After much effort, a small press decided to publish Sullivan’s first two Riyria novels, but when the small press lacked funds to print the second book, Sullivan’s wife formed her own publishing company to self-publish the novels. They were intended for friends and family, but his wife insisted on getting them published and took over the query and submission process. Light and fun, the novels were inspired by Tolkien and Rowling and written to help foster a love of fantasy in his daughter. Then, a decade later, his youngest daughter (who is dyslexic) was struggling with reading, and he decided to write the novels that became the Riyria Revelations.

For a number of years, he wrote novels that were submitted, without success, to traditional publishers. Sullivan’s personal writing story is inspirational but also reveals the persistence and savvy that is required to be a success in the writing business today. Now, like other authors who are following closely the revolutionary changes happening in publishing, he considers himself a “hybrid” author. He is also one of the few authors who has published via small press, self-publishing, and through a big-five publisher. Sullivan is author of the much-acclaimed fantasy series The Riyria Revelations, The Riyria Chronicles, and a number of short stories. The first two books (Nolyn & Farilane) are written and he should begin the third and final book by the end of summer 2020.Michael J. It's a trilogy set in his world of Elan and falls between Legends of the First Empire and the Riyria Chronciles from a timeline standpoint. His current project is a new series (The Rise and Fall). His first science fiction novel, Hollow World, was released by Tachyon Publications in April 2014. The Legends of the First Empire is a six-book epic fantasy series set in the same world as the Riyria books, but in the distant past, making it a standalone series. The Riyria Revelations is a six-book epic fantasy series while the Riyria Chronicles is an ongoing series that centers on the early adventures of the two main protagonists of the former series. The Riyria Revelations and The Riyria Chronicles were published by Orbit Books (fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group) and The Legends of the First Empire released by Del Rey Books (owned by Random House).

Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan