Letters From the Labyrinth 475
Penultimate: 1997 - 2027
I wrote here a few weeks ago about finishing the first draft of FALLING ANGELS: The Labyrinth Book 4 — the penultimate novel in the five-book Labyrinth series, and sort of the penultimate novel to everything I’ve ever published since 1997.
Yesterday, around 6:15pm, I finished the second draft. This evening (Sunday) I’ll send it off to my pre readers, and await their input. Usually takes Tod about a week. Usually takes Dezm about a month. Not sure how long it will take Jamie, because he recently had brain surgery, and I am not about to rush him. Regardless, once I have their edits, input, suggestions, and complaints back in house, I will incorporate them into the manuscript. That process usually takes about a day for each of them. So, we’re looking at three more days (once their edits are back) tops.
So, the novel is essentially done.
I have mixed feelings on that. I’m pleased with the book itself. At 95,000 words it is one of my longer works. Most of my novels fall in the 70,000 to 80,000 range. This one needed more space, so I went longer. I think the story arcs for Frankie, Tony, and the Exit came out wonderfully. Teddy Garnett gets a chapter that, according to my wife and to people on Patreon, is one of the best things I’ve ever written. The last sentence is a WTF moment that I suspect will lead many of you to riot. But I also dread what these characters are beginning to go through. I mean, I’ve been with Teddy, Frankie, and Ob since 2000, Tony since 2001, and LeHorn and the Exit since not long after that. I’m just as invested in them as you, the readers, and it’s tough, putting them through the final paces. I’m not saying every single character will die (I am reminded of the reviewer who wrote: ‘George R.R. Martin will kill your favorite character. Brian Keene kills everybody.’) But they do go through some stuff in this book, and the next one.
It’s also a strange thing to realize that an entire literary multiverse (along the lines of the work of Michael Moorcock, Stephen King, and Marvel and DC Comics) I’ve been writing in since my first story sale in 1997 is drawing to a close in 2027. Oh, there will still be stories or an occasional book set in that universe, for sure (INVISIBLE MONSTERS, for example, which is finished but needs several rounds of revisions, won’t come out until after The Labyrinth series is finished). But for the most part, everything after the next book will be continuity-free.
FALLING ANGELS — like the previous three books in the series — is broken into three parts. Part 1, The Magical Mystery Tour, details Frankie’s trip through space and time. Part 2, Unrequited Love and Other Detours, details the efforts of Tony, Teddy, LeHorn, the Exit, and Ob to find her and Lucifer, before it’s too late. And Part 3, City of the Angels, reunites the gang just in time for the end of everything. It will be released later this year as a signed limited edition hardcover from Thunderstorm Books, a paperback and eBook from Manhattan On Mars Press, and an audiobook from Crossroad Press.
THE END: The Labyrinth Book 5 will begin serialization on Patreon in September (after I finish the final three commissioned LOST LEVEL stories, the first draft of the novel Laurel Hightower and I are writing together, and a comic script and some other stories that are due). It, too, has three parts. Part 1 is called Heaven and Hell. Part 2 is called Ob Rules. I’m not sure what Part 3 is called yet. It will be released in late 2027 in the same formats as the others.
And then… that will be that.
Good morning. I’m Brian Keene and this is Letters From the Labyrinth — a long-running weekly newsletter for fans, friends, and family that comes out every Sunday morning.
Thanks for a great first week of sales on the Italian edition of NEMESAI — a dark fantasy novella by myself and John Urbancik, published by Plutonia Publications. In case you missed it:
Italian Language Paperback: Amazon US - Amazon Italy
Italian Language eBook: Kindle US - Kindle Italy
English Language Paperback: Amazon - B&N - BAM - Waterstones
English Language eBook: Kindle
On Tuesday, July 21st join me, Christopher Golden, Mary SanGiovanni, CJ Leede, Victor Lavalle, Nat Cassidy, Clay McLeod Chapman, John Langan, Nicky Gonzalez, Nicholas Kaufmann, Tanya Pell, and Tony Tremblay from 5pm to 8:30 pm at the Brooklyn Brewery, sponsored by The Twisted Spine. There will be two panel discussions involving all of us, and we will also be signing books. You can purchase books at the event or bring them from home. This is a ticketed event, so make sure you sign up in advance by clicking here. It is expected to sell out.
This week, for Women In Horror Year, I covered books by D. G. K. Goldberg, Charlee Jacob, Eve Harms, Cherie Priest, Nancy A. Collins, and Nicky Gonzalez. You can read those (and all the others) via the index for Women In Horror Year.
