Out of the Ashes

After the Fall #1

by Michael J. Sullivan, Lorian Ellis

WHAT DO YOU DO AFTER THE WORLD ENDS?

Following the destruction of the capital city of Percepliquis, this question plagued every Imperial citizen, but the choices made by three simple people will change the future forever. One decided she didn’t deserve to die. Another resolved to be the ruler he was meant to be. And the third went in search of a nefarious wizard named, Esrahaddon.

Return to the world of Elan in the last days of the dying Novronian Empire. Come back to the destruction and turmoil of a dying dream but stay because there is one last hope that is trying to crawl . . . out of the ashes.

In this debut novel, a devotee of the New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post bestselling author Michael J. Sullivan proves why it was wise to trust a complete unknown with his cherished world of Elan. Through this first book in the After the Fall series, you’ll learn the truth about the day Percepliquis fell and witness the birth of a new literary star.

Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Fiction

326 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 19, 2026

About the author

For a limited time (holiday gift giving) the following titles are on sale and have free US shipping (for orders over $50. Click the image to shop the sale. Out of print hardcoers just $10 each. Deluxe boxsets up to $80 off.



I'm a New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post bestselling author with 9 Goodreads Choice Award Nominations and 6 Amazon Editor's Picks.

My current released books:

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —
The copyediting for Out of the Ashes has begun! Recording of the audiobook is scheduled for June 2026.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —
Coming to Kickstarter 01/27/26

New short stories by: Brandon Sanderson • J.A. Andrews • Bradley P. Beaulieu • Carol Berg • Peter V. Brett • Terry Brooks • Jim Butcher • Delilah S. Dawson • Matt Dinniman • Kate Elliott • Kevin Hearne • Jessica Day George • Lev Grossman • 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 • Scott Sigler • Shawn Speakman • Michael J. Sullivan • Carrie Vaughn • Brent Weeks • Tad Williams • Janny Wurts
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —
Indie Author: A documentary for those wo dare to dream is now available for $25.

It features myself, Andy Wier, Will Wight, Travis Baldree, and many more.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —— — — — — — —


I first opened the door to my imagination with typewriter keys while playing hide and seek and finding a black behemoth when I just ten years old. Serious writing started in my twenties, but after more than a decade trying to publish (and getting nowhere), I quit altogether. I returned to writing in 2004, and published my first novel with a small press in 2008. If you had told me that I'd be a New York Times Bestselling author, have 85+ novels translated into 13 languages, and sold more than 2 million copies, I never would have believed you!

Reviews

[Michael]

People who know me, are aware that I DO NOT write reviews of my books - but I do use this space to keep people updated on the book as it is being produced, and then any sales after it is released.

• 08/23/25 - The beta is going well, we have 27 chapters total in the book and 500 chapters have been reviewed. 4 people have completed the beta to date. Our thanks to all the beta volunteers!

• 08/16/25 - Well the beta was delayed by a few weeks, but it's out and running now! With that milestone met the following schedule can be laid out.

• Beta: Start: 08/16/25
• Beta: End: 09/16/25
• Copyediting Begins: 10/06/25
• Copyediting Ends: 11/10/25
• Gamma Start: 03/01/26
• Gamma End: 03/31/26
• Recording starts: 06/08/26
• Recording ends: 06/28/26

• 07/23/25 - Robin has finished her alpha read of the book - and truly enjoyed it. Lorian will be at our place tomorrow and we'll go over a few minor changes, but we should be all set to get it into beta on August 01

• 07/14/25 - Robin and Lorian are meeting today to go over edits and the whole editing process. I suspect the next few posts on here will be from my wife rather than I because the ball is now in her court.

• 07/05/25 - I'm done with my final read - and everything is a okay. So now it's off to Robin.

• 07/01/25 - I'm over halfway through the book on my final read through. So far I've only found one very minor adjustment, so things are going well!

• 06/26/25 - It's done! Lorian has send me the final version of the book, so I (and Robin) are starting our final read throughs. Assuming we find nothing serious (and I don't expect to), then we'll be moving on to beta reading. If you are intereted in beta reading, you can go to this link to sign up.

• 06/12/25 - it's been awhile since I've updated, so I thought I would let people know where we are. The climax took a bit longer than expected because it's Lorian's first time doing such, and so a little more handholding was required. But we got the majority of that work done, and then there is just the denouncement to finish up. Lorian is coming out to the cabin in the middle of July, and the plan is to have it to Robin before that happens. She's already read the first fourteen chapters, but she's waiting for the whole book to read it end to end.

• 05/21/25 - the book is still in development, but we are starting the sign-up for beta reading. If you are interested, go to this link

• 05/10/25 - the final installment posted OUT OF THE ASHES: Apropos for both the title and the process that created it.

• 05/06/25 - the final installment posted CHAPTER ONE: A month of trial and errors.

• 05/04/25 - the fifth installment posted THE WRITING LIFE: Go away. Lorian is busy.

• 05/04/25 - the fifth installment posted THE WRITING LIFE: Go away. Lorian is busy.

• 05/01/25 - the fourth installment posted STARTING THE BOOK: How nothing becomes something

• 04/28/25 - the third installment posted SECRET IDENTITY REVEALED: The Project Begins

• 04/25/25 - the second installment posted A SCHOOL FOR WIZARDS: From Card Houses to Hogwarts

• 04/21/25 - the time has come to roll out the red carpet for the mystery writer - the first of the seven-blog posts was released.

• 04/21/25 - We now have an official blurb! I'm still keeping the author "under wraps" until they get their goodreads page fully established. But it shouldn't be long now.

• 04/05/25 - Still working on edits to the climax and the final few chapters. Hoping to have it to Robin for alpha reading by the end of the month.

• 03/10/25 - famed artist Marc Simonetti has been commissioned for the cover design

• 03/06/25 - The book now has a title and a placeholder cover.

• 02/21/25 - Book announced on Goodreads and Riyria blog

• 02/20/25 - Book essentially done as per Michael - has a few changes but it's a solid read

• 10/28/24 - Chapter 7 - 9 finished

• 02/26/24 - Chapter 5 & 6 finished

• 09/23/23 - Chapter 4 finished

• 09/19/23 - Chapter 3 finished

• 08/23/23 - Chapter 2 finished

• 04/27/23 - Chapter 1 finished

• 01/21/23 - 1st chapter writing starts - and is rewitten, and rewitten, and rewitten

• 12/28/22 - First outline submitted and reworked several times

• 11/23/22 - Outlining begins

• 11/4/22 - Brainstorming session between Michael and co-author about possible plot threads (both new and old) for the series

• 10/25/22 - Authors of Novel House visit the cabin - "co-author" receive mac computer loaded with Scrivner, Elan bible, and instructions to being on After the Fall

• 12/08/20 - "co-author" joins "The Novel House" - a small group of authors that Michael mentors on writing. She's working on her own contemporary fiction tale.

• 02/07/20 - Email from "co-author" sent to Michael - attached is a fan fiction, upon reviewing, Michael if very impressed with the writer. They are an avid reader who consumes everything Elan based.

[Anna [Bran. San. Stan]]

I already know this will knock my socks off. I’m not sure I can wait a year though.

[Pete Vagiakos]

Yes please. With sugar on top.

[Rebecca Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait for this book!!!!! Michael J Sullivan is my all time favorite author, hands down. When I first discovered the Elan books, I read all 13 published works back to back. I never do that! The way Michael ties all the Elan books together, throughout time, is nothing short of magic. I am anxiously awaiting this book release!

[allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ☆
I was given the opportunity to participate in the beta read for this book! Really enjoyed the read and I’m looking forward to reading the final version when it’s out.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beta reader.

Imagine my surprise and thrill at being invited to be a beta reader for Out of the Ashes. I am forever grateful for the opportunity and hope my input will prove useful, especially as Michael is one of my favorite authors; I love his world of Elan.

