Nolyn: Book 1 of the Rise and Fall Trilogy discussion

Hey all, I'm Michael, and I wrote this series of books. I do hope you'll enjoy reading them!

Big fan of all things MJS and looking forward to starting a new series. Currently reading The Faithful and The Fallen series by John Gwynne (On book#3) and then will be picking this up.

Hey, Deighton, glad to hear you are excited. We are currently in the "gramma read" phase with Nolyn, and it should be going on in the press in the next few weeks. The ebook will be available to Kickstarter backers (and pre-order directly from the author) pages in mid April - that will be several months before the August 3rd retail release!

Once the ebook is distributed to the pre-order people, we'll do a "book club read."

Hey all. Soooo very excited about Nolyn! I’m finishing The Wheel of Time now before picking up Nolyn. Cannot wait.

I am so excited!! I know it in my heart that it’s going to be so worth it!!:’)

Hi, MC here. A huge fan since Avempartha was an Amazon freebie. I am happy to be a backer of another MJS book and I CANNOT WAIT to read this!

Hello Michael (and Robin). I love your books and look forward to the new series. Keep writing please! I never get tired of your books.

Ello Michael and Robin!! I'm Amber and I'm looking forward to reading more books by MJS! My fiance introduced me to the Riyria Universe. I've not been able to put any of them down!

Hi, I've read and listened to all of MJS books, novels, and audios. I am a bit behind on the release of this trilogy, but that is not unusual for me because I am always reading something. And at this time I find myself in the middle of reading a trilogy recommended by MJS. And enjoying it quite a bit! I will be receiving the ebook. But I do have to finish this trilogy, clear my mind then begin reading Nolyn. But I also might wait until he has released the entire trilogy! I wonder if I have such self-control? ᓚᘏᗢ

Hi All, my name is Terry Catucci and I have read every single one of the MJS books. This is the first time I’ve been part of a kickstarter and I’m enjoying the process and looking forward to having a hardcover edition of this newest trilogy. I like the idea of the book club and being able to to discuss the book with other lovers of MJS.

Hi everyone, I'm Tanja.
I stumbled into the world of Elan in 2017 while listening to the German audiobooks of the Riyria Revelations. Since then I devoured Chronicles and Legends of the First Empire and can't wait to start this new series.
Looking forward to my first-time experience of a book club.

Hi all, my name is Bonnie and I've read all of MJS's books. After pleading with my husband to read Riyria Revelations for about a year, he finally tried it out in January and has now read the whole MJS collection too! We're excited to be a part of this kickstarter (our first one) and really enjoyed the community zoom. Can't wait for Nolyn!!

Love love love all MJS books, started reading when the first books were published..., but I might just love Royce & Hadrian more. It’s good to have a history of their world, and have background stories for the names and events in R&H’s timeline.

Great job Michael! Looking forward to Nolyn.

Hey guys. I’m Dale.

This is was my first Kickstarter as this is the first time I’ve had to wait for a release. I flew through all the other books and I was gutted when I got to the last one. So I’m super excited!

I haven’t been this excited for a book release since my Harry Potter days as a kid. The wife is excited for the audible version too.

#iloveroyce #mancrush

Hello, Fellow Sullifans! Looking forward to Nolyn!!

Hello, everyone. I'm Bill. My wife and I got hooked listening to the Riyria Revelations.

I selected "Age of Myth" for the holiday read in our company's sci-fi/fantasy reading club. One group member told me he expected to hate it because he dislikes most fantasy in general. To his surprise, he quickly finished "Age of Myth" and then plowed through the rest of the series before asking me the next MJS books to read. I suggested Riyria Revelations and wound up listening to it again, but this time with the First Empire back story fresh in my mind :) Really looking forward to Nolyn.

Hi, I am Bryan. Began with Legends and ready for Nolan!

Hi all! So excited to be joining another group to talk books with. I try to spread the word about riyeria and legends to anyone who asks me for book recs. Currently re-“reading” the legends series through hoopla graphic audio.

I'm Calley -- long term reader, since the original Revelations. My very well-loved copy of "Crown Conspiracy" evolved into a very well loved copy of Theft of Swords, which is quickly evolving again into loose sheets of paper. Royce and Hadrian will always have the softest part of my heart....

....but Suri's got the whole darn muscle.

Hello! I'm Ashley, huge fan of all the books. This is my first Kickstarter and I am so excited for everything to come!

Hi, everyone. ^_^

I am Christomir Rackov - loyal reader and fan of Michael and his books, from Ruse, Bulgaria. Looking forward to this series, as always.

Mc wrote: "Hi, MC here. A huge fan since Avempartha was an Amazon freebie. I am happy to be a backer of another MJS book and I CANNOT WAIT to read this!"

Wait - you started with Avempartha, without having read "The Crown Conspiracy"? LOL

Hello everyone, I'm Breiton Haug. My wife and I fell in love with the series over the past year and could not get enough even though we consumed all we could of this incredible story. We are so excited for Nolyn and all of MJS future work. His story telling, characters, and weaving make for such an outstanding world. Hope to be along side you all when it comes out!

Hello all! This is literally the first time I’ve tried to communicate with an author at all despite reading many, MANY novels for the last 20+years, lol.

This is my first MJS Kickstarter, but I am really loving being part of the process and the interaction. Also, the inclusion of your wife in such a significant way is a huge inspiration! It’s absolutely WONDERFUL to see.

I became a fan during the original Hadrian and Royce
Trilogy and have stuck around ever since. I absolutely love the interplay between the two characters, as well as the notes about how much your wife has fallen for Harian!!

This is such a unique experience for me, and I am absolutely delighted to be a part of it. You’re such a consummate author, and it’s such a treat/escape to read your novels!

Hello, I am a huge fan of MJS. After listening to Ryria series, I needed to listen to them all. I recommended them to my teenage boys. Well, now they are big fans too.

Hello all! I'm Tyke and this is my 6th or 7th Kickstarter for Michael's books. The Kickstarter's are always well organized with a lot of interaction and communication by both Michael and Robin.

Currently reading The Rule of One (1st book in the series of the same name).

Happy to be a member and really looking forward to Nolyn and the next cycle of stories!

Good morning all,
My name is David Haskins and I'm a lifelong reader/listener to Fantasy and Sci-fi.
This is my third Kickstarter for Michael and Robin.

Love your work and ready to see the continuation of this universe.

Hi Michael and Robin. You both know me.
To everyone else, hello. I am a long time beta/gamma reader for Michael.

I am looking forward to discussing the book with new and long time fans of Michael's.

Hello Michael and Robin, Love your books and think I have read them all. Currently reading Way of Kings Series Book 4. Epic Fantasy is where I gravitate to but also enjoy many other types of Fantasy such as Urban Fantasy, and LitRPG like Awaken Online. The book that really got me hooked was on Fantasy was Enders Game. Some other favorites include Replay, Soft apocalypse, and Blood Song.
Please keep up the pace, always look forward to the next book!

Best Regards ~ Darryl

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Hey all!

Huge fan of every MJS book, but if I had to choose my favorite series so far it would definitely be Legends of the First Empire. Therefore, I’m really, really excited for Nolyn!!! I also did the Kickstarter for the Legends slipcase last year and absolutely love contributing to author’s work directly and seeing how much love this community has. Even though I’m trying to work my way through Cradle and Dagger & Coin atm I will definitely be dropping everything to read Nolyn first chance I get ❤️

Christomir wrote: "Mc wrote: "Hi, MC here. A huge fan since Avempartha was an Amazon freebie. I am happy to be a backer of another MJS book and I CANNOT WAIT to read this!"

Wait - you started with Avempartha, withou..."

I started with Avempartha, and while reading it I stopped when it referenced a previous event in a way that the reader would know about it had they read a previous book! So I stopped reading and began looking into the book and the story. And I found there was a whole series from the Riyria Revelations and Chronicles. And the way all of these stories were listed on Amazon it was really confusing to figure out what series came first. So I just said ____ it! And purchased every book that had Hadrian and Royce in it and MJS was the Author. And once I had all the books I figured it out after reading what Michael wrote in one of the books about what order the series should be read in if the reader wanted to read the series in a certain way. It can be very confusing to some readers when you step into the middle of a running series that is listed on a non-bookstore website such as Amazon!! After reading all that Michael had published because I had just finished reading the age of Myths! I was dying for the next book and that is when I joined his Age Of Kickstarters!!! And now I'm on this one too! This Idea of Authors using Kickstarter to get their new books out to their fans faster is an Idea whose time has most certainly come!!! I just love the fan involvement because it is just enough involvement and not overboard fan involvement!!!!

Hey all, Diamond here. I enjoy all of MJS's work. Started reading with The Crown Conspiracy and have never looked back. I have backed as many kickstarters as I could and have at least 1 copy of every book (more copies of some...don't ask me why). So excited for Nolyn. I am not usually an ebook reader but may read the ebook so I can discuss with like minds. Excited to be here....that is all.

