The Witcher is going through a peculiar moment. While the video games and the Netflix series are starting to move away from Geralt of Rivia to focus on other characters, its literary creator has decided to take the opposite path. Andrzej Sapkowski has confirmed that he is working on a new book and that the witcher will once again be the absolute protagonist.
The announcement comes at a key moment for the franchise. CD Projekt Red is currently developing The Witcher 4, a video game that will put the spotlight on Ciri and won't arrive before 2028. Netflix, meanwhile, is preparing the fifth and final season of its series, with Liam Hemsworth in the role of Geralt, expected in 2027.
Amid this widespread shift toward other characters, Sapkowski makes it clear that Geralt still has stories left to tell on the page.
Sapkowski Is Already Writing the Next The Witcher Book
The Polish writer revealed the news during his appearance at Copernicon, the fantasy convention held in Toruń, Poland. The information was initially gathered by the fan site Wiedźminlandia and later reported by the specialized outlet Redanian Intelligence.
As he explained, this is not a project still in the idea stage, but a manuscript that is already underway. Sapkowski is actively writing this new novel with a specific timeline goal: finishing it sometime during 2027.
That doesn't automatically mean publication will arrive that same year, but it does allow for an approximate window to be set for Geralt's return to bookstores.
If the author's plans hold, Polish readers could have the novel in their hands between late 2027 and early 2028. The English version, if it follows a process similar to his previous publication, would likely arrive later.
Geralt Will Remain at the Center of the Story
One of the most talked-about aspects of the announcement concerns who will star in this new literary chapter. During the event, Sapkowski was asked whether he would consider building a novel around another character from the universe, specifically mentioning Yennefer of Vengerberg as a possible option.
The author didn't show much interest in that alternative.
According to reports from the convention, Sapkowski ruled out that possibility, not finding enough reasons to develop it. His next project thus keeps Geralt of Rivia as the narrative center, right as other adaptations of the saga move in the opposite direction.
The contrast is clear: while The Witcher 4 hands the spotlight to Ciri, its original creator continues finding new stories for the character who started the entire phenomenon.
The Precedent: A Recent Return to Geralt’s Past
This announcement doesn't stand alone. Sapkowski had already returned to the character with Crossroads of Ravens, a novel published in Poland in late 2024, with its English edition arriving in September 2025.
That book was set at an early point in the timeline, showing a teenage Geralt freshly out of Kaer Morhen, still figuring out his place in the world while facing some of his first assignments as a witcher.
For now, Sapkowski hasn't revealed at what point in the timeline this new novel will be set, so it cannot be assumed that it directly continues the plot of Crossroads of Ravens.
There is, however, a hint about his willingness to keep exploring the character's early years. When previously asked by IGN about the possibility of writing more prequels centered on Geralt's youth, the author gave a brief but telling response: "Sky is the limit."
Sapkowski Is Also Thinking About Short Stories
The Witcher's literary future might not be limited solely to this new novel. In that same interview with IGN, Sapkowski said he is also considering writing new short stories.
This possibility carries special symbolic weight given the saga's origin: The Witcher was born precisely as a short story, published in the magazine Fantastyka in 1986.
The author himself admits, however, that this format has its own difficulties. "It's not easy to create a good short story. It's much harder than writing a novel," Sapkowski explained.
The recent publication pace also adds context to this announcement. Fourteen years passed between The Lady of the Lake and Season of Storms, and another eleven had to go by before Crossroads of Ravens arrived in Poland. If Sapkowski manages to complete this new project in 2027, it would be one of his fastest returns to the saga in several decades.
That detail is especially striking given the current context. While video games and television are shaping a future for The Witcher that may not need Geralt as the main protagonist, his creator still doesn't seem ready to close that story. It remains to be seen which stage of the witcher's life he'll choose to explore this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new The Witcher book be published?
Andrzej Sapkowski aims to finish the manuscript sometime during 2027. This doesn't guarantee an exact publication date, but it suggests the Polish edition could arrive between late 2027 and early 2028.
Who will be the protagonist of the new book?
Geralt of Rivia will once again be the central character of the story. Sapkowski ruled out centering the novel on another character, such as Yennefer of Vengerberg, not considering it necessary.
Does the new book continue the story of Crossroads of Ravens?
This has not been confirmed at this time. Sapkowski hasn't revealed at what point in the timeline this new novel is set, so it cannot be assumed that it directly continues the events narrated in Crossroads of Ravens.
What relationship does this announcement have with The Witcher 4 and the Netflix series?
The announcement comes as CD Projekt Red develops The Witcher 4, focused on Ciri and expected in 2028, and Netflix prepares the fifth and final season of its series, with Liam Hemsworth, for 2027. In both cases, the focus is shifting away from Geralt, which contrasts with Sapkowski's decision.
Is Sapkowski also planning to write short stories?
Yes. The author has mentioned that he is considering the possibility of writing new short stories, though he acknowledges that this format is more difficult to work with than a full-length novel.
