The Labyrinth Series - FAQ
THE LABYRINTH series is the culmination of all my works. Over the course of the fifty plus books I’ve written and the over two hundred plus short stories I’ve written, there has been an underlying mythos that connects them together. My fans call this “The Labyrinth Mythos” which is as good a name as any, and apt.
Now, as I head into the autumn of my career, I’ve begun drawing all of those connections together in a series called The Labyrinth. It is admittedly my own Dark Tower, my own Crisis On Infinite Earths, and my own Secret Wars. Indeed, those three things were the initial inspiration for me to decide — when I wrote my very first story — that all of my stuff would be taking place in a shared universe, and would all be connected. These days, of course, with the prevalence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other franchises, that idea isn’t so strange to consumers.
Here is where the series currently stands:
THE SEVEN: The Labyrinth, Book 1
The author’s first draft is currently available to read in its entirety on my Patreon. The cost is five bucks. As this is the first draft, there are some changes between what is published on Patreon and what will be published in book form (typos, grammar, etc but also the fixing of continuity errors, the fleshing out of certain scenes, and the alteration of other scenes.
A signed, limited edition hardcover version will be available from Thunderstorm Books later this year. The amazing cover by Ben Baldwin is below. That cover features Frankie (from THE RISING series), The Exit (from THE COMPLEX and various short stories), Teddy (from EARTHWORM GODS), Bloom (from various short stories), Tony (from the CLICKERS series and various short stories), LeHorn (from DARK HOLLOW), and Lucifer, last of the angels. Other characters from my mythos who appear in THE SEVEN but are not on the cover include Ob, Nodens, Kandara, Colonel Livingston (CLICKERS), Ochse (PRESSURE), The Sleepwalker, the Grim Reaper, and the Hellertown RHIC (location of the climactic final battle in THE RISING).
Paperback, e-book and audiobook editions will be published in either late-2021 or early-2022.
SUBMERGED: The Labyrinth. Book 2
The author’s first draft is currently being serialized on my Patreon, and is available to read in its entirety for five bucks. We are almost to the end (the characters are currently fighting Leviathan, aka Cthulhu, aka Dagon). I expect it to be concluded next month.
A signed, limited edition hardcover version will be available from Thunderstorm Books next year (2022). Paperback, e-book and audiobook editions will be available in late-2022 or early-2023.
FRACTURED: The Labyrinth, Book 3
That’s a tentative title. I will probably change it, but I’m not going to do so yet, because it would possibly spoil the end of SUBMERGED. Like the first two books, the first draft will be serialized on my Patreon. However, I don’t intend to start it until September or October of this year (as I want to finish PROJECT CASTLE, INVISIBLE MONSTERS, and DEAD AIR in between. All of those are nearing completion. I need about a month for each to wrap them up). So, what will be serialized on Patreon in the meantime? BENEATH THE LOST LEVEL and possibly a western novel called THE LAST STAND. Once those are put to bed, I’ll start on FRACTURED.
The Labyrinth Books 4 through 7
I have it in my head that this is a seven book series. It may end up being five or six. It depends on where my muse goes and how my health goes. Regardless, there will at the very least be a Book 4 and a Book 5.
RECOMMENDED READING LIST
New readers often ask me where to start, and I always answer “Wherever you like”. Yes, all of my work takes place in a shared universe, but — much like Marvel and DC Comics of old — I have always endeavored to make sure that not having knowledge of one book doesn’t negatively impact your enjoyment of a different book.
However, for something like THE LABYRINTH series, I can understand why folks want to come in armed. So, here is a list of the core things you should read. Understand, you don’t have to read any of these first, but it is my belief that having knowledge of them will enhance your enjoyment of THE LABYRINTH series. Those core books are:
THE RISING
CITY OF THE DEAD
THE RISING: SELECTED SCENES FROM THE END OF THE WORLD
EARTHWORM GODS
EARTHWORM GODS II: DELUGE
EARTHWORM GODS: SELECTED SCENES FROM THE END OF THE WORLD
CLICKERS II
CLICKERS III
CLICKERS VS. ZOMBIES
DARK HOLLOW
GHOST WALK
THE COMPLEX
DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN
BLOOD ON THE PAGE: THE COMPLETE SHORT FICTION OF BRIAN KEENE 1
ALL DARK, ALL THE TIME: THE COMPLETE SHORT FICTION OF BRIAN KEENE 2
LOVE LETTERS FROM A NIHILIST: THE COMPLETE SHORT FICTION OF BRIAN KEENE 3
All of those books are available here.
As I said, those are what I consider the core. Other books tie in — THE CAGE, for example, features a villain who will appear in a future volume, and TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME and WHITE FIRE both give some back story on the angels — but I don’t consider them core.
So, I think and hope that answers the most frequently asked questions I’ve been getting about this. Thanks for the support. Now, let’s all check out this beautiful cover to THE SEVEN by artist Ben Baldwin!
