June 2016 and there are already pre-order pages for ebook, hardcover, and audio versions.

Great question about the difference and similarities between the two. Let's see:

SIMILARITIES
* Both are multi-book series where I wrote all of the books before publishing the first so there is a lot of weaving of plot points across the series.

* Both have "episodes" with their own beginning middle and end but leave some questions to be answered later on as all the pieces fall into place.

* Both are fast-paced fun reads where entertainment is in the heart of them. Yes, bad things will happen, and there will be failures, but overall you should leave the books feeling better rather than worse after reading.

* Both have some great characters. They are definitely different (don't want to cookie cutter people from Riyria but they have their own awesome aspects.

* Both have a mix of humor and drama. First Empire doesn't have as much "witty banter" because that would be a retooling of something from Riyria - but there are characters who have great lines and interesting quirky habits that bring a lightness to the story.

DIFFERENT
* The cultures and settings are much different. Both take place in Elan (my made up world) but because The First Empire is 3,000 years in the past the technology is much different. For instance, in The First Empire mankind is pretty primitive (spears are the common weapon and few have ever seen, let alone used a sword). As the series go on they advance technologically as needed in order to survive.

* There is much more magic in The First Empire. Most of those who can practice "The Art" in Riyria are dead or hiding their abilities. So there isn't much magic in those books. In The First Empire it is much more common.

* There is more diversity in The First Empire. The Riyria books see everything from the perspective of humans and we really don't get any insight into he inner workings of other cultures. The First Empire has three main races and each one has a major part to play and we see the other cultures rather than being totally focused on mankind.

* The First Empire is much more of an "ensemble" cast. Although you won't know that when starting out. I use readers expectations against them a bit in that who they think are the main characters really aren't.

Thanks for asking.

Hi Michael, I just wanted to thank you for the friend request-- I consider it quite the honour. Dulgath has roped me right back in to the Riyira series, and I'm only pages from the end. I haven't started on First Empire yet, but I very much intend to. What can we expect from the series both in terms of similarity and difference with Riyira?

Regarding other books that I've read and enjoyed recently, Rick Riordan, James Riley and Marissa Meyer are those that I've been reading who are slightly outside of my usual tact (Rothfuss, Brooks, Cornwell, Abercrombie, Weeks, et al). I've been on a bit of a 'playing with myths/tales' run recently, and all three of these do this to a T.

Sorry, I rambled!

Hello Michael!
I saw your friend request in the morning, and it made my whole day! Thank you so much for making me smile with this small gesture, but mostly, thank you for your wonderful, amazing work which I thoroughly enjoy.

I do hope that you'll consider having your books translated in Greek. As a member of one of the greatest (online) book clubs in Greece I've often considered suggesting them for a reading, being so very excited about them myself, but sadly the language is a barrier for many of the other members. I'm sure many, many people here will truly appreciate your books, just as they do in my home country Bulgaria, where a translation has been available for a while now.

I look forward to reading more of your work.
kind regards
Lubinka

Hello Michael,

Thank you for adding me as a friend. You said you hoped I enjoyed your Riyria books--well, I absolutely did! More than that, they’ve helped keep a roof over my head. I’m actually one of your translators for the Dutch editions (dividing the books evenly with a colleague). So thank you for that as well.

As a matter of fact, I’ve been meaning to write you for a while. I was delighted when I found out you self-published the books, as I’m doing the same with a fantasy series, with an introduction and two novellas out so far. It’s about three characters who get involved in different ways in unrest in the Holy City of their world. If you’re interested, I’d love to send you copies (in whatever e-format you prefer).

(A small disclaimer: I really do want to share my work with a fellow author whose work I enjoy, but I’m also a self-publisher terrible at marketing, so if you enjoy the books and as an established author wanted to mention them somewhere or give me some kind words I could quote, I certainly wouldn’t be against it.)

All the best,

Niels van Eekelen

Toshi wrote: "Thank you for adding me as a friend. I absolutely loved the Riyria series from the voice actor you used for the audio books (Mr. Reynolds)."

You are most welcome. I agree that Tim is THE BEST. He's going to be doing the books of The First Empire as well as Riyira Chronicles - really looking forward to those.

Only one small "award win" for me so far, but I'm not complaining if given the choice between awards and great readers, I'll take the readers everytime -- and I have a lot of them.

Glad to help restore the faith. Being put in the company of Rothfuss and Sanderson is high praise indeed. You honor me with your kind words.

