Ask Michael!

[Cynthia]

Welcome to the group! Michael will be answering questions throughout the day on Tuesday, August 13th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for Michael or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

[Nick]

Calendar marked...

[Nick]

11 more days and counting...

[Lars]

Hi Michael,

I am a big fan of your work and a Kickstarter backer for Hollow World. Congratulations on the successful campaign. I am enjoying my new bookmarks!

I was very interested in your frank discussion of piracy in the foreword to Kickstarter. I thought you were spot on! NPR had a story the other day about the challenges libraries are facing with regards to eBooks. In short, some publishers won't allow libraries to buy eBooks, others charge dramatic markups, and others put a limit on the duration or number of times a book can be borrowed. Some libraries have banded together to form collectives and others have even sought to start publishing authors themselves to circumvent these restrictions.

From an author's standpoint, what are your thoughts on eBooks and libraries? Should they try and bypass the publishers and work with authors directly? Should they form a partnership with publishers and get in on the selling game?

I love my local library and really enjoy being able to borrow eBooks, but the few titles available does feel very restrictive.

Thanks!
Lars

[T.]

Hi Michael.

I was lucky enoug to have been part of the Kickstarter that supported your latest novel, "Hollow World". Are you able to give a definitive answer to whether or not you're working on a sequel? If so, would you consider another Kickstarter a viable option?

Also, what's your opinion on the conventions of grammar and vocabulary in writing? Do you think a sound knowledge of each is necessary, or is it something that authors can bluff their way through nowadays?

Love your books, Michael!

[Heather]

Hi Michael,
First of all I would like to thank you for being such an approachable author. I appreciate you taking your time to email me when I had questions or just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your books.
Question 1: You had some strong female characters in your books that were not involved in any physical fighting. Would you consider having a female character(s) in a series that were more physical?
Question 2: have you considered writing with your wife like David Eddings doe?
As always, thank you for your time!
Heather Morgan

[Alexander]

Hello Michael,
Can you comment on what you see yourself writing over the next 10 years? What are some of the story concepts that interest you? I know some authors keep a list of all the stories they would like to work on over their careers. Do you have anything like that?
Regards,
Alex

[[deleted user]]

Hi Mr Sullivan!

I enjoyed Riyria Revelations immensely, your storytelling skills are superb, so my question is this: do you intend/hope to write another series that lasts for more than three books that isn't related to Riyria? If you are cooking something up, a few remarks on it would be very much appreciated :)

Thanks a bunch!

[Vollmir]

Hi, Now that we have the "prequels" coming in short order. are you considering continuing our favorite duo's story further or even just expanding the riyira universe any farther with new characters or maybe a jump forward or back in time (with the setting)?

[Tammy]

Hi Michael, I am currently reading Rise of the Empire and I love the Riyria Revelations so far! I even pre-ordered the Crown Tower. I was wondering if there will be more Riyria or if the two Riyria Chronicles will be the last?

Thanks Tammy :)

[Jerome]

Hi there Michael, I was lucky enough to stumble across your books, and now I can't get enough of them.

We all love your characters and while we have got to know them through your books, you have known them forever! So this is a bit like asking a parent to choose their favourite child, but which of your characters do you enjoy writing for the most, and why?!

Yours thankfully,

Wicked old lady with a big butter churn

[Gabe]

Hi Michael!

First wanted to tell you thanks for always responding to my emails and tweets. But come on... Hadrian could take Jorg any day!!

I am currently finishing up Rise of Empire and working my way to Crown Tower.

My questions is, whats it going to take for us to make you keep writing these books?

And if you come to Ohio-con I will gladly be one of the people in line to meet you and get an autograph! We may even have more than 7 show up!!

[Brittany]

Hi Michael,
I really enjoyed the Riyria Revelations! I was just wondering if you had ever thought about continuing the story of "Riyeria" through Mercy? It would be great to see how Royce is as a father, and how everyone essentially developed after the story; so it just made me wonder if you had ever considered that?

[Shaun]

Hello,

I've been wondering for some time what inspired you to create Royce and Hadrian, as individuals and more importantly, friends?

[Cairi]

Hi Michael... can't tell you how excited I am to be reading about Royce and Hadrian again.

Kinda spoilery question about the Riyria series: I know the original series ended on a "everything neatly tied up" note, but I wonder if you've ever had a thought toward a future story that pairs them up again despite their separate roads? An unexpected bump in the happily-ever-after that might bring our heroes together again? I imagine Hollow World is probably taking up all your creative muscles right now, but, gosh darn it, Royce and Hadrian are just so fun, I'm pretty much insatiable about stories featuring them.

[Patrick]

Hello Michael.

