THE DOORS OF STONE update

I'm not sure if some of you believe that Patrick Rothfuss actually confides in me, but every week I receive messages from fans asking me if I have a progress report regarding the eagerly anticipated The Doors of Stone. The answer is, of course, no.

But I do have news. . . Of sorts. . .

A lot of Rothfuss fans are speculating about whether or not the book will see the light in 2016. Some appear to believe that a good chunk of the novel has been written and that things are well under way. Which could be the case, no doubt about it.

And yet, I was corresponding with Rothfuss' editor, Betsy Wollheim, regarding another matter at the turn of the year and she has yet to see a draft of the manuscript. As of January 4th, she mentioned that, though Rothfuss has been writing this book for the last 5 years, she hasn't read a single word yet. As she wrote, Rothfuss might be almost done, he might still have loads to do, or anything else in between.

Hence, for those who thought that the editing process was progressing and the book could perhaps go into production in the near future, nothing indicates that this could be the case. There is still more than enough time for The Doors of Stone to be scheduled to be published this year, true.

Just don't get your hopes too high until you hear it from Patrick Rothfuss himself. . .

135 commentaires:

Anonymous said...

I love their books but it sure would be nice if Rothfuss and George R.R. Martin wrote at Brandon Sanderson's pace.

Johnny G said...

Pat's being VERY close-mouthed about this one. Not sure if he's having some problems with the book, or if he just doesn't want to give any kind of date or target at all until he's absolutely sure it's correct. No matter what happens, I'm looking forward to it and don't mind waiting, but at the same time, I think it's only a matter of time before he kind of HAS to give an update of some kind or another, even if said update is only "it won't be out this year".

Unknown said...

Well if we look at the literary world it's common to see authors go 10 years without any news of any kind. I find the petulant and entitled attitude of some people quite annoying. The guy doesn't have to bring his book any time soon if he doesn't want to. It's certainly frustrating, but in fantasy and sci-fi, we're way too used to the book a year and more pace. Usually it gives really crappy novels so I don't mind Patrick Rothfuss taking his time.

Anonymous said...

I love Brandon Sanderson's novels, but I see this comparison all the time: if only Rothfuss or Martin or Author X wrote at the same pace... It's a false comparison. The reason we love Rothfuss novels is different from the reason we love Sanderson novels. I have very rarely read a Sanderson sentence, or paragraph, or page, and thought -- Wow, that was haunting, or beautiful, or incredible, etc. Instead I turn his pages thinking -- I can't wait to see what's coming. Rothfuss's books are plot driven, too, but they don't usually have the same sense of urgency and they certainly don't rely upon it. That kind of poetic attention to every word choice takes a lot of time, and it's time I'm content to wait for. I want Doors of Stone to be as good or better than WMF and NotW, and I'm happy to wait until Rothfuss feels certain it is.

Anonymous said...

I find the people who get upset about people asking for updates just as annoying as the people who get upset that the book isn't finished yet.

Anonymous said...

Pretty unprofessional when your considering he claimed originally that all three books were finished in 2007.

Silent said...

Wouldn't unprofessional be publishing a book that the author knows could/should be better? The lazy route would have been just to publish the books out in rapid succession...

Jon R. said...

without judging Rothfuss or giving him a free pass, I've chosen to wait on the books until the series is finished. As a reader I kinda feel let down (even if by my own expectations) by ASOIAF. I've decided that there's other stuff out there that is just as good, and reliably released. It's all about the author-reader relationship, if you want to wait for Rothfuss or Martin or whoever (Hello Stephen King and the Dark Tower for decades) then that's your decision. I've simply chosen to spend my money on books where I can trust both the quality and the reliability. Or just buy completed series or one-offs.

Examples for me include Joe Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence, Lev Grossman, James S.A. Corey, Tad Williams, Jim Butcher, etc.

machinery said...

rothfuss is an average writer with average series of books, and with his LOUSY work ethics he will not finish this series. i don't know why some people are so afraid of saying it out loud that they have to hide behind veiled criticisms and write anonymously.

Adam Whitehead said...

"Wouldn't unprofessional be publishing a book that the author knows could/should be better? The lazy route would have been just to publish the books out in rapid succession..."

It is simply a fact that Rothfuss and his publishers leaned VERY heavily on the "It's already done!" and "You won't have to wait years between books!" angle for marketing purposes in the run-up to THE NAME OF THE WIND's release in 2007. It was even pointed out that Rothfuss had published part of THE WISE MAN'S FEAR in 2002 in a short story anthology as proof the whole thing was already done, at least in draft.

Years later it was revealed that Rothfuss only had bits of all three books done, but also large chunks that were just outlined and more bits that were "Cool stuff happens here". Also, the publishers themselves kept asking for changes like putting the whole (weak) draccus incident into the first book which then had knock-on effects elsewhere. Yes, certainly Rothfuss should have the time to make the books better, but I think the way the situation was handled specifically to make readers sceptical after the long wait for GRRM part with their hard-earned money was, at best, disingenuous.

Nate said...

I like the real world where we do our fucking jobs.

Then if there's time, have fun.

Of course, if I don't do any work, Neil Gaiman doesn't appear to tell everyone they are unreasonable for expecting me to do anything.

Alucard said...

I dont think its his job to finish things on a schedule, but i do check for updates farther and farther apart now, and i seriously wonder at this point how long after its finally released before ill actually notice its out. There is an amount of delay where the audience forgets about you

Anonymous said...

I bet it will be split into 2 volumes.

Unknown said...

Yes, but that would beget Sanderson's quality...

Unknown said...

Not if it means Sanderson's quality...

Anonymous said...

I am sure Hollywood will be more understanding than the folks that read books. I will buy book 3 the second I can. Read it at least twice. Then never read another book by this author.

Anonymous said...

Rothfuss is a great writer, if we are to judge him based on his existing 2 (or 2.5) novels - though for certain that "Slow Regard" work is only appealing to existing fans, not new ones (and even then it's probably hit or miss). However, Rothfuss apparently is NOT focused on novels right now. So many projects going on, from his highly laudable charity work, movie/TV show/gaming, attending cons, just reveling in his huge fandom-base in geekdom. Fine with me, but I dont buy for one second this crap about longer-time equals higher quality. I will guarantee that many people will not like the third book if he takes 5 MORE years to finish it, and at same time, many people would have declared it the best work ever if he had released it 12 months after The Wise Man's Fear. Art takes time, sure genuis we get it. Art QUALITY is also HIGHLY subjective, even more so when being judged by fanatic fans whose primary purpose is to - oddly - defend the author as if he were their own prodigious child. Love the man, and I love his story, but revile the dude's production values.

C said...

Very seldom do I ever write comments on these web pages, however, I feel that this is worth commenting on. Rothfuss is indeed a good writer, he however is not the best writer ever. Art of this form should not take 5 years to finish. It seems simple to me Patrick Rothfuss has a terrible work ethic. It is that simple. He does not seem to be working on getting this done at all. Now I realize that all his rabid fans will now say "Oh! How can you be so harsh? He is an artist and you should give him all the time he needs." That is quite simply BS. The man has had long enough to finish a story that he supposedly finished years ago. Even with re-writes it should be finished by now. Ultimately it is just laziness. If the book is not good enough at this point, then I doubt the man will ever get it to a point where it is worth anything. I agree with the person who said I will get this book and read it just to finish the story and then I will never waste time with a Rothfuss book again.

Anonymous said...

Sanderson is not the only example. And in the early days, he had what he called a buffer. a bunch of books that needed tweeking and polishing, but were already there. Elantris, his first published, was his 7th book. But I digress, Terry Pratchett also managed to knock out a minimum one a year. before his diagnosis 2-3 was his standard output. And that was an author who crafted every line and every joke meticulously.

That said, I'm a patient type and can carry on waiting. I probably wouldn't read any other Martin - I'm not invested in his other books and there are other things that I would like to read. Rothfuss I'll probably follow into his next series though.

Anonymous said...

Youll be dead before you get to the end of his second trilogy lol

Anonymous said...

Was "Not if it means Sanderson's quality..." not snooty enough, so you came up with "Yes, but that would beget Sanderson's quality..."

Go put your monacle on and fetch a smoking pipe.

Anonymous said...

Love the books and can't wait for DoS, but as soon as it's out there will be FAR less people scouring the internet for any Rothfuss comments. The longer he waits to publish DoS the greater his ability will be to sell us stuff like auri and bast spinoffs, or get us on board another world builder kickstarter. I'm surprised he's not looking to get us hooked on another series before ending Kvothe's.

Anonymous said...

I'd be surprised indeed if we see the book in 2016. My sense has always been that there are far, far too many loose ends to wrap up in a single remaining volume, and I have heard whispers that Doors of Stone will take us only through the "present"--that is, through time of the Kvothe's reminiscences in the Waystone Inn. Many of the most important things that require resolution, among them Kvothe's relationship with Denna, the revealing of the Amyr, and the final demise of the Chandrian, will be resolved in "real time" in a fourth book, still untitled.

bcarroll03 said...

I have been searching for the words to describe Pat's style since 2010. "Poetic attention to every word" hits the nail on the head, although Kvothe may not appreciate the comparison givin his distaste for poetry! Thanks for finally finishing my thought for me!

bcarroll03 said...

Hmmm.... This comment makes me wonder if you've actually read his books. He is certainly above average although Kvothe's personality leads people to either love him or hate him possibly distracting people for the wonder of his words, or we like different styles, to each his own

Unknown said...

The books are great, the main problem I have with them is that I re-read then every year. And every year when I finish I check for updates and there is nothing. If he came out and said 2019 I would be annoyed but at least I'd know. I'd much rather have a fantastic final book and wait a while but this is ridiculous. I also agree with the comments about there being 4 books. Each one is a day in the telling of the story and were miles of the end. After five years I doubt there will be all of day three and then the 'present' story line in the same book

Anonymous said...

There was an unwritten accord between Rothfuss and his readers upon publication of Name of the Wind. Rothfuss had baldly stated that he was well into the story of all three books, and they would be forthcoming with no unanticipated delays. He laughed at George Martin's inability to do the same.

Additionally, I believe that once a book series is published, it is no longer solely the author's. Yes, it is the author's creation and brainchild; it is nurtured by him; and it ultimately relies on him for life. But the reader (as any author would greatly hope) becomes deeply invested in the story--falling in love with the characters, waiting with bated breath for the next installment.

Even after such an optimistic attestation by Rothfuss before the first book, a wait between books would be expected. Of course it would be. The reader cannot be unreasonable; in the end and most of all, the reader cares for the story. But certain things about Rothfuss' behavior trouble me. Why does he get so angry that fans are impatient for the story? Why does he refuse to update us, even if just to disappoint us?

By all means, pursue other projects. Live your life, enjoy the fame. But why not keep your readers, who love this story so much, in the loop? It almost seems as though he is scared of the series. This is what worries me. Rothfuss doesn't like discussing Kvothe, which is so odd to me. He AVIDLY pursues other things. Authors of the most popular fantasy novels LIVE for the story; they don't run from it. Look at Martin. J.K. Rowling. They're always in their created worlds.

But not Rothfuss. I fear (and really, it's fear. Because I love those books) that he is truly struggling to craft a worthy finish (and closing is the hardest thing to do). It's for this reason that I do not find it selfish or disgusting for fans to be restless. They want the book, and the author has remained silent for a long time now. Of course they will be impatient--they're human! So please, Pat, give us something. Anything. Put the story on the phone. I just want to know it's ok.

Anonymous said...

There was an unwritten accord between Rothfuss and his readers upon publication of Name of the Wind. Rothfuss had baldly stated that he was well into the story of all three books, and they would be forthcoming with no unanticipated delays. He laughed at George Martin's inability to do the same.

Additionally, I believe that once a book series is published, it is no longer solely the author's. Yes, it is the author's creation and brainchild; it is nurtured by him; and it ultimately relies on him for life. But the reader (as any author would greatly hope) becomes deeply invested in the story--falling in love with the characters, waiting with bated breath for the next installment.

Even after such an optimistic attestation by Rothfuss before the first book, a wait between books would be expected. Of course it would be. The reader cannot be unreasonable; in the end and most of all, the reader cares for the story. But certain things about Rothfuss' behavior trouble me. Why does he get so angry that fans are impatient for the story? Why does he refuse to update us, even if just to disappoint us?

By all means, pursue other projects. Live your life, enjoy the fame. But why not keep your readers, who love this story so much, in the loop? It almost seems as though he is scared of the series. This is what worries me. Rothfuss doesn't like discussing Kvothe, which is so odd to me. He AVIDLY pursues other things. Authors of the most popular fantasy novels LIVE for the story; they don't run from it. Look at Martin. J.K. Rowling. They're always in their created worlds.

But not Rothfuss. I fear (and really, it's fear. Because I love those books) that he is truly struggling to craft a worthy finish (and closing is the hardest thing to do). It's for this reason that I do not find it selfish or disgusting for fans to be restless. They want the book, and the author has remained silent for a long time now. Of course they will be impatient--they're human! So please, Pat, give us something. Anything. Put the story on the phone. I just want to know it's ok.

Sam said...

He clearly has no idea how to end the series. He probably needs another book or two to do it justice but boxed himself in with the "three days, three book" structure."

Sam said...

Be clearly has no idea how to finish this one and needs another book but boxed himself in with the "three days, three books" structure

Unknown said...

Ah the fable of the Golden Goose.

Do you wait for another beautiful perfect Golden Egg?

Or do you let greed get the best of you, cut the goose open and claim your last semi-formed golden egg from its strewn entrails.

I for one would like to see more work by the Pat of Ricks, and think it absolutely repulsive that some are suggesting publication could be expedited in such a gruesome manner.



Anonymous said...

Pat loses a lot of relevancy as soon as book 3 comes out... If he has anything he would like to accomplish that involves drumming up support for his charities, new kickstarters or even getting people hooked on a new book series, its in his best interest to do that BEFORE DoS is published when hes got a captivated audience tuning in to hear about KKC news...

Andy said...

This does baffle me as there was a photo of the completed Manuscript three plus years ago... why has his publisher not seen it if the manuscript existed? I am out. I'll go pick up some Trudi Canavan or something...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vSFLZgHwfx0/USU8xV4PSEI/AAAAAAAACTM/kloJWxOxEs0/s1024/DSCN1062.JPG

Cunninglinguist said...

Lve Grossman? Lev Grossman?? Really?

Cunninglinguist said...

Loved Kvothe, loved Locke Lamora and absolutely hated Quentin Coldwater. Tv show hasn't helped hid case either.
Could it be just me??

Anonymous said...

No matter the view point... let him be so he can write how he wants... get pissed off... either way, simply slipping in an entry amongst his billion blogs to give some transparency would be a nice show of respect to fans.

Anonymous said...

I work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Why is it "entitled" to think that everyone should have to work for a living, and he should do his job. Yes, I'm not his boss, but if you make promises, do the work to keep them. This entitled "artists don't have to work" is nonsense. Most artists have to work twice as hard to survive, why should success mean that he gets to Lord over us not producing anything? Either be a productive member of society or move on.

Unknown said...