Hello all,

A friend recommended MJS. I'm so glad she did. I'm currently reading:
Bob and Nikki series by Jerry Boyd,
Starship Mage series by Glenn Stewart,
and finishing up Border Keeper by Kerstin Hall.

I'm excited to start Nolyn.

R

I was desperate for another series when I found the Legends series. Then after reading through Age of War, I was exasperated over the fact that the books were so short. I emailed Michael to tell him to make the books longer or publish the books faster, since I absolutely hate to get involved in another series while waiting for the next book. And...I cannot be in between books, I have to have something to read all the time!
Totally shocked, Michael emailed me back! He told me about the Riyria Revelations being a completely finished series and said I should give it a try. That was in 2018...I've been reading and rereading Legends, Riyria Revelations & Riyria Chronicles ever since.
I first read the series in published order, Then, realized I needed to read them chronologically. (Actually had to read the Legends series three times) So that's where I am now, rereading Riyria Revelations; Rise of Empire.
I'm going to finish reading through Chronicles before I begin Nolyn, but I'm so very excited about this new series coming out, I'll probably be rereading it again with each new book!

Hello, fellow Sullifans. Excited to connect with you in this new space. Can't wait for everyone to have the ebook so we can start discussing it.

I am looking forward to the maps and getting to compare them again in this new time period.

I have been reading Sullivan books since The audiobook release of Theft of Swords, and look forward to Tim Gerald Reynolds's narration of the new series.

@Bobansm - I'm so glad you are excited - won't be long now - Nolyn "buy direct" pre-order people and Kickstarter backers will get the ebook 4/20. A long time before the 08/03 retail release.

@Leniel - I hope the book lives up to your expectations!

@MC - wow! You are "old school" - that "free Avempartha" was Robin's brilliant idea - glad to see it helped you find my stories.

@Brian - will do! Writing is my favorite pastime, so no worries about me stopping ("only death will keep me from it." - stealing from Alice Walker).

@Amber - that's great to hear. Please thank your finance for us for introducing you to my stories. I'm so glad you two have found them to be enjoyable reads.

@Aileen - fabulous to hear - what trilogy did you pick up? I think I know what it is, but I'm curious. You can certainly wait until all the books of this trilogy are released, but it won't be necessary. In many ways, each is a "standalone" tale - so it's not so much a series as 3 books that are "loosely connected."

@Terry - welcome to the world of Kickstarters! Once we found the site, we've gotten SO MANY cool things from it. Keep your eyes open and I'm sure you'll find some other great projects to back. We've gotten everything from a portable fire pit, to a wood-fired pizza oven. And, of course, many, many books!

@Tanja - Welcome! I often wonder how well my books translate to other languages. I'm sure it depends a great deal on the translator. I've heard good things from German readers. So, I hope that means they've been pretty well done.

@Bonnie - welcome to Kickstarters -- and thank you for helping to spread the word. I love it when people get others into the books and the people they "drag" end up loving them.

@Tammie - wow, you've been with my stories for a long time. Back in 2008, the readership was a small but mighty group - certainly has grown over the years. Thanks for picking them up back when few knew the existed!

@Dale - welcome! Both to Kickstarters and the new book. The good news is your wait will be much shorter than if you were going through the retail chain (08/03 release date). The audiobook is being recorded now, the ebook will be out to the Kickstarter backers (and pre-order people) around 04/20 - and I expect the hardcovers off the press around 06/15. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can to speed up the audio release - so that will be 08/03 as well. Hope your wife can hang in there!

@Michelle - welcome! And I love it when people use the "Sullifan" designator - I forget who first coined it, but it always gives me a smile.

@Bill - hey, thanks so much for making it a read for your Bookclub - that tends to bring in a lot of new readers. And I'm glad your friend (who doesn't like fantasy) was pulled in. Many people say my stories are great "gateway drugs" for non-fantasy readers - and it looks like it worked in this case.

@Bryan - welcome. As a Legends reader, you're going to find a lot of little "Easter eggs" in Nolyn. Apropos given the time of year ;-)

@Jennifer - glad to have you join us. I'm torn. I do like the "graphic audio" versions of the books - I think they did a great job with casting each person. But I also love the "tell me a story" narration of Tim Gerard Reynolds - both are great experiences! Thanks for helping to spread the word to others. It's because of people like you that my stories hae such "long legs." Just yesterday I was signing som Riyria Revelations boxsets and noticed the books are in their 18th (Theft of Swords), 16th (Rise of Empire), and 14th (Heir of Novron) printings! - Many books are lucky to get a second print run. So I feel quite fortunatel.

