Black Library 2017 News/Rumours Thread : Xmas Advent

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**reds8n**

https://twitter.com/LaurieGoulding/status/798121765058871296

**Haighus**

Ta

Very interesting.

**VeteranNoob**

Great end to the series and the number of "easter eggs" we got in there was amazing. Was painting and when a certain someone dropped an unexpected identity bomb I that...that model had to be redone.

Lovely setting up more of 40K as the creation myth of 40K starts wrapping down these next three years.

And if the next series like this in the works is age of apostacy I'll be thrilled. Worked out well, taking a sentence or two from a codex = awesome series developin the IP. But more than anything I still want, one day...my Unification Wars series!

**Alpharius**

Please list all the Easter Eggs you can - in spoiler tags, of course.

Because there's no way I'm shelling out for this series at the prices BL is asking...

Thanks!

**kronk**

I'm hoping they have either the small paper backs as a set or release a digital series discount.

Otherwise, no. I'm not shelling out my sheckles for this series. A bit too much, I'm afraid.

**Knockagh**

Damn I'm tempted to hit that spoiler button! Must resist, sounds appetising indeed.

Got delivery today of warden of the blade. Love or loathe limited editions this one is beautiful, it looks like it fell out of an inquisitors man bag or hand bag. Really beautiful book indeed. A series of books like this would be a stunning piece on any book shelf, hope the story matches the look. By a million miles the best looking limited edition so far and I have a few!

**BrookM**

It's been a bit hard to keep things spoiler free, as BL has been releasing these at a steady pace and have worked big unveils of previous novels into the synopsis of the next one.

I do quite approve of the last two easter eggs though, especially with regards to Ullanor, that's just awesome!

Still need to find the time (and a store that still sells these) and read the entire series myself. They're quite affordable and thankfully there are more good than awful authors involved in this one.

**Ratius**

Some terrific artwork on those previous pages

**reds8n**

Saw the Warden/blade special edition on FB , does indeed look lovely.

far too many pennies for me, alas.

via FB
https://www.facebook.com/WarhammerTVteam/videos/284809008580751/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED

Good news for you Black Library fans out there – even if you can't make it to our Black Library Live event next weekend, you'll be able to watch some exclusive interviews from home

**LightKing**

So after The Heresy series is set and done

do we know what BL will tackle next

The Great Crusade? The Scouring?

maybe even further back with the Unification Wars or Dark Age of Technology any hints

**BrookM**

I think there was mention of the Unification Wars and the Scouring at the very least.

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

from facebook

Warhammer TV

..

We’ll be broadcasting to you live from Black Library Live! tomorow – the first time we’ve ever live-streamed from an event like it. We're pretty excited.

The schedule for the day's video is up on the Warhammer Community website now.
So, if you have any questions for any of the authors, post them below and we'll do our best to ask them all.

PS: We've just been told that, while the event is sold out online, there will be tickets available on the door if you want to join us at Warhammer World tomorow.

**VeteranNoob**

Feeling that Age of Apostacy is coming next but I yearn for the Unification Wars still. For past two years now and I'm sticking to that hope.

**ADarke**

I predict at some point they will do the Lost Legions story. Talk about a way to print money and continue the Heresy hype.

**BrookM**

Lost Legions as in the two lost Primarchs?

That will never happen, this is something they have commented on as being something they want to remain a mystery that is only vaguely alluded to every now and again, as whatever they would invent or devise to tell the tale, it would never live up to the expectations of the community.

**Alpharius**

I'm with ADarke on this one - they'll do it eventually.

I mean, how often were we told we'd never see Primarchs on the table?

And now we've got them in 30K and soon in 40K too!

**ADarke**

Oh, I'm aware of what they've said publicly. I still firmly believe that the lure of money (and telling a good story) will eventually lead them to tell the Lost Legions story.

**Requizen**

I always thought the "Lost Legions" were just there to let people play their own chapter/legion without needing to be a successor and have a lore reason to do so? Making that story would kind of defeat the purpose if so.

**Loopstah**

Requizen wrote:
I always thought the "Lost Legions" were just there to let people play their own chapter/legion without needing to be a successor and have a lore reason to do so? Making that story would kind of defeat the purpose if so.

Unfortunately GW have ensured that by the very fact the legions are lost and all the comments made in BL books and lore mean that making a chapter based on one of the lost legions is about as fluff friendly as Angry marines or female marines i.e. impossible in the current lore. It might have originally been intended for this purpose back in the early 90's but now the universe and lore have evolved it makes no sense as a reason for keeping them mysterious.