Book 3. Chapter 1.
This is the part where you get briefly excited, and then quickly disappointed as you realize the author doesn't want to write that old story any more, and instead is going to write about something else. Something else that is already planned out and completed, but is just sitting on the editors desk awaiting final edits...
Nonetheless, this book, the book three you have been waiting for is done, and it goes like this-
We start at The Inn, it is the dawn of day 3, and Bast is tending the fire for breakfast.
Kvothe comes down the stairs, his hair unkempt. He gives The Chronicler an inscrutable, unfriendly stare.
The Chronicler stares back, pen in hand, paper ready, trying not to look anxious, but the twitch of his pen gives him away
-and then in walks this character you never heard about, who has been part of the village and story for years, and takes the book in entire new direction
- movies! Like seven of them. And get this, the last movie will have two parts, no wait, three parts. You guys fell for that movie part 1 and 2 crap before, so we figure profits can be maximized if we nake the last movie 4 parts and realease them 1.5 years apart, even thoouhh we filmed them all at once to save money, and had them all ready to go since day one !#@$- (nevermind all that)
- our story continues....
The Chronicler gives the new comer a flick of the eye and turns his attention back to Kvothe. Bast looks up, and says nothing. Nor does the new comer; it is obvious he was expected and that they all already know each other

MidnightCoffee said...

my guess is he isn't just writing one book, but rather he is completing one book and outlining 3 more. "Doors of stone" will conclude the story up to when we meet kvothe and pat will announce he is working on another series that concludes the rest of the plot. While i recall reading people saying pat said he was going to finish in three, i always interpenetrated this to mean "I'm going to finish the Chroniclers story in three books".

Anonymous said...

Who are you to say how long a book should take to write? He is doing good work in his charities and short stories. He has a family. Obviously he is a perfectionist. If you read his blog you can tell how passionate he is about doing right by both the readers and himself. (He has a beta reader team of 70+). And I have never read or heard him make a promise to complete the book in any amount of time other than that which it takes to get the story right.

And by god what are you talking about when you say he isn't doing the work? Unless you are someone close to him how do you have any idea of how he structures his days? In his blog he talked about pulling 16 hour+ days to complete the wise mans fear. Do you have any idea how unsustainable and draining that can be?

Anonymous said...

If he thinks holding off this long on the 3rd book will help with his charities and other work, he does not understand human nature. After a couple of years, I would not give him any support as he is just leading us on. IF and when the book is released, I will be in no hurry to purchase it and may even wait until the library has a copy.

Anonymous said...

If he thinks holding off this long on the 3rd book will help with his charities and other work, he does not understand human nature. After a couple of years, I would not give him any support as he is just leading us on. IF and when the book is released, I will be in no hurry to purchase it and may even wait until the library has a copy.

Unknown said...

(Nonetheless, OUR story continues...)

Not The Kingkiller Chronicles
Book 3.
Chapter2. You're Secret is Safe with Me

The newcommer brushes the dust off his farmers coat, and approaches the bar.
He deeply inhales the aroma of what could be another free breakfast, and says "Bast you've really-"

"If you think I'm making breakfast for you too, you can turn right around and walk back out that door", Bast interrupts pointing at the door with his wooden cooking spoon. "And take that dust with you!"

The newcommer smiles, and approaches the bar without a pause; he maintains his meandering gait.
"Perhaps this would help get the job done quicker," and with a flourish of hand there appears a cold iron cooking spoon -
which he tosses end over end at Bast. As the spoon flies, the farmer makes a slicing jesture across his own neck, and points mockingly at Bast.

Bast just sighs and ignores him. He turns aside as if he could care less and the spoon passes harmlessly into the cooking fire, where it poofs into a cloud of grey smoke. He is one of the few - neigh the ONLY mortal - that Bast would suffer such insolence from. Just the threat of brandishing cold iron in his presence was enough to get him killed without a thought - but that insolence! The insolence of this man was enough to warrant all of Bast's time and attention to killing him slowly, in the most appropriate way...

"Sooooo, what's for breakfast?" the farmer says with a smile, and sits at the bar. Bast tosses a plate in front of him, and asks "did you bring a spoon?"
Bast turns back to preparing breakfast, careful, but not careful enough to hide the hint of smile on his face.

Unknown said...

(NOT chapter 2. continued)
The illusion of Bast's smile, the illusion of the farmers cold iron spoon, and the sharing of yet another meal - are all an acknowledgement of the friendship and trust that exists between the two. One that has been there for years.

"Nice trick," says the Chronicler. "But I wouldn't try that again if I were y-"
"Yes," Kvothe interjects, coming down the stairs "...getting Bast to be your friend is more than I can do."
Bast gives Kvothe a sideways glance, and returns to cooking breakfast, the hint of his smile fades...

Fades to nothingness...and fades away, into the memory of that first night. The night he met the farmer. Again, the unwanted memory plays back through his head...It was a day he could not forget. The same day that accursed chest first appeared.

He'd been warned to stay away from that chest. Then coerced to promise never to touch it, after he was caught alone in the room staring at it.
But a promise with the Fae is never quite what it seems, and Bast had found a way around his promise as easily as he spoke it.
Bast had been so eager to open the chest that very first night, as his Reshi slept.
How proud he would be of Bast when he awoke to see that chest opened and all its secrets revealed at the foot of the bed.
The rewards Bast foolishly envisioned for himself, and the 'rewards' bestowed upon him, each had memories that were still painful to this day.

Bast remembers approaching that chest for the first and only time, fingers ever so tentatively probing the chest's aura. "Touching and opening, are not the same thing," he whispers to the sleeping Kvothe while he completes the spell to open the chest, and then-

Bast remembers nothing of what happened next. Nothing of how he escaped the inn. One instant he was there in the room, the next instant he was running. Running for his life.
Running as the scream fades from his lips.
Running as his shadow fades to nothing.
Running from his death. Running, though there was nothing he could do would prevent it.
Yet he ran.
He ran from the chest.
He ran from the pain.
A pain that was nothing. A pain that burned of starfire.
The pain did not dim as he ran. His fading to nothingness did not lessen as he ran.
Yet it was not in his nature - to sit down, to give up, to do nothing as he faded into it.
He did not know how far he ran.
It lasted a second; it lasted an eternity. He saw the farmer in front of him, and from far away, as if from a different world.

Unknown said...

(NOT chapter 2. conclusion)
Without hesitation, one word sprouted from his lips. It came out sure and unstoppable, as sure as the sun rises each day.
Just as it was Bast's nature to run, it was the farmers nature to say-
"eyessssseeeeeeeyouuuuu"
One word and three, three words and none. He said it without thinking, regardless of the consequences, knowing only that it was the right thing to do at the time -
He Named Bast's Dream.
Bast became real again, his scream pierced the night and cut off as he realized the pain, the nothingness, the shadow of his death - all gone.

Illusions were easy. Soooooooo easy, the farmer needed no sounds from his lips. No air from his lungs. But naming the dream - making an illusion become real - that was something he swore he would never do again.
That required more than just sound. That took more than just the air from his lungs.
That had consequences even an experienced namer as himself could not imagine...
Yet still he had said uttered the name.....A meanlingless word now. It only took shape, had form, had meaning for the situation it applied to.
That moment was gone. That time had passed. Both their lives were forever different.

Own owl hooted softly, unaware and uncaring about what just happened, it voiced its annoyance at their disturbance, and silently flew off into the night.

Nothing broke that silence. Moments passed..., and then with the same look of profound, stupified awe on their faces...
they each whispered without sound, mouthing out the words so the other could read- (you're secret is safe with me).
They nodded, knowing the other had understood. And said nothing more.

Hours later, Bast thanked the farmer for showing him the way back to the Inn. And the two parted for the night.
The two parted for that season. The farmer had a new crop that needed tending.


Secrets hold tremendous power. Those who do not know them can get easily blindsided by those who reveal them.
This secret had a thousand uses.
But they each knew what it would be used for.
It was a secret one never, ever spoke of.
They guarded it with each OTHERS lives.
To speak would reveal it.
To reveal it would be The Chandrians' end.

Unknown said...

I don't feel entitled but " I have been as patient as two stones together, I don't know if I can be as patient as three stones".
In all seriousness, I re-read the first two every few months and I can't wait for the next one.

