“So when’s the next book out, Weeks?”
When I was on my book tour a few months ago, I expressed my hope that the next book in The Lightbringer Series might, might be out in a year. (I was careful not to promise: I’ve learned from others’ mistakes!) So now, of course, with fans having patiently waited for five whole months (!) I’m getting more emails asking, “Hey, when can I further fund your lavish lavish lifestyle, O Master Weeks?”* (*actual quotes may bear no relation to reality)
Neil Gaiman might tell you that you haven’t any right to ask. I gave you a good story, o book buyer, so shut up.** (**Not an accurate paraphrase) But as I made the mistake of publicly disagreeing with an SFF icon, it seems to me I should put up or shut up. So here’s the word in brief: No New Lightbringer Book from Weeks in 2013.
For those of you who want to know a bit of the why, continue reading.
You epic fantasy fans may be familiar with Tolkien’s quote that “the story grew in the telling.” So it’s been with The Lightbringer Series. I’d planned for book 3 to be a bit shorter. (By which I mean 600+ pages, about the length of The Way of Shadows and Shadow’s Edge–not short books.) I’m a fairly consistent daily producer of pages, and if I’d made this book as long as I’d planned it to be, it would indeed have been published late this year. But… it’s longer. It’s longer than The Way of Shadows. It’s longer than Shadow’s Edge. It’s now longer than Beyond the Shadows. It will likely be longer than The Black Prism.
The work? It’s going well. I’m really pleased with the progress of this one. Where I was proud of The Blinding Knife because the story flew–high tension to high tension to surprise, with the world expanding and characters deepening all over the place–in this next book I’ve chosen to deepen the resonance while keeping a breakneck pace and not adding any fluff. (Title still to be determined. I’ve been calling it The Blood Mirror just to call it something, but that works better as a title for book 4, and my editor hasn’t liked any alternative titles I’ve proposed yet. Nor, to be honest, have I.)
It’s been my philosophy to write the best books I can, as fast as I can. To be honest, where I am in my career, I could make the most money by cranking out books faster.
But I’m making a living writing–that is my wildest dream, and you fans have given that to me. I have no interest in “cranking out books” to put as much of your money in my pocket as possible. I believe I owe my fans and myself the best stories I have it in me to tell. In this case, that means some more waiting for all of us. I’ve had long talks with my agent and editor about this, and they are both successful enough and wise enough that they’ve told me to get it right, to have fun with it, and to make it the best book it can be.
The writing is going brilliantly. I haven’t been stuck once. (Well, not for more than a day or so.) Yesterday, I finished a scene I think will stick with you, maybe forever. There are loose ends to be tied. There are hints to add about the series resolution. There’s a finale to write. I’m productive, having fun, and writing as well or better than I’ve ever written in my life.
I understand if that isn’t happening fast enough for you. I simply hope that when I give you the final product, it will more than make up for the wait.
You can expect another longish update on or before September 2013.
crushed. however i would rather wait for excellence than be pissed off because you rushed through it. so thank you ser for putting in the hours for us. i broke my foot when i skipped out on my class to get book2. that is how good your shit is. i read it while on pain killers so naturally had to re read it a second time. was planning on skipping class again for 3 but this way i wont have to break my foot cause i will be done with school and will call off work and will be in no hurry to get back on time.
My husband started reading the night angel trilogy while i read the dragonlance collection. he harassed me all the time to put down my Weiss and hickman and pick up the books he was reading. Im no slouch, I read EVERY book that had anything to do with dragonlance series (prequels background on races, side stories. i wanted the story to feel complete). After doing a quick read of a smutty grey series i figured… I’ll give Brent Weeks a shot. I did it with Steve berry when i competed all Dan browns books.
I picked up the first book in the night angel series and read it. then the second book.. loved it… by the time i got to Beyond the Shadows I was sold!
