Michael J Sullivan

Michael J. Sullivan, born in 1961, is an American author recognized for his contributions to epic fantasy and science fiction. He initially began writing to entertain himself and later to assist his daughter with reading. Sullivan gained prominence with his debut series, The Riyria Revelations, which has been translated into numerous languages and has been lauded by io9 as a significant achievement by a self-published author. His bibliography includes several distinct series, such as The Riyria Chronicles, The Legends of the First Empire, and The Rise and Fall, all set within the same fictional world of Elan. He has also penned standalone science fiction novels, like Hollow World. Sullivan's work has garnered critical acclaim, appearing on bestseller lists including The New York Times and USA Today, and receiving multiple nominations for awards like the Goodreads Choice Award.

Michael J. Sullivan's writing journey began in his youth, driven by a desire for self-entertainment. A significant motivation for his early work, particularly The Riyria Revelations, was to create reading material for his daughter who had dyslexia. This foundational series, featuring the thief Royce and mercenary Hadrian, was later published by Orbit Books. Sullivan has since authored multiple series within the same expansive world of Elan. The Legends of the First Empire, released by Del Rey Books, serves as a prequel, delving into the ancient history of Elan. More recently, The Rise and Fall trilogy bridges the chronological gap between The Legends of the First Empire and The Riyria Chronicles. His foray into science fiction includes the novel Hollow World, published by Tachyon Publications.

Sullivan's literary achievements have been widely recognized, with several of his books reaching bestseller status. He has secured spots on The New York Times bestseller list with titles like Age of War and Age of Legend, and multiple books have appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. His works have also been frequently honored by Goodreads, with seven selections for the Choice Award in categories such as Best Fantasy and Best Science Fiction. Furthermore, Theft of Swords was recognized by Barnes & Noble as one of their Best Fantasy Books in 2011, and Age of Myth was a featured selection in Amazon's Best Books of the Year. The international reach of his work is evidenced by translations into fourteen languages.