In November 2009, during a reading at the Canon Theatre in Toronto, King described to the audience an idea for a sequel to The Shining. The idea was prompted by the occasional person asking, "Whatever happened to Danny?"[16] The story would follow Danny Torrance, now in his 40s, living in New Hampshire, where he works as an orderly at a hospice where he uses his powers to support terminally ill patients in their passing away.[17] Later, on December 1, King posted a poll on his official website, asking visitors to vote for which book he should write next, Doctor Sleep or the next Dark Tower novel:
I mentioned two potential projects while I was on the road, one a new Mid-World book (not directly about Roland Deschain, but yes, he and his friend Cuthbert are in it, hunting a skin-man, which are what werewolves are called in that lost kingdom) and a sequel to The Shining called Doctor Sleep. Are you interested in reading either of these? If so, which one turns your dials more? [We] will be counting your votes (and of course it all means nothing if the muse doesn't speak).[18]
Voting ended on December 31, and it was revealed that Doctor Sleep received 5,861 votes, while The Wind Through the Keyhole received 5,812.[19] In Doctor Sleep, published in September 2013, the plot includes a traveling group of psychic vampires called The True Knot.[20][21]
