Gail
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hey, Michael, I have a question... "How do you do it?" I just saw your email about the new book project... amazing! The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter looks so good. I don't know how you just keep cranking them out. You are an inspiration. I hope everything goes well. I signed up for the kickstarter reminder. I wish you so much luck and success. I will spread the word. Good luck my friend, Gai Fattori
Michael J. Sullivan
Well, a big part of it is because I write whole series before I publish the first book. Right now, as we speak I have 5 completed novels that are in various stages of pre-production work. Most of that "work" is done by others. Robin (my wife) does the alpha reading, organizes the beta reads, does some copy and line editing, and co-ordinates with my publishers, and the copyeditors.
Basically she's collecting all the feedback and then gives me a very detailed list of possible alterations to the book. We spend a few hours going over the feedback and agree on changes. I usually can implement such in a few days or at most a week.
When it comes time for copy editing, again others are doing the heavy lifting. They'll spend 4 - 6 weeks getting the book into shape, Robin will go over and do an accept on the easy things, and flag others for me to address. Again, it takes me just a day or two to go through what others spent weeks working on.
Bottom line, I have a lot of down time while others are taking my original output and putting coats of polish on it. So, while they are doing that, I'm writing new content, and the whole process starts over again.
For new projects (Like when I started Legends) it can be slow at the beginning, but any project with Royce and Hadrian comes pretty easy as I know the pair so well and it's just me sitting back, watching what they do, and writing it down. The Death of Dulgath took me 68 days to write (and it required very little changes post that initial writing. The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter was written from Sep 28 2016 - May 18, 2017 but I also was also moving into a new place during that time so I was busy staining, doing construction clean up and a whole host of other things.
Thanks for signing up for the Kickstarter reminder. And thanks for helping to spread the word. I really like the way The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter turned out. Can't wait to see what other think about the book.
Basically she's collecting all the feedback and then gives me a very detailed list of possible alterations to the book. We spend a few hours going over the feedback and agree on changes. I usually can implement such in a few days or at most a week.
When it comes time for copy editing, again others are doing the heavy lifting. They'll spend 4 - 6 weeks getting the book into shape, Robin will go over and do an accept on the easy things, and flag others for me to address. Again, it takes me just a day or two to go through what others spent weeks working on.
Bottom line, I have a lot of down time while others are taking my original output and putting coats of polish on it. So, while they are doing that, I'm writing new content, and the whole process starts over again.
For new projects (Like when I started Legends) it can be slow at the beginning, but any project with Royce and Hadrian comes pretty easy as I know the pair so well and it's just me sitting back, watching what they do, and writing it down. The Death of Dulgath took me 68 days to write (and it required very little changes post that initial writing. The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter was written from Sep 28 2016 - May 18, 2017 but I also was also moving into a new place during that time so I was busy staining, doing construction clean up and a whole host of other things.
Thanks for signing up for the Kickstarter reminder. And thanks for helping to spread the word. I really like the way The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter turned out. Can't wait to see what other think about the book.
More Answered Questions
Andrew Jones
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael. I love your books and writing style. I especially love the anti-grimdark feel of your books. So many current fantasy books just depress me. I remember reading somewhere that you write books that you would enjoy reading yourself. Given I love your writing style I was wondering what other authors you enjoy reading?
Jimmy
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael: Loved all 6 Riyria books and am excited about First Empire series. You said you complete the entire series before publishing the first one. My preference is to read a series after all the books has been released, so are the release dates really one every June through 2020? I take it there is an advantage to staggered release dates, but I would buy all 5 now. Thanks, Jimmy
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