A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Michael J. Sullivan:

I know I have asked this before but cannot find it - I just saw Age of Empyre is available to pre-order on Audible.com - does it in any way diminish your chance at hitting best-seller lists if I pre order it? Is it better to wait until first week of release? Sorry for repeat question but I have memory issues yet a zeal to proselytize your sales :)

Michael J. Sullivan Hey thanks for asking. So, the way bestseller lists work is the pre-orders count for the "first week's sales." So an author's BEST chance to hit a bestseller list is if readers/listeners do a lot of pre-ordering. Also, a lot of preorders signal to the publishers how much marketing to do. While it sound scounter intuitive, publishers will do a lot more marketing for a book with high pre-orders than for one with low numbers. So, whenever you want to support your favorite author, pre-ordering is a great way to go.

Thanks for the support and for spreading the word! It's because of people like you that the books have the wings that they do.

More Answered Questions

Logan Davis

Logan Davis asked Michael J. Sullivan:

Hello Micheal, Is there ever going to be much more of a back story on Eshrahaddon? I wasn't the biggest fan of the character, but he intrigued me. Also, one of my favorite aspects of the books is the emotional arc and progression of Royce. Did you intend for him to stay dark through out or did you plan on the progressive arc of his character?

Mike Chaussee

Mike Chaussee asked Michael J. Sullivan:

Riyria is the standard for me in fantasy. I mean it. I finished Revelations and Chronicles some time ago and the fellas still live with me. THANK YOU. But First Empire is great in a different way. There seemed to be more life lessons in that series, more thoughtful quotes. Was that intentional? Every day I think about Malcolm's quote about us believing the most outlandish lie that supports... Seriously, every day.

Brannigan

Brannigan asked Michael J. Sullivan:

I'm just curious outside of reading and bike riding what are the hobbies you enjoy exploring?

All answers from Michael J. Sullivan…

Michael J. Sullivan

95,488 followers

To ask Michael J. Sullivan a question, please sign up.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions