I’ve recently written that Patrick Rothfuss’s Book-3 probably wouldn’t come out anytime soon. (Along with some other predictions.) Well, I guess I was wrong! In my not-at-all-obsessive quest for more video interviews with Pat, I found this recent (5/11/16) video interview.
Aside from the sheer awesomeness that is Pat’s office (I count at least 15 owl-bears), there’s also a very important update: he said he’s currently editing the book to get it shorter, better and more dynamic. In his own words, he’s going through it and trying to cut out approximately 100,000 words. It’s kind of humbling to think he’s going to cut enough words to write an average, non-Rothfuss-sized novel.
So, assuming the book is already written and currently undergoing the editing process, the release date draws closer yet. It probably won’t come out in time for Christmas, but who knows – maybe we’ll get it at some point within a year. Don’t know about y’all, but I’m going to make sure to have a week’s worth of vacation saved up and ready to use just for this occasion…
Update: it has been 2 years and 3 months since this post was originally written. Book three is not here, nor is it on the horizon. Instead, the country is ruled by an angry orange clown, and all is not well. Sorry if you got excited about reading this blog’s subject line.
Grigory Lukin.com 
Assuming he’s editing, tightening, and cutting out massive bloat, I wouldn’t count on 2017.
Editing at the “cutting and pasting and tightening” stage is followed by at least two more editing passes, then he sends it to the publishers who do a proofreading pass.
Then the publisher takes 8-12 months to release it.
Good points. Then again, G.R.R.Martin’s publisher had the logistics in place to publish his 6th book within 3 months of receiving the manuscript. Given the amount of money riding on this, I’m pretty sure they’d try to get it on the shelves as soon as humanly possible. Basically, I’m still holding out for the Christmas 2017 release – and keeping my fingers and toes crossed haha
Considering its Rothfuss, the third book will probably come out on 29th Feb 2099. How can any TV network depend on this guy???
They DONT need to depend on this guy. They acquire the rights, THEY do the movie, and writing. Hell, lack of original novels for story development and a ending sure as hell isnt stopping GoT on HBO.
I am not enthused at all about the TV show/movies coming for KKC either. Why? Because it only means more distraction to the author, whom, six years now after Wise Man’s Fear, shows little to no intent on wrapping up his trilogy. But hey, at least maybe the TV show producers can give us an ending. Better a crappy ending from some backroom team of underpaid script-writers, than NO ENDING from the man himself.
Sigh….
Nice comment. There is no February 29, 2099. That means it will never come out. Damn. That would be a work of art, though. Get the readers hooked then kill the story, not just the protagonist but his whole world. Wow! If I did not love the story so much, I would be impressed.
I’m thinking that the problem with Martin and Rothfuss may be the same as with Donaldson…….the last book is a major struggle because they can’t see a way to end it that is both good and true to the series. In Donaldson’s case, he finished it and it was kind of a miss. His other trilogies ended well, so he only really injured the last “trilogy” with his weak finish. Erickson kind of ended his massive Malazahn without compromising his writing or story, but with so many unresolved issues, it seemed disappointing in a different way than with Donaldson. With Martin and Rothfuss……maybe they just can’t see their way through this story without it diminishing the whole. It may fall to some present teenagers to finish Kvothe’s story in a grand way, 20 years from now. Alas, I am 65.
sometimes the ending are what we want we gotta live with it and from there you carry the story out in what should of been a 4th book not a trilogy. My only example was Weis and Hickmans “Darksword series” I didn’t care for the ending but they made 2 more books that cleared it up
I’ve lost all hope the book will be releases. The writer is at procrastination station, and there seem to be no trains departing.
I could’ve felt for the guy if he hadnt been so goddamn negative about readers waiting on the books.
I completely agree. We have been waiting for so long, that I am not sure I am even interested anymore.
Yeah I gave up and moved on. I won’t buy anything more from Rothfuss unless he finishes what he started and swore he already had finished years ago. All good stories must come to an end and if we’ll never see that end, it shouldn’t have been sold in the first place. People get all worked up with “authors are not your *****”. No, but I also won’t buy a product from someone who leaves the work undone. I’ve been half tempted many times to rewrite my reviews of his books warning people off. It’s a sad betrayal of trust.
I understand. At this point, I too am wary of unfinished series – for example, I won’t touch the “Game of thrones” series with a mile-long pole.
I used to feel the same way… Then I’ve come out the other side and sort of accepted his argument that the longer he polishes the book, the better it’ll be in the end. That was also the reason he took so long between books 1 and 2, and “Wise Man’s Fear” turned out pretty amazing as a result.
Basically, I’m more than willing to cut him some slack if that means the final product, whenever it arrives, is great.
