Abhisek Dash
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi Michael. I contacted you about this a year or two ago inquiring about any plans to let GraphicAudio adapt your Riyria books. You said there were some issues with publishers and rights, and that you'd think about it. Now I'm in my bed listening to GraphicAudio adaptn of Brandon's Words of Radiance, marveling at how amazingly well done it is. Any updates you wanna share in this regard? Would love Riyria GraphicAudio!
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Abhisek,
Thanks for writing. So here's the skinny. The Riyria books were sold to Orbit and as part of that contract I had to grant them ebook, print, and audio rights. The first two were exercised by them - meaning they were the producers of the work. The audio rights, however, were sold as a subsidiary. The way subsidiary rights work is the author has no say over ANYTHING about them including: what rights are sold, who they are sold to, how much they are sold for, what the terms on...well you get the idea.
Anyway, I can request all I want -- and I have. But I can't make Orbit exercise a right (and it's quite possible they approached GraphicAudio and they either (a) said no or (b) the two couldn't agree on a price for such.
Being unable to control such things is indeed very frustrating, and one of the reasons I do self-publish as well as sell rights through the traditional channel. I'll keep on them -- and your message gives me another reason to push. But I'm pretty much powerless to move that needle...sorry to say.
Thanks for writing. So here's the skinny. The Riyria books were sold to Orbit and as part of that contract I had to grant them ebook, print, and audio rights. The first two were exercised by them - meaning they were the producers of the work. The audio rights, however, were sold as a subsidiary. The way subsidiary rights work is the author has no say over ANYTHING about them including: what rights are sold, who they are sold to, how much they are sold for, what the terms on...well you get the idea.
Anyway, I can request all I want -- and I have. But I can't make Orbit exercise a right (and it's quite possible they approached GraphicAudio and they either (a) said no or (b) the two couldn't agree on a price for such.
Being unable to control such things is indeed very frustrating, and one of the reasons I do self-publish as well as sell rights through the traditional channel. I'll keep on them -- and your message gives me another reason to push. But I'm pretty much powerless to move that needle...sorry to say.
More Answered Questions
A Goodreads user
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Do you have an ending in mind when you start a book and write backwards or do you write as it comes to you?
Wild Gypsy Rose
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Michael, I would like to know if you have thought about continuing on with Royce's Story? The Riyria story was concluded with what seemed to be a new beginning. A huge change for Royce in particular. Will we get a chance to see what happens next? I really would love more! Riyria=never boring or old whether Royce and Hadrian are separated or not. P.S.ALL your novels are Brilliant! More is always better! From, Adrian
Lottie
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Is the planning stage of writing the most challenging? Or is trying to get the ideas into a fully formed story more difficult? I imagine the planning for the Cycle series must be a huge task!! Thank you so much for your work - I'm new to your books and already love them so much! I'm so glad my friend recommended them. And I don't think I could ever get bored of Royce and Hadrian! Thanks again :)
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