Are the Riyria Chronicles a prequel to the Riyria Revelations? If so, do you anticipate writing about Royce and Hadrian post Heir of Novron?

Thanks!

PT

[Cheryl]

Hi Michael! I love how you have worked so closely with your wife over the years, both as editor and publisher and, I'm sure, first reader. But having been married for 31 years, I know marriages have peaks and valleys. How have you and Robin managed the combining of personal and professional lives over time? Have there been times when one side of life caused undue pressure on the other? I'm not so sure I could work so closely with my husband on such personal creative pursuits....I might have to kill him if he suggested a rewrite of my favorite scenes! ;) I'd love for Robin to chime in too!

[Andres]

Hi Michael, by now I have read Theft of Swords and I loved it. I will star with Rise of Empire soon.

I have found many similarities between the book and a Doungeons and Dragons game, did you found any inspiration on the game?

[Frank]

Now that Royce's situation has changed, can we expect him to become even more careless and risktaking? It seems the obvious but then again you do not always write the obvious

You are only one of 7 authors I buy "hot off the press" The others are: Tolkien, Martin (GOT only), Jordan/Sanderson (WOT only), Bernard Cornwell, Michael Connelly and John Lutz (local St Louis mystery writer...have every book and puzzle and 1/2 his short stories (scattered in mystery magazines).

I loved your writing from 10 pages in, ordered the 2nd immediately, and preordered the 3rd set. I like the 2 volume in 1 format. Final question...I find your twisty turny style and black humor akin to David Gemmell's. Did he have any influence on you?

[Felix]

Hello, Ryira was a great return to the Epic Fantasy days of the 80's! Did you read Eddings, Feist & Dragonlance?
Your style seems to fit with them.

[[deleted user]]

Hi, Michael, greetings from Brazil. I really enjoyed Theft of Swords and I'm dying to read Rise of the Empire. I've purchased The Tower Crown and just preordered The Rose and the Thorn.

Some friends asked me this and I think it will be better if you answer them, although indirectly: What is the major difference of the series over the others?

[Lewis]

Hello!

What's the status on Antithesis? Will you be self-publishing this one? And when?

[Madeleine]

Hello Mr. Sullivan!

What do you think that hardest part of writing is? How do you overcome this?

Thanks!

Madeleine

Aspiring Author

[Tanrriv]

Hello Michael J. Sullivan sir, I really liked your books and I appreciate your effort. I'm eagerly waiting for your new addition to The Riyria series. The question I have for you is-

Are you planing to write a different series in a different world??

[Sheri]

Hi Michael -

I think I remember reading a while back in your Rhune/First Empire blog that you put some thought into your characters' names. I would like to know how you chose the names of Royce and Hadrian in the first place and then how you decided which character would get which name.

Thanks!

[carlos]

I really enjoyed the Revelation series and am looking forward to the Chronicles. A cognitive disorder has robbed me of my ability to read, but audio books have been a wonderful alternative to me.

I am reluctant to start book 1 of the series because the remainder of the series is not yet available in audio format. This leads me to a couple of questions:

Q1: I read somewhere that these are the 'first two books' in a new series - are there additional books being written after "Rose and Crown" for this series?

Q2: When will "Rose and Crown" be available in audio book form (specifically on Audible.com)?

[Lucinda]

Hi Michael,

Thank you for these books - they are a permanent fixture on my shelf of "re-read all the time". I really hope you are able to write a book for each year of Royce and Hadrian's partnership; there is so much to be told!


My question is:

"Riyria Revelations" was a journey of redemption, particularly for Royce.

"Riyria Chronicles" has started at the beginning of that journey. I thought it was Shakespearean of you to have Royce's rise mirror his fall into perdition: A "father figure" (The Jewel/Arcadius) pairs him with someone who can make him more than he is (Merrick/Hadrian) if he can learn to trust his partner. The first time, with Merrick, he does trust. This is the story I want to know about- the destruction of Royce (and Merrick) by Hoyte.

As readers, we see the end result. Small details of the events are scattered throughout the books so that we better understand why it would take years for Royce to ever allow himself to have anything worth losing again. But, will you ever flesh out this story as a stand-alone or in the course of the chronicles?

[Robin P]

Hi Michael,
Thank you for being so accessible to your fans. I have a question about point of view. You mentioned in the interview on your website that was something you learned about. I noticed that in the Revelations, the early books are pretty much all 3rd person. We don't really get inside the characters' heads. That's one of the reasons the early parts are the funniest, I think, since we're more of outside observers looking at these odd people we don't know.

