The time has come for …
Secret Project # 3
Alright, everyone …
Today, I’m announcing the title and revealing the first section of Secret Project Number THREE!!!
Monumental moment.
But, I want to let people be surprised and completely unspoiled for the books if that is the experience they want. So, if you are one of those individuals, don’t worry. I am going to leave a huuuuuge blank space after this introduction to prevent you from seeing anything you don’t want to see.
But for anyone who wants to dive deep into some spoilers and swim around a bit, go ahead and scroll down.
Before you get to the contents, I’ll tell you a little history behind the book.
Oh, also — if you prefer audiobooks, feel free to read the text aloud to yourself. Enjoy!
Secret Project #3 is actually Stormlight adjacent. (GASP!)
I know, I know — I said none of my books would be written in the Cosmere, but this one is and it isn’t.
This book takes place in the Lost Timeline.
The Lost Timeline is an alternate timeline that Brandon Sanderson himself created and then subsequently lost one day when he was standing in line for bubble tea and accidentally dropped his papers on the ground.
Luckily, I was standing in line behind him, and I picked them up.
In the Lost Timeline, which only exists due to a glitch in the Spider-Verse, there is a very different version of the Cosmere.
In the alternate version of Roshar, the Shattered Plains shattered into the shape of a daisy, Kaladin is depression-free thanks to yoga and a good therapist, Hoid is a beat-poet, and Shallan draws political cartoons.
Years ago, Hoid and Shallan collaborated on a poetry and art book that was published by the Kholin Press.
Secret Project #3 is that poetry and art book.
The book is called Shattered Wit
This is just a teaser of the book -- I don’t want to reveal too much, but I do want to share the very first poem.
This poem is the Lost Timeline’s version of “The Girl Who Looked Up.”
It’s called “The Axehound Who Looked Down.”
(This exclusive content appears only here on this page.)
The Axehound Who Looked Down
Did I ever tell you the story of Drude?
Drude, my dear friend, was terribly rude.
He’d yap at the cremlings, his owner, a broom,
He’d nip at all ankles that entered the room.
I often have wondered, though never asked, why
An axehound so low stuck his nose up so high.
One time when Drude was out walking himself
(for he’d whine and he’d cry leashed to anyone else)
He came to a stream that was usually dry,
But that day great currents coursed, rapiding by.
“How shall I cross this?” he wondered aloud.
He could have turned back, but Drude was too proud.
“The far side’s much nicer. It’s really not fair
To be stuck over here when I want to be there.”
An ancient-ish larkin came fluttering by
And floated up close after hearing Drude’s cry.
“The highstorm just ended,” he said, “and indeed,
If you just wait a minute, it may yet recede.”
“Waiting!” cried Drude, “I’ve no time for that!
And I’m not sitting here with a stupid, old bat.
I’ll do what I always do – show it who’s boss
And sooner than later find my way across.”
The larkin gazed down at Drude’s short little legs.
“I wouldn't advise that. Just wait ‘til it ebbs.
The depth is the problem. It’s your height but double!
The current would give you such terrible trouble.”
“Well, I’m cross and crossing. I’m on the attack!
I’ll give that dumb current some trouble right back!”
Drude squared up his shoulders and started a growl,
Then spewed forth a tirade both hostile and foul:
“You’re ugly!” Drude snapped, “You great gurgling brook!
So pathetic and not worth a chip, in my book.
Let me pass or I’ll piddle your bed! That’s a threat!”
With that he marched fiercely out into the wet.
No one is certain just what next ensued
But that was the end of the poor axehound, Drude.