The Death of Dulgath

Michael J. Sullivan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post bestselling author, and no one is more surprised by those facts than he. When just a boy, Michael found a typewriter in the basement of a friend's house, inserted a blank piece of paper, and typed, "It was a dark and stormy night." He was just ten years old and mimicking the only writer he knew at the time: Snoopy. That spark ignited a flame, and Michael's desire to fill blank pages became a life-long obsession. As an adult, Michael spent more than ten years developing his craft by studying authors such as Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, and John Steinbeck. During that time, he wrote thirteen novels but found no interest from the publishing industry. Since insanity is repeating the same action while expecting a different result, he made the rational choice to quit, vowing never to write creatively again.

Never turned out to be too long for Michael, and after a decade, he returned to the keyboard in his forties, but with one condition: He wouldn't seek publication. Instead, he wrote a series of books that had been building in his head during his hiatus. His first reading love was fantasy, and he hoped to foster a similar reaction in his then thirteen-year-old daughter who struggled with dyslexia. After reading the third book of this series, his wife insisted that the novels had to "get out there." When Michael refused to jump back onto the query-go-round, Robin took over the publication tasks, and she has run the business side of his writing ever since.

Currently, Michael has released twenty-two novels (twenty-one based in his fantasy world Elan). His books include:

• The Riyria Revelations (completed): Theft of Swords (contains The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha) • Rise of Empire (contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm) • Heir of Novron (contains Wintertide & Percepliquis)

• The Riyria Chronicles (ongoing): The Crown Tower • The Rose and the Thorn • The Death of Dulgath • The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter • Drumindor • Blythin Castle (releasing 2027)

• Legends of the First Empire (completed): Age of Myth • Age of Swords • Age of War • Age of Legend • Age of Death • Age of Empyre

• Rise and Fall (completed): Nolyn • Farilane • Esrahaddon

• After the Fall (ongoing): Out of the Ashes • Between Two Evils (release date TBD) • Into the Darkness (release date TBD)

• The Cycle (current work in progress): a five-book post Riyria Revelations sequel which ties all books in the Elan Saga together (3.5 books written - first book's release date scheduled for 2028)

• Hollow World - standalone science fiction Thriller

As for reading order of his fantasy series, there are two logical choices and the author suggests a modified order of publication.

• Chronological: Legends of the First Empire > Rise and Fall > After the Fall > Riyria Chronicles > Riyria Revelations > The Cycle

• Author recommendation: Riyria Revelations (1 - 6) > Riyria Chronicles (1 - 2) > Legends of the First Empire (1 - 3) > Riyria Chronicles (3 - 4) > Legends of the First Empire (4 - 6) > Rise and Fall (1 - 3) > Riyria Chronicles (5) > After teh Fall (1) > The Cycle

Michael is a hybrid author who has done it all: small press (Aspirations Media and Tachyon Publishing), big-five (Orbit - fantasy imprint of Hachette Book Group and Del Rey - fantasy imprint of Penguin Random House), and self-publishing (16 novels). His work has been translated into 19 foreign languages. Michael's first book was published with a small press in 2008. He self-published the rest of that series from 2009 - 2010, and his big-five tenure was from from 2011 - 2019. Today, he enthusiastically embraces self-publishing including utilizing Kickstarters for book launches and deluxe limited editions.

Michael’s works in progress are:

• The Cycle (3.5 of 5 books written) - a post Riyria Revelations series which pulls from all 21 published books - expected release starts 2028

• After the Fall (1 of 3 books released) - book #2 writing in progress

• Blythin Castle (1 of 1 books written) - the 6th Riyria Chronicle adventure with Royce and Hadrian - expected release date fall of 2027

Tim Gerard Reynolds is an award-winning audiobook narrator whose distinctive voice and remarkable range have made him one of the most beloved performers in fantasy audiobook narration. With a gift for bringing characters to life through nuanced performances, memorable accents, and impeccable comedic timing, Tim has become particularly well known for his work in epic fantasy. His extensive credits include Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Revelations, Riyria Chronicles, and Legends of the First Empire, as well as acclaimed works by authors such as James Islington, Mark Lawrence, and Pierce Brown. His performances have earned him numerous accolades, including AudioFile Earphones Awards, and a devoted following among audiobook listeners worldwide.