**Knockagh**

I would love to see some lost legion tales but I think there are just too many other stories in the pipeline. When the primarchs series was first muted I had hoped they would be stories relating to their periods before their finding or their first contacts with the imperium, lost legion/primarchs could have fitted this. So far though the primarchs series doesn't have any overarching theme, just random stories. (So far one great story and one awful story)

**dubovac**

I am sorry for asking "that" question but does anyone have any idea about Dan Abnett and his work for Black Library. Is there any new novel, story etc coming from him or has he finished doing business with GW.

**LightKing**

who is Curze fighting in this image?

**BrookM**

Lion El Johnson.

**LightKing**

BrookM wrote:
Lion El Johnson.

I was thinking that was Russ for some reason..... jesus I don't know what Im thinking

Does The Lion look physically similar to Russ?

**dubovac**

Well they are "brothers" after all, they just have different hairdresser.

**LightKing**

Is Dan Abnett still with Black Library?

**BrookM**

In a very limited capacity yes, he's mostly focusing on comics and non BL writing these days.

**reds8n**

LightKing wrote:
Is Dan Abnett still with Black Library?

Yes.

Confirmed at this weekends' event.

Ghosts novel is a WiP.

it was revealed that when the main numbered Horus Heresy series ends the setting will remain and BL plans to keep publishing novels in it, but unnumbered to the main series. Like Meduson and the LE novellas, stories set in the Heresy but separate to the main storyline.

from around the web :

Horus Heresy 2017 round up

Main novels.

Though it is not eveident which number yet, there will be a novel that has the Death Guard Centre stage that features their fall to Nurgle. Confirmed by Laurie.

42. Garro by James Swallow (Release January) Is a compilation of the Garro stories edited with added material into a single narrative.

43. Unknown (At present 43 and 46 are interchangeable and will depend on which) manuscript is ready first

44. Crimson King by Graham McNeil. The follow up to A Thousand Sons. Deals with the fact Magnus may in part be injured/damaged to the point of dying. Hss psychic form shattered into shards.

45. Ruin Storm by David Annandale. It will focus on the end of Imperium Secundus. Includes the Dark Angels, Blood Angels and Ultramarines trying to breach the Ruinstorm and make way to Terra. Heavy in void fleet warfare.

46. Unknown

47. Old Earth by Nick Kyme 3rd book in the Vulkan and Salamanders arc. It will include details of Vulkans destiny as well as his origins. It will also deal in part with the fate of the Iron Hands during the heresy.

Audio

Binary Succession by David Annandale.

Dark Compliance by John French. Centres on Horus bringing an Imperium world into compliance with his new rule and about how others may be brought to heel or to side under his leadership.

Echos of Revelation by Multipul. A collection of Audio Shorts and at least 1 that will focus on the further fall of the Kakophony towards their ultimate fate as noise marines.

via the Bolthole :

Firstly a whole bunch of new releases for AoS, 40k and HH were confirmed: (This is only for releases that we didn't already know about before yesterday.)

Cult of the Warmason by C L Werner - Not sure if this is a novel or audio, but it's about the Stealers.
Calgar's Fury by Paul Kearney - Seems the SMB book was a first part in a series about Calgar. Awesome!
Jain Zar: The Storm of Silence by Gav Thorpe - Second Phoenix Lords book, really looking forward to this one and wondering if he'll address the fact that Malcharion and Talos Valcoran turned Jain into a crispy pancake last we saw her.
Daedalus by LJ Goulding - A Scythes of the Emperor audio that is based around aerial combat, seems like LJ is really bringing these guys to the fore with their first proper novel and an audio to support it.
Echoes of Revelation - A collection of short audios in the Horus Heresy, the cover depicts the Kakophoni and apparently their story will depict the moment the Kakophoni truly become Noise Marines.
Farsight: Crisis of Faith by Phil Kelly - Novel or novella, not really sure. But curious, and more Farsight is always good.
The Eight Lamentations by Josh Reynolds - The first AoS novel that will only have mortal human characters, no Stormcast or other such stuff.
Ruinstorm by David Annandale - Major Horus Heresy novel that will be about Guilliman, Sanguinius and the Lion attempting to break through the Ruinstorm and make it to Terra, with Curze in tow. This is Book 45 in the HH.
Dark Compliance by John French - An audio about Horus after the events of Vengeful Spirit and Molech bringing an Imperium world into compliance with his new rule and about how others may be brought to heel or to side under his leadership.
Old Earth by Nick Kyme - The third and final Salamanders HH novel, will be about Vulkan's origins and destiny. It will also contain parts about the fate of the Iron Hands during the Heresy as well. This is Book 47 in the HH.
The Last Hunt by Robbie MacNiven - This is only a title so far, I have heard no details about it.
Hallowed Knights: Plague Garden by Josh Reynolds - A Stormcast novel about the Hallowed Knights. Judging from the title I believe it will be about Lord Celestant Gardus who was last seen being sucked into the Garden of Nurgle and fleeing from a pack of Great Unclean Ones.