Anonymous said...

Sanderson is bad enough to merit two statements. But I don't care enough about him and his angsty teen cutouts to post again. Wait, wasn't that...oh who gives a shit anyway.

Young Phoenix said...

Holy crap, it's not like he's sitting around with his thumb up his ass, anyhow. It's funny that you are taking him living his own life (which is broader than serving you a book when you want it) as a personal affront. Entitlement, indeed.

Brother Grymm said...

Rather read Lev Grossman than some half-finished story that takes the rest of my life to finish.

I gave WoT 20 years of my life, I've given ASoIaF 18 years of my life, I can't keep giving these people years of my life following their stories. If anyone asked me whether NotW was worth reading, I would tell them no. The only book I would ever recommend of Rothfuss is SRoST, because it has a very unique style.

As it stands right now, Rothfuss *claims* he is trying to get the book perfect, but that is a cop out.

Brother Grymm said...

Rather Lev Grossman than some half-finished piece.

Brother Grymm said...

Amen. I work 64 hours a week to make ends meet. Would be nice to see one of these authors do the same. And I'm sorry (not!) your charity stuff is nice, but it isn't your job.

Anonymous said...

^^ Not chapter 2 was actually quite good. I am so desperate for Kkc that I lapped it up. Please continue!

Anonymous said...

Entitlement is demanding the book with no reservations, and no consideration. It is entirely another thing, as a reader invested in the story, to seek updates on publication. This is entirely reasonable. If anything, it's bizarre that Pat refuses to offer any information, and stranger still how offended he is at his readers' impatience. What does he expect? That, plus the information revealed in the update above, has almost convinced me that Pat is truly in trouble with this story. Between the fans rushing to excoriate Rothfuss for the delay and those prepared to defend him to the death, there exists a very rational middle ground that, as one commentator wrote, is concerned for the story. PUT THE STORY ON THE PHONE PAT. PLEASE!!!

Anonymous said...

Entitlement is demanding the book with no reservations, and no consideration. It is entirely another thing, as a reader invested in the story, to seek updates on publication. This is entirely reasonable. If anything, it's bizarre that Pat refuses to offer any information, and stranger still how offended he is at his readers' impatience. What does he expect? That, plus the information revealed in the update above, has almost convinced me that Pat is truly in trouble with this story. Between the fans rushing to excoriate Rothfuss for the delay and those prepared to defend him to the death, there exists a very rational middle ground that, as one commentator wrote, is concerned for the story. PUT THE STORY ON THE PHONE PAT. PLEASE!!!

Anonymous said...

I've given up on Mr. Rothfuss. It's just been too long. I used to read David Gerrold's Chtorr series as well but it's been over 20 years and he's still saying "Almost finished, just some polishing and editing". I don't pretend to know how Mr. Rothfuss spends his days but it appears that he likes living the "Rock-star Writer" life more that he likes actually writing. I don't feel that he owes me anything as a writer, it's just that I don't feel I owe him anything as a reader either.

Unknown said...

I've pretty much lost interest by now. Probably won't be buying it.

Unknown said...

I've pretty much lost interest by now. Probably won't be buying it.

Anonymous said...

I don't give a fuc... anymore. It's a clear rip off. They keep publishing side books, to feed us and make money, thinking that after the third book they are not gonna sell a thing. It will backfire anyway. A lesson of how important we are for this author. He doesn't give a fuc**, so should we.

Angela said...

Has anyone considered that this Rothfuss guy has become addicted to drugs and lost all direction and motivation? He has no-doubt profited from his earlier works, allowing him to afford a life of laziness. The moral of the story is to not buy books that are the beginnings of sets unless and until the set is complete. It is the same philosophy I have concerning television series. I have suffered the frustration of having several of them cancelled before the story was brought to a logical end. I learned to not count on any creative work being completed. At the worst, it's possible that the author might die before finishing, then what are you going to do?

Unknown said...

First, the way of kings and now this. I am so upset I could spit.

Anonymous said...

If people don't buy into a series early on its far more likely to get cancled.

Anonymous said...

Meh, just read Malazan Book of the fallen.
Just at another level.

Anonymous said...

It just occurred to me that when I started reading this series I was still in high school... that is so depressing.

Name of the Methane Wind said...

Yes indeed i (not the guy above) have read his book all 2 of them. I absolutely adored NotW, and at the end of it i have a first edition first print with title page errors. It said the books are written just need some fine tuning. Skip ahead what 6 or 7 years? FINALLY a second book, i found it to be rushed, it skips around it has HOLES. Oh my what happened to this wonderful author??? If you read his original blogs and interviews he was humble, he was grateful to his readers. Today he is arrogant and treats his readers like trash.I say ok take 3 or 4 years write an awesome book. Rothfuss has taken what 11 yrs now to write 2 books, established a $1 million yr "charity", written 3 knockoffs of original series which is still incomplete. Untold number of conventions, signings, and readings. Reviews other authors books. Done everything BUT complete the series. So don't talk about how hard he is working on this book. I'm quite sure wise man's fear was completed the way it was because his publisher told him write or else. There are contracts you understand. Honestly I expect him to fall over dead before the series is finished, at least over what 25 yrs Jordan produced 13 very long books. That's one every 2 yrs I'm ok with that pace. I'm not ok with 3 books in 21 years.

Name of the Methane Wind said...

There is no excuse for the years and years upon years between books, I consider myself a patient reader. Sure take 3 years write a truely epic book. People bring up Jordan yes his series ran over 20+ years for 13 books. Rothfuss is over 12 yrs for 2 books.... Too long! Jordan didn't start a charity (money scheme in my opinion) Rothfuss as chairman draws a paycheck from this. Toss off a couple spin offs, attend untold numbers of signings, readings, conventions and such. I would love to read Auri's story, I'd love to read Bast's story. AFTER Kvothe's story is complete even if it took 10 yrs. At this point I'm just pissed off. He has taken us for a ride, I adored NotW, WMF felt rushed to me, too much left untold, too many holes and this in a book he took 6 or 7 years to write that was originally presented as hey the series is done just needs a little polish. Think I'll be reading it from the library. Not giving Rothfuss the Ripoff more of my money. Assuming he ever actually finishes another book.

Anonymous said...

Pleaseeee finish this book Mr Rothfus. Im am purposely reading The Wise Mans Fear- very slowly! It is so good, I don't want to finish it.
I am going to read the book on Auri, when I get done, but I so want to read this next book. What an amazing way you have with words, and the poetical fashion of fantasy. I love Kvothe!!

Anonymous said...

Rothfuss... What are you doing with your time?!? Do you really want to wait until every reader you have stops caring? The resentment you are creating is growing. If you wait long enough people will stop being fans and consider you either incredibly lazy or a liar. You have reached this point with me, and others will follow. You aren't an author to me anymore, but rather a conman. Someone who lied to sell a false product. Stating the trilogy is already written and needs polishing was a complete lie. As many have said, you don't "owe" me anything, I have the products I paid for, but I don't have to buy anything else you are selling either. Have a nice life. I hope you will still have a fan left when you do finish it.

Anonymous said...

Here's my problem with Rothfuss... He said at the beginning all 3 books were done. They weren't. He doesn't update fans about his book series. He pushes the questions away. Nearly every damn update on his blog is a beg for money about some stupid kick starter campaign and other crap. He really thinks people who read his books care about these stupid Games and Music CD's. He cares more for getting a TV show and Movie to one up GRRM. Its been 5 years since the last book and Nearly 10 since all the lead up hype with his first book. And the Auri book was only a novella. This author has gained a huge ego complex. If he finishes this last book, I highly doubt as many people will ever read any other series he tries to write. He has lost the trust of many fans. People simply want this series to finish so they can move on.

B said...


I can honestly say I love and enjoy the books immensely. I also understand the need to edit and perfect things. The sheer amount of time it has been for the last book leads me to believe one simple thing. Book 3 is either already complete or so close it should have been released already. The only reason it has not is fame.

