Josh Barron
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi, Michael! I really really love your books as they have gotten me through some very tough times and have provided a nice, healthy escape to. Anyways, I was wondering if there were any plans to bring the audiobook versions of The Rise and Fall to the dramatization format that Legends and Riyria got? I love experiencing the books with actors in addition to the sound effects and narrator. Anyways, thank you!
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Josh, I'm so sorry to hear about your tough times - but thrilled that the books have helped you get some respite.
As for dramatized versions of Nolyn, Farilane, and Esrahaddon - yes and no. You see, the company that does the graphic audio versions is owned by a company called Recorded Books, but the non-dramatic (single narrator) versions are licensed to Audible Studios and they gave me a VERY generous advance for those rights (7 figures in fact). So while I legally CAN sub-license to Graphic Audio, I feel it would be "bad form" to introduce a "competing" audio format that would steal sales from Audible Studios and put money into their direct competition's pockets.
That said, unlike traditional "print" contracts (which go on forever - well nearly forever - life of copyright which means 30 years after my death), the audio rights renew after a set number of years. So once those rights are back in our hands, it's likely we'll authorize a dramatic version.
Now, all that is assuming that GA would want to produce a version - but since they ask me about it frequently, I'd say they are definitely interested.
As for dramatized versions of Nolyn, Farilane, and Esrahaddon - yes and no. You see, the company that does the graphic audio versions is owned by a company called Recorded Books, but the non-dramatic (single narrator) versions are licensed to Audible Studios and they gave me a VERY generous advance for those rights (7 figures in fact). So while I legally CAN sub-license to Graphic Audio, I feel it would be "bad form" to introduce a "competing" audio format that would steal sales from Audible Studios and put money into their direct competition's pockets.
That said, unlike traditional "print" contracts (which go on forever - well nearly forever - life of copyright which means 30 years after my death), the audio rights renew after a set number of years. So once those rights are back in our hands, it's likely we'll authorize a dramatic version.
Now, all that is assuming that GA would want to produce a version - but since they ask me about it frequently, I'd say they are definitely interested.
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