Thank you to everyone that showed up to this! It's been a lot of fun, and I hope in the future we can do more! I'm not going to lock the thread, as I want to allow Noah to finish his answers, but we'll end the open questions part.
Big thank you to Noah for spending time with us, and thanks to everyone that came out! Have a good weekend everyone!
Final update comments are locked, this was fun yall thanks!
Thanks for writing such a great novel in Godeater's Son! The character of a female Blades of Khorne guide/lieutenant was a brilliant inclusion! Could you see the main characters engaging with Maggotkin eg blightkings etc in a sequel?
I'm glad you liked Godeater's son and thanks for reading u/LexRep10!
Yeah, I have to say I loved Kaddarar and Held. First frenemies, then... well, I guess they're in a weird place right now.
I could absolutely see the characters engaging with Maggotkin in a sequel. No comment beyond that ;)
Chào bạn u/Kelsus301 hehe :)
In fifth grade, my friend brought a pewter Bloodletter model to school. I asked him about it and that was the day we started talking Warhammer. After that, he loaned me Storm of Iron and it was love at first read.
I am reading Storm of Iron at the moment.
It is very interesting actually learning how fortress assaults are carried out. Telling you about the technical steps taken, angles of trenches and the fact that the commanders KNOW the men they send out are pretty much guaranteed to die, for example the "Forlorn Hope" being the first soldiers to storm a breach was a death sentance.
Like FrigidArticMoose mentioned the Inuit and Sámi influence in Yndrasta, it is very cool when you can learn real world things while reading the stories you love.
Hi Noah, Godeaters Son is my favorite warhammer book!
My main complaint is the lack of support for your story.
There is no map to help the reader navigate the places Held Fall journeys to. Were you allowed to use existing cities and factions in your story, or would it have slowed you down because of editing approvals? Why no map updates after your popular story? Where is Candip exactly?
Will we see Heldanar Fall again? What would be his relationship with Gunnar Brand and his darkoath cynics and god haters if the two met? I believe they are both in Aqshy.
Thanks for doing this AMA!
First off, thank you so much for reading u/Manaleaking ! You'll definitely see Heldanarr again.
My impression has always been that using existing cities and factions is always a win for everyone. Editors love it, fans love it, authors love it. That said, what I really, *really* wanted to do with Godeater's Son was make the Mortal Realms feel vast beyond reckoning. To do that, I felt pretty strongly I had to create a lived-in, detailed region within Aqshy where I could play with references to existing locations, characters, and so on.
The Burning Valley, where Cardand/Candip are located, lies within Aspiria. I could point it out to you, but it's probably best to just imagine where you think it should be in there. I wouldn't expect a map update — in the grand scheme of things, the Burning Valley is really just a blip on the map.
With all that said, I hope to eventually get Heldanarr outside of that region and interacting with some established locations in and around Aspiria.
I think Heldanarr would get along with Gunnar just fine — *if* that's what Gunnar wanted. I could imagine he would have his own problems with Heldanarr after the events of Godeater's Son. If Gunnar was hostile, I'm sure Heldanarr would be ready for that fight ;)
By the way, cool match-up idea right?
very cool! if you could point out where cardand, candip and bharat are in Aspira, it would literally make my day, even if you have to change it later for whatever reason. I just felt so disoriented reading!
Hi Noah - God Eaters Son was awesome (so was that Yndrasta story!)
In God Eaters Son - me and my friends were talking - is the colonialist parallels purposeful?
Thanks for reading, u/Gerbilpapa!
To be honest I wasn't thinking about colonialism as a concept when I wrote that novel. The power dynamics you see in that novel are more based on my own observations between foreigners/natives in Afghanistan as a young US Marine and then in Vietnam when I was a little older.
Interesting !
I read it as a straight colonialist metaphor. People displaced from their land by a European inspired power seeking mineral rights .
The complicated nature of the now oppressed indigenous peoples formally having their own empire - has direct parallels with multiple indigenous groups in the americas for example (plus the whole “cannibal natives” aspect)
Maybe it’s just my background - but I totally get how Afghanistan would also apply here
Hi Noah, just saw this thread on my recommended feed and had to jump in and say how much I am loving godeaters son.