Patrick spends all his time at conventions and doing his fundraisers. I understand the need to promote and do these events but they shouldn't take complete precedence over your job of writing. This having been said I believe he is just stretching this out. He has written nothing else I have found but this eries. Once the last book is out I believe he has absolutely nothing left to keep him popular. He is milking the current fame and hype to push his fundraisers and conventions. It is sad because the series is ripe to pick up straight from the future timeline after he is done recounting the past in a new trilogy or so. Instead he seems to bide time.

I could be completely wrong and just paranoid but I sadly think this is the case. You can only procrastinate and rewrite things so much before it is time to turn it in for editors to review.

Jared said...

I will read his next book. Yet will never buy another one he releases. Simply put I don't have the time or patience with authors with his work ethic. I am not the only one that is just tired of the Martin's and the Rothfuss's of the world.

Anonymous said...

hand it over to Sanderson, he's a better writer anyhow

Anonymous said...

I kind of feel like he painted himself into a bit of a corner with the story. The first two books setup a lot of intrigue but the end of the second book was somewhat of a let down with K's adventure becoming somewhat disjointed and including a lot of standard white knight fantasy tropes. The problem for Rothfuss is that the ending of the trilogy will be incredibly difficult to write in a satisfactory way that ties up the loose ends. I'd imagine he's done 100 writes and rewrites and rewrites and still is ironing out parts of his story. It's a hard thing to do to end a book well, it's infinitely harder though if the story has a thousand lines that all demand conclusions at the same time.

Anonymous said...

"I love their books but it sure would be nice if Rothfuss and George R.R. Martin wrote at Brandon Sanderson's pace."

- but then you'd get books like Brandon Sanderson's

Anonymous said...

I'm with the majority of people on here. I'm pissed that I've waited this long, and there's nothing even mentioned.
I've basically stopped paying attention to Mr. Rothfuss at this point. I refuse to give him any more of my money. A friend bought me a Slow Regard and I sent it back to Amazon. No thank you.
NotW was a great novel and I loved it, TWMF was not half as good, I had a hard time reading it, so when he was taking a little longer, I was happy that this one might be a little better. Now? He's a liar plain and simple. Don't say you have something finished, when it's clear you do not.
I started reading ASoIaF after I had read NotW, GRRM is a much better writer, and I've enjoyed Sanderson quite a bit as well.
I'll be waiting for a library release, and an apology from Mr. Rothfuss.

Anne C. Miles said...

I wonder how many of you are artists.

In any Work of creation there is a thing much like the recoil of a gun. If the Work is very True or Important the kick is higher in direct correspondence. The more potential for Life, Joy, Good from the Work? The longer shadow it has. This shadow makes it very hard to finish. You must wrestle it. It's like wrestling a bear. It's like chasing the moon. It's like drowning. The closer you are to finishing the bigger the push back

I can't imagine Pat's.

Well. I can. But it is something I hope never to face.

Patrick Rothfuss will have to wrestle angels and be touched on his hip. He will finish. But make no mistake. You cant comprehend what he is facing.

Anne C. Miles said...

Also. Using the tropes on purpose. He's playing a joke if you will much like Kvothe did in WMF. He's winking at those who see it.

Anonymous said...

Martin and Rothfuss are lazy slobs. Anyone who professes to be an author worthy of note does not need five frikken years to write a book. It is equally appalling to read comments from their diehard "fans" defending their ass dragging. Says a lot about twenty first century work ethic.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone else remember Justin's Goodreads review of AWMF? He's deleted it but it lives on in my memory with 'the fucking Felurian episode' and pictures of Michael Cera to accompany it. How I wish I'd printed it. I feel that both Rothfuss and Martin are struggling to live up to the hype and, realising that they can't live up to their mega reputation, are prolonging the day in which their works are released to the slavering public. Martin's release chapters from WoW are pretty depressing (although the Mercy chapter is pretty short and sweet), more Euron being awful or Ariane and Sansa tripping around the country getting nowhere. I agree that I'll buy the final book when it comes out and then never touch anything by Rothfuss again.

Alucard said...

There is a point where you have to stop, take a step back and realize that the work is done. As much as people like to compare writing to painting or drawing or any other artform, any decent artist will tell you that at a certain point your search for perfection starts ruining what you have already created.
Delivery is important to make your creativity and imagination truly shine, but it doesnt matter how much lipstick you put on a pig, its still a pig. Even if you take 8 years applying it

Dg said...

Could you please leave a list of decent books that I could read in the mean time... I've read Wot what is ASolaF

Anonymous said...

Patrick Rothfuss has forgotten how to write and is probably hiding in some corner and crying for his mommy. We should all just forget about the DoS and get on with our lives. Rothfuss's editor probably came up with the title because Rothfuss himself was too chicken to crawl out from under his bed.

Anonymous said...

You are all fools! Patrick is searching for the true name of the novel and once he finds it then the book will be released. Patience young ones, the sleeping mind takes time to rise.

Anonymous said...

I have kept up with Pat for a long time now,, enjoyed his first two books, then the BS started, side book , ghost writing and attitude. yes a decent writerr, but enough with attitude you are not an artist, but a writer, so quirky stuff does not work well. I would love to read the third book of the series, but like R Jordan, Not so sure I will ever finish it because of the writers attitudes comments and general long winded needless commentary. Or maybe, I am looking at his entirely wtong,, possible Rothfuss does not care about his readers, or has a writers block, stroke, something we readers do not know and is a secret..
I am just disappointed all around with this series and the writers uncaring crappy or nonresponsive answers and longer deadlines/releases..

Anonymous said...

Wow, does the author of this last guy not realize how ironic his entitlement is? Jesus. What an ass.

Anonymous said...

Where is all this bile coming from? Some of you guys sound like you've been personally betrayed, as if your love has been cruelly scorned. I can understand an emotional attachment to the books and the subsequent frustration with the incessant waiting for the story to be finished but your reactions are extreme, sometimes bordering on the ridiculous. There are hundreds of other great books you could be reading and forming emotional attachments to. I think this blog may offer you some ideas in that regard.

Chilloilspill said...

People seem to either over complicate this situation or toss on some condescending "stop defending the over glorified bumm" comments. Guys, this is probably really simple. He is successful with first 2 books, sooooooo people say we want you to speak at this, Meet fans here, discuss a movie deal blah blah blah. Pat goes; "advertise to get my stuff out there and secure my legacy? Hmmm ok, but when will I finish my book?" Guess I'll just have to fit it in between all the other crap that is understandably valuable for a writer,artist, freaking magician (whatever), but not what we consider priorities. Let's face it, he wants his stuff out there and he is spreading his time so much we don't get what we want. Unprofessional? Selfish? Sell out? I don't know. You would think he does not need to put so much time in events and advertising with current popularity but guess that is where his heads at. Lazy? Probably not more than any other filthy rich person but kinda bailing on us to focus on other goals? DEFINATELY!!!!!!! Don't get me wrong he managed to lock down movie, show and game = hundred dolla bill rain for days and a bit of infamy but still, cut some f#@$&&[ projects man or at least let people know when it will not be available and explain progress better so people don't feel disrespected because we are just spinning gears here. For proof scroll down or up page.

Anonymous said...

It wouldn't need to be that fast just a quarter as fast would suit my purposes.

Unknown said...

Game of Thrones

Anonymous said...

