Michael J. Sullivan (edit name/settings)

Born in 1961 in Detroit, Michigan, Michael Sullivan began his writing career when he was just ten-years-old. After falling in love with Lord of the Rings, he sat down at his sister's manual typewriter to create a similar tale and wrote seven novels before graduating from high school. Serious writing began in 1985 as a creative outlet while raising his children in rural Vermont. Over the next ten years, he wrote six-novels in various genres from mystery to literary fiction but obtained no traction in the publishing world. Disheartened with the process, he quit writing for nearly ten years.

Michael's writing spark re-ignited in 2004 when he read Harry Potter with his dyslexic daughter. He fell in love with the story and decided to write something "just for fun" with no intention of publishing. Drawn to the concept of a multi-book series with an overarching story, he started what would later become the Riyria Revelations.

Finding the project compelling and rewarding, he sold his successful advertising agency in 2006 to pursue writing full-time. He finished all six-books before seeking publication, allowing him to weave multiple story lines told as episodes, each containing its own conflict and resolution.

Originally signed by independent presses (Aspirations Media & Ridan Publishing), Michael's popularity spread in large part to book bloggers who found his work a refreshing change from dark and gritty fantasy prevalent with the genre. The blogging community praised the work as a fast, fun read that returns to the hallmarks of conventional fantasy.

In February 2011, Orbit Publishing (the fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group USA) purchased the Riyria Revelations and are currently scheduled to produce the series as three 2-book omnibus versions.

Michael currently lives in Virginia, just outside Washington DC, with his wife and three children. He is currently working on a modern-day fantasy entitled Antithesis as well as a three-book series based on Novron from the Riyria Revelations.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
2010 Fantasy Book Critic #1 Indie Fantasy (Wintertide & Emerald Storm)
2010 Iceberg Ink Award Best Read (Avempartha)
2010 Fantasy Book Critic Top 25 (Wintertide & Emerald Storm)
2010 Bookworm Blues Overall Best Reads of 2010 (Avempartha)
2010 Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fantasy (The Emerald Storm)
2010 Fantasy Book Critic Top 12 Novels as of First Quarter (The Emerald Storm)
2010 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist (Avempartha)
2010 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist (Nyphron Rising)
2010 Fantasy Book Critic Top 5 Novels of Second Half of 2010 (Wintertide)
2009 Winner of Book Spot Central's Fantasy Tournament of Books (Avempartha)
2009 Speculative Fiction Junkie's Top 5 Close Contender(The Crown Conspiracy)
2009 Top 10 Books by Dark Wolf Fantasy Reviews (The Riyria Revelations)
2009 National Indie Book Award Finalist (The Crown Conspiracy)
2008 ReaderViews Annual Literary Award Finalist (The Crown Conspiracy)
2007 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Finalist (The Crown Conspiracy)

BOOKS OF THE RIYRIA REVELATIONS (Ridan Publishing)
The Crown Conspiracy (October 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)
Nyphron Rising (October 2009)
The Emerald Storm (April 2010)
Wintertide (October 2010)
Percepliquis* (April 2011)

OMNIBUS VERSIONS of RIYRIA REVELATIONS (Orbit Publishing)
Theft of Swords (11/2011)
Rise of Empire (12/2011)
Heir of Novron (1/2012)

CONTACT INFORMATION
Michael's website: http://www.michaelsullivan-author.com
Michael's blog: http://riyria.blogspot.com/
Michael's twitter: http://twitter.com/author_sullivan
Michael's publisher: http://www.ridanpublishing.com

• Michael has a number of book signings in and around the Washington DC area in October and November.  Click here to see dates and times.
• Michael's second book, Avempartha has been sent to the publisher for editing 10/05/2008 - It has a scheudled release date of April 2009.
• Michael's first Chapters are now posted on line: