Nick Kyme

Two posts today, aren’t you lucky?!

This one’s a quicky, to be honest. Just a quick update to let you know what I’m working on at the mo and, really, what’s shaking in Kyme-land.

Okies… first up, I’ve been working feverishly (ish) on my contribution to Age of Darkness, the Horus Heresy anthology. My story is entitled ‘Forgotten Sons’ and features an Ultramarine left behind when the rest of his Legion muster to Calth and a Salamander who is one of the few survivors of the Dropsite Massacre. The two Astartes are charged with the protection of an Imperial iterator who’s going to try and sway a compliant human world still ’sitting on the fence’ when galactic war breaks out. His only problem? Horus has sent one of his flunkies to debate for his cause. Obviously, there’s twists and turns to this tale, death and violence in abundance but you’ll just have to see where that goes when you read it! I’ve got about 11 pages of roughly scribed notes in my moleskine, relating to character, theme, plot points and more. I’m actually finding this project is a great one for some longhand planning as the tactile nature of actually writing and scribbling is really promoting my thought process. More on that as I progress. I’m actually hoping to have plotted the entire thing in a fair bit of detail, though, before I commit to the keyboard.

In other news, I’ve just bought a copy of Super Street Fighter IV for a very reasonable sum and look forward to thrashing away at that when the heat eases off. Always been a fan of the original Street Fighter 2 (back then, Guile was my favourite character but I think Ken pips him for top spot now…).

Looking forward to Inception when that finally graces our silver screens. This is Christopher Nolan, the guy who did those Batman films. I loved The Prestige, his project between Batman Begins and Dark Knight so am hopeful that Inception (which looks like a cross between The Matrix and, sf classic, Dark City). Then, of course, there’s the third of the Batman movies to look forward too…

In my bottom drawer I currently have a jar of Douwe Egberts. I always bring my own coffee to work (not keen on the coffee shavings from the factory floor that are offered gratis in our communal kitchen) and Douwe is my fave. Another hour and I’ll grab a cup to fuel the afternoon.

Tonight I’m on my third run of a Grand Prix series. Last week I did 10k and 4 miles (both good times) and tonight I tackle the shortest route, a 5k around Wollaton Park. I’m going for around 20 minutes (or 21 if it’s really hot). Been taking it easy but feeling kind of lardy, so don’t know if I should’ve done some light running/exercise between events – we shall see…

Actually, much as I’ve enjoyed the Grand Prix, I’ll be glad to get back to a regular routine. Lunchtime runs are where it’s at. I’ll be prepping for the Robin Hood Half Marathon as soon as.

Friday I’m taking a half day off to record an interview for a certain book trailer (it’sFiredrake). This is the first time I’ve done this kind of thing, so I’m nervous but excited at the same time. Fingers crossed it kicks fiery ass.

We had a charity book sale yesterday and as well as shedding some of my own books I picked up a few beauties to enhance my collection: The Prestige, The Quiet American, Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, The Princess Bride (not for me, for my good lady) and Gone Tomorrow. An eclectic array for sure.

Well, this post turned out to be longer than I thought. I’m still watching the World Cup, looking forward to seeing some quality teams in action.

Recently watched a coming of age, life affirming comedy called Adventure Land. It’s got that dude from Zombieland in it, so don’t know if he just does films with the word ‘land’ in the title or he’s been typecast or it’s just an unfortunate coincidence. Either way, it was a cool movie with a neat ending. There are worse ways to while away 100 or so minutes.

Oh, and I watched a not-half-bad fan movie called City of Scars on SF Signal. I think it’s only about for a few more days. It’s Batman and, despite some fairly shading writing in places, is a decent way to spend half an hour. I won’t do a linky. If you’re a fan, get your ass over there and trawl through the recent posts to find it. Failing that, I daresay it’ll crop up on YouTube, if it hasn’t already.

All a bit random, I know.

