Michael J. Sullivan is a New York Times (3 titles), USA Today (3 titles), and Washington Post hardcover (2 titles) bestselling author, and no one is more surprised by those facts than he. When just a boy, Michael found a typewriter in the basement of a friend's house, inserted a blank piece of paper, and typed, ""It was a dark and stormy night."" He was just ten years old and mimicking the only writer he knew at the time: Snoopy. That spark ignited a flame, and Michael's desire to fill blank pages became a life-long obsession. As an adult, Michael spent more than ten years developing his craft by studying authors such as Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, and John Steinbeck. During that time, he wrote thirteen novels but garnered no interest from the publishing industry. Since insanity is repeating the same action while expecting a different result, he made the rational choice and quit, vowing never to write creatively again. Never turned out to be too long for Michael, and after a decade, he returned to the keyboard in his forties, but with one condition: He wouldn't seek publication. Instead, he wrote a series of books that had been building in his head during his hiatus. His first reading love was fantasy, and he hoped to foster a similar reaction in his then thirteen-year-old daughter who struggled due to dyslexia. After reading the third book of this series, his wife insisted that the novels had to ""get out there."" When Michael refused to jump back onto the query-go-round, Robin took over the publication tasks, and she has run the business side of his writing ever since. Currently, Michael is a hybrid author with nineteen novels released through big-five publishers, a small press, or indie-produced. The Riyria Revelations: 6 books sold as 3 two-book omnibus editions from Orbit (fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group) — Theft of Swords • Rise of Empire • Heir of Novron The Riyria Chronicles: 2 books released from Orbit, 2 indie-produce, 1 in production — The Crown Tower • The Rose and the Thorn • The Death of Dulgath • The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter • Drumindor (release date TBD) Legends of the First Empire: 3 books released from Del Rey (fantasy imprint of Penguin Random House) and 3 indie-published) — Age of Myth • Age of Swords • Age of War •Age of Legend •Age of Death • Age of Empyre The Rise and Fall Trilogy: all indie-published — Nolyn • Farilane • Esrahaddon (coming 2023) Standalone science fiction thriller: released by Tachyon Publications — Hollow World Michael's stories center around unlikely heroes who rise to the occasion when history comes knocking. Unlike much of modern fantasy, which focuses on dark themes and anti-heroes, Michael's stories are optimistic and infused with humor, fast-paced plotting, and epic adventure.
“This thrilling adventure with Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater is gleefully brought to life once again by Michael J. Sullivan! Tur Del Fur may be a place where rich elites party under false pretenses, but it’s where we witness how Riyria truly becomes legend.” — Tim Gerard Reynolds, narrator of Drumindor (and all the other Elan novels) “Characterization is where Michael Sullivan truly shines as a writer, and anyone who has been experiencing Royce and Hadrian withdrawals is in for a treat.” — Audrey Hammer, copy editor of Drumindor “A phenomenal journey in a beautiful setting. The characters are relatable, funny, witty, and exciting. If you like adventure, this is the book for you!” — Michael Fazio, Kickstarter Backer “Drumindor is a wild roller coaster from start to finish. It has quickly become my favorite Riyria Chronicles novel and one of my top Elan books of all time.” — Joaquin Arcilla, Kickstarter Backer “Michael J. Sullivan’s work never disappoints, and Drumindor is no exception. This is high fantasy of the best quality from one of our rare contemporary masters.” —Andrea Luhman, Kickstarter Backer “Full of witty one-liners, heart-rending scenes, and adrenaline-packed moments, Drumindor is an immediate Riyria classic that reminds me of why Royce and Hadrian are two of my all-time favorite characters.” — Yanic Stachniak, Kickstarter Backer “I LOVED this book! I really enjoyed getting to watch Royce and Hadrian’s friendship grow toward where it is when we meet them in Theft of Swords. The villain of this story was great too: creepy and powerful in a way that made him feel very dangerous!” — Moriah L., Kickstarter Backer “Drumindor was another wildly satisfying adventure from Michael J. Sullivan! Everything Riyria fans have come to love with some of Michael’s signature jaw-dropping twists. I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. Absolutely brilliant!!” — Angel Goldman, Kickstarter Backer “The boys are back! The wait has been worth it — Drumindor is another incredible addition to Sullivan’s adventure-filled world. Hadrian and Royce continue to be my favorite buddy duo in all of fantasy.” — Jesse Snyder, Kickstarter Backer “I absolutely loved Drumindor! Returning to this world feels like revisiting an old friend; Michael J. Sullivan continues to craft stories that capture the magic and wonder that made me fall in love with the series in the first place.” — J. Burns, Kickstarter Backer