Thank you for adding me as a friend. I absolutely loved the Riyria series from the voice actor you used for the audio books (Mr. Reynolds). I'm glad he got an award for the work he did on the series, and hope you have been enjoying similar successes. I'm sure you get this kind of thing all the time but thank you for writing such wonderful stories. Fantasy is my favorite genre but it doesn't always get the best writers, and its reputation suffer for that. Many are happy to drag out Tolkien's bones dress them up on a thinly veiled rehash of Feist's work and call it a day. The other half are stuck in the literary equivalent of the grunge music phase; dark fantasy that's long on violence and treachery and short on actual fantasy.
Authors like you and Rothfuss are restoring my faith in what this genre could be (and Sanderson too if he can limit himself to less than 400 pages :P). You are balancing the gritty realism that makes the stories believable and relatable, with the wonder of magic. Beyond that balancing act, you add characters with actual depth, emotional conflict, growth, and snappy dialog. So again, thank you for showing others the potential this genre has and what it can be when done right.

Andrea wrote: "I ended up being particularly interested in Lenare Pickering. Everyone dismissed her for deciding to learn how to behave like a proper lady, but she ended up being as good with the sword as her brothers. I wonder if she kept training on her own. Do you think she might be included in a future book? I would love to read a bit more of her story."

Hey Andrea,
So glad you loved Lenare - I'm not generally one to "put the swords in women's hands" but in Lenare's case it made perfect sense. I do think she kept training in secret), she just didn't want others to know she was keeping up the Pickering tradition. I would like to use her in a future book, I'll see what I can do ;-)

Chris wrote: "Hi Michael,
Thanks for the friend request! I love all of your Riyria books and can't wait for the next installment of the Riyria Chronicles. Royce and Hadrian 2 of my favorite fantasy characters. More so than with other fantasy books that I’ve read, I find myself getting lost in their world and sympathizing with these 2 loveable rogues and their companions."

Thanks Chris! The next book The Death of Dulgath is going very well. I'm ahead of schedule and it's fun to be reunited with Royce and Hadrian.

Hi Michael,
Thanks for the friend request! I love all of your Riyria books and can't wait for the next installment of the Riyria Chronicles. Royce and Hadrian 2 of my favorite fantasy characters. More so than with other fantasy books that I’ve read, I find myself getting lost in their world and sympathizing with these 2 loveable rogues and their companions.
Thanks!
Chris

Hi Michael, Thanks for the friend request. I have really enjoyed your books and am eagerly awaiting the first empire series. I loved the characters you developed, both Hadrian and Royce, as well as the strong female characters you introduced.

I ended up being particularly interested in Lenare Pickering. Everyone dismissed her for deciding to learn how to behave like a proper lady, but she ended up being as good with the sword as her brothers. I wonder if she kept training on her own. Do you think she might be included in a future book? I would love to read a bit more of her story.

Thanks!

Andrea

Gamedoll wrote: "Hello Michael, I just ordered all hardcovers of The Riyria Revelations and Blood of Thieves (both containing The Crown Tower and The Rose and The Thorn).

P.S. I know your very protective of your work, but hopefully we can see more in future on these two amazing duo. "

Your wish is my command - I have a third Riyria Chronicle book coming out soon - hopefully later this year ;-)

MorganReadsBooks wrote: "Hello! I just wanted to say thanks again for posting that article online. Happy reading! And thanks for the friend request!"

You are most welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful.

Hello! I just wanted to say thanks again for posting that article online. Happy reading! And thanks for the friend request!

Hello Michael, I just ordered all hardcovers of The Riyria Revelations and Blood of Thieves (both containing The Crown Tower and The Rose and The Thorn). I'm definitely excited to read the Riyria Revelations again. I just got started on the Blood Of Thieves. Thank so much for writing an amazing series. Tell your wife thank you for "making" you write the book. Without her we wouldn't have more of Hadrian Blackwater! XD

P.S. I know your very protective of your work, but hopefully we can see more in future on these two amazing duo.

Hey Michael, hope you have a great New Year, and that everything works out how you wish it to work out with getting Rhune published in this year. Thanks for working so hard in the fantasy community.

Michael wrote: "Thanks so much for reading Riyria. I'm so glad you enjoyed the reads, and my dedication to Robin. Oh, and if you want an afterword (with some behind the scenes information), just let me know and I'll send it to you. Michael."


Hi Michael! Thank you very much for the friend request! And thanks for stopping by my review, also! I definitely want this afterword (with some behind the scenes information)! I was going to ask if I could share it with my buddies but I can see below that you are friends already! :) Yay! We will start the prequels (Chronicles) soon and I just saw in one of your comments that there will be a third Chronicle book. That's great news!

Hello Michael,

Thanks so much for the friendvite! It's an honour;) I really love your books. I'm still pondering on the review for The Heir of Novron, because for me the best books are the most difficult to review...

I'd be delighted to get an afterword! Actually my reading buddies and I have been hoping for a sequel to the Riyria Revelations:)