Later, taters…

I won’t bang on. Like a band aid, it needs to be ripped off quick (ripped off being the operative words here). England lost. Yes. We did. Actually. No. We didn’t just lose – we were humiliated. Debates about the system, the manager, the players (our so-called ‘Golden Generation’ – with a slight patina of rust now, methinks…) will rage. In every area, we were lacking. Personally, I think our biggest mistake (not wishing to validate or echo Franz Beckenbauer’s smug comments) was meeting the frankly solid Germans in the second round. Saying that, Ghana would probably have routed us too. Pah!

And there I was saying I’d make it quick. It’s a mystery. The autopsy, obituary, post mortem etc will go on for months.

But now, on to safer and more pleasant seas, to a mystery of another kind altogether – an enigma if you will…

Last night, I had the great pleasure of going to see Derren Brown’s Enigma Show at the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham.

Every since Trick of the Mind, Trick or Treat, The Events and the host of other televisual spectacles he’s astounded audiences with over the years I’ve been a huge fan of Derren Brown.

I’m sure he’s in league with ‘fell powers’ (if you’re a Warhammer fan reading this - and let’s face it: you probably are – then Tzeench is the most likely). I’ve never been to one of his live shows before and it was an experience like no other. What I liked about it, besides the fantastic illusion, showmanship and misdirection on display (or not, as the case may be), is the fact that Derren Brown is so funny and urbane. He really works the audience exceptionally well and has a little mischievous twinkle in his eye like a debonair goblin.

Actually, that’s probably a little harsh. He’s much too clever to be a goblin. But this man is genius.

I can’t tell you too much about the show – I’ve (we’ve) been sworn to secracy. Apparently, Enigma is going to be shown at Christmas by way of a TV special, so wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.

It was certainly packed, in every sense. The Concert Hall was heaving and the show itself was a rammed three hours of illusory excellence. From predictions pertaining to the audience’s favourite things, to ’summoning’ spirits and somnambulant trances, this was a stunning show in every respect. The three hours absolutely flew and I’d recommend anyone who likes this type of thing to go along and see Derren Brown live. I’ve watched him on the TV before doing his live shows but it’s something else to be there.

There’s a good lesson to be learned here from the way he constructs and executes his shows. Suggestion and foreshadowing are part of the charm, they inform and preview the reveal (or several reveals – I was wowed many times as Enigma reached its barnstorming conclusion), but they’re also good things to be in mind when writing, bizarrely. As an editor, I see a lack of foregrounding and set-up way too often. I see the pay-off delivered too soon or too obviously. Take note from Mr Derren Brown, his timing is excellent (comic and otherwise). The set-up is the key, that’s where the real genius is to be found. He’s a consummate and skilled stage magician/showman for sure but it’s the planning and construction that goes into the form and format of his shows that really make them pop.

Absolutely awesome.   

I’m packing it a little bit.

Readers of the blog will know, I’m a footy fan. There’s a certain crunch-time England game on today. Do or die, I believe is the phrase.

I’m actually pretty knacked, too, which might explain my nervous disposition. It was a run over 10k at Holme Peirrepont, the National Watersports Centre. Blazing heat made it tougher than it should’ve been – so is it mild sun stroke or pre-match jitters that’s sending me a bit waffy?

Who knows, all I can say is expectation is a cruel and hard mistress. I’m feeling it a bit with Firedake, which I handed in to Christian today, all done, all dusted. This was a difficult one. I’m pleased with it – very pleased. The story is tight, I think. There are things in there I didn’t know would make the cut, things I hadn’t actually conceived until my fingers were tapping the keys or my pen was scribing the notes. Organic storytelling – that’s what it is.

I was thinking about it, writing generally I mean, and I’ve actually achieved quite a lot this year (Firedrake will likely be my last release for 2010, despite the fact we’re only in June – lead times and all that, you see). Fireborn in audio, ‘Hell Night’ and ‘Prometheus Requiem’ as part of Legends of the Space Marines and Fear the Alien, respectively. I had my first ever chapbook at BL Live (or part of) and wrote The Burning. Grimblades and Firedrake bring up the novels contingent, and let’s not forget ‘Blueblood’ as part of the Sabbat Worlds anthology.

