Gav Thorpe's Blog, page 35

From the shadows…

Something is emerging.

Have a look at this teaser for one of my more secretive projects of late. Check out those gribbly nasties.

http://www.blacklibrary.com/horus-heresy/Ravenlord.html

Corax’s past starts to catch up with him. Remember to place your reminder for this Limited Edition release.

Hugo Award Nomination

I suspect most folks interested in this sort of thing have already read and/ or written just about enough concerning the Hugo Awards ceremony nonsense and ill-favoured nominees. Rest easy, people, this is something completely different. This is a simple congratulations message. No politics here, move along.

I would like to say a big thank you and a hearty congratulations to Justin Landon (of Staffer’s Book Review) and Jared Shurin (from the Pornokitsch website), both editors at Jurassic London, for making to the Hugo shortlist for Best Related Work with their essay collection Speculative Fiction 2012. The congratulations are self-explanatory I hope, and the thanks is due to the inclusion of one of my blog posts in this impressive collection.

I don’t know if that means I can claim to be a Hugo Award nominee now, but I suspect not. To assuage my jealousy here is a photo of a cup I was awarded in the Cub Scouts when I was eight years old.

Being ‘Super Cub’ granted me special powers of tent-erecting and bob-a-jobbing.

 

Foolish Interview Begins

Starting to day is a multi-part interview with the Fools Daily podcast, in which I talk about leaving Games Workshop, writing, dealing with criticism, superfans and many other diverse and interesting topics. Go and have a listen, they are nice bitesize episodes.

Also, check out the back episode list, lots of great gaming news and views, as well as an interview with Rick Priestley, creator of Warhammer and many other things beside.

Follow them on Twitter for the latest updates https://twitter.com/fools_daily

BSFG – a Report

So, BSFG doesn’t stand for Big Silly Fluff Guppy (and not to be confused with Bangladesh Sports Federation of Georgia), but the Birmingham Science Fiction Group. This venerable organisation has been running since the early Seventies and has an impressive list of previous speakers, so it was with honour and some trepidation that I appeared at their latest gathering last Friday (after receiving an invitation, obviously). I gave a talk about the ins and outs of writing tie-in fiction; the creative and commercial pros and cons involved thereof in comparison to penning original genre fiction.

It seems to have gone down well, and I would like to thank everybody that came along and listened, and to also say thank you for the comments and conversation afterwards. In particular my gratitude goes to Dave Corby for arranging it all and taking me for a nice steak beforehand, and to Vernon and Pat for ensuring everything was arranged and went smoothly on my arrival.

Special mention goes to Roger as another pleasant dinner companion, and credit to his Encyclopedic Brain of SF. Some intriguing book recommendations I hope to follow-up soon. If I get a chance to come back to the BSFG another time, I hope I am a sequel that Roger likes.

The BSFG are also involved in the Novacon event, which for 2014 takes place in Nottingham, 14-16th November. I think that there may have been clashes with the Black Library Weekender in previous years, but this year there isn’t and I hope to have a look at what’s happening – it would be churlish not to pop in considering it’s just a short drive into the city…

Again, thanks to everybody that turned up, members and guests alike, it was my pleasure to spend an evening in your company.

Brum and Brummer: upcoming event

This Friday, 11th April 2014, I have been invited to the Birmingham Science Fiction Group. I will be giving a talk looking at the ups and downs of writing tie-in compared with ‘original’ genre fiction, and holding a Q&A. I’m quite excited by this, I’ve done panels, workshops and interviews but never a talk. I may resort to using glove puppets.

The Black Library – Raven’s Flight Enhanced Audio Edition

The Black Library – Raven’s Flight Enhanced Audio Edition.

Guest Post at The Shellcase

I’ve written a guest post for the gaming blog over at The Shellcase site.

Thanks also to my friend Carl Brown for some suggestions, check out his blog at A Thousand Hats.

The Crown of the Blood goes Audio

Ullsaard. Looking mean, staying keen.

Sixteen hours of commuting to do? Or perhaps a bit of entertainment during the next few painting sessions?

I am very happy to announce that The Crown of the Blood is now available to download from Audible. This unabridged audiobook clocks in at less than $2 an hour, which makes it better value than a movie, even from this modern t’internet thingy. Plus it has giant cats in it, which most movies don’t. If you’re already a  member, why not make this your book of the month for even better value? And if that doesn’t tempt you and you’re not a member of Audible yet you can get it for free by starting a one-month trial! I challenge anyone to find more hard bastards riding giant cats for that kind of outlay.