We get to see Arista's viewpoint during her trip with Hadrian and Royce, later we get Hadrian's thoughts and feelings, and last Royce, which makes sense since his feelings are the most hidden, even from himself. We also get other points of view, such as Amelia and Mince. Occasionally we get the viewpoints of "bad guys" as well. How did you decide whose point of view to show and when?

[Nick]

Michael, you got your hands full with lots of good questions. Looking forward to the answers...

[Amanda]

Michael (and Robin) -

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I'm currently reading The Crown Tower, (err...listening to it - I love the audible version with the amazing voices that Tim Reynolds adds to it) and do you know what being back in the world of Elan is like?? It's like having spent the last 8 months out in the cold rain, eating only cold fast food, and then finally being invited into a warm home, with a hot home made meal, and a soft bed to lay your head. It's like coming home. Thank you.

My question is this: Will we have another opportunity to special order a hard copy that will match the hardcopies we got of the first three, hopefully numbered and signed again? My goal is to have a beautiful collection of all your books by the end of this. Any ideas yet if that is going to be possible?

Congratulations, and thank you for letting me enter this wonderful world again (plus I get to spend time with my sweetheart, Hadrian. :-)

[Gregory]

Hello Michael,

I just want to say thank you for your books. It is an amazing and wonderful collection That will drag me in for rereads just like Rothfuss, Sanderson, and Hearne.

While I have many questions, they will most likely give spoilers for those that have not finished the series. So the question I have, while not being story related, is still something that my wife and I are extremely curious about.

Are you going to be signing at NY Comicon this year?

My wife and I will be going, and it will be one our highlights this year if we were able to meet you and shake your hand.

Thanks again,

Greg

[Chloe]

Hi Michael
Thanks for a great series. I have a lot of questions but I'll keep it short.
1. (Spoilers, I think) Do you feel you had to overcome any barriers when including races like Elves in your books?
2. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Thank you
And thanks for the Riyria Chronicles. I'm yet to start the crown tower but I'm very much looking forward to it.

Chloe

[Kasey]

Michael,

My questions have already been asked or answered so I'll just say thanks for following your dream and including us along for the ride. You create something wonderful for all levels of readers.

Jenn

[Tiffany]

Hi Michael!

1) When's your favorite time to write? Where do you like to write? Do you have to be a special mood or can you just sit down and start writing?

2) Have you ever thought about writing about the dwarves and telling more of their story? I always feel dwarves get the short end of the stick compared to elves. I would love to here more about Magnus and his people.

I loved The Crown Tower and cannot wait for The Rose and The Thorn!

Tiffany

[Mystika]

Hello! I am reading The HEIR OF NOVRON and something occurred to me. In the description of the book for THEFT OF SWORDS it says:
"There's no ancient evil to defeat or orphan destined for greatness, just unlikely heroes and classic adventure."
Now obviously that ended up being wrong(Excuse me for considering the church an ancient evil). So was that intended as a joke, or something else? Cause i know it makes me laugh to think about.
And do you think there may ever be a Riyria movie? I haven't been to a theater in years but that would be one movie id go see on opening night. And if you could, who would you have play Royce and Hadrian?
Sorry, i've got a few more questions here.
How old are Royce and Hadrian supposed to be? I feel they must be late late thirties to mid-forties but i can't quite figure it out yet.How tall are they roughly, for that matter.
Is it possible there might be a follow up short story or two to Revelations? Royce as king, i just can't picture it.(:
Which character is your personal favorite?
And, last but not least..... POOR GWEN!!!
Really, thank you so much for writing these. They are so amazing.
Mystika

[Frank]

Adding another "Q". The elves, other than the ones in human captivity, seem like the elves Bilbo Baggins encountered and not the elves Frodo encountered (though, in fairness, they did have Legolas with them and the blessing of the Rivendell elves). Are we going to see moderate elves as a group withiin the elven free race?....shu

[Sam]

Michael - do you ever think you'll go way back in time and write about Percepliquis in it's glory days? I know it would involve a whole new set of characters, but I was so intrigued by what we've learned of it so far and would love to read more.

[Sam]

Mystika wrote: "Hello! I am reading The HEIR OF NOVRON and something occurred to me. In the description of the book for THEFT OF SWORDS it says:
"There's no ancient evil to defeat or orphan destined for greatness..."

I think a Riyria movie is a great idea!! It can be tricky to convert a great book into a movie, but if done well, it could be amazing!

[Randee Lynn]

I loved Riyria Revelations and the trilogy has moved into my top 10 favorite series lists. I have just finished The Crown Tower and am looking forward to The Rose and The Thorn--mainly due to the amazing chemistry between Hadrian and Royce. Will there be more books featuring the adventures of Hadrian and Royce prior to Theft of Swords? I hope that Riyria Chronicles will continue, especially since during the trilogy so many of Hadrian and Royce's exploits were mentioned and I am dying to experience more of their many adventures.