Considering I work full time (and my job is a full one, believe me) and have a busy actual real life, I think that’s a pretty fine achievement. Expectation hangs on all of it, of course. So far, I’ve been lucky I think. The shorts have been well-received, hopefully both the novels will be too.

You write what you write because you love it. Nocturneis taking shape as I write. There are notes and squiggles in my notebook adding flesh to the already fleshy bones of the story I’m going to tell. I don’t want to dwell on it too much, though. It’ll be a shame to see it end, but end it must and so too there’ll be expectation. In my locker, I’ve got a Heresy short to write (that’s next up) and then a Space Marine Battles book. But the Salamanders are where I register the biggest expectation of myself.

I actually think about the omnibus (perhaps slightly presumptuously), of my desire to put everythingin it, the whole fiery shooting match. If it happens, it’ll be a brutal tome. The number of words that’ve gone into its creation are a little staggering to my mind. Not like a ten book plus series, but an achievement none-the-less. I think I’ll do one more short story before the end, too (I have it in my mind already), as well as a novella (if they’ll let me – this one I know very well). I’ve not discounted the possibility of tie-in shorts and novels. Let’s say I’d love to do a Dragon Warriors short story and a novel featuring the Marines Malevolent. All sky-pie for now.

Expectation, eh? It’s a funny thing. Fingers and toes are crossed for the game. Hopefully my fatigue will transform into fervent veneration. Hopefully, Firedrake will meet your expectations – I’m doing this for you and me, you see. There’s weight on this for me and on Fall of Damnos, my SMB book. There’s another story I want to tell and whether I meet the expectations on me with these two novels might determine if I tell it. It’s one set about 10,000 years ago.

Destiny awaits.  

Yes folks, your eyes do not deceive you – the first draft of Firedrake is finished!

It’s been a while coming but sequels, as I’ve come to learn, are tough. I had hoped to get the second book in the Tome of Fire trilogy completed much sooner than I have, and there’s still the possibility of editorial changes, but it’s in now and I’m very happy with how it all turned out.

I’d say this is a different tone to Salamander. The viewpoint is a little smaller in scope. You’ll get several of the key plotlines established in book one moved forward as well as some new ones to ponder for the grand finale in Nocturne (which is book three).

Not sure there’s a lot more to add, save that I may tweak the ending just a little bit and that I still haven’t decided what Dak’ir’s fate will be at the end of the trilogy (I have three options in mind – none of which I’ve settled on yet).

It’s a relief to have it all done. I’m going to take a few days off now (think I’ve earned it). As Firedrake is now done, it should be available for pre-release at Games Day. I hope I see a bunch of you there to get it signed.

Next up for me is ‘Forgotten Sons’, my short story for the Horus Heresy anthology Age of Darkness and then Fall of Damnos in the Space Marine Battles series.

Oh, and please don’t forget that Fireborn has been recently released and fills in the gap nicely between Salamander and Firedrake. If you want the full story between the two books (or as full as I’ve written it) then read ‘The Burning’ (BL Live chapbook) and ‘Prometheus Requiem’ (from Fear the Alien, which is released very soon).

If you’re a Warhammer fantasy fan then Grimblades is the Nick Kyme book for you. That’s on the horizon, late July/early August I believe. I hope lots of folks decide to check it out, as I’m rather proud of my achievement with that one, too. You don’t need to have read the other Empire Army books – far from it – this stands alone very nicely (it’s actually set during a completely different time period).

Anywho, shameless plugging aside, rejoice! Firedrake is in the can and the Salamanders march on…

It’s not often that I write this blog with my editor’s hat. On this occasion, though, I’ll make an exception as I’ve literally just got back from the David Gemmell Awards in London where Graham McNeill was shortlisted for the prestigious Legend Award for his novel Empire. I came along as his editor and plus-one, we also had convention expert Alex Davis in tow.

Oh, we won it by the way…

I’ll admit, I’m an awards virgin so I didn’t really know what to  expect when we were summoned to the Magic Circle just off Tottenham Court Road. In we went, full of hope but little expectation (unlike England, who blew it big style… but less said about that fiasco the better). Quickly we moved from the foyer – Alex and I suited and booted like a couple of semi-trendy undertakers, Graham flying the flower of Scotland in his full kilt and Scottish regalia – and found ourselves in the awards ‘green room’, for want of a better term.

