A very good day

Hey all, Robin again. Like many people, I suffer from depression from time to time. But I must say I've been "riding high" for the past few days.  What gets my endorphins running? Generally, it's when I help others (especially creative people).  And I've had some "big wins" recently. 

• Unbroken Anthology pre-launch - In January, Michael and I learned of Peter Orullian's dire situation as the result of medical debt. Since March, Shawn Speakman, Peter, and myself have been working on launching a Kickstarter to produce an anthology - something Shawn did with Unfettered back in 2021. The hope is that this Kickstarter will be amazingly successful - and while it won't launch until September 23, the pre-launch page went live yesterday and it became the #1 most popular "coming soon" project across the entire Kickstarter platform. How many projects are "coming soon"? 8, 183! It's already had 3,000+ people sign up for notificaiton, and here's hoping for many more before launch.
  
  
• Indie Movie documentary - When Adam Grady approached me to make a documentary related to Michael's and my journey, I was certain he was nuts. I also thought he would "go away" - after all we are approached with hair-brained projects all the time and they are short-lived. But Adam was persistent. I finally relented, but only if the documentary's focus would morph into the Independent Author movement. So we gathered up the likes of Andy Weir, Will Wight, Travis Baldree, ML Wang, and many others and after two years the movie premiered.  It is AMAZING.  Adam has a great deal to be proud of. And the movie has been submitted to several film festivals.
  
  
• Out of the Ashes offer - While we've done what we can to help fellow authors earn from their craft, the scope of our assistance has pretty much been in the vein of advice, classes, and an occasional plug when they launch Kickstarters. But five years ago we ran across an author with such an incredible amount of talent, that we felt she "just had to get out there." So Michael helped her with the craft side of things, and I've been working on the business stuff. Well, about a month ago we got the notice that Lorian's debut: three books in the After the Fall series, received a seven-figure advance for the audio rights.  Quite a better reception than Michael got for his debut. The audio advance for the six-books of The Riyria Revelations was a whopping $6,000.  Now because this is a joint project, Lorian will only receive $500,000, but that doesn't take into account any income from Kickstarters, ebooks, or print copies. It couldn't have happened to a more talented author, and it was our extreme pleasure to help her break onto the literary scene.
  
  
• Ether Witch books heading to the warehouse - Emilie Nikota (also known as delemhach) was originally published through Podium. Like many debut authors who are approached by publishers directly, the authors aren't given the best terms for their books. The good news, is those original contracts will expire in 7 years and Emilie will retrieve her rights and self-publish. For others (like us) those rights are gone for "life of copyright which means 70 years after the author's death). Anyway, for Emilie's next two series, The Ether Witch and Kraken Tales, I've done two things (a) negotiated an audio contract for just shy of half a million dollars and (b) provided a venue to get her books sold through the retail chain using our distribution account with Publishers Group West. A few days ago we got an announcement that The Casting Call, Book #1 in the Ether Witch series has finished printing and the paperbacks are on their way to the warehouse —just in time for the August 5th release date. Congratulations Emilie!

Please check out the links and support these amazing projects. For all but Out of the Ashes,  I have no financial stake in them, but they all have one thing in common . . . they are incredibly creative and have produced amazing works that I'm hoping for huge successes.

Unbroken - Authors helping Authors

Hey all, Robin here with a very important announcement. If you are one of the few who have seen the recently released Indie Author Movie (you can get a copy of it here), you'll see that an overall theme is how much authors help authors. And there is a project coming up that epitomizes this "we help our own" mentality.  But before I make the announcement, let me go back in time . . .

Back in late 2012 I heard about a story that touched my heart.  Shawn Speakman (who at the time was primarily a website developer for Terry Brooks and Naomi Novik but who also sold high-end limited editions books through The Signed Page) had a terrible problem.  You see he was diagnosed with cancer, and after extensive (and expensive) treatment he beat it!  But he became uninsurable, yes remember when pre-existing conditions would prevent you from getting insurance), and then he got cancer again!

