Nick Kyme

…and it’s for Grimblades.

Without further ado, here’s the link to the review. To be frank, Grimblades has received some warm to tepid press. It’s par for the course with any book and something, as an author, that you have to learn to live with. But I have to say that didn’t sit too well with me. I kind of felt, what are people missing here? What am I missing? This review and the previous one I blogged have restored my faith a little. You do start to question – definitely – if you think you’ve done something cool and worthy of  being read and enjoyed, worthy of praise even, if opinion goes the other way. Obviously, I just needed to wait a bit…

Damn, this feels vindicating. I want to say up front (and I’m repeating myself here, okay): I am very proud of Grimblades.

Not trying to disparaging in any way about any of the other books in the series (and there are some crackers) but this was more than just an Empire Army novel.

At the Black Library, we sometimes have the tendency to pigeon hole books a little bit – they’re part of this series or that series. Sometimes that can be good; sometimes it can actually put people off. It’s weird, but true. The real shame/tragedy is that by doing the latter, a lot of people who might really enjoy reading a novel never will because they’ve not ‘bought in’ to the series, to coin a phrase we sometimes use.

For me, Grimblades was one of those books that felt (as I was writing it anyway) like it was about much more than the appellation of ‘An Empire Army novel’ really summed up. This, in many ways, was my Sharpe – my homage to those great novels and characters – it was about soldiers, plain and simple, a band of brothers that has to try and survive against hideous odds and creatures so terrible they are the very stuff of nightmares.

It was a story about loyalty and what it means to fight on the frontline against monsters when you’re just a man. No special powers, no magic, just a bunch of grunts with their own issues and demons in a war they didn’t fully understand that would decide the fate of their land.

It’s often the case that the book your proudest of as an author is not the one that achieves the most acclaim or garners the most sales. But this is really nice to get a review that is so effusive with its praise.

I thank you so much.

Nice to see my Warhammer Fantasy Empire novel is getting some much-needed love and attention.

Thanks to Badmojoe78 for this very nice review.

The book’s also had some good press in the Lincolnshire Echo, so thanks to Dan Sharp for that one. Oddly, the biggest criticism of the novel is that it’s too much like a big Warhammer battle in places…

Er… that was the idea, folks.

Anyways, I’m proud of the book and like the fact that reviewers have latched onto the fact (and liked) that there are very human, fallible characters in it. These guys aren’t heroes per se (though, I guess they are in their own way), they’re just a bunch of soldiers – pretty bottom of the pecking order soldiers too.

That was the plan – write a book about the ordinary Empire soldier, halberdiers no less and put them in a war they really don’t want to be part of. It’s grim up at the front with only a sharp stick and a bucket-helmet to protect you.

Remember that.

…I’ve been putting the final touches to my first Horus Heresy short story, ‘Forgotten Sons’. It’s done now, first draft anyway, and resides with my editor for his perusal. It weighed in at an impressive 18,000+ words. For some reason, I’m whacking more words on the page at the mo, which is fine, because I’m on to Fall of Damnos next. At a mighty 100,000 words (and then some – maybe…), I’ll regard the long-shorts as training.

Tough experience writing the Heresy piece. I enjoyed it. It’s also a different type of story for me. Main issue is the feeling that I don’t quite have carte blanche to do what I want within the milieu. It’s daunting, being in a collection alongside some of BL’s heavyweights. These guys have got frightening creativity and intelligence, and know how and where to bend the envelope (or push it, or whatever).

Still, that’s said, it’s given me a taste for it and I’d like to delve into the series on a deeper level if I can just bypass all the flaming hoops I’m having to jump through. There’s a story scripted already, and it’s a biggy – I just hope I get to tell it.

Anywho, lots of printed product coming out with my name on it or thereabouts recently.

First up is Sabbat Worlds, Dan’s awesome anthology on the aforementioned eponymous theme. My story is called ‘Blueblood’ and is another bloater at over 20k. That’s around 40,000 words in short story mileage of late – almost half a novel. Sheesh! I’ll be joining some of the other luminaries (okay, so they’re a little bit more luminous than me) at Forbidden Planet in London on the 9th of September for a signing. Details are in a previous post, but if you like this sort of thing get your asses over there as it’s a rare opportunity to get all of these great authors in a room together.

Also through the printer’s pipe was Grimblades – now released and getting some decent reviews. Still need to do my BL blog on this one, but have been a little snowed under to get around to it just yet (you’ll probably have noticed my own website’s blog has been a little quiet lately too…). I’ve had a copy of Fear the Alien, and a big thanks to the fans who’ve got in touch via Facebook to tell me how much they enjoyed my story ‘Prometheus Requiem’.

Finally, and I’ve really saved the best until last. Firedrake has landed in all its flaming glory!

It’s not out until November or UK Games Day at the end of September if you’re lucky enough to get it on pre-release at that event. I’m also doing two signings in early October at Oxford and Uxbridge GW (apparently, Aylesbury won’t be open or ready in time, so I’ve had to nix that date – sorry ). There’ll also be signed copies heading over to GW King’s Lynne in limited numbers, so if you just want a daubing and no face time then that’s the place to be.