I've lost interest in both Rothfuss and Martin. Mainly because I've outgrown the "Thrones" series
and just find Rothfuss to be an arrogant little prick who seems perpetually mired in high school. And I disagree with Neil
Gaiman's "shaming" with "GRRM is not your bitch". Of course he isn't. He's just an asshole and his book has trailed off into irrelevance. How could it not? You could tell he'd lost the thread two chapters into the pointless Feast Of Crows. Rothfuss is even worse...he's sort of embarrassingly "queer". Between his stalled in high school ideas: (I'm a fat faggy nerd so I'll learn backrubs and fly a fake Feminist flag! THEN I"ll be able to cop a feel and maybe even get laid. (And look at his "harem" of female followers,
(I mean "assistants", they seem cultish to me). Charity work? Fuck you. You really suck for using your charity to ward off criticism or hearing anything but what you want to hear. I think you've done all your life as the nerd-fag who wanted to squirm into a realtionship with the girls. So you use the same old trick that always works, hide behind your kindly homo affect and then? Pounce. But why'nt do it privately and stop using it as an excuse to avoid admitting book one was a great set-up, book two was...the same story less-so, with junior high jack-off material, PR. "Slow Regard Of Trumpeting Farts" ? Whatta shit-burger. Fag-crap for fag-hags. Oot? And Goot? Who fucking cares. Never mind your special snowflake bullshit, fulfill the promise you made in Kvothe! But you can't, can you? You know why, Patrick? Because you know nothing about women...N-O-T-H-I-N-G. And you know even less about music, poetry and Being A Man. So, in short (well...) I am done with Martin & Rothfuss. There's so much to read, so much to explore, who needs these two self-aggrandizing ass-heads or their fucking excuses? I helped make you both rich. You earned it, at first. Now, you're fired. And fuck you.

Anonymous said...

I still would like to know how it's all going to come together. However I remember Rothfuss telling in a early interview how he disliked Martin's pace in writing and how he was planning to write exactly NOT like that... The comment seems quite a bit rich considering the actual outcome of the PLAN...

Anonymous said...

HAs anyone here ever written a book? I love Rothfuss and Sanderson and many of the other greats, but each author creates as his muse suggests. Sometimes she speaks to you and sometimes not. Inspiration is the key, without it a book is not feasible. Being a writer is not like any other job I am familiar with. Rothfuss is ALWAYS working, but sometimes, it is not always about one story. Being a writer is not easy, you have to create worlds where none existed before. Is any other profession able to say the same? Don't get me wrong, I HATE the wait, but again we like Rothfuss will be slaves to the "Midnight Disease" and must let it come to pass as the gods of writing dictate. I'm sorry, but that is just the way it is. But if you love the story, be patient, find other stories and authors to read in the interim, and revel in the work when it does come out.

Anonymous said...

Everyday I do a google search for "Doors of Stone" and spend 5min scouring any news for a release date. Been doing that every day since Jan 1. (Didnt do that last year since Rothfuss had already told us nada would happen last year - kind of him to do that, I guess, maybe cruel also?). Anyway, I'm fast losing hope that book 3 will be out this year. Now maybe Rothfuss plans on saying nothing short of "publishing date is in 3 weeks" and will say nothing at all about final manuscript DONE, BUT I find that highly unlikely. I truly think that we are in for another year maybe two or three more years wait for book three. Why? Well wouldnt we all like to know. The wait had been quite long, but the silence on progress, IF ANY, is truly strange for an author that seeems to be quite open, VERY open, to his fans in many other respects. I just hope the long wait isnt indicative of writer block or story-fatigue. Either way, I personally dont think that this wait signals that we will get a better story, quite the opposite is being implied IMHO.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the sentiment that has been voiced here quite a bit already. I will buy the third book to finish the story but will never buy another book from Rothfuss. He has burned that bridge by being silent for so long. It's really too bad, I thought he was poised to be the preeminent fantasy writer of the next few decades. I had planned to reread the books this year because I loved them so much. Thankfully I realized it would be a bad idea to rekindle my love for the story.

Anonymous said...

A good pace for writing a book is 6pages/day. I know this because that is what Stephen King writes 6 EVERY. GODDAMN. DAY. He told George rr Martin that because martin was pissing and moaning about how hard it was to keep writing. And he wrote what 7-10 of Dark Towers series before he took a hiatus from the series to crank out other stuff? But after 2 in the series thats the MAIN reason Rothfuss is famous, he takes a decade? I understand wanting to work other stuff, but at a certain point youre just being a dick to your fans. And like the masochists we are, we just keep coming back for some more. I dont expect a pace matching King, but a pace somewhere in the range of a page a day would be swell. We could reasonably expect a 1000page book... 3 years ago.... if editing and critiquing also takes a page a day. Poor pitiful author. Just getting shit on for not completing a job he said just needed final touches in 2007. Boo hoo. At some point i doubt ill give a shit why Kvoth is an innkeeper now. To hell with him. Hes a bit of a quitter.

Unknown said...

I couldnt agree more. I dont care how long it takes. His writing is not like the other guys. You sit back and think how wonderful that one sentence was. He had a poetic quality not unlike Peake. Hauntingly beautiful is a perfect way to put it. I am dying for the book but would rather have perfection over speed.

Unknown said...

It seems that all of my favorite authors have had dry publishing spells. The books can never come out fast enough to suit me. I will not criticize Mr. Rothfuss, writing is harder than you think. I will however say that I am losing interest. I buy my few absolute favorites in hardback just to have them as soon as possible. I have reread NotW and TWMF three times, and might reread again if we get a release date to DoS just to be ready. GRR Martin lost me before book four, so much so that I never bothered to reread or watch the series. I hope that Mr. Rothfuss is not having difficulties, I hope that he's just perfecting the story. I hope that I still have an interest by the time it comes out. I like some of the other posters have stopped checking on a release date announcement. I will always be a fan, but I might not notice the release of DoS, until I see it in an airport book store. Likely the book won't be published in 2016, I can wait for perfection, but may not buy it for years either. Such is the way of things.

Jack Bkwik said...

If you're a professional writer...write!
Procrastination is tough to come to grips with of-course and a small wait can make the meal all the better for the anticipation, however at some point it is unreasonable to leave your readership 'hanging' over the lip of the 'cliff'.
Arms ache, the characters and their motivations and backstories fade from memory, the reader may have focussed on a hundred different storylines and plots from books and movies and tv in the meantime
If you have to go back and refresh your memory by the time the next installment finally arrives I suggest the interval is too great....at least in the Sci Fi and Fantasy market so beloved of trilogies.
To me, putting out two books of a trilogy and then making the readers wait for five years is like your boring uncle Clitchmore's strategy of forcing people to listen to him by telling a long rambling joke where everyone has to dutifully, p-a-i-n-f-u-l-l-y listen to the selfish dick until he finally, e-VENT-ually, gets to the frigging punchline. Uncle is old school, that's not how gutbustingly funny comedy is delivered anymore really funny guys don't do the "Did you hear the one about..." thing and likewise today's reader is more sophisticated too, and used to dipping in and out of web pages and splitting their concentration between tv, phone and tablet (in the ads) and instantly accessing podcast, ebook, film or TV series as the whim arises, whether it's right or not more people are expecting instant gratification and the successful business model is delivering it.
If you are a professional writer.....write!


Daniel said...

So let me put this out there,people tend to think author's are somehow able to write and publish there books in a normal set of time but these normal timelines are based of off other and completely different author's. Writing a book is something that is unique to whomever is writing it, for example :two people are set to the same task, one completes the task before the other, the results may vary between the two but the point is that nobody does something exactly the same way. It is true that Pat has made his Fan's wait a long time to read the next installment in this wonderful series and I'm sure that it has hurt his Fan's in certain aspect's. I fully admit that as a huge fan myself it is aggravating having to wait and wonder what is to come of kvoth and friend's, but I think alot of people forget that Pat is doing this in his own way and if complied to everyone's wishes and released his book when his Fan's wanted him to then it wouldn't be the same as if he did it his own way. In regards to people thinking he's doing this to milk more money I cannot comment on that as I have never met him in my life, it might be true but it might also be true that maybie he just needed a break to collect his thought's on the matter and readdress it when he felt he was ready. Either way you can't expect someone you've never known personally to comply to your wishes just becouse you liked his books and don't want to wait past the "customary" waiting time for another installment. I've read many comments here that seem to signify that they believe Patrick rothfuss has to meet there deadline and if he doesn't then they won't read his book's and lose them as fans. I'm not Pat but if I were him I continue doing my writing in whatever manner I feel suits me best, to do so otherwise would take away from the book. These thought's of mine may sound like I'm just a submissive fan who will wait forever to see his work but ask yourself, do you know his reasons behind his action's? If you can answer that truthfully then I'll openly admit I'm wrong. FYI Pat is not your bitch, stop moaning cause he won't service your needs

Unknown said...