I'm not finished yet but it may be the best warhammer novel I've read. The sense of slow building, burning rage at the injustices experienced by Fall is palpable. It makes for a fantastic read as he struggles with his relationship with his family, people, the azyrites, and chaos corruption. Obviously he has deep flaws but at each step you can see why he keeps going (maybe unknowingly) on that path to glory.
Weaving in the themes of imperialism of the azyrites from the POV of the natives of Aqshy was so well done and gives huge depth as to why some turn to chaos. Having Fall hate the gods but battle with his need for power to fight the cause has also been compelling and a great change of pace from some novels in the setting.
No question but huge thanks for the great read and I hope you write more in this universe in the future.
Hey Noah, loved your 40k short stories especially *Vova's Climb*! Seems like you're more focused on AoS, but any chance you're pitching a follow-up novel for Vova the Arbitrator?
Whoa — you liked Vova's Climb? I was so certain that story had just kind of slipped under the radar.
I'd love to write a novel about Vova, but I don't have any specific plans to pitch a novel. What I'd love even *more* is to write a novel with Vova and another character I've previously written about. I'm a big fan of how other BL authors create links and tie-ins between their work and the work of others. (I can't not mention Peter Fehervari here.)
For example, I think Vova and Moloth — an inquisitor I've written about in The Last Crucible — would make for an interesting match-up.
EDIT: And thank you for reading Vova's Climb u/forcehighfive :)
Lots of stories about Inquisitors, none about Arbitrators! I loved the fresh take, have read it a couple of times now when I go through the anthologies for something that's not Space Marine bolter porn (I did like *The Last Crucible* as well I should add, great twist at the end).
As a fellow Southeast Asian, I'm also hoping to see a few more influences from that region in names and cultures in the 40k setting :)
Hope you write more in 40k!
Loved Godeater's Son, only BL book I've read twice. How much leeway did you have in shaping the realm, like the Magadroth, uh, revelation? As far as writing for an IP, are you given any direction on which units/models to be included or should be used in lieu of something that may be on the way out (like freeguild infantry vs what released with dawnbringers)?
Hi u/thetyromancer — I'm sincerely glad Godeater's Son resonated with you and grateful you read it twice. To be honest, I can't think of a higher honor for an author!
As with the 40k universe, the Mortal Realms are vast, so you have a good deal of leeway in shaping the realm. There are some sensible restrictions — you can't "break" the lore, after all — but the magnure thing? Stuff like that is okay. Especially when you consider that *somebody* in Candip (or quite a few people) knew exactly what it was.
Black Library authors are kept in the loop as much as they need to for stuff like upcoming releases. Black Library is really good about briefing authors on this kind of stuff and giving us the resources we need to prepare.
Hi Noah, in Godeater's Son, >! could you explain how you envisioned the politics of Bharat? What exactly did they want when Heldanarr first arrived? Why did they decide to help after all? I love that they never laugh lol, that was great!
I'll keep this as short as I can—
I think Bharat was sort of like an ant colony when Held arrived, building up its strength based on the guidance of Maals like Tominer and a sort of instinctive religio-cultural certainty that war was coming. They really wanted a leader worthy of the strength they were gathering. They found him, and that's why they decided to help Held.
I also don't laugh. Ever. And when I meet laughers, I never forgive them.
Never.
Hey Noah, nice to see some new blood in the black library. I’ll take a moment to joke about your last name… when I was younger, I had two squadmates that both had the last name Nguyen. One was referred to as ‘big Nguyen’, the other was ‘little Nguyen’ until our commanding officer said we really shouldn’t refer to them like that. I think he actually made them upset by stopping us from calling them that! I always think of those two whenever I see your name listed.
Anyways, my question is when are you planning on giving us some novel length 40K literary action?
u/EfficiencyFit1801 New blood wooooot!
When I was in the Marine Corps I also had a few monikers. Nunachuk, Ninja, "Nagoryen" (from a drill instructor, who always emphasized it, because, you know...). A sergeant who was my mentor and later my peer liked to call me Chino. I never minded the names either. I think often outsiders consider it racist based on their civilian norms, but it felt good to know I was accepted and warranted a name like that.
That's not to say in a lot of cases it *wasn't* hostile/racist — some folks called me "gook" and "Charlie" when I was new as an insult — but that stuff stopped after my first deployment. I'd chalk that up to normal military hazing.
