Skull Throne Update: You Do the Math
Polish Daylight War art, Dominik Broniek
Posted by Peat
Ever since I posted a sample chapter from The Skull Throne last week, I’ve been getting a lot of people asking when it will be out. It’s wonderful and gratifying to see so many people interested in the series and excited about the new book.
Honestly, it keeps me going strong when I get tired climbing Demon Cycle mountain. And it IS a mountain, with close to 800,000 words written so far, and likely another three quarters of a million to go.
The enthusiasm makes me feel bad that I don’t really have an answer to the question. When will the next book be out? Honestly?
Beats me.
Don’t get me wrong. I am HARD at work on Skull Throne. Not a day goes by that I don’t work on it in some fashion, either writing or mentally working at some story knot or another. It is in my thoughts constantly.
But it’s a BIG book, shaping up to be the biggest yet, and that is after the monster 268,000 word Daylight War. And contrary to what some may think, I don’t have it all in my head ready to type onto the screen. Oh, I know what is going to happen, but HOW it happens, and how the people involved FEEL about what happens—the real meat of the story in my mind—is something I need to figure out as I go.
I started formal work on Skull Throne after my world tour to promote Daylight War earlier this year, and so far the manuscript is at a little over 70,000 words. I have written 10 of a planned 32 chapters (a number that will no doubt change as the book evolves), and am adding an average of 5,000 words a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but 5K is about the limit of what I can do consistently each week while maintaining quality and also taking care of my other responsibilities, not the least of which is spending half the week as single dad to a kindergartener:
So, you do the math. If I have another 200,000 (ish) words to go, at 5K a week… Gonna be a while, under the best of circumstances. And this is barring unforeseen detours & derailments. Desert Spear was delayed when Cassie was born, and I lost several weeks of work on Daylight War when I had major surgery on my shoulder and arm and couldn’t write. Such is life. Skull Throne is actually coming together MUCH faster than it’s predecessors, thus far.
After the book is done, there will also be 6-9 months of beta-reads, edits and production before it’s out on shelves/online. That puts us sometime in 2015. Ish. I wish I could be more precise, but I go where the art takes me.
But know that I am on it, and when the book is done, it will be the best book I can produce.
Honest word.
I just read your first three books in two nights, and I didn’t do that because I had nothing better to do. I will hate waiting for the next two as much as I ever hated waiting for Robert Jordan or any of the other authors who have created my intense love of fantasy through their masterpieces. But I have no doubt, it will be worth that wait, and you should take as long as is needed on it.
Just glad to hear its going to be long, these books are great and my only complaint is that I read them too quickly. Looking forward to this so much
Just finished the Daylight War, and that cliffhanger ending was great. I like your honest answers, and don’t expect a new book at the flick of a wrist. Besides one should always put family first, and the writing second. On another note,the waiting game is always worth it for the quality of the work. When I got my first book in the Wheel of Time series back in 1996, I didn’t expect it to take another 17 years before I could finish it in 2013. But life happens, and life is to be lived wholly and fully. And as you can see, I believe I have the required patience for the wait.
Take your time.
WE over here are very patient folks.
Besides the more we wait there more the enthusiasm builds up.
Just started your series Friday… it’s been 2 days and I have now completed the rest of the current trilogy. Spectacular and even though I will have not so slight shakes until the next publication date let me say I obviously can’t wait but it will be worth it.
All I can say is well said….we the readers will be here when it comes out, no matter how long!!! Take your time and much respect for all you do.
Who could work on a book when that cute smile is the alternative? I have been checking on Amazon every few days if the new book is out. Guess I can stop that for a while. As much as the wait pains me I can only agree with the others. Take your time. We know it’s gonna be epic!
Quality cannot be rushed as you have shown with every book. Plus, as a dad myself, getting the balance of work and home life right can be tough amongst all your other responsibilities. I salute you sir and eagerly await the next in one of the finest series of books I have ever have read.
Peter, it’s wonderful to know you have your priorities in order. Cassie deserves all the time you can give her now, and in the future. And when this book fights its way out of your skull, we will all be waiting patiently…. ’cause we know it can’t stay in there forever. 🙂
Mate the story will come and we will all read it, embrace it and make it part of our readers memories. Im sure we would all prefer a hearty thick soup than a watery broth. Add the ingredients as they are prepared and at just the right moment and we will all feast on your labours.
Take your time. If it were easy every f@$&er would be at it .
So I got your books about a week and a half ago and just now finished. I couldnt put them down! I was taking every chance I got from spending time with my wife and kids to read. And while reading at work when I had down time. I wont lie and say that I wouldnt like it if the book was finished now….but I would rather wait and enjoy the book all the same if not more for the wait I willingly endure for it. Ifnyou have any tips for an aspiring aurthor please feel free. Always looking for tips and ideas. And wouldnlove to offer some of my own if asked of course.
P.s. as a father of 3 lil ones. Nothing is more important then a fathers kids.
