And Next . . .?
Since the fourth book in the series was published, I've been receiving e-mails from readers asking about the future of the series. The answer to this is twofold, and internally contradictory. Yes, there's more to the universe; and no, my publisher – Tor – is not presently interested in seeing it appear. This is a business decision: I hold the highest regard for Tor Books and for the people who helped foster my career, and I don't think they have any regrets at publishing the four books that appear above.
But these are some of the comments I've received over the last four years (email addresses removed for privacy):
11/27/05....and I think it [The Dark Crusade] is the best of the series, a great conclusion, although I hope there is more to come from this wonderful series. What can we look forward to next?
01/17/06
Congratulations on completing the first Dark Wing universe series. The Dark Crusade grabbed my attention and held it like the previous three had and was a very good read. I especially enjoyed how pieces of the Qu'u legend appeared in the flight of Ch'en'ya, even though it was not directly commented on as Laperriere's was. You handled interstellar war and battles in space extremely well, even keeping a good timescale for maneuvering in battles that span a solar system. As an aspiring writer, I have run into problems with naval battles before and am amazed (and not a small bit jealous) that you captured it so well in your first series. I look forward to any continuation of the Dark Wing series and finding out what happens to the Solar Empire in the wake of The Dark Crusade. Can I expect a second series in the Dark Wing universe to also be through TOR?
11/05/06
I would just like to pass along my appreciation of your series and to urge you to complete your latest book as soon as possible. Good luck and I'm sure that it will be well received
11/19/06Mr. Hunt,
I loved all four of your Dark books.11/20/06
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading the Dark Wing series and I look forward to your next book.
01/29/07
I enjoyed the series.
Darn - was hoping to see how the saga wraps up (more on the colored bands, the vuhl, what Garrett does, who Stone really is [personification of the purple band? employee of one of the bands?], ...).
03/07/07
I met you at a book fair somewhere west of Asheville, NC, where I bought your first book. I subsequently bought the series and read it.
You left a lot of loose strings hanging at the end of the 4th book, which makes me think there may be a 5th. Is that correct? And if so, do you have a target date?05/03/07
I recently completed reading your Dark Wing series. It was captivating. As a sci-fi reader since the age of 13? which means
the past 30 years!!!! I very much enjoyed your works.05/09/07
So far I have read your four books form this area, Dark Wing, Dark Path, Dark Ascent and Dark Crusade. At the end of Dark Crusade some loose ends were left so I thought to ask when your next book in this series is going to be available.
05/15/07
Any word on when you might follow up on Dark Crusade.
05/16/07
where is the next Dark Wing book? I seem to be left hanging.
08/17/07; 01/31/08
I am currently reading the third book in the series and I just wanted to write to you saying how much I have enjoyed the series up to this point.
I came across your books when I killing time in Borders one day. To be honest I saw the cover of you book and it made me think of a tv show that I used to watch and liked quite a bit, the show is Babylon 5.
Well thank you for writing a good series that is a joy to read.
. . .
I just finished the Dark Crusade and I absolutely loved it. I found my[self] really hating blazing star by the end, I think that is a great job in that invoked such a feeling.
I can not wait for the next book in this series. The day it comes out I will buy it.
12/04/07
I was wondering if a fifth Dark Wing novel was planned/ being written. No offense, but it's kinda an open-ended stop. Perhaps that was the plan, I don't know. Still, myself and some others would really like to see the conclusions. Who are the mysterious bands of light? They don't seem to be II, because their doings were a mystery to them, too. Who are Stone's employers? (Aside from the colored lights) I guess that's a redundant question, then. And also, what will they do to the Empire?
12/08/07
I have just completed The Dark Crusade and I am compelled to write to you two accounts:
1. I thoroughly enjoyed all four novels. I seldom agree with the reviews and comments used to promote books, but in this instance, I have to concur that your series ranks up there with my favourite authors of space operas.
2. There just HAS to be at least one more title in the series! JAckie has to return from neyond the Rim to prevent the second Empire-Zin war.. . .
Thank you for your reply. (ZOR of course!) I would be delighted to have my name added to your mailing list. I will do all that I can to promote your books (The Dark series in particular) in hopes that TOR will reconsider their option to publish a fifth (or possibly more) volume in the face of incresed demand. Would it help for me (and others) to email them with such a request? If so, I am happy to do so.
03/23/08
I just finished Dark Crusade. I gotta say the ending is somehow unsatisfactory. What caused the Rip to close? What happend to those on the wrong side of the Rip? Who/what were the color bands of light? It almost begs for another volume to answer these questions. Who is Stone?
08/26/08
I HAVE READ ALL FOUR OF THE CURRENT DARK SERIES BOOKS AND AT THE END OF DARK CRUSADE IT LEFT QUESTIONS UNANSWERED. WILL THERE BE MORE BOOKS TO THIS SERIES?
09/01/08
at first sorry for my bad english, but i´m from germany and i´m not very practiced in using it. i only wanted to say how much i´ve enjoyed reading your books. i´ve bought The Dark Crusade a few days ago and i must say that i´m as fascinates as the first time i´ve read The Dark Wing. i sincerely hope that you´ll write a lot more books in the "dark wing universe". it´s one of the beste science fiction novel´s i´ve ever read and i love the combination of mystic and science fiction in the hole storyline. i love fascinating charakters like "mr. stone" and "jackie" and i like to know more about "the or" and this "rainbow-color-band-linke thing". ;-)
thanks for hours of following a fascinating story and i hope to read a lot more in the future.
Each of the queries I've received has been answered with a personal reply. Some of these folks have sent e-mails or letters to Tor asking for more in the series. If you'd like to see more in this series, please send them a note – but the best way for me to get their attention is by better sales of the existing books.
To everyone who has taken the time to write me a note or come up to me at a convention and tell me what they thought, you have my sincere and heartfelt thanks.