Alex, being an old hand at all this stuff, was schmoozing and reaquainting himself with folks, whilst McNeill and I sort of lingered in the corner like a couple of wedding crashers who had yet to sample the excellent buffet and didn’t want to be caught out.

It was an odd but wonderful room, full of magic memorabilia from the good old days lauding such luminaries of the art as David Devant and Tommy Cooper. There were displays set into the walls of their most famous tricks and paraphernalia to which Graham and I were dutifully glued, trying not to look out of place. The bucks fizz and wine was flowing soon, however, and our Dutch courage emboldened us to mingle. We didn’t have long, however – soon, as one of the nominees, Graham was whisked away to the auditorium where the awards were actually taking place.

Alex and I followed a short while later and the three of us were reunited – ever hopeful (come on England – sorry, I promised I wouldn’t, didn’t I – bad me…). The programme of events and awards was swift. An excellent reading of Waylander II by the genial and affable James Barclay warmed us all up nicely. Mr Barclay was to return a short while after some brief introductions as he compared an auction to great effect.

After that we were into the awards. By now, our collective hearts were beating. Inexorable failure or victory drew ever closer.

First up, the Ravenheart award for cover art. I’ll mentioned this one (you can peruse the site for the other winners and nominees) as we had a bit of Black Library interest in the form of Jon Sullivan’s excellent cover for Empire. Alas, we didn’t win and suddenly we all had ‘the fear’.

Yes, my heart was hammering like a Salamander Space Marine at the forge. Graham, too, had turned a whiter pallor.

Time was flying at this point, and soon it came to the big one – the Legend Award itself for best fantasy novel of the year (note, I say ‘fantasy novel’ and not ‘tie-in fantasy novel’ – we were up against the big boys).

All of the nominees got a mini-Snaga trophy for the very fact of being shortlisted. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so bad. ‘At least we’ve got that,’ I thought. ‘At least Graham has a fine moment of what is an exceptional achievement’. Later, in the after party that followed and on the train back to Nottingham, Graham confessed he had thought the same thing.

Suddenly, the announcement was upon us. Shitting bricks at this point, folks (apologies for the expletive but nothing else really conveys it). Bit of a drum roll (not an excellent one but a pregnant pause full of hope and dreamed of glory). Lo and behold, Graham’s name was read out. Empire was the winner of the 2010 David Gemmell Legend Award. Let’s just say Alex and I exploded with inappropriate whooping, fist pumping and cheering. Victory was Graham’s and Black Library had another rather shiny feather in its already stuffed cap. Woot!

Seriously, words can’t convey how pleased and proud I was of Graham. His speech was excellent, humble and gracious with just the right amount of pleased. I am very thankful for the name check he gave me as his editor on the book and the series. It really vindicates what we’re trying to do at the Black Library and that’s debunk some of the unwarranted stigma that’s attached to tie-in fiction.

The after party followed, during which more free wine was consumed and many conversations were had with all and sundry. The cheeky wedding crashers no longer – Graham and I were now honoured guests and the party was for us (well, mainly Graham, but I basked).

Wielding Snaga, conducting lots of interviews, talking to pretty much everyone, getting his back slapped and his hand shaken, Graham was a busy boy from that point on. I garnered my fair share of plaudits too, which was lovely and extremely humbling even if we were both still ebullient with the recent victory.

It was quite some night, like nothing I’ve ever experience. Let’s say our after party went on way after the actual one finished and involved a ludicrously trendy London bar where the three of us looked and felt massively out of place but had a great time regardless. Graham was knocking balls out of the park all over the place, his kilt and Scottish garb a real attraction for a host of people partying with us (complete strangers I might add).

What more can be said? Well, lots probably but I’ve leave it there. If you see me or Graham at Games Day be sure to ask if you want more of the gory (or should that be ‘glory’) details. To sum it up best, I think I’ll refer to the words of one of the attendees in the green room afterwards: ‘Empire is made of win.’

Congrats to all.