I will only post a broad review for OotA as it is still in the beta stage of the process, but if the story was released as written I would rate it roughly 2.5 stars; again, that’s if the story was released today, as written, without changes. As OotA is still in beta I have decided to round up to three stars, and I almost always round down when rating.

High level - I am sad and disappointed that I didn’t care for OotA. It has been difficult for me to accept that one of Michael’s stories probably isn't for me. I struggled with OotA; I was easily distracted while reading, I didn’t want to get back into OotA like I usually do with Michael’s stories, and I never warmed to the author's voice. I have read everything Michael has written for this world, and also have his books in my personal library, including limited editions and his six self-published Riyria paperbacks; OotA just wasn’t what I expected given previous MJS stories.

I will post a detailed review and finalize my rating after I read the published version of OotA.

[Elakkiya]

aaahhh can't wait!

[Jon Switzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a honor to be apart of this beta read!

Michael Sullivan quickly became one of my favorite authors after I read the first couple of books in the Legends of the First Empire series. I have many books of his that I still need to read and experiencing this beta read made that all the more important on my list of To-Dos!

As for the rating, I did give it 3 stars mainly because there were some things that I felt either happened off screen or were just skipped. Could be personal preference and interest or connection to certain characters, but I do feel that these missing scenes are what lowered the rating for me.

Overall I still enjoyed the book and would recommend the author to anyone. Just maybe start the books in the proper order and not start with a prequel like I did! 😂

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a beta reader. I enjoyed how this book was written, particularly some of the descriptions, they were so vivid, and the dialogue / inner thoughts were uniquely written and engaging. The book made me laugh and tense at times. However, at times I didn’t quite pick up on some of the plot threads throughout the book and found some of the plots a bit hard to follow. But, as this is a beta read, hopefully they will be clarified. I am really looking forward to reading the final version.

[RahmaReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beta reader here. Thank you for the opportunity of being able to read it early. I will hold off writing a review until I reread the book after it is released. It has a lot of potential, and I am looking forward to Book 2.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beta read, will re-read when officially published for final rating and review! It was great though, MJS and LE make a great writing team!

[André · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a new series in MJS' world with a new author!
Since I read a beta-version of Out of the Ashes and there are still things that might be changed, I will post a review once I read the final version. But I do see a lot of potential.

[Audrey]

Review coming

[Laura C · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time beta reader - Existing Elan fan.

4.5 Stars
I believe that Michael and Lorian have hit this sequel to Esrahaddon out of the park.

The new character point of views were superbly written and I enjoyed myself immensely throughout the entire book.

I was not easily able to distinguish the difference between Lorian and Michael’s style of writing, and also, I enjoyed the female perspective and viewpoint onto the story. It breathed fresh new life into both our beloved favorite characters and the new characters introduced.

The emotions I felt reading Out of the Ashes cycled steadily as I progressed through the chapters. Most notably included…

✅ Joy
✅ Anger
✅ Sorrow
✅ Shock
✅ Wonder
✅ Excitement
✅ Disbelief

I look forward to the finalized version, and then my favorite…
Switching over to Audible to have Tim Gerard Reynolds read it aloud.

I will revise my review when the final is published.

[Lottie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a beta reader. I really enjoyed a lot of this book. There were some great new characters, funny moments, intense scenes and nice tie-ins to other Elan stories. The style of writing and descriptions were also really captivating and unique. There were a few elements with character motivations that felt a bit confusing for me, which is why this isn't a five. But my opinion on this may change once I read the final version. Overall, I think this is a fun addition to the Elan universe, and I am looking forward to reading the final version and the next two books.

[Matthew Landers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up after Esrahaddon this new book, by Michael J Sullivan and Lorian Ellis, continues the story following the fall of the Novronian Empire. This debut novel by Lorain is fantastic. Michael and Lorian's writing styles match perfectly.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love to read this book!! Please hurry up and write all the books, please!!

[Francisco González · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Beta reader