I was never a bug reader but I picked up the warded man and couldn’t put it down, I love all of the books and story of this series and more than willing to wait for the next installment keep up the amazing work and thank you for helping me see the joy in reading an amazing book.
Im so stoked for this but I dont want you to rush do what you do. Your awesome brother and its nice to see that you have a wonderful family to support you. Thanks for everything!
Hi Damian,
Peat’s assistant here! I compiled some of Peat’s writing and publishing advice into a handy blog post: https://www.petervbrett.com/2012/08/17/craft-publishing-questions-answered/
Thanks for posting!
When I was first given the painted man to read I really did not think I would enjoy it, as it wasn’t the type of book I normally read. But I fell in love with this book and was devastated I had to wait forl the next book! As soon as the desert spear came out I read this within days – I was supposed to be revising for my exams but I just could not put it down!!! The daylight war was definitely with the wait but I was gutted to finish as I knew I would have to wait again for the next one!! This series of books is by far my favourite and I am too excited for the next book to be out!!
I think it is amazing how you can write such brilliant stories and clearly keep your family as priority at the same time!
Patience is a virtue and your books are definitely worth waiting for!!
Hello. I too just discovered the Demon Series a few weeks ago, and just read the amazing last page of the Daylight War. I immediately jumped online to find out the name and release date of the next book, and found this site. 2015 is such a long ways from now, however, I recognize that great things come to those who wait, and that our children should always come first (I am a single mother of 1 myself). Take your time Peter. As an avid reader, I can find plenty of books to distract myself. Best believe though, that Arlen, Jadir, and the gang will be on my mind and hungered for!!!
Thank you Peat for the feedback. I look forward to this book. I have two young daughters that I cherish, and can see your pride in being a father. Good luck going forward, and when you tour for ” Skull Throne” please mark Bend, Oregon on your list of stops. It would be an honor to meet you. Cheers!!
I enjoyed your series very much. It’s reminiscent of when I was first reading the Lord of the rings novels. I listen to your audio book with much gusto. I agree with most people who commented that you take your time in finishing that book and concentrate on raising your wonderful daughter. I know how it is as I have a five year old son too. all I can go is re-read the previous ones again until the new one comes out. good luck and more power to you.
Take any amount of time needed to keep that fertile and inventive mind of yours percolating! But most important will be the time shared with your daughter–seize every moment–once gone there’s no recapturing real time. I can wait!
In 2015? uhh its a long time, but i will wait like a little child the day before christmas 🙂
At 48 years old anyone that can keep me looking, waiting, and anticipating a book release, especially in this genre… well, as much as I want to read your work like everyone else, it is what it is. I’d rather have fleshed out quality than grocery store manual of predictable story. Cheers! Quality over quantity.
Immensely gutted that I have to endure the rest of 2014 without the next installment in a series that is truly difficult to put down. However good things come to those who wait, so I imagine the next installment will be nothing short of mind blowing! In all honestly the part of my life that is currently dedicated to studying is subconciously grateful, my will power fails when confronted with a book series that stimulates the imaginations as much as thie Deomn Cycle has. Will just have to satiate my literary addiction by re-reading the series again……and again……and again
Family and living a good life should take priority. It will be worth the wait!
Can’t help but see the similarities between Krasia and islam. The minarets and the call to prayers. The women veiled. The khafits or khafirs as known in Islam. The forbidence to eat pig. Multiple wives.
Just to name a few of the similarities. You couldn’t have been more subtle even if you wanted to, especially since you refer to the earth as ‘ala’
Or was it Perhaps the ‘assassins of Alamut’ that you drew inspiration from.
Either way the books make for damn interesting reading can’t wait to see what you do in bk4.
Just finished the Day Light War, and while I am itching to be at book 4…. Take your time, this series has gone from strength to strength with characters so strong I can see them in my minds eye. Don’t sacrafice anything for a quick release. We are all behind you, even if the wait will drive us mad..
Completely disagree with Liam, i feel like Kathy Bates in the movie misery….hammer n 2×4’s Brett…hammer and 2×4’s…: P
YOU ARE AWSOME! I love ur books, an extremely talented man.. Keep them up, and take as long as you need, if you make it half as good as the others it will still be amazing. Thank you so much.
Peter, take as long as you need. As long as you have them done by next week.
OK, just kidding. I’m not a patient person when it comes to waiting for the next book in a series. But I love the work you’ve done, and would rather have a 5 star book later, than a 3 star book today.
Keep up the good work Peter. I will go back to reading some Sci-Fi in the meantime.
Best wishes
Say what you want…i just cannot wait any longer:)
…have just finished the daylight war for the third time…I need to pack all the series books in a box and put it in the attic so that looking at them in the cabinet will not me make so anxious;)
a super fantastic series…CONGRATULATIONS:)
I was planning to find out the date of the next instalment, and to give you a ‘rollocking’ for leaving us hanging with the ending on the last book. But it turns out I have a daughter of the same age, therefore, all is forgiven. Crack on.