What’s next. I read The Black Prism with a clear head not wanting to compare anything to previous books. The book was complete in maybe 3 days.(i spent 2 weeks in the hospital so i had a lot of time to kill) I fell in love, The Blinding Knife is more than i expected. I am very glad to hear the next installment is well on its way. (I’ll just have to find another series to read until then). Thank You For All Your Amazing Hard Work. If i hadn’t studied fine arts and medievil Europe i would have leaned towards writing, that’s how much you’ve inspired me
Keep up the great work! I haven’t been ‘excited’ by an author since first picking up the Amber Series from Zelazny many many years ago.
Firstly, thank you so much for just letting us know how long to hold our breaths for! (At least…we can try, I don’t know that we can really pull that off..) It’s a kind of relief to know, at least for me anyway, so now we can cool our heels and look forward to September at least for an exciting update!
Secondly, I hope people aren’t too annoyed at you Mr. Weeks. That’s pretty selfish, and it isn’t like we don’t already have lots of stuff we can read of yours in the meantime! Even if we may or may not have re-read said material 5 times…….or more already….
Once again, thanks so much for dedicating so much time to your avid fans and readers; you say you wouldn’t be where you are without us, but it does take a damned good writer to get us to be such amazing and loyal fans ;D!
Disappointed to hear it won’t come out this year, however I understand and agree with your decision of quality over quantity. I read the Night Angel series in literally a week. Book one took me one day and the others only slightly longer, a couple days a piece. Honestly since I picked up the night angel series and read it you have become one of my favorite authors and so far the Lightbringer series is just as good if not better then the night angel series. Keep up the good work Brent I am eagerly waiting for book 3.
Well….. sad, happy, i’m all confuse… fell like a kid waiting for christmas…. but christmas is far far away….. But knowing that the gift will be huge…. or better a kid born on december 24!
Seriously, it’s been a love story since the first book… found it accidently… was buying books in english in a bookstore away from home, i can not find books in english where i am ( except on the internet)….had 15 bucks to spend and pick the “The way of shadows” paper back” kindda by curiosity and told myself why not…. boys was i in for a treat…. more than happy to contribute to your lavish life style…. as long as it’s as good…. which every time is better…. how you do it?
I must say on a more serious note that i have a large respect for the attitude and personal moral about your work ethic….. from the first book, you are my favorite author, and i have read all my classics …. i share the love too, i pass them to whom ever is willing to discover my favorite author….. i’ll wait for the next one….. unfortunatly …. but i have been wanting to read the night angel trilogy AGAIN… i guess i’ll have time….. As long as you keep writing…i’ll keep reading!
I cannot wait until the next Lightbringer installment! you really know how to set cliffhangers at the end of every book, keep the great work up, Weeks, i’m having to scavenge old books to read while waiting for this one! hahaha
Although I am sad to know it will be a while before I am whisked away into the pages of another epic installment of such a fantastic piece of work, I like that it will be just as good if not better then these last two books! It’s not that they come out so slow, it’s that I love them so much I wish they would last longer! Your stories are the type that you just can’t put down and keep you entranced for multiple reading sessions! You are by far one of my favorite Authors and I think that your character development has a lot to do with it. I have never seen someone develop characters so well in my life. Keep up the good work Mr.Weeks!!!
awesome! Calendar updated to check back in sept!
Let us know when we can pre-order the book on amazon!
I haven’t been this excited for a series in a long time. I took The Black Prism out from my library a few months back and had to return it unread. The second time I returned the book half way through it only to buy it online. I finished that and proceeded to purchase Lightbringer and even though I’m only a little more than half way through it I also bought the Night Angel trilogy omnibus. I applaud you craftsmanship and thank you not only for the dedication needed for such quality but also for the respect and dedication you have to your fans. I have every intention of preordering book three whenever it becomes available.
You, sir, are awesome.
I loved the Night Angel Trilogy — have re-read it many times. I just started The Black Prism, and it’s pretty *awesome*. I’m psyched that there’s a book 2 (I just found out~!) and, hopefully, a book 3 in the future
Will patiently await… I can’t wait! !!
