And A Good Time Was Had By All

Well, just recovering after the fantastic event that was Black Library Live! 2012. The best year so far, by my reckoning. Here are a few things that I really enjoyed – in no particular order:


-The smooth operation of the entire event. Hats off and deep thanks to all the Black Library crew who ensured that everything ran like clockwork.

-Meeting so many people and signing so many books. It’s a personal best for me. I really loved talking to everyone on the day. Thanks for asking me to add a few more words in the front of your books! Such a fantastic group of people – interesting, passionate about their reading and an absolute pleasure to meet.

-The Seminars: I enjoyed these a great deal. All three were really interesting and benefitted from a wealth of great questions from the audience. I hope I was even half as interesting back! Would do these again in a heartbeat!

- Spending time with the Black Library authors and artists. Always a pleasure. We should meet up more often. A big ‘Nice to see you again’ to Sarah Cawkwell, Graham McNeill, Gav Thorpe, Nick Kyme, Christian Dunn, Andy Smillie, William King, Josh Reynolds, John French, Andy Chambers and Neil Roberts.

-Work is always a pleasure and never a chore at BL and so between signings and seminars it was great crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s with Laurie Goulding and Graeme Lyon on a few projects.

-Meeting both new and old friends in the bar afterwards! I had a great time shooting the breeze with the people that make Black Library Live really come to life. I enjoyed meeting all of you! Particular shout outs go to some of the Bolt Hole crew: Xisor, Squiggle and Schaferwhat‽ (with whom I put the world to rights over a pint of Bugmans), Narrativium and Shadowhawk (who does not let oceans and continents come between him and an excellent event!). Internet monikers have been used to protect the innocent. I also shouldn’t forget Phil ‘You didn’t forget me’ Thorogood. Don’t worry, Phil – you are unforgettable. There were others – but I can’t put all the monikers to faces – but know that I enjoyed meeting you too! Oh yes – Reds8n, thanks for the Dakka-dice! When asked to do something, I can genuinely no longer say, ‘No dice...’ If I've missed anyone out - feel free to embarrass me in the Comments. I really wish I could have spent more time with those that came to the event. I look forward to next time!


Well, it’s now back to work for me. The keyboard is calling and I have a bunch of cool new projects to get into.

Black Library Live! 2012... Bring It!

I am really excited about Black Library Live! 2012. For those who aren't aware, Black Library Live! is an annual event celebrating Black Library novels and their authors. It's in its fourth successful year and Black Library Live! 2012 takes place on Saturday 3rd March at Warhammer World in Nottingham. A range of Black Library authors, artists and editors will be in attendance - as indicated below. I'm looking forward to seeing the noble ranks of the Black Library loyal readership - who are always a joy to meet - and perhaps signing some books while I'm at it. I have several signing sessions during the day and will, of course, be jazzed to sign any of my novels, anthologies or limited releases. My two most recent books, my Space Marine Battles novel Legion of the Damned and the Horus Heresy novella anthology The Primarchs will both be available to buy months earlier than their print release date. You're welcome to bring them along and shoot the breeze while I scribble away.



I'm also fortunate enough to have been invited to sit on the panels of three different seminars during the day. These are indicated below and if you attend I'll try my best to answer questions and not ruin the Warhammer universes for you. I look forward to seeing you.

Black Library Live! 2012 Schedule

Celebrations and Appellations

Happy Birthday, Warhammer! Indeed, Warhammer has reached the grand old age of 25 – which isn’t half bad for a gaming and fiction milieu. It can now legally drink, smoke, drive, impregnate another fantastical universe and marry without our consent (but hopefully not in that order). Past and present devotees are celebrating in different ways. Parent company Games Workshop, for example, held a huge party across its hobby centres – staging timed tabletop battles, painting competitions and releasing limited edition miniatures to mark the occasion.

Warhammer has brought me a great deal of entertainments and enjoyment – both as gamer and author – over those 25 years. I was fortunate enough to spend the celebrations at Warhammer World in Nottingham, where I was signing copies of Legion of the Damned and The Primarchs for eager readers. I was in good company. My Black Library colleagues Graham McNeill and Andy Smillie were also in attendance, signing copies of Iron Warriors: The Omnibus and Gotrek and Felix: The Anthology, respectively. The blogs of both authors can be found on the side bar.

I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who bought and brought books for me to sign. It was brilliant to meet you and chat. Particular highlights for me were an opportunity to sign my entire back catalogue - short stories, limited editions and all - and the opportunity to see fantastic miniature renditions of Bronislaw Czevak and his Inquisitorial retinue from Atlas Infernal, created by one of the competing gaming groups. (Guys – if you are reading this, the photo I took with my iphone is terrible and doesn’t do your work justice, so I won’t post it yet. If you can contact me through the blog and send me another, I’d really appreciate it, because I was seriously impressed!) I’d also like to say thank you to Eddie at GW for all the organising. Cheers!

Signed in Blood

I will be signing copies of my new Space Marine Battles novel Legion of the Damned at the Black Library stand during the 'Warhammer 40,000 Doubles Event' in Warhammer World on Saturday 25th February (this weekend, for people like me who try to live their lives without a calendar). I will be there from midday, so feel free to drop by. See you there! The fantastic Graham McNeill will also be signing copies of Iron Warriors: The Omnibus and pre-release copies of his new audio drama, Eye of Vengeance.

I am also looking forward to meeting people at Black Library Live! 2012, that takes place on Saturday 3rd March – more of that later. Also, don’t forget the newest of Black Library’s events – the Black Library Weekender 2012, which takes place on Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of November at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel. Check out the website for further details and to purchase tickets for this great new event.

I am reliably informed that I can’t actually sign books in blood – mine, your own or your enemy’s – at the above events. Something about Health and Safety regulations...Who knew?