I think that I, like everyone else here is anxious about the next installment in the series. 2015 is a long time away, but that I have a date is something to look forward to. I’m waiting on about 4 other books mid-series to make it to the next installment, some of which have been close to 20 years since releasing the first novel with still a couple more installments to go. You have a great series, thanks for keeping this project in the forefront of your schedule and not getting lost in the minutia of 1000 other projects :).
Hi there Mr. Brett,
first of all please accept my gratitude for writing such an outstanding series of books with the Demon Cycle. I’ve listened to countless audio-books in the last 10 years and never have i consumed such a series in so little time. The 3 books in TDC so far, took me less than a week to finish and the last book I’ve listened in one peace, seldom stopping for more then 5 min. Even skipped sleep and listened from Saturday until Sunday.
I love fantasy books for it’s mindbogglingly endless possibility’s and you, Sir, have brought it to a different level. Keeping the magic fresh and original while describing two totally different cultures in which a few people are trying to understand each other in a world so translatable to ours. Showing us the hearts of different believes and the responsibility’s one must carry for choosing ones path as well as the rewards for finding one’s self. And I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve let a few tears from time to time but also laughed out loud in public when something funny happened.
So for this incredible mental journey i want to thank you again.
As I’ve never written any comment about any book, anywhere, this could be interpreted as the greatest honor I’ve given any author so far.
I will look forward to your next masterpiece,
Sincerely,
Cedric Gross
Because I am inpatient and hate waiting (which is weird because I’m English and we love a good queue), my question is…. how do I become a beta-reader? Only for this book though, I hate reading other books.
whatever,hurry up!!!
To this day i still consider reading “The Painted Man” as the greatest literary experience of my life. Take all the time you need man, don’t compromise your vision of the story for time constraints. Not even for a second.
I just finished Daylight War today, and I can’t wait to read Skull Throne. Im Polish and I prefer read it in Polish, so I hope the translation and publishing in Poland wont take to long 🙂 All the best !
Blake from south africa here. I first came across your book while looking for something to read on a long bus trip and im glad to say i picked this up. I was going to visit family but i spent nost the day reading the painted man. 😀 the demon cycle sent me on a fanatical craze which sadly ended last year. Just wanted to thank you for the hours of joy your book has given to us readers and that its epicness has reached us even here in SA. So thanks man, keep up the good work 🙂
Excuses excuses, take drugs, drink coffee, stay awake, keep writing, that’s it,
hate waiting
I for one am happy to wait. Editing is just as important as the creation aspect. If you fancy a beta reader who knows your work, then just drop me an email. Good luck, I can’t wait to see what you have in store for everyone!
We will wait as long as it needed, but it’s not easy 🙂
You writing is extraordinary thank you for sharing it with us the largely ungrateful publik.
I only ask that you write faster than Rothfuss and Jordan, a couple years between books is expected but when you get to 4 and 5…..well
Thank you again for great read!
Thank you for giving us a breakdown of your work pace. It truly does help with the wait! Keep the updates coming so i can be sure to get the book when its released! I read the earlier comment about the similarities of Krasia and Muslims and I enjoy the obvious comparison between the Islamic and Christian religions. It’s so relevant to our world and this has to be one of my favorite series ever… And I read alot of fantasy! You’re the best!
Like so many others I bought The Painted Man on a whim. An amazon recommendation that kept popping up so I thought I’d give it a go. BEST DECISION EVER!!! Your talent for fantasy writing is something to be admired. I, too, am eagerly awaiting the next installment and will be queuing at the nearest bookstore… once its ready of course. Don’t rush and spoil what is truly a masterpiece. We’ll all wait as long as it takes!
Hey Peat, absolutely adore the books in the series. I’m anxiously waiting to read the Skull throne and I know that as usual, your book won’t disappoint. I recently gave my little brother the first book in the series off my shelf so he won’t keep bothering me. He’s also not a reader. Would you believe he finished the book in 4 days? He didn’t go on the Xbox and he ignored pizza!! I was amazed by this occurrence and I believe you are responsible for it. So…from a HUUUUGE fan, THANKS A MILLION BUNCHES. Take your time with Skull Throne…you can’t rush perfection. Mwah xxx
Thanks so much to everyone for the huge show of support in this comment thread. I don’t have time to reply to every post, but I want you all to know I read each one as it comes in and they mean the world to me.
Getting closer to the end of Skull Throne. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel…
Mr. Brett
I want to take the time to thank you for creating a phenomenal and exquisite trilogy of books. I can’t wait for Skull Throne to come out so i can no longer have a life for the time it takes me to read. Your books inspire me to try and start writing short stories and i might just take it a step further. So thanks for the reads and I hope you continue writing after The Demon Cycle is complete.
Zac.
So excited to read more from you. I just finished the daylight war and at the end I was jumping and yelling, yes, yes, yes. I really freaked out my kids and pets. Thank you for this wonderful world you have allowed me to fall in love with. Keep up the good work.
I absolutely adore your books and I am constantly looking for updates in the Painted Man series. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have never been so interested or loved a series as much as this! ^_^