I’ve gone through the stages of grief more than once over this series. I’ve now resigned to just checking in on a release date every few months… Hoping… Praying…waiting… *sigh*
Likewise… Think of it this way, however: is your life overall better or worse now that you’ve read these 2.5 books? (Counting “The slow regard” as half a book here.) Personally, I gained more pleasure from reading and re-reading them than I have from most other books out there. In the meantime, there are lots of other, non-serialized books out there to devour while we wait. 🙂
All of you are missing the point I think.There is a clue to the 3rd book(maybe) In Kvothes Most famous song “the Song left Unsung” I dont believe there will EVER be a 3rd Book and in my opinion that would make this series the most interesting and talked about and Important series in History…For a 100 yrs ppl would still be talking about it
fuck off dont give him ideas lol that would be so hacky to torture everyone like that, this story is an amazing story, one of the best series ive read in years, and god bless him for giving it to us, but i mean seriously finish the books get a movie deal what ever, but we’re all workin stiff’s waiting and waiting, some of us could be dead before we get to finish the story, and i can only reread it so many times without the end or at least next chapter in his character’s life, i mean if you cant make satisfying end in his opinion in book 3 then set it up for a book 4, nobody said it has to be a trilogy, just get it out there. we’ll forgive him if he doesnt think its up to par in 3 books just pull the trigger!
…week’s worth of vacation saved up and ready to use just for this occasion…
That’s what I last time. Sun and reading in Florida. Can’t wait
clickbait. He has been editing that damn book for 4 years.
I am late to this party and just finished the first book and purchased the second one. I did not understand that this series was unfinished. Damn first Song of Ice and Fire and now this. Not being an author I don’t know what the hold up is but I suspect that a compelling story is easier to write than a satisfying ending.
I hope it will be published the next year. For now, I have to read the first two books over and over again until the third one will be released.
Well, I hope everyone is right, and that we’ll see the Doors of Stone sometime in 2017 (so much for “before ’17 Christmas”, that hope got busted…). Me? Call me the pessimist. I will go ahead and wage dollars to donuts that we dont see DoS in 2017 either. For good or bad, Rothfuss does not appear, in any discernible way, in the mode of book-writing at the moment. Hard to blame the guy. Fame rising. Gloriously successful charity he is running. Gaming events galore. Growing family to spend time with. Movies/TV shows to help get off the ground. Very hard to focus on the novel I imagine. So I get it, dont like it, but I get it. But honestly, it’s a little off putting the hysterical fandom that now seems to surround the guy and his – 2, count ’em, 2 full blown novels. The first book was superb. An outstanding work in a sea of blah-ness within an overcrowded genre of stale plots and characters. But seriously – anyone that truly believes that Wise Man’s Fear equaled, or even surpassed, NotW, isnt being serious and it letting their fandom/author-crush destroy their objectivity. I pray that DoS is a return to Pat’s form in book 1. I pray that the book is published soon. I pray that there is a sequel or prequel. But I DAMN sure intend to not start not one more book from Pat on ANYTHING until the series is done. He writing is good, but hell, it’s not decade-spanning waits good.
I understand where you’re coming from… One new reason for my 2017 hope is this year’s Worldbuilders fundraiser. This year, the final stretch goal is Rothfuss doing Q&A about Book 3. I don’t believe that was an option in the past, so here’s hoping it’s going to be him announcing the projected release date. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The Q&A will happen once the charity raises $2 million. Since there’s $1 million of matching money, that leaves “just” one million for us to raise. Fortunately, the total is already at $939,411 as of right now. The fundraiser ends in a few days (12/19, I think), so basically we’ll hit the goal and finally get some concrete information.
As for Rothfuss getting so much praise for just 2 books – hey, James Dean starred in only 3 big movies. 😉 His novels are humongously long – at this point, just the first 2 books are longer than the entire Harry Potter series. On top of that, the language itself is simply beautiful. In his interviews, Rothfuss often says that he spends most of his time editing, not writing – and that shows. Just the scene with Denna in Tarbean at the end of Wise Man’s Fear (not posting spoilers in order to protect the innocent) was a thing of beauty.
Don’t misunderstand me: I too would like the book to be right here, right now, but meh… I’ve gone through all 5 stages of grieving for a long-awaited sequel, and at this point I’m just occasionally checking up on the book’s status here and there. There are lots of great books to read and fun things to do in the meantime. 🙂
I so agree with you. Fame is can be a problem for some. I loved both books, but like I said before, I don’t even know if I want to read the last one. Which publisher lets any author take this long to finish a series? I too, will not start any of Patrick’s books unless there is a definite end to it. Agreed on the Wise Man’s Fear as well. Another very off putting aspect is Patrick’s rudeness toward the fans asking nicely if he is maybe coming to an end on Doors of Stone. We get it Pat, creative genius and all, but come on.
” Which publisher lets any author take this long to finish a series?”
GRRM…
Howdy All, It’s nice to have this large community of Kvothe fans to commiserate with on the long awaited release of Book 3. Writing isn’t like making products in a factory. A set time frame and delivery date is very difficult to pin down on creative endeavors.
Pat’s efforts to help his fellow man via charitable works are outstanding and worthy of praise. As Pat is now a family man (like me) I also tip my hat to him, for spending time with his family. That being said I’m a true believer in providing positive motivation to all individuals, when seeking a specific result.