Not sure? Here’s what some reviews have said:

“I tore through The Crown of the Blood in one long sitting… This is a properly high fantasy world – rock people, dark sorcery, landships, riding panthers and (of course) dinosaurs – but all of it is introduced naturally and casually… his book is hairy, gory, sweaty, shameless… and perhaps even a little bit thoughtful.”

- Pornokitsch

 

“there’s plenty to keep you turning the pages… An intriguing ending promises something different for book two”

- SFX Magazine

 

“The Crown of the Blood should really have a warning sticker on the front (Angry Robots take note) it’s one of those books that are almost impossible to put down, so much so that you find yourself unconsciously continuing to (try to) read after getting up to make a brew / go to work / go to bed (delete as applicable and don’t try this at home kids). The novel also stands out with a very strong opening scene and excellent end, with a genuinely unexpected twist.”

- SFBook.com

 

“Fantastic characterisation, intriguing world-building and an ending that makes your jaw drop, The Crown of the Blood is an excellent novel that is a must-read for any fantasy fan.”

- Shadowhawk at The Founding Fields

Listening to the extract, it’s plain that Paul Thornley has done a great job. Having performed readings of this opening chapter myself, I instantly regretted calling the otherworldly beings the eulanui, and even more that one has the near-unpronounceable title of huoyakuitaka, but Paul pulls it off with aplomb (though I suspect he may have read that and cursed my name).

“This is one of Thorpe’s best novels. The setting and story are well thought out and are remarkably logical for a fantasy novel. If you enjoy military or historical fiction, you will enjoy The Crown of the Blood. Action, intrigue, conquest, and charismatic generals are waiting for you here!”

- James Atlantic Speaks

 

“The Crown of the Blood (Gav Thorpe) is an old-fashioned sword and sorcery romp. There’s not a great deal of sorcery, but there’s lots of fighting and plotting and planning to conquer… it’s a fun book. This book is for readers who want a blast from the past; who want their hour of adventure in a strange world.”

- Gillian Polack

 

“This is an absolutely fantastic novel; I recommend it.”

- Daniel’s Thoughts

A Live and Kicking Event

And who is that handsome chappy? Why, it’s Malekith.

Five years ago the first Black Library Live! event (the ! was essential back then) took place at Warhammer World at Games Workshop’s headquarters in Nottingham. This Saturday sees the latest such gathering, and a timely but brief look at why I really love these events.

For the general public it might be difficult to appreciate the importance of that first Black Library Live! For many previous years, Games Workshop events had been geared towards gaming and miniatures. There was always Games Day, a celebration of all things GW-related, but other events were tournaments, campaign weekends, painting competitions, modelling workshops and the like. When BL Live! came around, and sold out in good time, it showed that the fiction of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 could hold its own as part of the bigger Games Workshop offer.

That first BL Live! was something special. It had a very different feel to the Black Library stand at Games Day. There was a genuine sense of community, of creators and fans sharing and enjoying the event equally. I don’t think any of us had known what to expect, but the sincere enthusiasm of the fans gave us a day that flew by, leaving me with a warm glow by the time I headed home.

This social aspect has been the hallmark of Black Library events going forward. There are the pre-releases, the chapbooks, the special editions, the posters, t-shirts, underpants and whatever other exclusive materials are available; there’s the chance to get stuff signed and quiz your favourite authors. Most of all these events give readers of the Black Library the opportunity to come together with each other. The pre-event games and meets in Bugman’s, the conversations in the seminar queue and the debates over lunch, and the post-event wind down with a drink or two are every bit as important to many folks as the scheduled signings and seminars.

The Weekender and Horus Heresy Weekender have taken that one stage further by adding a residential aspect to the socialising. The Saturday night fun, and games and the chats in the wee hours of the morning, as well as bleary-eyed conversations over Sunday breakfast,  are an essential component to the success of these gatherings.

And as an author I take great pleasure in meeting up with the other Black Library writers and artists and staff. The sense of community that pervades the fans is also there amongst us creative types. It is lovely to catch up with well-known acquaintances and to welcome new faces. The banter in the ‘green room’ is as lively as any badinage during the seminars, which while not wholly unique to Black Library is something different to other conventions I’ve attended. It feels as much like a family get together – especially when the some of the authors bring their next generation with them – as it does a work outing.

As usual the Black Library are keeping me busy all day, so here’s my schedule for those that want to do a bit of planning:

10:00 Guardian of the Unforgiven Q&A (Seminar 2 – 50 minutes)

Let’s talk Dark Angels, including perhaps a few titbits about what to expect from Master of Sanctity and the First Legion in the Horus Heresy. They’ve put me up against Graham McNeill’s one-on-one in this time slot, so I expect all of you to choose me over him. I will take it personally if you don’t. I mean, my reputation has already been tarred  by being put in the smaller seminar room, but it’s limited to 40 tickets which you’ll have to pre-book on the day, so it’ll be more exclusive than  McNeill’s free-for-all scrum.