Faced with hundreds of thousands of medical debt, he was at a loss, but Terry Brooks said he would donate a short story to Shawn, and if others were approached, they would to.  The result was an anthology called Unfettered, and it was a great success - and Shawn's medical debut disappeared. 

Peter Orullian, the author most known for his debut release through Tor: The Unremembered (a David Gemmell Morningstar Award Winner), was the truest of friends , and he often sat by Shawn's side during chemotherapy treatments.

Okay, now let's roll ahead to earlier this year. In January, we received an email from Peter, probably because Michael had a story in Unfettered, as we don't know Peter well, or at least we didn't at that time. He explained that he was between a rock and a hard place.  Like many authors, he earned enough such that he didn't qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to pay for insurance.  Peter had his own bout with cancer (which took part of his tongue), but his wife, Cathy, also became inflicted and her situation is much, much worse. 

Of course Michael jumped on board right away, but when he mentioned it to me, I stepped up as well. Together Shawn, Peter, and myself started working on the project. Peter and Shawn went about gathering the authors, I worked on calculating shipping costs and setting up the rudimentary aspects of the page, and together we discussed various aspects for production and shipping.

I also reached out to some other people I knew. Travis Baldree graciously agreed to donate his time to do the narration, and I got a nice advance from Audible Studios to produce the audiobook.  I should note that at this time we aren't sure whether we will "sell the rights" (and get an advance but lower per unit cost income), or "keep the rights" and be able to sell the audiobook directly as part of the Kickstarter. but either way, an audiobook edition of the anthology will be coming. 

As for artwork: Donato Giancola created the cover, Magali Villeneuve has created a bonus tarot card, and Todd Lockwood has donated a beautiful interior piece. There will also be black and white illustrations for each story, but I'm not sure if there will be one or mutliple artist doing those, so I'll announce that later.

Now, just wait until you hear the line up of authors who have donated stories to this project:

J.A. Andrews • Bradley P. Beaulieu • Carol Berg • Peter V. Brett • Terry Brooks • Jim Butcher • Delilah S. Dawson • Matt Dinniman • Kate Elliott  • Jessica Day George • Lev Grossman • Kevin Hearne • Nancy Kress • Mark Lawrence • Scott Lynch • Jonathan Maberry •Seanan McQuire • Brandon Mull • Peter Orullian • Christopher Paolini • Kat Richardson • Christopher Ruocchio • Anthony Ryan • R.A. Salvatore • Brandon Sanderson • Scott Sigler • Shawn Speakman • Michael J. Sullivan • Carrie Vaughn • Brent Weeks • Tad Williams • Janny Wurts

Talk about a who's who in fantasy! 

As for Michael's story, it will be a short from his much anticipated "The Cycle" series. Here is the "blurb for it."

It all started with a "new thing” called war that heralded the death of thousands. Famine and disease followed. Then the world of Elan was lost in an eternal winter, a dark and bitter cold that lasted years. Those struggling to survive walked upon the face of what they considered to be a corpse. All that remained was a glimmer of hope, and it, too, was waning. But for the one known as Muriel, the worst thing to happen was learning that the white wolf had found her. While this can be read without any prior knowledge of Michael's other works, it is first and foremost a foundational tale for those eagerly awaiting The Cycle series. 

The pre-launch page is live now, so click on it to show Peter your support, and don't forget to back the project when it launches September 23rd - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Indie Author Documentary Premier

 Yesterday was the premier of Indie Author: A documentary for all those who dare to dream.

This is a project that started several years a go when filmmaker Adam Grady approached myself and Robin because he wanted to do a documentary about us and our lives. We laughed and told him he was nuts. Then we explained that no one would be interested in such a thing.  After our initial phone call, I thought we had adequately dissuaded him. But like a bad penny he kept coming back.  We were impressed my his persistence, but still questioned his sanity. His passion for making a documentary was unmistakable, and we have a soft spot for creative people trying to live their dream.