Also Books 43 and 46 of the Horus Heresy were revealed to not be set in stone. At least two HH manuscripts are nearly finished, whichever one is finished first will become Book 43 and the other Book 46.

Now on the information we got, or at least what I heard from the authors:

Graham McNeill
-The Crimson King is finished, and will focus on driving a wedge between Ahriman and Magnus, taking them a step further towards the relationship they have in post-heresy and 40k. The novel will also reveal the fate of the remembrancers from A Thousand Sons, Lemuel, Camille and Mahvastu.
-The Battle of Macragge is still in the future, but McNeill sees it as a First Tyrannic War series rather than a single book on the titular battle. He feels that Tyran, Prandium and all the rest should be covered because they are just as important to the narrative, and that if only Macragge were to be covered it would literally have to start with "Spores falling."
-McNeill has a rough outline, in his head, of the next three Ultramarines books. One of his ideas for the second book (I.e Book 8 overall) was to resurrect Guilliman, destroy Macragge and have all hell break loose. The editors thought he was joking, but he also said he probably couldn't do it because some part of that might be something that is coming in another work.
-Very much enjoyed showing the friendship between Perturabo and Magnus in the upcoming Magnus the Red Primarchs book, pairing the most intellectual Primarchs together, both theoretical intellect and pragmatic intellect. Hinted their future interactions in the main series will not be positive.
-Would also be interested in writing Fulgrim, who would have been his second choice if Magnus wasn't available.

David Annandale
-Ruinstorm is his next major HH book, focuses on the Lion, Guilliman and Sanguinius abandoning Secundus and trying to get to Terra, Curze in tow.
-Would leap at the chance to write a Typhus series, and would also like to write the Mortarion Primarchs book.
-Graeme Lyon revealed, to all including David, that when he submitted The Carrion Anthemn, Nick Kyme felt it was the best 40k short ever submitted and showed it to everybody in the office.
-Is currently working on the outline for Castellan Crowe book 2

John French
-We had a chat about Ahriman and his flaws and agreed that one of Ahriman's greatest flaws is ultimately that if he can solve a problem and in doing so will create an even greater problem, he'll still do it because he will think he can fix that problem too. His refusal to give up and admit defeat is both a strength and weakness.
-The reason French did the short stories from Ctesias's POV is because he wanted to show how villanous Ahriman looks from the outside, while the main series shows his heroic aspects (or motives at least) by looking inside. But to an outsider, Ahriman looks and acts like a dangerous and uncaring madman.
-The Covenant series is coming and according to French Covenant is a "hardline" Inquisitor. He said that Gregor Eisenhorn is the kind of Inquisitor you could be friends with, Covenant is most definitely NOT that kind. He said that if Covenant would have gone after and tried to kill Eisenhorn in book 3 if he had been around.

David Guymer
-Is working hard on Ferrus Manus: Conquerer. He said that he wanted to write Manus most of all not only because he's his favourite, but also because Manus has not really had any achievements in the Heresy beyond being killed. Conquerer will hopefully give the fans reasons to like Manus as much as the others.
-Talked a bit about Kardan Stronos and Eye of Medusa. The first book will depict Stronos as a sergeant and described him as a "nice Iron Hand", especially in comparison to guys like Arven Rauth and Naim Morvox. But agreed with me that Stronos is in a tough position as Chapter Master, he sees his chapter going down a dangerous route and feels he has to do something about it, but also has to stay on their good side or he could be replaced and then nobody is going to do anything to keep the Iron Hands human.

Others
-Nick Kyme apparently said that Dan Abnett is still working on GW/BL stuff, so Gaunt's Ghosts and Eisenhorn vs Ravenor are not cancelled.