One quick addition to all of this Firedrake fun. For some unfathomable reason (I suspect the influence of Chaos or something…), a rather important acknowledgement was missed out of the first printing. It’ll be on subsequent printings, but the first few won’t have it. Anywho, as it name checks a lot of good people who really helped me during the completion of this novel, I wanted to put it here. You guys are awesome and my appreciation to your efforts and counsel is vast. From my heart, a sincere thanks…

‘A sincere nod of thanks to Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Dan Abnett, Steve Parker, George Mann and Caroline Law for going above and beyond. Also to Christian Dunn for letting me write this thing.’

I’m sat at home ill today. I’m nursing a bloody annoying cold (yeah, it’s man-flu – shut up, okay), thanks to my plague-ridden desk editor at BL.

I wish crush you, Davis. Crush. You.

I watched Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths again (and the DC Showcase: The Spectre – both of which are awesome), have eaten breakfast, lolled about feeling sorry for myself, taken max-strength flu tablets and am Lemsipped up to the freakin’ eyeballs – now I’m bored.

So to the blog cave, Blog Man, for some bloggage – o’h yes…

So, what’s new?

Well – he says between sniffles and coughs – again, Davis I will snap you in two for this (I’m Best Man at a best mate’s wedding at the weekend and really need to write my speech…) – I’m officially past my word count on ‘Forgotten Sons’ (that’s the Heresy short I’m doing for Age of Darkness). It’s gonna be a mite longer than 12,000 words, methinks (sorry eds, but that’s the way I’m rolling at the mo – sometimes you write short; sometimes long – I’m on ‘long’ right about now, so suck it up ‘kay). I’m chuffed with the way it’s panning out; part legal drama (but in a cool way), part thriller – I think/hope you’ll all likey.

Fretting over Fall of Damnos (though there was a saweeeet looking dps in our latest trade catalogue of this bad boy, complete with quote about how someone really liked my writing and characters – woot!), not because it’ll be tough to do; yeah, it’ll be tough but that’s not why – I just need to get this Heresy short nailed and my speech written and my health back in order so I’ll be able to get somewhere in the ball park of the deadline. Arggh!

Okies, so I’ve been watching a few films lately, taking advantage of my membership to Lovefilm.

Most recently, Youth in Revolt and Edge of Darkness. The former was very funny, quirky and odd (a typical Michael Cera movie of an independent bent); whilst the latter was Mel Gibson dullness, dressed up as political thriller – yawn.

On the silver screen, I watched Inception (a separate post on that is in order, given it’s sheer awesomeness) and Shrek Forever After (yes, I’m still a sucker for 3D, and yes I will be going to watch Toy Story 3 in the same medium – do one).

Culturally, I had my first ever experience of Cirque du Soleil (my girlfriend informed me, a few weeks prior to the performance, that there was more than one type – ignorant beast that I am, I had no idea), the Saltimbanco show. It had a real street festival feel to it, apparently a little smaller in scale and grandiosity than some of the other shows, but was charming, mischievous and wonderful all in the same colourful, flashy hat. Recommended.

Last week I was out with the BL posse (the entire gang, barring Davis who was busy brewing up his lurgy to infect us all with – Crush. You.) on an ‘away day’. Lot’s of team bonding and crazy-ass antics ensued – photos headed to the blog in the next day or so.

Got some signings coming up. There’s UKGD, of course in September (27th, methinks?), but I’ll also be doing a mini-tour for the release of Firedrake - that’s going to be in early October in Oxford, Aylesbury and Uxbridge. If you’re around or can be around and can’t make GD then I hope to see you then. Oh, and don’t forget that in early September (see previous post of the exact date – I will update the events diary soon, I promise…) that I’ll be crossing signs pens with the big dogs: Abnett, McNeill, Swallow,Vincent and Mitchell (and possibly more besides) at the Forbidden Planet mega-signing of Sabbat Worlds - that there big anthology with Mr Dan’s name on it. Banzai!

That’s about it for the non-specifics. I may be back later with some other guff; for now, I’m going to make lunch and have a little sleep in the vain hope that when I wake up my head won’t feel like it’s filled with play dough.

PS Grimblades is now officially released and just want to give it a quick shout out. As I was saying to the missus the other day, I am very proud of this book and while it won’t get the same attention as a Salamanders novel I still hope that folks go out and get a copy. I’m supposed to be writing a guest blog spot about it for BL, so if you’re still undecided, take a look at that and see the light…

My latest Warhammer novel, Grimblades, is back from the printers and here’s the proof!

This book is set during the reign of Emperor Dieter IV and retells the classic story on when Grom the Paunch descended from the mountains in an almighty Waaagh and brought the Empire to its knees. Only Reikland prevailed, mainly thanks to the brave deeds of Prince Wilhelm. The Grimblades are one of his regiments and the focalisers for the story. Due in stores July/August.

In addition, Firedrake is featured in the next Black Library Previews Catalogue, hitting the GW stores in August. You’ll get a decent-sized extract to whet your fiery appetites until the book is pre-released as Games Day 2010.

Short and sweet, but that’s your lot for now…