I loved the first two books in the Kingkiller Chronicles - at least, I think I did. It's been so long since I read them that I'm not quite sure I'm remembering the right novels. You can rush to Pat's defence as much as you like fanboys, but the gap between book two and the outstanding third novel is way too long.

If you bring out two great books then take people's money and get them hooked on your story, you have an obligation to bring out the next stage in the story within some kind of reasonable time frame, rather than keep people hanging on indefinitely without even a word as to where you actually are with the work. Newflash Pat, that's treating your fans with contempt - nothing else.

It's easy to see from the author's website that he has plenty of time to write blogs and gad around the country playing D&D and pushing the two ageing titles that are already on the market. He also had time to write 'Slow Regard...'.

Somebody on here mentioned lousy work ethics and suggested we might never see the third book. I don't know, I expect that he'll probably managed to get it out at some point, by which point many casual readers who were following the series and disgruntled fans will have moved on. I've certainly stopped checking for news of it.

Come on Pat, get the finger out mate!!!

Anonymous said...

A educational side note on diverse comments:

1. they're: abbreviation of they are, relating to a couple of people. Example: They are stupid; they're stupid
2. there: this word points to a location. Example: Your dictionary is over there.
3. their: a word telling the reader that something belongs to a group of people. Example: Have a look at their dictionary.

Conclusion: If they're kicking their automobile instead of driving it, they will not be over there in the near future.

Thank you.

Unknown said...

My Recent Posts

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Helge’s answer to “When can we expect a release date?” Jul 13, 2016 07:28AM

I am Rothfuss' biggest fan! I read a bit of one of his two awe-inspiring, incomparable novels every night before I go to sleep to comfort, inspire and encourage me.

I hope Rothfuss lives to be 110 years old, and - what time is not spent with family & friends, I hope is spent every other moment of the entirety of the rest of his life and waking hours doing nothing but editing, revising, polishing on Book 3, whereupon, as his last act on this fair green earth, he can publish it and then pass away into eternity knowing he did not release a sentence, nay!, not even a word from the book until it was final. Anything less would be forsaking the beauty and craft of his prose, which us readers would never ever forgive him for.

5 years between books?? Lame. Try 60 years! I would not be pleased with anything less than a multi-decade span between books - art requires SACRIFICE!

Unknown said...

That's**** what gets me, right there!!!!

Unknown said...

That's**** what gets me, right there!!!!

Anonymous said...

Yeah write it well, continue to help people with World Builders, do kick starters for interesting knick knacks, we don't get to dictate what Rothfuss does with his time etc.- but is it really out of line for us to want an update on the book from time to time? Just like two or three times a year, like one paragraph, one sentence even, saying things are going well, or something had to be redone, or simply no it's not coming out this year either. It doesn't have to be detailed, and I'm not talking about a progress bar like Sanderson has on his site, just a quick acknowledgement every now and again that he is in fact still writing the book.

Anonymous said...

I have been reading sci-fi/fantasy for a while. I started reading Martin's ASOF around 1999/2000. For the Kingkiller series, I thought that Rothfuss would come out with the third book a little bit faster. While my opinion isn't shared by many, readers enable authors to have these long delays. Authors that delay finishing books are obviously turning their attention to other efforts. I have chosen to simply stop buying or supporting anything that an author does if they do not finish a series of books in a timely manner. If an author couldn't make money at other ventures until they finished what they started, then these long delays wouldn't happen.

I'm aware that on a large scale, this could encourage some authors to simply not finish, but then they wouldn't be able to continue a career as an author.

Abstract81 said...

get over yourselves. pat and Brandon have joked back and forth in their signings on storm light archives and kvothe's first books. both masterworks in fantasy. better than GRRM both. so all of you re-read the books figure out the secrets like the meaning of Kote and "Not Tally a lot less" and yes figured it out on my second reading also why Kvo er sorry Kote can't open his chest at the foot of his bed although hope since he took one perfect step

Unknown said...

Rothfuss needs to finish the book in order to truly be great. Face it, his epic fantasy is a story with no ending, how is that great? He can be the most poetic, prosaic author on the planet but ultimately all he has truly done is write a story with no ending. It is a great story tho...

Anonymous said...

After reading many of your comments and being a big fan of the first two books i have come to one conclusion. Pat has either lost interest in the story and is either too ashamed or too afraid to tell anyone OR he bit off more then he could chew and has no clue how to finish such a mysteriouse and captivating series. I find he relies far too heavily on half explained events and unsolvable mysteries and has created such a complex plot that even he himself cant figure out whats going on.

I personally read 50+ books a year (some are re reads) and i tend to get pretty bored with series and lose interest fairly quickly, as i have with this one. Currently i am on malzan book of the fallen book 4 and i find it to be much more in depth, better written and to have a significantly richer story.

Sure rothfuss is articulate and has a truly captivating writing style but i honestly dont consider him a exceptional writer or even overtly intelegent. Go read anne rice or hell even dr.sues they blow him out of the watter, his claim to faim is a series he is incapable of explaining and refuses to finish.

Sosha said...

Fevre dream is not bad.

Charlie said...

An author's job is not just to write pretty, moving, imaginative or stories, but is in fact a JOB - Something you do to make MONEY.

We as readers get invested and involved with characters, worlds and plots but that is something that we have created in our own minds whilst reading and 'getting to know' the characters. We allow ourselves to feel and dream and escape from the real world into the world of the story-line and it is almost as though the characters become real connections to us in our actual lives.

We then share this experience with others, like we're doing here, and create some greater shared experience where we justify our demands for more through shared justification and ratification born of others voicing their demand for the very thing we so badly want and we end up convincing ourselves that the author in fact OWES it to us... to give us more of that thing we crave and damn them if they hold back our next hit.

I'm happy you've enjoyed reading it so much that it could make you feel so strongly about it, but sorry people, for the Author, its just a job. Its about making money and not an altruistic contribution to literary society or a book-purchase-price-deserved, or otherwise, continuation of the experience you've had - is all about money made through marketing of a product. Sheer and simple Supply and Demand.

An author who is doing his JOB will create a level of interest by writing books one and two, and will then extract as much MONEY out of his work's target market as is possible through appearances, side books, signings and any other possible thing that his publisher can think of to wring another buck out of the reader-base.

Yes there is a balance between willing followers versus jaded and jilted ex-readers, but that is the publishing company's forte... riding that wave of profit vs. discontent to get every last penny or cent before giving up the big finalé.

Rothfuss is being a fantastic Author (stretching timelines and making money) and we, the purchasers of his product, keep giving him money because he is such a talented writer, which enabled him to create something we all want.

We all hate waiting but man up about it. It will be ready when he has laid the groundwork for his next piece of WORK to ensure that he and his publisher will have a continued income and not be left unable to earn until Patrick thinks up another good story idea.

Imrillion said...

Um, Soz but does no one remember that Pat said he had written the entire trilogy... Already written it as 1 book and his publishers made him split it into 3 parts... So what the heck is all this, never seen the manuscript?

Imrillion said...

Amen! 🙌🏻

Unknown said...

That was an excellent Sanderson to Rothfuss comparison. It's like Brandon can insert a great movie into your head, whereas Pat can cause your mind to draw up the details more vividly all on its own. Two excellent styles imo.