@Calley - Wow, another "long time reader" - thanks for sticking with me! I'm so glad you love Royce, Hadrian, and Suri! It was difficult for me to switch to a new cast of characters after Riyria, but I fell in love with a lot of the people form Legends as well - Gifford also has a place in heart -- as does Minna!

@Ashley - it's always good to see new people coming to Kickstarter. It's such a more "personal" experience. Thanks for helping to make the hardcovers (especially the limited edition version) a possibility - it would be SO much harder to do that if Kickstarter didn't exist.

@ Christomir - Howdy! You are, indeed, a long time reader. I think Bulgaria was the second translation deal we got - the first was the Czech Republic. I think there are now 14 - 16 different languages for various books I've written. Oh, and regarding the Avempartha comment - I suspect they did what many people did - which is get Avempartha for free but picked up Crown Conspiracy to make it a 2-for-1 deal. Although in theory, you can start with Avempartha. It's the first book that starts digging into the "multiple-arc" aspect of Revelations.

@Breiton - you honor me with your very kind words. I'm so glad you found the books - especially over the last year, which has been tough on all of us.

@Bree - I'm honored to be your "first" -- I think you'll find that "authors" are just like everyone else -- so now that you'e reached out to me - you might try to do the same with others. We don't bite. Well, at least most of us don't. And, yeah, we al owe a huge debut of gratitude to Robin. She works tirelessly both on the books and the Kickstarters - but she loves the interaction as well and enjoys feeling "a part" of it - just like the Kickstarter backers do.

@Christine - welcome! You don't know how often I hear of "multi-generational" fans of the stories. That really warms my heart. I think the lack of explicit sex and graphic violence is a big part of the reason why. Thanks for introducing your sons to the tales.

@Tyke - welcome -and thanks for backing so many of the Kickstarters! Not only are they a lot of fun, but it's so great that the bulk of the money you spend goes directly to the creator of the story rather than all the "middlemen." April is a "royalty month" (authors are generally only paid twice a year) and it's depressing to see how little we get from the traditionally published books, and since we now distribute ourselves, we know all the other players who take their "slices" leaving most writers with just the crumbs. So, thanks for purchasing the books through Kickstarter it means we get almost the whole loaf!

@David - Thanks for supporting some of the other Kickstarters. I really think this is "the way" to launch books - and I wish more authors would do them. With the HUGE success Brandon Sanderson had for his KS, (and the fact that Terry Brooks did one recently as well) I think we will see this become more common in the future.

@Beverly - we sure do! We always enjoy having you help out with the beta/gamma reads - I can't even remember how many years we've been together - gut I know a metric ton of "words" have passed through your eyes before the rest of the world, and we really appreciate your help in making the books the best they can be.

@Darryl - welcome! And I'm so glad to see you are into LitRPG. this is a new genre that has really launched a lot of indie authors that are just "killing it" - something I always like to see.

@Lindsay - welcome. And wow, we couldn't have been happier with how those slipcases came out! Once we get the third book in this series done, we'll be doing slipcases for them as well. I'm pretty sure the ebook will "go out" on 04/20 - so you have a few weeks yet to finish up Dagger and Coin. Glad you are excited to join in the "bookclub" read.

@Aileen - We need to coin that "Age Of Kickstarters" phrase. And I so agree (and believe me I try to drag every author I can to launch their books through that platform). I do think it's an idea whose time has come!

@Diamond - wow, another "long timer" - I'm so fortunate that Robin was brilliant enough to "defang" our first contract with AMI. Because of some smart changes she got into that contract we were able to get the rights of that first book reverted once they sold out their print run. That made the self-publishing, and the Orbit deal - a possibility. Thanks for sticking with me and my stories.

@mccaro - wow - that's a lot of books to be reading simultaneously. As a "slow reader" - I really envy people like you. Thanks for joining us, and please extend Robin and my thanks to your friend for recommending my stories to you

@Phyllis - welcome! For whatever reason, my books always seem to come out around the same size -- 100,000 - 160,000 words. I know a lot of fantasy is 250,000 or 300,000 but I "think" in story arcs that tend to be in that "smaller range." That said, Esrahaddon (last book of Rise and Fall) is going to be much larger than my usual fair...so you have that to look forward to. I love that you re-read the books - and in different orders - I'm sure you found a lot of Easter eggs in doing so. There are many things that take on whole new meanings once everything else is "revealed." I think a lot of that comes from the fact that I write an entire series before publishing the first book, which allows me to go back and add foundations when great ideas come up in later works. I'll do my best to keep the stories coming. Since 2008 I've published at least one book a year (and in some cases two). That's a pretty good track record especially when fantasy has writers like Martin, Rothfuss, and Lynch who people have to wait years for the next installment.