So finally, Robin came up with a compromise: "While I don't think anyone will be interested in a movie about us, they might be interested in one about the "Indie Author" movement.  I can reach out to some friends of mine, and maybe something with that expanded reach "might" be worth doing.

So back in October of 2023 a Kickstarter was launched - and fully funded!  So Adam and his director of photography, Dustin Wood started filming. Much of it was done at our house in Virginia (and "the shop" - a converted church which serves as our warehouse), but he also traveled to Ontario Canada, Orlando Florida, Chicago Illinois, and a few other locations.

Yesterday the 90-minute film was premiered right here in Luray VA.  People flew from all over North America: Alberta, Philadelphia, Portland Oregon, New Hampshire, Texas, Boston, Orlando, too many people and places for me to remember. 

To be honest, I didn't know what to expect. More than 70 hours of "ramblings" was somehow cut down to 90 minutes of independent authors explaining their trials, tribulations, just how hard the business of writing is, and ultimately how they succeeded. It's an inspirational tale great for anyone who dares to dream and a must-watch for those seeking to tell their own tales through the written word.

Here is a list of some of the authors who were featured:

• Andy Wier, author of The Martian and Hail Mary
• Travis Baldree - audiobook narrator and author of Legends and Lattes 
• Will Wight - author of the Cradle Series 
• Michael J. Sullivan - some nobody whose written a fair number of fantasy books
• Bryce O' Conner - founder of Wraithmarked Creative and author of The Mark of Kings
• A.C. Cobble - author of Benjamin Ashwood, Cartographer, King’s Ranger, Wahrheit and founder of Merrick Books
• M.L. Wang - author of Moon over Bright Haven and The Sword of Kaigen
• Emilie "delemhach" Nikota - author of cozy fantasy including the House Witch and the Burning Witch
• Lorian Ellis - Michael's protege and author of the soon to be released Out of the Ashes
• Lidia Sherrer, author of Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus

Right now, the movie has been submitted to a number of film festivals, and if it's accepted to any of them, then it might open the doors to wide distribution. But if you missed the Kickstarter, and now are "kicking yourself" you can late-back the digital version of the movie for just $25.

But wait, there's more.

As a bonus to the Kickstarter, Adam also filmed and produced Elan Unveiled: A behind the look interview with Robin and Michael Sullivan.  Since this isn't being "shopped" around in  the film festival market,  this 70-minute feature can be widely distributed. You can pick up a copy for $15 from here.

Even though this project was Kickstarted, costs were greater than expected, and Adam isn't yet, in the black. All the funds raised by the links above will go directly to him in the hope that we'll "make him whole" through "late backer support."  

But the best part of the premier was seeing Robin as the "bell of the ball." Fans fawned over her and expressed their appreciation for all she does. As we took pictures with each of the people who came, the running gag was that everyone wanted to be next to Robin.

The after party was a huge success. Rain thretened all day and a downpour happened just as we were driving form the theater to our place. But it let up and we had a gathering around the pool with drinks, food, and great conversations.  The last of the people cleared out around 11:00 pm, and as such I woke up very late today.  All in all, it will be a day to remember!

Nolyn is free as part of the Warriors Fantasy Book Fair

I've not been on facebook in years, but recently I started to get back into it because we have so much going on.  In one of the indie fantasy groups, there was a free book giveaway going on so I enrolled Nolyn in it.  So for the next 20 days or so, you can download Nolyn for free, and pick up some titles from other indie authors that you might want to check out.

To get the book(s) just click here.  Sale ends July 31st.

Age of Swords On Sale! - 15,865 ratings - 4.7 average

For those who are new to the Legends of the First Empire audiobooks, I hope you caught the Daily Deal for Book #1 (Age of Myth) last month.  If you did, then you are perfectly setup to get book #2 (Age of Swords) which is part of the July monthly deals on Audible.com.

It's just $7.99 which is 43% of the price of a credit, and 80% off it's list price.  I hope you nab a copy.Oh, and here's some information from the book's description:

The gods have been proven to be mortal
and new heroes will arise.