Unknown said...

Merciful Tehlu! Just finished wise man's fear the size and dept of the world Pat has created over a span of 2 books dwarfs series which are twice as long. And there is so many more unanswered questions can't wait for doors of stone but glad he's taking hiso time

Anonymous said...

I just hope he kicks the bucket so Brandon can finish the book for him sometime this century.

DrJKJ said...

Huaaah. I reckoned me the only one still remembering the chtorr. Aktuelle i still habe the First two Volumen in my library from....early 80s?

DrJKJ said...

Well actually that is it.

DrJKJ said...

Yes.

DrJKJ said...

To your first question.

Anonymous said...

Don't you guys get it? I thought it was obvious! Of course he's purposefully dragging his feet with writing the 3rd book. After he has finished it and after the hype has died down, then he is nothing! He will simply vanish almost as if he's a dead author, remembered for his 3 books. He CAN'T finish the series as it's the only power he has and keeps his relevant. He doesn't want to fade away and is enjoying being hailed up there with the greats and living the good life. His career is over once he finishes it, just like Vince Giligan and breaking bad. If you can't top it, you are abandoned by the public.

Anonymous said...

It seems to me that when Pat singed deal for t.v. Or movie,that first season or movie will come out at same time ,or before last book. That's the reason for the delay, I belive. He singed a contract , and is waiting for them to finish adapting first book before he can release last book .

jan said...

Why don't someone else finish the trilogy? I mean: knowing we will have to wait years for the conclusion I am now happy to accept the finish being written by some other, mediocre even, writer. The characters are created, there are plenty hints about the future.... surely someone could write something to satisfy our craving!? This is clearly a story ripe for theft.

Unknown said...

Definitely above average, but I've given up waiting and moved on. I've not read anything as brilliant since, but I'm on a quest to. If he finishes, great, if not, what a real shame that would be.

Gscott said...

Hey, not sure if anyone else has clocked/commented on this but Amazon has a release date for August 2018 on their hardback pre-order

Brian said...

It is almost unendurable, this wait, this terrible terrible wait. Kind of like the dog whose tether only allows him to get within 1" of a delicious treat, we keep waiting but frustration builds, we begin to salivate, etcetera etcetera etcetera, COME ON PAT, JESUS CHRIST, the syntax in a sentence gives me a run for my money sometimes, but even I could have written something by now! We are HURTING out here. With nothing of value to watch on television except PBS, books are the final frontier for our collective imaginations. Am I clear here!

Anonymous said...

Guys, please do not wait for a book that do not exist (yet). And remember, when he finally would hire a team of ghost-writers to put that book in the shelves, it will be an awfully dissapointing reading.

Anonymous said...

To put my opinion plainly. Hes being lazy. I think he has a rough draft and that is it. A general outline for the book but no definition. I would not be surprised if he just lives off the hype of his other two books as long as he can until his finances are down trodden. Yes, he is a good writer and I love his books but his motivation sucks.


Sincerely,


The reader that is ready to give up on the series.

Anonymous said...

I really deeply enjoyed my time with both books. And I am not sorry for that even if there is not third one. I am happy he wrote them.

Anonymous said...

Time does not equate to better; or have some of you completely missed the Feast for Crows and Dance with Dragons disaster? I liked Dance, but the best books of aSoIaF were books 1-3; and guess what? Yep they were all released within roughly 3 years. Game of Thrones (1996); Clash of Kings (1998); Storm of Swords (2000). Then 5-6 years for Feast (utter garbage), and then another 5 for Dance (better because I prefer the Starks). We are still waiting for Winds and Dream, but no worries the TV show will just spoil everything. Sorry, stop making excuses for these people. Anyone else would be fired if they had this sort of production. Also for the "you can't rush art" arguments; well that is true to an extent. At the same time, the greatest artist throughout history (minus Leonardo) typically did not start 50 different projects after being commissioned for 1. I don't want a rushed book, but this there is a huge difference between waiting patiently for a reasonable amount of time and waiting indefinitely for something that is only another piece to a story.

Unknown said...

I can't believe anyone genuinely compares Martin to these two. His writing is so much more complicated and layered. As for Rothfuss, I can understand the frustration. It does seem to me like he has become distracted by the small amount of fame he has. I mean, he has a tiny cast compared to Martin, and although he likes to polish his writing more than Sanderson, five years is a ridiculous amount of time.

Anonymous said...

I wonder what his publisher thinks about all these side things he does, but yet can't finish his original obligation.

Anonymous said...

"Has anyone ever written a book?" someone asked of the commenters somewhere above. And, Yes, as a matter of fact I have written several novels, all of considerable lengths (200,000+ word counts per novel) and published by Patrick's same publisher, DAW, as well as TOR.
Pat's fans need to stop babying the man. He's simply a lazy writer. Period. The fact is as a writer it is up to you and you alone to dictate your daily working hours. When you publish a novel that is the first in a proposed series, you as the writer are entering a contract with your readers the moment your novel hits for sale that you promise to continue writing future novels in a timely manner BECAUSE your readers have spent their hard-earned money buying and their precious time reading your novels.
Patrick hides behind his charity work as an excuse so that he can point out how mean a person you are when you dare ask him why the third novel in his Kingkiller Chronicle (a trilogy he publicly stated in 2007 was already finished, not just plotted but the writing complete) isn't out yet. It's his safety net.
And he spends his days going to conventions, trying to secure a television deal for his unfinished trilogy, making cards and comic books for sale, blogging about how hard his life is, and basically doing everything BUT finishing his third KKC novel for publishing. And the sad part is Pat yells at his fans whenever they ask of the books' release date, forgetting that he wouldn't even have a writing career without said fans, let alone the millions he's earned because of them.
Patrick, you CHOSE to become a writer. No one put a pen in your hand and a gun to your head and FORCED you to write anything. So stop your belly-aching you man-baby, suck it up and do your job like the rest of us 7 billion people on the planet who also have problems in our own lives yet somehow manage to survive just fine. What you've done by not finishing your trilogy in a timely manner is alienate your fan-base. There are those whom will never know the ending to Pat's KKC because they literally died while waiting for the release of his third novel. Good job.
There's a reason why when you type "Patrick Rothfuss" in the urban dictionary you get the amusing yet appropriate definition of: "A person who starts a great thing but can never finish it. In other words, the worst kind of asshole."
And to you of his fans defending him while pretending he's some kind of tortured-genius writer . . . STOP licking his balls thinking the more you lick the higher on top of his fan mountain it will have you ascending. Pat doesn't know you from a hole in the wall and probably wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire. You're the same type of people who assume they would be great friends with actor in real life because you obsessively watch their television shows. GROW UP. Writers aren't the "tortured artists" Hollywood movies would have you believe, so stop perpetuating the bullshit myth.
Sadly, and from those in the know with whom I've spoken to over the years, Pat is purposely NOT releasing his third KKC novel until AFTER his television series premieres. So take that with a grain of salt along with this advice: find another author to consume who actually respects their career and their fans enough to publish their novels in a timely manner, because Patrick Rothfuss doesn't.
He's hoping to make as much money as possible on his television deal and so is torturing his fans by forcing them to play the waiting game on his novels. He's fallen in love with his 15 minutes of fame and intends on milking it for all they're worth, hoping to be the next "HBO's Game of Thrones" because all he has in his eyes now are $'s.

Anonymous said...

Patrick is waiting to release his third novel until AFTER his television show premieres. Sadly he's become an "artist" who is in love with his 15 minutes of fame long overstretched and has grown to become all about the money. So if you're wondering when his third novel will release then you'll have to wait for the television series first that way Pat can sell more books.

Anonymous said...

You can literally sum up Pat's books with this one sentence: "Kvothe goes to the University to learn about the Chandrian but learns nothing, the end."

cmesin said...

Everyone I know, is moving on.