That's about all I heard or have seen making the rounds at the moment.

LotN

Mr Goulding on the 1st expedition

NOTE :

big spoiler in here from a recent HH book concerning Alpharius....

Spoiler:

'Garro' is book 42, and it is not an anthology. It's a novel.

- 'The Crimson King' is book 44. I mentioned that I have the finished manuscript on my desk. It follows the concept of Magnus' psychic shards, from when he was broken by Russ. Many of those shards are being destroyed, or breaking down further. The primarch is losing his memories, and his powers. He's basically dying. The Thousand Sons have some idea that they can halt this slow change...

- 'Ruinstorm' by David Annandale is book 45. Now that Imperium Secundus has been proven to be a folly, Sanguinius, Guilliman and the Lion are trying to find a path through the storms to Terra. Curze is also involved, but not his Legion.

- 'Old Earth' by Nick Kyme is book 47. This is the final chapter for Vulkan in the Horus Heresy, looking at the destiny hinted at by the Eldar but also what his actual purpose was withiin the Imperium. He's going to be the "guardian of the gate" on Terra, but he's also got another much darker purpose - one that only he could possibly carry out, given his unique traits... and that's not necessarily a duty he wants. It also picks up the Shattered Legions arc, and the vendetta between Shadrak Meduson and Tybalt Marr.

- 'Dark Compliance' is an audio drama by John French. It develops the idea of the same name, as put forward by Forge World. It shows that Horus himself doesn't necessarily need to do anything to a planet in order to crush his opponents. It follows on from 'Warmaster' but also directly from 'Vengeful Spirit'.

- 'Echoes of Revelation' is an audio compilation, featuring three stories from Advent 2016. Gav Thorpe's contribution is 'Valerius', following the Therions sent by Corax to die at the Great Slaughter of Beta-Garmon. Chris Wraight's story is called 'The Soul, Severed' and features on the cover, with Eidolon and Kakophoni/Noise Marines being all warped and melty, fighting against other more wholesome looking Emperor's Children. Dan Abnett brings us the third and final story, title and content not yet revealed.

- Beta-Garmon is one of the final milestones on the road to Terra. It is from the old-old background - like Paramar, a huge nexus for Great Crusade forces in decades past, and a vital route into the Segmentum Solar. Horus has to roll on through there if he wants to take Terra.

- 'The Binary Succession' is an audio drama by David Annandale, and covers the founding of the Adeptus Titanicus. There is a lot of political posturing on Terra as the crisis of the war puts more pressure on the High Lords, and they are trying to send the Titan Legions to Beta-Garmon against their will, to defend from the approaching traitors. David and I joked while he was writing it that this is "Brexit with Titans"... laugh.gif

- Horus knows he can't just destroy Terra, or he won't have a throne for his new Imperium. He has to take it, symbolically, and slay his father. He's going to make a big deal out of this, because it's a vital part of him being painted as a rightful liberator in the future history of mankind... (LOL)

- 'Perturabo: The Hammer of Olympia' by Guy Haley follows on DIRECTLY from the scene in 'Angel Exterminatus' where the young primarch is found on the cliffs. The story also cuts back and forth with the campaign to exterminate the hrud migrations, mentioned in FW's books and also in Barabas Dantioch's backstory - the reasons why he appears so old and infirm are explained in grisly detail. Perturabo is presented as both the tortured, arrogant genius who gets no recognition, and as the "grumpy space Stalin" who punches his own warriors to death for failing him. The decimation (literally) of Olympia is covered in this book, obviously.

- 'Lorgar: Bearer of the Word' by Gav Thorpe ties in with 'The First Heretic' very closely, and describes some more of the Second Purge that was hinted at in 'The Purge'. The Word Bearers are preparing to cleanse their ranks, and this brings up parallels with the original Purge on Colchis, before the coming of the Emperor. We get a real origins story for Lorgar, as a prodigious messiah under the wing of Kor Phaeron, who is very much like an abusive father. Then, by the end of the book and the planning of what will come next, he realises that Lorgar is tapping into something he can never hope to understand, and his own days are probably numbered.

- Alpharius is definitely, absolutely, no takesies-backsies DEAD. No, that doesn't change a damn thing about the timeline of Warhammer 40,000, and the "historical facts" about these times are all exactly the same. Consider instead WHY they say what they say about Alpharius, and what the repercussions might be for Rogal Dorn.

