Christy White asked Michael J. Sullivan:

My apologies if you've already asked and answered this, but is it true that you write all the books in a series before releasing them? If so, thank you!

Michael J. Sullivan Hey Christy...yes, and no. I've used that technique for the six books of the Riyria Revelations and the six books of the Legends of the first empire. It's not an approach a suggest for others, but it is one that produces the best results for myself. I would hate to have the books "out there" and then come up with a cool idea late in the series that I couldn't implement because certain aspects were set in stone. Plus, I'm 100% sure about the ending and whether everything will wrap up in a satisfying way. That takes a great deal of the pressure off.

My sci-fi book, Hollow World was written as a standalone so there was no "series" aspect to it. That said, I did leave a door or two open so that if I do decide to return to that world and those characters one day (which I very much would like to do), I could write a sequel to it. The hard part is finding a time to squeeze it in. Even though I write fairly fastest here seems to always be other projects that are leap-frogging that project.

The only other series I have is The Riyria Chronicles, and that is being produced in an equally unusual way. You see, when I wrote the Riyria Revelations I had no intention to return to those characters and their world. But my wife, Robin, and a fair number of my readers expressed a good dose of depression when they weren't able to visit with their two favorite rogues any longer. Because Revelations wrapped up in what I felt was a very satisfying way, I decided that the only way to write more was to go back in time, and start where the two met. Since they had been together for 12 years before the first page of Theft of Swords, I had plenty of adventures I could tell in those early days.

Because I'm protective of the pair, and don't want them to overstay their welcome, the books of the Riyria Chronicles are more standalone than the other books. This will allow me to stop them without leaving plot threads hanging if it appears the two are getting old or tired. So, for the series my process is: a) write a book b) release it c) check the pulse of the readers, d) repeat at step a if there is still enthusiasm.

Death of Dulgath came out about this time last year, and the feedback has shown that the two haven't yet grown old, so I've started a 4th Chronicle that I hope to have completed by February. I've worked with my publisher to find a place to release that book and it will be sometime in October of November of 2017. It'll also be an unusual release in that it won't be in bookstores for the first six months or so. That way it won't detract the chain stores from promoting my Legends books. People will be able to get the audio book just like they can the other works, and ebooks, hardcovers, and trade paperbacks will be available directly from myself. For those who want to read the book as soon as it is available here is a link to sign up for early notification.

Thanks for asking!

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