@William - glad to have you here! We do have a copy of the map online already so you can start looking at it now. And Tim is currently working on the recording for Nolyn. Robin is listening to/proofing and as always Tim is knocking it out of the park!

hello, my name is Matthew. I first entered the world of elan a few years ago. Revelations was already the orbit omnibus but Chronicles had not yet been printed. I have now read/ listened to everything from MJS that I have found minus Hollow World. I am working through Legends again to read them all in chronological order including all of the short stories also... this is my first Kickstarter, now I wish I had known about all of the others to take part in them. I am super excited that Nolyn will be available as an ebook for my birthday.

Hi Matthew!

I found MJS with the Dulgath Kickstarter and have been a devoted fan since (I've created many Sullivan addicts, the latest lives about 2,700 miles away). I initially waited to read Hollow World (not sure why, as I loved his work from the start - while waiting for the Dulgath book, I read every other book already published). I always read the print version first (love those early raleases for backers!), listen to TGR on release day, then listen to the Graphic Audio at some point. The audios (especially Tim's version) are wonderful for repeat listens.

Sorry, I get get away discussing Michael's books, back to Hollow World - I didn't read this one right away. But when I did, I was left wondering why I waited so long. It was so good! And I'm hoping we'll see a sequel before long. I won't spoil anything for you, but it's definitely worth the read. Just be aware if you choose the audio version, this one is not read by TGR. The narrator, Jonathan Davis, is very good, and suits the genre change.

Sarah here. Royce and Hadrian in Theft of Swords got me to fall in love with fantasy and, in all honesty, into reading in a way that I had never previously done before. Sure, I had enjoyed reading, but after binge reading Revelations (that ending!) and Chronicles, I was officially an addict of both Riyria and the genre and have enjoyed every minute since. I discovered Kickstarter through Michael and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of three of their projects (I'm so bummed I missed the slip cover one!!!) and receiving their emails. I've also found new authors there through Michael's suggestions, and love their work and personalities as well, and can't recommend the process highly enough.

Hi all,
Glad to be part of this group. Started my journey with Theft of Swords, audio version. What a great combo of Michael’s writing and Tim Gerard Reynolds bringing the characters to life. Have listened or read everything written by MJS since. Love the kickstarters and will continue on with them. Looking forward to Nolyn!!

Hi everyone! I have been a long time reader and follower of MJS. I'm.very excited and looking forward to reading a new series by him!

Hello -
Audible luck led me to Theft of Swords back in 2014 and I've been an avid listener and reader ever since! Excited to see and virtually meet so many MJS and Tim Gerard Reynold fans. And am especially excited to once again immerse myself in this world and meet new characters!

Hi, I am Ted. I was a beta/gamma for Nolyn, which was the first book by Michael that I have read, and it turned out really well. I have since read Theft of Swords and will also track down the other Elan books.

Hi, im Nicole.
Iv read all of MJS's books to date multiple times and really looking forward to the new series.
Currently rereading the The Legends of the First Empire series in preparation for the new release. I never get tired of any of MJS's books!

Hi, I'm John. I've listened to every Michael J. Sullivan book (also own them all on Kindle and am working my way through them that way now). I really do audio more than physical reading now, simply because I have more time for that. I have a decent commute to work, and work 12 hour shifts. Audio books let me "read" when I drive, do work around the house, walk my dog, and work out. If I physically read, I'd only have time when I'm waiting to fall asleep. I absolutely love your books, and recommend them to everyone. This is the first kickstarter I've been a part of.

Hi everyone! I'm Michelle. I'm so excited for Nolyn!!

My first MJS books were Age of Myth and Age of Swords. When I started reading Legends of the First Empire, the rest of the series wasn't out yet so I went back and read the Riyria Chronicles and of course Riyria Revelations.

I had read some fantasy here and there before, but after reading MJS I turned into a full-blown fantasy fan and it's all I've been reading ever since (with a few exceptions ofc). I couldn't be happier and more grateful. I've discovered so many authors and books I've loved, all because I was lucky enough to randomly stumble upon Age of Myth a few years ago.

Hi all. Jean here. Just got my copy of Nolyn and will happily read along.

I've been a MJS fan since his first book.

Nicole wrote: "Currently rereading The Legends of the First Empire series in preparation for the new release. I never get tired of any of MJS's books!"

That's great to hear - Robin just sent out copies of the Nolyn ebook today.