Geoff Powell
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi MIchael, I'm sorry, but I find your web presence to be rather confusing. I know you are writing a series of books called The Cycle, and I also know you are co-writing some books. But which will come out first, and when can we expect them? I have read ALL your books, and am currently re-reading the Fall series. I think Farilane is my favourite of ALL of your books. So sad, so beautiful. I can't wait for more!!!!
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Geoff, thanks for asking - and yeah it's confusing as I'm so busy writing that I don't have much time for social networking stuff. The best place to keep up to date with what is going on with me is a working document I keep on Royal Road called "What's Next"
This document is updated regularly (usually monthly) so you can see where everything stands.
I'll try to provide a quick summary here.
The Cycle - is a post Riyria Revelationas sequel of 5 books - no release date has been announced for that because it's a series that falls under my "write the entire series before publishing the first book" style of writing. I can tell you that it'll be 5 books and 2.4 of them are written now. The hope is to have the third book written by May 1, 2026, Book #4 by Nov 2026 and the last book by May of 2027. IF I make those dates then we would hope to release them as follows: April 2028, Sep 2028, April 2029, Sep 2029 and July 2030. Again all those dates are "soft" to say the least
Out of the Ashes - This is the first book of a trilogy and it is written the project that is being co-written. The book is done, it's been through beta and a first pass copyedit. Robin and I are doing our "final read" and it will go through a second pass copy edit later this month. The "gamma read" for this book is scheudled for March 2026, the recording of the audiobook is scheduled for the summer of 2026, and based on that, we are probably looking at a dLL 1026 release date. As for books #2 and #3 of that series, as they are yet to be written, I'm not giving a firm release date on them yet, but the plan is to do one book a year.
Blythin Castle - The sixth Riyria Chronicle - this book is written and the plan is to release it in 2027 (basically trying to keep my one book a year schedule going.
Bottom line - since 2007 when my first book was released, I've strived for one (and sometimes two) books each year and I think that will continue with a bit of "fudging" for 2024/2025 because Drumidnor's digital release (ebook and audio was 2024, but it's hardcover hit in 2025. But given that I have four completed books
- Out of the Ashes - After the Fall #1
- The Cycle #1
- The Cycle #2
- Blythin Castle - Riyria Chronicle #6
I think we'll be able to keep the 1 or 2 books a year going.
This document is updated regularly (usually monthly) so you can see where everything stands.
I'll try to provide a quick summary here.
The Cycle - is a post Riyria Revelationas sequel of 5 books - no release date has been announced for that because it's a series that falls under my "write the entire series before publishing the first book" style of writing. I can tell you that it'll be 5 books and 2.4 of them are written now. The hope is to have the third book written by May 1, 2026, Book #4 by Nov 2026 and the last book by May of 2027. IF I make those dates then we would hope to release them as follows: April 2028, Sep 2028, April 2029, Sep 2029 and July 2030. Again all those dates are "soft" to say the least
Out of the Ashes - This is the first book of a trilogy and it is written the project that is being co-written. The book is done, it's been through beta and a first pass copyedit. Robin and I are doing our "final read" and it will go through a second pass copy edit later this month. The "gamma read" for this book is scheudled for March 2026, the recording of the audiobook is scheduled for the summer of 2026, and based on that, we are probably looking at a dLL 1026 release date. As for books #2 and #3 of that series, as they are yet to be written, I'm not giving a firm release date on them yet, but the plan is to do one book a year.
Blythin Castle - The sixth Riyria Chronicle - this book is written and the plan is to release it in 2027 (basically trying to keep my one book a year schedule going.
Bottom line - since 2007 when my first book was released, I've strived for one (and sometimes two) books each year and I think that will continue with a bit of "fudging" for 2024/2025 because Drumidnor's digital release (ebook and audio was 2024, but it's hardcover hit in 2025. But given that I have four completed books
- Out of the Ashes - After the Fall #1
- The Cycle #1
- The Cycle #2
- Blythin Castle - Riyria Chronicle #6
I think we'll be able to keep the 1 or 2 books a year going.
More Answered Questions
Ype
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hey Michael! I had a question about something you said in the foreword of (I think) Age of Legend. You mention that, while writing, one of the characters said something ridiculous and you thought to yourself "what if this actually happened?", which lead to a completely different direction for the series. For those of us who've read everything, could you tell us a bit more about what this character said and why?
Steven Ede
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael, I was just wondering how the First Empire series is going and if there is an estimate release date yet? I'm really excited about this new series and finding it difficult to be patient! I have just read in another post that there is a third book in the Riyria Chronicles! Oh ... you have no idea how happy i am on that score ... when can i get it!?!? lol Keep up the good work. Thanks Steven.
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