Dungeon Crawler Carl author Dinniman posts Book 9 chapters, no release date set
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Author Matt Dinniman has posted Book 9 chapters 3-5 on Patreon, with no release date announced.
Book 9 is the first of two volumes closing the series.
Background
Matt Dinniman is the author of Dungeon Crawler Carl, a LitRPG (literary RPG — fiction built around game-style levels and stats) series. Book 8, A Parade of Horribles, came out from Ace Books in May 2026, and Dinniman has since been releasing Book 9 material in pieces on Patreon, a subscription platform where fans pay for early access. Book 9, working title The Beautiful Place, takes the Crawlers to the 12th floor and is the first of two volumes that will complete the series.
How it unfolded
- May 12, 2026Book 8, A Parade of Horribles, released from Ace Books at 704 pages, covering Floors 10-11.
- June 2026Dinniman posted Book 9's prologue on Patreon.
- July 2026At San Diego Comic-Con, Dinniman said he is writing the ending as a single book that will be released as two.
- August 2026Dinniman posted Book 9 chapters 1-2 on Patreon.
- Oct 8, 2026 -11, 2026At New York Comic Con, Dinniman said Book 9 introduces a crawler readers have not met; narrator Jeff Hays read the introduction scene.
- Oct 14, 2026Dinniman posted Book 9 chapters 3-5 plus an interlude on Patreon.
- Oct 19, 2026Book 9 still has no announced release date.
Who’s saying what
- Author
- Dinniman says the finale is 'just one book' in his mind, calls it 'easily the most difficult thing I've ever written,' and puts his writing timeline at 'still like a year out.'
- Caution
- Dinniman apologized on Patreon for delays, saying much is written but not in coherent order, with editing slowed by travel, a car accident, a move and food poisoning.
Still unverified
No Book 9 release date has been announced, and it is unclear exactly when the two closing volumes will be released.