- In 2012 I said there were going to be "about 50" books in the series, with 'Mark of Calth' being about halfway through the timeline. That number went up a LOT when Games Workshop absorbed BL into the Studio, because of the perceived success of the series. The number has since come down again, now that BL is an independent part of the business once more.

- We BL editors know exactly how many books remain before the Siege of Terra, and who is writing them. There are three new stories LEFT TO WRITE (including the Doom of the Death Guard, obviously) but a good few more already done.

.. see the old timeline picture below.
Bear in mind that's a rough outline, not a strict exact account of what/when/where etc etc.

... quite near to the end game though yeah ?

One gathers Beta-Garmon will be a big battle, " the Titandeath"

--- Adeptus Titanicus is supposed to be out next year right ? ....

Cult of the Warmason de C L Werner.
- Calgar's Fury de Paul Kearney.
- Daedelus,Scythes of the Emperor. Aerial combat audio LJ goulding.
- Jain Zar. The Storm of Silence de Gav Thorpe.
- Farsight: Crisis of Faith de Phil Kelly.
- The Last Hunt de Robbie MacNivven (White Scars)
- Hallowed Knights: Plague Garden de Josh Reynolds (AoS)
- The Eight Lamentations de Josh Reynolds (AoS)

Also: a Black Templars book by Haley and the Death of Amit by Smillie

From the talks and speaking to authors , it seems that BL are once again going to start filling out the settings abit more, so the books will feature/show things like the Inquisition and so forth that might not be ebtirely model/tabletop battle related.

A bit more old school approach one might say.

I had a very nice time, met authors, got some odds and sods signed.

.. carefully blew my "plans" with regards to budget but it's winter so it's cold outside and.. ...well.. whatever.

bought & read the special edition Leman Russ Primarch book -- I don't normally buy the special editions like this -- just resisted the Fabius Bile one which does look superb in the flesh

-- but this was/is too gorgeous to turn down.

Good story too IMO.

Once I'm done with Mr Yale's "Anno Dracula" and the latest Cato & Macro book from Mr Scarrow reckon I'll start on "Tyrant of the hollow worlds" by Mr Clapham -- which is a beast of a book size wise. 460 odd pages.

**Yodhrin**

reds8n wrote:

Old Earth by Nick Kyme - The third and final Salamanders HH novel, will be about Vulkan's origins and destiny. It will also contain parts about the fate of the Iron Hands during the Heresy as well.

Well of course, heaven forfend any part of the Tenth's story be given a chance to stand on its own, taxi service for Marykona Sharrowsue and narrative footnote to the Emperor's Children and Salamanders storylines is, if anything, too generous to the Iron Punching Bags

-McNeill has a rough outline, in his head, of the next three Ultramarines books. One of his ideas for the second book (I.e Book 8 overall) was to resurrect Guilliman, destroy Macragge and have all hell break loose. The editors thought he was joking, but he also said he probably couldn't do it because some part of that might be something that is coming in another work.

Bloody hell, has someone spiked the water at GW Towers or something? Does every idea they have now begin with "lets take the thing people like and want to pay us for and blow it up"?

-Is working hard on Ferrus Manus: Conquerer. He said that he wanted to write Manus most of all not only because he's his favourite, but also because Manus has not really had any achievements in the Heresy beyond being killed. Conquerer will hopefully give the fans reasons to like Manus as much as the others.

Hmm, well, maybe things aren't all that ba...

-Talked a bit about Kardan Stronos and Eye of Medusa. The first book will depict Stronos as a sergeant and described him as a "nice Iron Hand", especially in comparison to guys like Arven Rauth and Naim Morvox. But agreed with me that Stronos is in a tough position as Chapter Master, he sees his chapter going down a dangerous route and feels he has to do something about it, but also has to stay on their good side or he could be replaced and then nobody is going to do anything to keep the Iron Hands human.

...oh. Nevermind, normal service resumes - I'm sure the guy who they've asked to write the thinly-veiled justifications in book form for GW's fluff vandalism in the last SM codex will do a great story for probably the only 30K story they'll get all to themselves. I can't wait to read about how all the things that made the chapter appealing in the first place are actually bad and their Primarch was explicitly opposed to them, wonderful

Oh well, back to buying older BL novels from when they were good I missed out on for pennies off Amazon.

**Alpharius**

I still...not happy about the whole Alpharius thing, but I don't get what the "Timeline Implications" are, or are not.

Can someone explain?

Thanks!