I am so glad to hear that the pride you take in your books precedes the income you can get for them. I think it’s already obvious in your writing, but still, you probably could have released this one without being thought of as “churning out” a book, but that you would hold it past a soft deadline you had announced publicly so that you could make it every bit as good as you would hope is something that takes guts.
I for one am not disappointed at all. I would rather wait years to read a piece of literary genious than to have disappointing stories readily available. Every book you’ve written has been utterly captivating, and it’s wonderful to hear how much you still enjoy it.
All the best to you and yours.
I was under the impression it was just going to be a trilogy; you just made my day with the hint of book 4!
Most important news.. book 4 !!!!!
I was lucky enough to not discover The Night Angel series until all the books were out and I could read the entire series at once. So immediately I picked up the newly released Black Prism and fell in love, that was until the end, in which I cursed your name many times. All because I was so enthralled and in good sport at that time, Now two years later I finally has a chance to re-read the Black Prism followed immediately by The Blinding Knife. After about four nights immersed in your magical world I am again cursing your name with admiration and respect for your work. Here’s to more time spent daydreaming about being able to split light.
Frankly, excellence and value for money always beat the hell out of speed of production.
I’d rather be thrilled with the result than get something earlier and think the very thoughts about commercialism and pressue on authors to produce that you mentioned above.
I have to say that the between the shadows stuff, and the lightbringer series, you have two of my all time favourite trilogies. that lightbringer is moving to a quadrilogy doesnt surprise me in the slightest – so much material so little room!
Take your time, get it right and how you want it, and this humble reader will be happy!
So I reckon Gavin will get full colors back
Karris or for an will die
Kip might become the leader of the blackguard
I have a feeling the gate at the end of the world might get opened because of that mention about the armada.
Any thoughts on up oming events in book 3
The ending of the book two left me in the middle of nowhere. I don’t know the book end until I saw the glossary ( the book was that good!). I want to know if Kip was Gavin’s son or Dazen. Hope book 3 reveal that. Thank you for writing this awesome book. I really like martial art and magic in your book. Waiting for the next book!
I’m rowing a boat hoping my colors come back…I’ve been color blind for over a week maybe they do in the third book maybe not….I only hope when they come back, because they will, I’ll be able to draft pure Black and White as well… not to mention the legendary color Plith (purple).. you know I would really like to surprise my father, he probably thinks I’m dead.
I wonder what happened to Kip the last thing I remember was was the white knife stabbing me it felt like the world fell away everything turned grey, lifeless I was sure I’m about to die then waking up in this god forsaken Ship with that pirate gunner acting like a he owns the seven seas. I am powerless so on I’ll row until the light touches me again
hahahaha, just made that up use it don’t use it I only love the story it’s great please o please hurry up with Blood mirro
Dear Gavin,
I welcome your spirit from whatever dark place it is that wretches go when they die.
You have truly reinforced why it was so critical and necessary for Dazen to kill you, for fear that you might try to tell your own story.
I currently have my necromancer preparing the necessary spells to silence you in the afterlife, Also I have found and purchased a planar compass in the hope that I can find the world you once called home, find your remains and permanently finish Dazen’s work.
Since everyone knows Sigil is the center of the multiverse it seem only logical to begin there, your world and plane has to be somewhere. Speak not again as this only serves to provide bearing in my search to count aloud your very numbered days.
I will see all the wealth I possess expire in my quest to finally silence you in this post-life that you dare to wail from.
Damonn Stormranger
thank you for telling us an approximate
i just hope it will be out for my next B-day (march). was hooked on night-angel by a friend, and now can’t stop rereading these. wonderfully in depth storyline similar to some of the great anime.
