Hollow World Pre-orders Going Strong

I want to thank everyone for all the amazing support for Hollow World pre-ordering. We are at 21 days and counting and the book is showing up in TWO spots on the Top 10 for the Hottest New Releases in Time Travel (#8 audio, #10 print) but also on the Bestselling Books in Time Travel. What makes that even more amazing is no the audio book isn't even available yet, so those rankings are just with the audio and ebooks.  I'm so grateful for the support...and glad for the publishers (Tachyon Publications - print, Recorded Books audio) who are "doing publishing right" in leaving the ebook rights with the author, and making their money on the parts of book production they add the most value to.

I also want to give an update on the Hollow World pre-order. For those who ordered the print book directly from my site, you already have your bookmarks and book plates, for everyone else, I hope to have them mailed in the next few days.

Also, I've sent out the ebook and short stories to just about everyone...but the response was great, and I'm sorry I'm a bit behind.  Part of the problem, is several of the short stories didn't have the various ebook formats created and Robin (who is doing the conversion) is working hard to get that done but she is also juggling several time-sensitive activities, so I ask you bear with us as we are working hard to get this to you just as soon as possible.

Well that's it for the updates for now. Thanks once again for all the amazing support and I can't wait until the book is "officially out there" so I can see if you all love it as much as I do.

Author Interviews Done Right

Okay, I'll admit it. I like author interviews. It's always interesting to me to see how other navigated this crazy business of publishing and compare notes on how they write with my own techniques. I've done more than a few of them in the past...and while I always enjoy them, I think some are just much better than others. For some interviews, the questions are canned...the same ones asked over and over no matter who the author is. These are cool because when you read enough of them from the same site, you get to see the differences between various authors. But, they also don't allow for much personalization, and as such can feel a bit "phoned in."

I recently ran across Inkspokes, a site whose goal is to connect indie authors, illustrators, and readers. They have done a lot of nice articles (click here to see them), and since I have a pretty broad publishing background myself, I wrote and asked if they might like to interview me. They agreed and the post went live. I must say that this was one of the best interviews I've participated in recently. Not only did they do a lot of research, but they had a nice introduction that gave my publishing history that really helped to lay the foundation. This meant I could concentrate on the specific questions rather than a lot of back story.  And speaking of questions.  Here is what was asked:

• What prompted you to write Hollow World? What about the work is most interesting to you as the author?
  
• You have had a lot of success with theRiyria Revelations series. How difficult is it from a publishing standpoint to publish in a new genre? Have you surveyed a sampling of your readers to see if they would follow you into a new genre? Is there a focus on having those readers follow you into Hollow World or do you think you would be building largely a new audience?
  
• Even though the characters and genres are different, are there elements that readers of the Riyria series might find familiar in Hollow World?
  
• The way you are publishing Hollow World(which is to be released in April) is intriguing. You had noted on your website that you have sold the print and audio rights but retain the ebook rights to the book. How does that work? Are you then self-publishing the ebook version? What type of coordination is required between your own ebook release and the print and audio runs?
  
• I understand that last year you also conducted a Kickstarter (crowdsourcing) campaign for Hollow World? How does that fit into the overall publication process for the book?
  
• Do you think crowdsourcing campaigns (at least for novels) are more appropriate for established authors who already have some following than for new unknown authors? I suspect this might be different for art or picture books where readers can more easily decide whether or not they will like the art work. What observations can you make on the viability of the crowdsourcing model for novels?
  
• Given the changes that have occurred in publishing over the last few years, if you were still an unknown author who wants to publish a novel, where would you position yourself? Would you still pursue traditional publishing? Would you begin with self-publishing and see if you could find traction? Crowdsourcing? Some combination or hybrid path? What might be one or two important factors to consider?
  
• Riyria readers likely want to know more about where you are on the Riyria Chroniclesand I understand you are also working on a new fantasy series called Rhune. Can you tell us a little about your current projects and what readers can expect to see from you in the near future?

So, if you are interested in any of these questions, my publishing history, or just want to see a really good format for interviews - stop on over...and leave Neil (the author) a note saying you appreciate his work. Bloggers run sites like this with little to no compensation and sometimes an "attaboy" can go a long way.

Time is running out on The Crown Tower Giveaway

I've had quite a few giveaways as of late, and this one is technically being run by Orbit, but it will probably be the last one for a while. There is about 14 hours left for The Crown Tower. And this will be for a signed copy. For those that aren't familiar with this book it is the first one in The Riyria Chronicles - a set of two prequels that take place at the forming of Riyria and since they are standalone, you don't have to have any prior knowledge of any of the other books to read it.

Here are what some others have said about the book:

"A well-written addition to an established series, The Crown Tower is a perfect example of a fantasy epic done right." -- SF Signal

"It is nice to be home again, or at least that is how it feels when you find yourself just a few pages into the latest novel from Michael J Sullivan." -- Speculative Book Review

"Fans of the Riyria Revelations will have no trouble jumping back into the world as Sullivan does the meeting of the duo justice. Readers unfamiliar with Sullivan's work, but looking for a fast-paced character-focused adventure will enjoy The Crown Tower as well." -- Reading Realms

And here is the marketing teaser from the back of the book:

Two men who hate each other. One impossible mission. A legend in the making.