Myself and Thunderstorm Books are seeking a cover artist for the weird fantasy book THE LOST LEVEL: EXCURSIONS, to be published as a signed, limited edition hardcover in late 2027. Selected artist will be paid professional rates and own all rights to their work other than the initial publication.
You can get a leg up on 75% of the other artists who have already applied by simply clicking this link and actually reading the submission guidelines (because, quite frankly, 75% of the artists who have already applied clearly didn’t do that, and therefore, won’t even be considered). Seriously, if you reply with “What are you looking for” or “How do I submit” then it’s pretty frigging clear you didn’t even skim the guidelines.
The same day I posted that link, Mary and I then went to lunch with comic artist Mike Hawthorne and his daughter Maria, and Mike laughed and told me I’d regret the poen call, because I’d get a bunch of submissions from artists who didn’t bother to read the submission guidelines.
And boy was he right.
But, we’re locked in now. Click the link, read the rules, and hit us up with your submission.
Amazon is having a Prime Day special for the New York Times bestselling, award-winning THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT: NEW TALES OF STEPHEN KING’S THE STAND, edited by myself and Christopher Golden. From now until June 26th, you can get it for just $3.99 on Kindle. Click here to download your copy at this special low price.
Franchise Fatigue — KEENEVERSATIONS — Episode 48
Does the success of two original horror movies signal franchise fatigue amongst Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and if so, what does that mean for the future of corporate entertainment franchises? Brian and Mary discuss. Death to Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Masters of the Universe, and all the others. Long live the new Backrooms and Obsession overlords.
Available on Patreon, Spotify, and Brian Keene dot com. As always, new episodes are paywalled for the first month.
Currently Watching: From season 4, Widow’s Bay season 1, Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (a rewatch), and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (a rewatch).
Currently Reading: Dead But Dreaming of Electric Sheep by Paul Tremblay and The Art of Maria Hawthorne Vol. II
Currently Listening: Live: 1975 - 1986 by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.
Widow’s Bay ended on a high note. A perfect season of television, with tight, clever scripting, an Emmy-worthy performance by Kate O’Flynn, and great screen time with one of the indisputable kings of character actors Stephen Root. I love how it played with so many Horror tropes — from slashers to cosmic to nautical to zombies. So. Much. Fun.
I’m early into Paul’s latest novel, because I had to finish the James Gandolfini biography I mentioned here last week, but so far, it’s a banger. Full review next time.
Just a note — my pal WD Miller brings his globe-trotting tour (in support of his latest album Child of the Kindly South) to Central Pennsylvania on Wednesday, July 1. He’ll be playing at the North Mountain Inn in Carlisle, PA. Show starts at 7pm. Mary and I will be there. If you are, too, come say hi.
Deep into post-production on DEAD FORMAT now. Lombardo is going through the rough cut. Producer Nathan is lining up our film festivals. I’m scouting for a theater big enough to host our cast and crew premiere. We’ve got a composer attached, and are getting ready to do the same with the sound mix. We should have some more details for you soon. In the meantime, here’s a reminder that you can still contribute to the film here.
And that does it for this week. Thanks for reading. See all of you back here next Sunday.
I mentioned on Facebook yesterday that I have the first 2 books signed by you (one book each Christmas) and how excited I am to read the series, but I want to read all or most of your books first. I've already read a lot on my kindle (lost count 🤷♂️😂) but now I'm trying to go in proper publication order (skipping over books I've already read), and your Secret Histories helps me with that. I'm on Entombed right now, The Damned Highway is next. I absolutely love your work, I've been a fan/reader since summer 2022. Congratulations on the completion of Falling Angels and keep up the great work!!
Congrats on finishing FALLING ANGELS: The Labyrinth Book 4, that is some milestone, all of those years of work. I loved Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and was glad that Chris was still here at that time physically to watch it with me. I wish the ending really could've happened that way. And I love Leo and Brad and will watch them in nearly anything as well as Margot Robbie. I enjoyed Widow's Bay but my fave episode was the clown one, very Gacy/IT! And that actress Kate O'Flynn, there is just something about her that reminds me of Shelley Duvall in the Shining and Root's character was sort of the Quint/one of the old guys from The Fog kind of characters. I hope there'll be a season 2. On the other hand, Netflix's The Boroughs.....I have to say I was disappointed! I wasn't expecting geriatric Stranger Things going in because it's Duffer Bros but it just didn't grab me. And I love all of the actors in the show, Gena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Bill Pullman but it just didn't click for me. I loved James Gandolfini, another who died way before their time. His real life son, who looks so much like him, was good in the prequel movie they made about the Sopranos. My fave episode of the Sopranos will always be the one when Paulie and Christopher get lost in the Pine Barrens! Good luck with Dead Format and hope it premieres soon!