David Guymer's Blog - Posts Tagged "gotrek-and-felix"

That's right big axe lovers, Kinslayer is due out in September and my author copies are in. Four of these hefty hardbacks is just too much for any one shelf, even a dwarf-made one of sound Karaz-a-Karak stone, so I'm hoping to get shot of at least one before the release date. Boring scheduling reasons mean that I can't send them out before September, but you'll still be getting yourself a signed (and free!) copy of Kinslayer a good day or so before those elf-loving fools who didn't put in the effort to win a competition.

So what do you have to do?

The sharpe-eyed will have noted from the cover that Kinslayer is 'Book I of the Doom of Gotrek Gurnisson.' What that ominous title means for our heroic duo is something that you'll have to wait to find out, but the endlessly debated question of Gotrek's doom will make up our competition.

I want to know which heavyweight from the sprawling Warhammer world or the pages of Black Library you would most love to see have a crack at Gotrek. How would it go? Could they win, and if so how?

Tweet me @WarlordGuymer or add your suggestion to the thread I'm about to set up on my facebook author page (https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Dav... the most brilliant, funny or bang to rights awesome will win themselves a book. If there's enough interest then I may even give away two books, so spread the word! Also, while this skaven would never condone cheating in other people, I'm not about to start cross-referening entrants on twitter with entrants on facebook, so hey, it can't hurt to vote twice.

Who do you want to see fight Gotrek and what would be the outcome? - Go!!

It’s always reassuring to find out that even in this, the age of the ebook, people will still go to great lengths for a free piece of former tree. The insane genius behind the respectable front of Black Librarium went so far as to write a short story, clearly learning from my loose-lipped minions that I love Chaos Dwarfs, and even resorting to a bit of ratty flattery, appealing to my self-aggrandizing nature by describing Kinslayer as the most anticipated book of the year. Good man. I was offered a kidney (what just one?), but as I will put into writing on my website at the next opportunity – not until I have independent medical verification of a blood-type match. I was also greatly tickled by the suggestion that Gotrek should perish while checking Felix’s poorly made shelf.

Nearly, man. So, so nearly.

But the winner, or should I say winners, are…

Drum roll…

Kay Mansfield for Gotrek v Malekith. This has badass tattooed all over its straining biceps. Kay wasn’t the only person to call on the Witch King to bring on the pain, but I liked the plot bonus of Gotrek teaming up with Teclis again to fight him. Characterful in every way. Free book for you, Kay!

The runner up, landing themselves an identical but, you know, always less shiny prize is Chris Quinn for Gotrek v Zavant Konniger. I have no idea what grudge the great detective could have against poor Gotrek, but as soon as I read it I had visions of a very different kind of Gotrek & Felix where its Felix’s wits rather than Gotrek’s axe that comes to the fore. And I liked it, so a free, but perhaps slightly grubbier and artificially scuffed book for you, Chris! Maybe I’ll smudge ink on the signature or something.

Thanks to everyone that didn’t win for amusing me over the last couple of weeks with your suggestions. I hope you’ll all still go out and get the most anticipated book of the year (good man) when it comes out in September.

Next weekend (September 23rd - 25th, I'll be taking the short drive from my East Yorkshire homelands to Fantasycon by the Sea in Scarborough. As the website explains: "Fantasycon comes to Scarborough. Celebrating the fantastic, the horrific and the awe inspiring in literature, image and film. Every year Fantasycon offers readers and writers the opportunity to come together to discover, learn and discuss fantastic fiction in all its forms. Three days of panels, talks, workshops and socialising. Bringing together the best in writing, publishing and reading. Fantasycon prides itself on its friendly members. Every year we welcome hundreds of first timers. But you are only a first timer once. Come along, meet like minded people and get the opportunity to network in the bar."

There are more writers, publishers, and agents in attending than I can pretend to know, including, as guest of honour, one of my all time favourite authors, Scott Lynch. The hotel is probably filling up fast but there are still tickets available.


Finalist for the David Gemmell Legend Award

I've made it something of a rolling New Year's resolution to attend more of this kind of event, speak to people, put my name and face out there, but I've been too busy (edit: lazy) and socially awkward to get myself down to Nineworlds or Edgelit this year or last. This time out though I have the excuse of having to represent my novel, Gotrek & Felix: Slayer, in the David Gemmell Legend Award. The awards ceremony is on the Saturday night and is free entry even for people not attending the rest of Fantasycon. Scarborough's along way from anywhere, but if you're around you should come. There's a bar.

Other than that, I'm still going to be kept pretty busy:

Saturday 24th
10:30-12:30 - A signing at GW: Scarborough with my fellow Black Library attendees, Guy Haley, Gav Thorpe, and Laurie Goulding

19:00-21:00 - The Gemmell Awards Ceremony

Sunday 25th
11:00-12:00 - An Extended reading with Black Library, Gav, Guy, Laurie and I will be giving readings and doing a brief Q&A on our current works in progress. So keep your twitter feeds updated for some tasty reveals!

14:00-15:00 - A Little's Enough, a seminar on what makes a great short story

I'm also bringing my 2 1/2 year old daughter, Rosie, along, in the hope of influencing her reading tastes early. And my girlfriend too, in the vain hope of convincing her that I have a real job. Anyone that sees us, please help me out by demonstrating how popular and in demand I am!

See you in a week!