With the Dark Tower getting renewwed interest in the form of a Feature Film and TV series combination format to tell the epic tale, Stephen King has been itching to return to Mid-World, and has announced that he will be publishing another Dark Tower novel.
Forces of Geek quotes King’s informal release:
Dear Constant Readers,
At some point, while worrying over the copyedited manuscript of the next book (11/22/63, out November 8th), I started thinking—and dreaming—about Mid-World again. The major story of Roland and his ka-tet was told, but I realized there was at least one hole in the narrative progression: what happened to Roland, Jake, Eddie, Susannah, and Oy between the time they leave the Emerald City (the end of Wizard and Glass) and the time we pick them up again, on the outskirts of Calla Bryn Sturgis (the beginning of Wolves of the Calla)?
There was a storm, I decided. One of sudden and vicious intensity. The kind to which billy-bumblers like Oy are particularly susceptible. Little by little, a story began to take shape. I saw a line of riders, one of them Roland’s old mate, Jamie DeCurry, emerging from clouds of alkali dust thrown by a high wind. I saw a severed head on a fencepost. I saw a swamp full of dangers and terrors. I saw just enough to want to see the rest. Long story short, I went back to visit an-tet with my friends for awhile. The result is a novel called The Wind Through the Keyhole. It’s finished, and I expect it will be published next year.
It won’t tell you much that’s new about Roland and his friends, but there’s a lot none of us knew about Mid-World, both past and present. The novel is shorter than DT 2-7, but quite a bit longer than the first volume—call this one DT-4.5. It’s not going to change anybody’s life, but God, I had fun.
I have no problem with a writer returning to his properties to fill in untold stories. That is their right.
I just wonder how this Dark Tower 4.5 will affect the proposed miniseries/feature films franchise?
Will it be included? It would certainly be out in time.
It’s his stories, his ideas, his characters, he can do with them as he pleases. However, like Star Wars fans and George Lucas, I have the same relationship with Stephen King. I had read all of Stephen King’s books and THEN read the Dark Tower series. Unfortunately, once I had read the DT series any other book by King that wasn’t tied into the DT series left me flat. That was what was so disappointing about seeing the DT series come to an end. It was a great series and a reader never wants them to end. However, like George Lucas, Stephen King just can’t let the thing die. He’s revisiting the well and I’m very mixed about the results that will come from it. I want to hear more stories about the “an-tet” but in the end, I know who will die and I know where Roland ends up. I DO want to see what happens to Jake if he ever REVISITS Mid-World though. Bring THAT one to us KING!
Oh man it was a great series except a few books near the end. (No references to yourself in your own book please) Fix it and you will it will please the masses!
This is possibly the best news I have heard in awhile. Better even than the fact that George R. R. Martin FINALLY has a release date for A Dance With Dragons.
SWEET!!!!