The Dark Crystal Returns!

The Jim Henson Company has just announced a call for submissions for a new young adult book series based on the pivotal 1982 film that was a masterwork of puppetry, animatronics, and fantasy world building. Cheryl Henson, daughter of director Jim Henson, has founded a new website at darkcrystal.com, which is currently serving as the central hub for "Author Quest" - a clearing house for information regarding the new project.




All writers - both professional and "aspiring" - are encouraged to submit an original short story or treatment of 7500 to 10,000 words based on materials provided on the site, and knowledge of the Dark Crystal world. Submissions will be accepted from October 1st to December 31st, with the winner contracted to pen a 50,000 novel (the prize being valued at $10,000). Visit the site for the official rules.




At the moment you can download a PDF designed to give potential authors some additional background information on the story world and its primary characters. The series will be a "prequel" set roughly a hundred years after the cracking of the crystal - between the Second Great Conjunction and the creation of the Wall of Destiny. This, of course, means that there will be many Gelflings still around - seven clans, in fact, each with their own specific qualities. Moreover, the divergence between the Skeksis and the Mystics will not be as prominent, or their connection known to the general populace. The Mystics, in fact, are said to be "missing," having withdrawn to the caves of the hidden valley, leaving the Skeksis to rule by deception and terror.




Interestingly, there has already been a graphic novel series set in this time period, but it was not successful. Legends of the Dark Crystal  was a manga trilogy that first appeared in 2007, but was cancelled after the second installment. I haven't read it, but apparently no one else did either (although the few reviews it has on Amazon are good). However, last year the first two parts of another comic prequel,  The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths , was released, with art by Brian Froud and others, and I own both of those, being a huge Froud fan. I highly recommend these as resource tools for anyone who might be interested in attacking this new project, as they provide a wealth of insight into the background of the story world.




Another essential reference is The World of the Dark Crystal, an encyclopedic compendium of info about the Dark Crystal world (and a finalist for the non-fiction Hugo Award), including many sketches and watercolors by Brian Froud, as well as essays on the various lands and their occupants. First published in 1982 to coincide with the original film release, there is now a collector's edition, released in 2003, that includes a reproduction of the original concept treatment used to pitch the story to financial backers. Given the success of that pitch, it would behoove potential authors of the new series to study it carefully.



I would actually love to write this story. It's a wonderfully rich world with enormous potential, and I can only hope the chosen author does it justice. One can only hope a sequel film will be forthcoming if the novel is well done. A new Dark Crystal film using today's technology could truly be amazing, particularly given how "dark" film stories have become of late. When the original film came out in 1982 it was only moderately successful, due in large part to the fact that many parents were afraid of these new "evil Muppets." But with the current spate of "Gothic" novels and movies a film like this would fit right in.



Best of luck to all who enter. I can't wait to read your story!