So, for all of us that are patiently or impatiently awaiting Book 3… Let’s offer Pat an opportunity to help his fellow man and fans of the world and characters he has created. I’m prepared to pledge $1000 towards Pat’s favorite charity (and I expect many will join me in this effort) with the following provision.
If Pat will announce the release date of Book 3 in January 2017. I will write the $1000 check and enter a date on the check, of 1 day after the announced publication date. If Pat releases Book 3 on or before the announced release date, I correct the date on the check and drop it in the mail. Now if the announced release date is beyond December 1st 2017 the $1000 check gets replaced with a $500 check. (Tic, tic, tic… Hey Pat …… do you really want to help your fellow man…?) Now if the announced release date is beyond March 30 2018 the $500 check becomes $250. If Pat states March 15 2018 as the announced release date for Book 3, and we are not collectively taking vacation and reading Book 3 on March 16th 2018, then I suggest we tear up our pledged checks.
I expect that some may consider my suggestion a bit contradictory (or maybe arcane). When compared to my early comment about creative endeavors not being related to the time frame of a factory built product. That may seem accurate, but it is a misguided observation. Others may think my suggestion crude or mean spirited (or perhaps even ‘Un-Sympathetic’) that I would hold funds hostage, (to aid my fellow man) on the release date. On the contrary, all efforts in life have consequences. Pat has built a fan based that has generated almost 2 million dollars to aid folks less fortunate. This could be an opportunity for Pat to use the release date of book 3 to expand his altruistic efforts to even more folks.
When we consider that Pat spend 7-9 years as an undergrad student, I’m thinking that delay is just part of Pat’s DNA. (If you are a parent, your might not want to encourage the 7-9 year college plan to your kids)
If we can offer Pat’s innate kindness, an opportunity to help even more folks through his charitable works, he may be motivated to provide his Fan base with an answer to the question we are not allowed to ask. This maybe the one element of Pat’s DNA we can tap into a a motivational tool
Who’s With Me???
“If Pat will announce the release date of Book 3 in January 2017” – Patrick, I would be totally on board if I honestly thought that any announced date from Pat would mean anything, and I simply dont believe it would. It is likely, IMO, going to continue to be a very long wait, probably years, not months, before DoS comes out. I say that in part because I am very confident the TV-Movie stuff going on on the side will be a HUGE distraction to Pat for the next year or two at least. Call me the pessimist I suppose. love the man and his work ( book 1 at least) – but his pace for writing truly is deplorable….
Here’s my dream: he’s cutting all the material from Doors of Stone to put it in a final book (there’s nothing sacred about trilogies). Imagine that Doors of Stone finishes Kvothe’s reminiscences, and a fourth book, The Standing Stone, then proceeds in real-time with Kvothe shown to be royalty, Ambrose vanquished, Haliax slain, the Masters shown to be Amyr, Denna revealed as an Amyr-in-training, and ending with Kvothe passing back into the Fe to be with Felurian. Surely Rothfuss can’t resolve everything in one book meaning there’s enough for a final book (that will doubtless take another seven years to appear!).
Y’all been drinking some haterade.
These books are big passion projects, not cheap cash-ins. Let a man perfect his art. Read something else in the meantime. It’s his life’s work and once it’s been released he can’t unrelease it. If he says it’s not ready it’s not ready and he isn’t going to compromise the quality of something this important just so you all can know what the ending is sooner.
“Big passion projects” – good grief.
So let’s see: I hope Rothfuss lives to be 120 years old, and – what time is not spent with family & friends, I hope Pat spends every other moment of the entirety of the rest of his life and waking hours doing nothing but editing, revising, rewriting & polishing on Book 3, whereupon, as his last act on this fair green earth, he can finally, ultimately, publish the book at the exact moment of it’s perfection. Then and only then can Pat pass away into eternity in peace knowing he did not release a sentence, nay!, not even a WORD from the book until it was utter perfection. Anything less would be forsaking the beauty and craft of his art and prose, which us readers would of course 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! (smh)
I have found the urge, once again, to inquire about the last book in this amazing series. To no avail. However, in all fairness to Mr. greedy pants, I mean Patrick Rothfuss, we must place blame where it truly lies, on Mr. Obesity himself, JRRMartin. He has set the precedent! Begin an intriguing series. Sell the movie/ television rights of said series before it is finished and drag out the remaining book(s) release to capitalize on maximum profits! That is, however unbearable, the new model for business. Realistically, we will be lucky to see a small screen version anytime before 2020. Add at least 2 years for each finished book, plus a minimum of two years to wrap up the television version of the unfinished final book in the trilogy (heavily based on Mr. Rothfuss’ proclaimed finished draft before he was even signed to a publisher), plus the realization that the content of the final novel is too expansive to fit into a trilogy, extending it to a minimum of a Cycle, thus adding 2 more years to finally finishing the television series and that puts us at around 2028 before we even hear word of the final books, in what is now known as a cycle, suggested release date. Well, at least the third book in the cycle will have been released within that 10 year window! Much like the current state of the Star Wars franchise, I don’t think I’m interested anymore!