Hadrian Blackwater, a warrior with nothing to fight for is paired with Royce Melborn, a thieving assassin with nothing to lose. Together they must steal a treasure that no one can reach. The Crown Tower is the impregnable remains of the grandest fortress ever built and home to the realm's most prized possessions. But it isn't gold or jewels that the old wizard is after, and if he can keep them from killing each other they become a legendary team.

Good luck and congratulations to the winner!

Just a few hours left for Hollow World Giveaway

We are coming down to the wire on the last giveaway for Hollow World, which will end in about 14 hours. Winners will not only receive signed print copies, but they will also get the ebooks in a variety of formats.

Early reviews have been coming in from those who doing the pre-order promotion, Net Galley Readers, and those in Amazon's Vine Program.  Here's what a sampling.

“This book made me laugh. It also made me cry. And in the end, it made me think. I highly recommend Hollow World for anyone looking for a book that brushes on and plays out some political and social issues we face today.”  —N. E. White, SFFWorld.com

“Hollow World establish Sullivan as a force to be reckoned with in any genre he chooses to ply his talent to.” —Matt Gilliard, 52 Book Reviews

"This is social science fiction that H.G. Wells or Isaac Asimov could have written, with the cultural touchstones of today. A modernized classic, Hollow World is the perfect novel for both new and nostalgic science fiction readers." —Justin Landon, Stafffer’s Book Reviews

“Michael J. Sullivan has made a name for himself with his excellent series of fantasy novels and Hollow World proves he can deftly tackle science fiction just as skillfully. The ideas are big and the future plausible, this is one of those rare gems you'll be thinking about long after you put it down.” — Bryce Lee, Only the Best Science Fiction & Fantasy

“Hollow World was easily one of my top reads of 2013...I rate this book highly based on pure enjoyment factor; Hollow World is so many things, but without a doubt, the best part about it is also its most obvious duality: that is it at once a light and entertaining read, but also heavy on important issues and philosophy.” — Stephenie Sheung, The Bibliosanctum

I hope you'll have a chance to enter before time runs out, and congratulations to the winners!

The Viscount and the Witch now available in audio - for free!

The audio version of The Jester has been so well received that I worked with Recorded Books and Audible.com to get The Viscount and the Witch released as well.  It went live a few days ago and is already hitting the bestseller lists.  In fact, I'm ecstatic that all of the books are still doing so well in that regard:

Epic Fantasy Bestseller List
• #4 - The Jester
• #11 - The Crown Tower
• #12 - The Viscount and the Witch
• #15 - The Rose and the Thorn
• #17 - Theft of Swords
• #21 - Rise of Empire
• #23 - Heir of Novron

That's all seven titles in the top 25!

For those that aren't familiar, this was a short story that I wrote back in 2011 when my books were coming off the market and the Orbit books were not yet live. It's always been free and released originally to give existing fans a little something to hold them over while waiting for the last book. Since then, it' proved to be a good little introduction piece for those who have been considering the series, but have yet to take the leap.

This book was also the seed that grew into The Riyria Chronicles (and in fact it is actually the second chapter in the second book of that series (The Rose and the Thorn). Even if you have read the book, I highly recommend you trying it in audio form. The narrator, Tim Gerard Reynolds, does an amazing job bringing the characters to life and really makes me sound good.

So if you want to give it a try, or know someone who might like the series, tell them about this free and short introduction. Here is a link to give it a listen

Jon Sprunk Releases Blood and Iron

I met Jon Sprunk a few years ago at Balticon back when he was still writing his Shadow Series. Then I scored a signed copy of Shadow’s Son at the Baltimore Book Festival and enjoyed it so much that Jon did the first, and I think only, guest blog on my site.

Tomorrow marks the release of Jon’s first book in a new series. It’s called Blood and Iron.

After the deaths of his wife and son from plague, Horace, a soldier from the west, joins the crusade against the eastern Akeshia. At the onset of the book, Horace’s ship, in route to the crusade, is destroyed in a magical storm at sea. When he washes ashore, he finds himself at the mercy of a people whose language and culture he doesn’t understand—the very people he was sent to kill.

This is a departure from Jon’s previous anti-hero assassin-based novels into a little more positive adventure story that’s easy to like. Jon is another fantasy author who prefers clear, easy to read prose, and stories that are not overwritten or overbuilt. Nothing stands between the reader, the characters, and their stories.

Here’s hoping Jon has an easier time than Horace with his adventures in a new world. 

Problems with ordering from Amazon

I'm not sure why, but right now there are two problems buying my books from Amazon.

• Heir of Novron is out of stock and needs 2 - 3 weeks for shipping
• Theft of Swords will probably go out of stock soon (there are only has a few copies left)
• Almost all the discounting has been removed

One of the nice things about Amazon is unlike a bookstore with limited shelf space the almost always have books in stock. I'm not sure why they're not keep up, I know there are books in the publisher's warehouses.

As for the discounting...on 3/9/2014 Amazon removed all discounts on my books (both print and ebook) except for the ebook of The Crown Tower which is discounted a whole $1 - woo hoo!

I can't do anything about the ebooks, but I can help out people with the print editions. I sell all versions from my website. This means you can the books:

• At a 20% discount ($12.75 - $13.75)
• Shipped right away
• Signed and/or dedicated if you wish.

Also, I've received copies of Hollow World so if you want the book early - you can order it from my website you won't have to wait until April 15th. To order, just use the button below.