[Rebecca]

I just started reading The Crown Tower and can't wait to read The Rose and the Thorn! I fell in love with these characters when I read Riyria Revelations a few months ago was wondering if by any chance at all if you'll soon write maybe a sequel to them? If not I'll enjoy reading the Riyria Chronicles.

Thanks,

Rebecca

[Todd]

Hi Michael,

You have a great way with your fans! I was wondering who your favourite authors are?

Thanks,

Todd

[Mystika]

Sorry, i thought of another. So i just finished the HEIR OF NOVRON( best book in the series!!!!! PERCEPLIQUIS is unparrelled!) and i realized it never really said about Royce's parents. I get that they were killed and i will assume the twin part was true but how did Royce survive? And who named him? And how much elf blood does he have? I'm sorry its more than one but they just keep coming. But honestly, this series has just jumper into my top five favorite series.

[Anouk]

Hey Michael,

thanks for being on reddit and recommending me to read your books. I loved them and my bf just finished the the Heir of Novron and loved it too.. Also thanks for the short story with the Witch you sent me :)

As for questions..
- Are there only 2 books coming out with Royce & Hadrian, or is a third also possible? (I'm thinking about ordering but not sure if I should wait to read them when they are complete).
- Are you religious and how do you think this influences your writing? Without too much spoilers I think it plays a roll in some of your books..
- I remember you telling you wrote the books just for yourself but ended up publishing because your daughter didn't want to read a manuscript but only a real book.. Has she read your new books already, or waiting for them to come out? Also, just give her a hug, because without her we would've missed out on a really nice seris :)

[Han]

Hey Michael! Thanks for writing such a great book series with amazing characters. I was just wondering if you'd ever write about Royce's time with the elves post-series and maybe something about Hadrian and Arista and Myron going to visit him there?

[Niksić]

Hi! Loved Riyria Revelations, can't wait to read Riyria Chronicles. Thanks for writing these great books!
I would only like to know why it was necessary for Gwen to die. It seemed a little cruel to take her away from Royce...
Thanks for answering :)

[Nick]

Niksić wrote: "Hi! Loved Riyria Revelations, can't wait to read Riyria Chronicles. Thanks for writing these great books!
I would only like to know why it was necessary for Gwen to die. It seemed a little cruel to..."

Did not that death make that book and scene memorable?

[Kenneth]

Hey Michael I have enjoyed the world of Elan and finished the crown tower a few days ago. I am looking forward the the next installment in the Riyria Chronicles. I just per-ordered The rose and thorn today.
Please thank your wife for manipulating you for me.

[Michael, Author of The Riyria Chronicles]

Hey all - I'm here!! Bear with me as I go through the questions. But I promise to get to each and every one of them. I'm so excited that so many people came out to ask me questions.

[Sara]

I don't think I really have a question, I read through the reddit discussion and I'm looking forward to seeing your answers here!

I wanted to echo a few others and say how great it is that you are so accessible to your fans. Thank you for taking time to chat, return e-mails and answer questions!

Can't wait for The Rose and the Thorn! :D

[Michael, Author of The Riyria Chronicles]

@Lars - thanks so much for supporting Kickstarter. It’s been great getting feedback from people on that particular book. It really was a labor of love that came out of nowhere and I’m so glad that so many people are loving it as much as I do.

Yeah I follow the library situation pretty closely, so I know about all the various things you brought up. It’s a shame that the publishers aren’t taking a more progressive stance. I think it stems from trying to keep as tight a grip as possible…and then losing out as a byproduct.

I’m a book supporter of ebooks and libraries…well of libraries in general. Libraries are great for avid readers who can’t afford to buy all the books they read. In the end, I’m all about getting my work “out there” so readership is more important than the money (assuming of course I receive enough money where I can write full-time. If I have to have a day job, then that wouldn’t serve me or the readrers.

As for bypassing the publishers and working directly with the authors…I don’t think you’ll really be able to (except for self-published authors). The way the contracts are written, the authors basically have given up all rights to the publishers with regards to books that they release through them. No matter how much the author may want to work with the libraries…they will be contractually prohibited from that.

That being said, at least for Hollow World…I do retain my ebook rights so I would be able to enter into such an arrangement – and would be really interested in knowing how best to do that.

I agree that the titles are limited…sometimes you’ll have better luck with the audio versions so you might try those. As for my own books…anything that I retain the rights to I’ll do whatever I can to make them available via the libraries, and for those published traditionally, I’ll work to help them see the light in making it easy for libraries to be a part of their distribution strategy.