11:00 The Sound and the Fury Audio Q&A (Seminar 2 – 50 minutes)~

Black Library audios are one of the biggest success stories in recent years, so come and see what we’ve got planned in the coming months. I think I’m doing this with a Smiley Frenchman. Did I hear that right?

12:00 Lunch

Mmm, sandwiches and pop. You’ll have to get your own.

13:00 signing in Sales Area (50 minutes)

You bring it, I’ll sign it. This might be a good chance to talk about Warhammer-related reading.

14:00 The Remembrancers Speak (Seminar 1 – 50 minutes)

The Horus Heresy. To be honest, Dan Abnett is not around this year so the rest of us might get a chance to answer some of your questions… (Love you , Dan x)

15:00 signing in Sales Area (50 minutes)

Except live animals and children. Never work with children and animals.

17:00 Closing Ceremony

I suspect some kind of flag lowering and musical act will be involved.

And if you want to see more BL at events, check out their page here: http://www.blacklibrary.com/Events/events-calendar.html

Hello 2014!

2013 ended on the best note possible, the arrival of our Son Samuel, and so the early weeks of 2014 have been a whirlwind of nappies, sleeplessness and many moments of sublime cuteness [I have objective evidence that little Sammy rates a 9.8 on the fluffy-puppy-squeezability scale]. Blog updates were not exactly coming thick and fast before then (for reasons, read on) and I think it’s safe to say that it’s going to take a while for things to settle down.

So I’ve grabbed a moment just to let you in on what’s happening in case I don’t get another chance in a while.

Already pondering the big questions:
Marvel or DC? 40K or Warhammer? Kirk or Picard? 6mm Ancients or 10mm Napoleonic?

Shortly after Samuel made his debut, I also received a nice couple of parcels in the form of the Sails of Glory game that I backed on Kickstarter. I’ve always wanted to do age-of-Nelson naval gaming and with a slick combat system, pre-painted models and a following wind this will hopefully see the light of day soon. Soonish. The production is fantastic (unlike my photography skills) and I’m sure the gameplay will be of the same quality. When I get a chance to play I’ll post my thoughts or maybe even a battle report.

Other Kickstarter-related goodies to look forward to in 2014 include Cthulu Wars, The King’s Armory and Machina Arcana. So far.

Beat to quarters!
Though overshadowed by another delivery a few days earlier, an exciting arrival nonetheless.

Just before Christmas I sent Black Library the first draft of my next Time of Legends novel. Entitled Doom of Dragonback, it takes a look at the ancient ancestors of the Bugman family, and dramatic events in the mines of Ekrund in the opening years of the Goblin Wars. Its been great fun to get back to the Dwarfs; keep a look out for more information, extracts and whatnot later in the year.

I’ve also been working on some short fiction, including a story called Rise of the Secret King for the second Raus! Untoten! anthology from Fringeworks. I’m putting together a one-off fantasy short that I hope will make an appearance in a follow-up Legends anthology from Newcon Press. Edited by the absolutely grand Ian Whates, I’ve really enjoyed the first collection and I think my contribution to the second volume will be a fitting homage to an author that had a huge influence on me when I was younger. (Just after I wrote my first ever short story – Birth of  Legend – I attended a David Gemmell signing of at Nottingham Waterstone’s. I was going to mention my own authorial debut but chickened out, a moment I keep in mind every time I’m on the other side of the table these days.)

There will be plenty of Black Library stuff,  of course, including the release of Master of Sanctity, book two in the Legacy of Caliban series. And more Horus Heresy fun, both in print and audio, as well as some exciting Warhammer work that will be announced later in the year. And I should – bearing in mind the reaction to the first HH graphic novel Macragge’s Honour – be working on the script for a second title, returning to the cataclysmic events on Prospero…

There will also be some games design stuff thrown in – the release of Open Combat, a skirmish game I’ve been helping a friend with (when he can get it finished), and maybe even a Kickstarter project or two if I can get organised. There will also be another pretty durn big announcement of a different kind that currently an NDA and army of lawyers prevents me talking about, but let’s just say I had a great time last summer doing some world-building stuff for a big project with an exceptionally talented group of individuals working at a rather major company.

And I’m hoping to complete the first draft of my next non-Warhammer novel, the first of an exciting, open-ended venture.

Oh, and there’ll be the whole raising a son thing too…

Let’s rock on, 2014!