MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN is a New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post bestselling

author who has been nominated for nine Goodreads Choice Awards. His first novel, The Crown

Conspiracy was released by Aspirations Media Inc. in October of 2008. Michael has been

published by the fantasy imprints of Penguin Random House (Del Rey) and Hachette Book

Group (Orbit). He has also been a pioneer in the indie publishing movement. As of 2023,

Michael has released twenty novels (nineteen set in his fictional world of Elan, and one

standalone sci-fi thriller (Hollow World). His series include:

• The Riyria Revelations (6 books)
• The Riyria Chronicles (4 books)
• The Legends of the First Empire (6 books)
• The Rise and Fall (3 books)

Today, Michael has returned to his indie roots while still providing his novels through retail

bookstores. Each novel is launched via Kickstarter (eleven books and counting), where his

campaigns are among the most-backed and highest-funded fiction projects of all time. Doing so

provides his most-ardent fans with unparalleled author access, deluxe limited-edition hardcovers,

exclusive perks, and the ability to read the story months before its official release.

Born in France in 1977, Marc Simonetti is an award-winning concept artist, illustrator, and fine artist specializing in fantasy.

Marc studied at the Beaux Arts in Annecy and then at the Emile Cohl School. He quickly established himself as a concept artist, making his mark in high-profile productions such as the 3D space opera Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, when he worked in close partnership with acclaimed French director Luc Besson. Further collaborations with leading visual effect companies include Los Angeles-based MPC, and Weta digital. His most recent work as a concept artist, making visual development and staging dramatic lighting and designs, includes Aladdin, Maleficent 2, Aquaman 2, and the upcoming Transformers Moviem, Rise of the Beasts.

Best known for his work on GRR Martin’s books A Song of Ice and Fire and The Iron Throne, Marc has also illustrated some of the best-known fantasy and Sci-Fi novels, such as Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, Robin Hobb’s The Royal Assassin trilogy, Patrick Rothfuss’s Name of the Wind, Terry Brook’s Shannara Cycle, Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy, Frank Herbert’s Dune, and Michael J. Sullivan’s Legends of the First Empire series and the Rise and Fall trilogy.

Marc’s awards include Winner of the 2018 Locus Magazine’s Chesley Award: Best Cover Illustration • r/Fantasy Stabby Award Winner for best fantasy covers in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018 • the 2006-Grand winner Blizzard Art Contest.