 wizard's first rule, written by terry goodkind, is the first book in the epic fantasy series the sword of truth. published by tor books, it was released on august 15, 1994 in hardcover, and in paperback on july 15, 1997. the book was also re-released with new cover artwork by keith parkinson in paperback on june 23, 2001. the novel was adapted to television in the 2008 television series legend of the seeker. goodkind had no trouble selling his first book to a publisher. "i'm sort of the exception that proves the rule," he says. "i wanted to be represented by the best agent in the country and i wrote him a letter. he asked to see the book and he liked it. he showed it to a number of publishers. three of them had an auction. ten weeks after i'd written 'the end' it sold for a record price ($275,000)," white, ken. author relies on memory to create fantasy tales, review-journal, august 17, 2000. accessed may 15, 2010. the most money ever paid for a fantasy novel by a first time author.flewelling, lynn. terry goodkind interview. bangor daily news, november 1995. accessed may 15, 2010. ==plot introduction== richard cypher's decision to help a woman in the upper ven near the boundary between the midlands and westland creates more trouble than first appears. the woman, kahlan amnell, seeks the help of a wizard in the westland, and she brings with her dark news from the other side of the boundary: darken rahl, ruler of d'hara, has brought down the boundary between d'hara and the midlands. this menacing ruler continues his dead father's quest for control by pressing war on the now vulnerable midlands. kahlan is attempting to find the great wizard who had left the midlands for the magic free westlands due to the corruption of the government in his eyes, so as to have him name a seeker of truth. the great wizard turns out to be zeddicus zu'l zorrander, richard's longtime friend, who then proceeds to name richard the seeker. ==plot summary==  
1990s_fantasy_novels 1994_novels Fantasy_novels The_Sword_of_Truth_books Tor_Books_books