The gods have been proven mortal and new heroes will arise as the battle continues in the sequel to Age of Myth—a USA Today bestseller from the author of the Riyria Revelations and Riyria Chronicles series.

In Age of Myth, fantasy master Michael J. Sullivan launched audiences on an epic journey of magic and adventure, heroism and betrayal, love and loss. Now the thrilling saga continues as the human uprising is threatened by powerful enemies from without—and bitter rivalries within.

Raithe, the God Killer, may have started the rebellion by killing a Fhrey, but deep-rooted enmities dividing the Rhunes make it all but impossible to unite against the common foe. And even if the clans can join forces, how will they defeat an enemy whose magical prowess renders them indistinguishable from gods?

The answer lies across the sea in a faraway land populated by a reclusive and dour race who feel nothing but disdain for both Fhrey and mankind. With time running out, Persephone leads the gifted young seer Suri, the Fhrey sorceress Arion, and a small band of misfits in a desperate search for aid—a quest that will take them into the darkest depths of Elan. There, an ancient adversary waits, as fearsome as it is deadly.

Don't miss any of Michael J. Sullivan's Legends of the First Empire novels: Age of Myth, Age of Swords, Age of War, Age of Legend, Age of Death, Age of Empyre

At long last!

At long, long last the Regular and Deluxe hardcovers of Riyria Chronicles (#1 - #4)  have left the printer! They d are on their way to the shipyard.  The boat will be fully loaded and setting sail on July 6th, and is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore on August 14th.  It will take a few days to unload the ship, pass through customs, and then be shipped to us so I think we "might" have books as early as August 22nd.

Here is what's coming

• 18 pallets of books with 640 cartons
• 10,240 books & 1,728 slipcases
• 6,496 deluxe editions & 3,744 regular editions

One of the things that I love about this particular printer is just how well they package up the books.  Their cartons are extra thick, and inside is waterproof bags that the books sit in. The pallets are solid wood and strapped down tight such that nothing will shift during the journey an the whole pallet is wrapped in stretch wrap.  If this shipment is the same as the others we recieved, when we open this container up again, nothing will have shifted at all.

In other news, I have some a separate shipment of books coming to me via FedEx so we can determine weights and the size of boxes to order for shipping.  For those who aren't familiar with this project, here's the covers of the books:

And if you missed the Kickstarter, you can pre-order them from our online store.

It's all very exciting.

Age of Myth - Audible Daily Deal

 

This is starting to be a summer of savings.  Audible has made Age of Myth (Book #1 of Legends of the First Empire) their daily deal!

For those who aren't familiar with this series, it's the one that has opened up the world of Elan to a whole added layer which will make a post Riyria Revelations series possible. It's called "The Cycle" and while only the first two books are written (five total), we won't know if it'll be released or not until it's finished and crossed a very high bar I've set.

As for The Legends of the First Empire series. It's six books that are broken down into two closely related trilogies. The first half tells the truth behind the history I've lied to you about regarding the first great war between men and elves.  The second half is what blows open what is known about Elan but to say more would be a huge spoiler.

Here is the publisher's back of the book blurb:  

One of fantasy’s finest next-generation storytellers continues to break new ground.

Michael J. Sullivan’s trailblazing career began with the breakout success of his Riyria series: full-bodied, spellbinding fantasy adventures whose imaginative scope and sympathetic characters won a devoted readership and comparisons to fantasy masters Brandon Sanderson, Scott Lynch, and J.R.R. Tolkien himself. Now Age of Myth inaugurates an original six-book series.

What does it mean if a god can be killed?

Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between humans and those they thought were gods changes forever.

Now only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer; Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom; and Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people. The Age of Myth is over. The time of rebellion has begun.

Magic, fantasy, and mythology collide in Michael J. Sullivan’s Legends of the First Empire series:

• Age of Myth
• Age of Swords
• Age of War
• Age of Legend
• Age of Death
• Age of Empyre