I’m glad to hear you’re not part of the “Martin is not your bitch” point of view. While i do agree that he has the right to do what ever he wants, i know i would never buy any of his books knowing i probably wont see the end of them till i have grandkids! but thats mostly because i know myself enough to forget all the major events that made me love the book in the first place. Luckily i never heard of the night angle trilogy till the last one came out, to this day its the only book i re-read whenever i’m bored, and is the only book i’m constantly recommending to everyone i know. With the light bringer series I’m more than happy to wait a couple of years for the next issue knowing its going to surpass whatever high expectations i have, but the idea of having to wait 6 years to see what happens next in the story seems insane to me.
Just finished reading the “The Blinding Knife” for the second time and found that I couldn’t put this book down, again, even though I already knew what was going to happen. Love this story, and can’t wait until the third book comes out. Thanks Brent for not rushing to push this book, my anticipation of another great book supersedes my desire for it to come out sooner. You’re one of my favorite authors.
Your brilliant! The lightbringer series is one of the best if not the best books I have read ever. Even my son is just as excited as I am for the 3 rd. I’m trying to patiently wait for this book. Lol. I know it will be worth the wait. Thank you so much for sharing with us. I love it.
Don,t let people rush your dream it’s your dreams, and enjoy the road. I do envy (white of course) the gift you have, to be able to create a world in your mind and to share it with .It’s worth to wait for the next, I am waiting for it but take your time.
can’t wait, and am very much looking forward to it .
I cant wait to get my hands on #3 in the lightbringer series. I am a huge fan of the night angel triolgy, ive read them many times. At the end of beyond the shadows i was crushed, not because the ending it was great, just the fact that i wanted to keep reading and know what happens next even after the book ended. i didnt want to stop reading. Good luck on your new book, im looking forward to it. and who knows maybe maybe you could look into a movie contract for your night angel books, just saying it could make a badass trilogy!!
Love the Lightbringer books. Just finished listening to the first two again.. Wish the third, fourth and …. were done but I get it.. Just please don’t pull a George RR Martin on us.. heh 3 years is a bit long between books.. maybe you series will get picked up by HBO too?? Would be interesting to see an on screen adaptation. Sometimes the bite.. But Game of thrones has shown that they can stay true to the books and still be popular.
I have been a fantasy fan for a long time. I have read thousands of books and I got as much pleasure from yours as any I can remember. They have to rank right up there with the best in a long time. I also like long books. Its like a 3 course meal!!
Good luck with your writing, and waiting eagerly for the next book.
I cannot wait! You have become my favorite author of all time– non of the other books I read can even be compared to yours!
I’m glad that this series is not being abandoned!
You do realize, perhaps unintentionally..or not, that you have done enough to make quite a few of us want it more? Ha ha…eh? eh?! EH?! Book 4? A 4th book!? I thought it was another trilogy, and now I see a possible hint to a 4th in the series?!
Love your work, Brent…but seriously…you’re killing me. I was eagerly anticipating book 3 and the continuation and finale of an awesome series (again), but now there is more awesomeness to be had after the 3rd…
I thought it was bad enough that after reading the end of The Blinding Knife, I continued to flip those last three pages multiple times in hopes of more lines to magically appear to continue the story.
Good luck, keep up the awesome work…and don’t mind the drool marks all over the comments page
Looking forward to book 3 – the wait will be worth it !
The Night Angel series has become one of my all time treasured series that I visit time and time again. I was very hesitant to start another book from the same author because I did not want to be let down.
Very happy to report, I am not let down. I started reading The Black Prisim when I was on staff duty (sit and watch a phone for 12 hours through the night) and I actually read about 400 pages and could not get enough. The same thing has happened with the The Blinding Knife, just without a phone to watch.
Very much enjoy your books and I am glad to read that you dont “crank out books” to fill your pockets. You should fill your pockets with pride, sir. Pride in knowning that you have done a great service to readers everywhere.
That being said, there is nothing wrong with the pride being cushioned by the large ammounts of well deserved cash that should be in your pockets.
I look foreward to “donating” more to the cushion fund in exchange for hours of enjoyment.
Looking forward to book 3. Take your time (NOT TOO MUCH TIME) and do it right!