News from Publishers Weekly: Three new Dune novels by Brian Herbert (son of Frank) and Kevin J. Anderson are on the way, backed by a seven-figure advance The titles are Jessica of Dune, Irulan of Dune and Leto of Dune.

I'm a huge fan of the original Dune, as we discussed in our Wednesday list of great science fiction. And I agree with commenters Pat and Matt that none of the sequels I've read has matched the grandeur of the original.

So while the Herbert/Anderson publishing machine is at it, why not churn out another book: Dave of Dune. Plot summary: An editor at The Sun, in a Natty Boh-induced trance (similar to melange), collides with a CSX train hauling 200 boxcars of Ultra Clutch aerosol hairspray. The ensuing mushroom cloud of mist rips a huge hole in the ozone layer. As the planet warms, crops turn to dust, huge insects roam Earth and the sands from both coasts threaten to reach Chicago. But Dave lassos a giant dragonfly and sews up the hole in the ozone layer, saving the planet from becoming another Arrakis. Throw in some conniving relatives, a warring empire or two, and could it be any worse than the other sequels?