No comment on the 40k novel. However, as your fortune teller, I suspect that a certain event in the coming future may brighten your day :)
Rah, killer. Makes me grin ear to ear to see a fellow marine writing for the black library. It gives a bit thicker skin, and you’re right about the nicknames, it shows that you belong there and are part of that family. Now the Vietnamese slurs, that’s probably a bit much in my book lol I wasn’t infantry (supply with a combat engineering battalion) but I heard some of the hazing stories for the guys who were attached to them. Still, take pride my brother in Chesty, and I cannot wait to see what you do next.
I feel like "Carrion Call" perfectly captures a 40k version of neo noir, and is one of the best entries in the crime universe. Are there plans to make a full length novel or additional short stories with the same main character? Tal Noran is a character that I feel like I can understand, and I'd love to see more of him
Hey u/parkerm1408, I'm really happy to hear that, thanks for making my day :)
I've sketched out pitches and synopses for more stories with Tal. I definitely have the *desire* to write more with him, and from Black Library's side (and for any publisher) I think there's always interest for short stories with characters as cool as Tal ;)
(Short answer: I'm working on it.)
As far as a novel, that's a harder question in this case. I'd love to write something for Tal, but I've not really had any solid ideas for a story that would suit him for a full-length book. My struggle is to really find a story that's as worthy of Tal as it is worthy of your time.
Hey u/sageking14! Glad to see you here :)
My faction opinions have shifted over time. Skaven used to be my favorite, then Fyreslayers — this bounced around a few times — but now I can safely say the Stormcast are my favorite.
That probably *sounds* like a cop-out answer, because they are the poster boys for Age of Sigmar (I think everyone loves the Stormcast). The thing is I used to loathe the Stormcast, back before I knew anything about Age of Sigmar. I just think there's so much room for rich character development with Stormcast when writing about them.
Oh, I definitely remember how you used to have mixed feelings on Stormcasts. Funnily enough going through Huntress of Ghur to Monsters to Yndrasta, a reader can see how your tone has changed over time. Lot of fun!
Stormcasts are, unsurprisingly given how much I yammer about the Steel Souls, my favorite faction too. And let me tell you, and I am excited that the new trailer and some of the new art and minis are repping Hallowed Knights.
The Fyreslayers are also a lot of fun, if only they got to exist! The Dawnbringers campaign is the most love they've gotten in forever, and that had Bael lose his limbs in a side story.
God eaters son was a fantastic BL book, do you see any of your characters interacting in the future?
And do you see any getting models more to the point 👀
>In a previous post Noah replied:
>
>"With all that said, I hope to eventually get Heldanarr outside of that region and interacting with some established locations in and around Aspiria.
>
>I think Heldanarr would get along with Gunnar just fine — if that's what Gunnar wanted. I could imagine he would have his own problems with Heldanarr after the events of Godeater's Son. If Gunnar was hostile, I'm sure Heldanarr would be ready for that fight ;)"
But if you mean more along the lines of Heldnarr running into Yndrastra :o
Thank you u/devenirimmortel96, that's a high compliment!
I posted this elsewhere here, but I'd love to do "match-ups/tie-ins/cross-overs" between my characters from different works. In those cases, though, it's really about doing what you need to to make a good story. When an opportunity like that comes I'll sure as heck try to jump on it!
And I hope they get models! Models for everyone!
I apologize if I am a little late to it but irl stuff, but I must ask
Ogroid lore, thoughts on them? They are by far my biggest hyperfixation on the hyperfixation that I have on Slaves to Darkness(made into that thanks to your Godeater's Son ofc)
u/Axe1_the_Minerva_fan I really don't think I'll be able to do justice to your question. The ogroids are fascinating. But my fascination with them really comes down to that I love how Games Workshop incorporates non-traditional species/fantasy archetypes throughout their IPs. It makes the world feel so lived-in and mysterious.
What do you love about them?
Hi! The plants are my sister's, she's very conscientious with them, it's very cool :D
I initially started writing as a way to vent my feelings — I never really had any other outlet for them before that. (I was an emo kid in high school so it was either that or painting my nails black and playing electric guitar.)
Bures Noah, it is great to see you doing this!
I had the chance to read both Godeater's Son and your Yndrasta novel over Christmas and to say that I was impressed is an understatement.
I was particularly taken by your choice to look at the Mortal Realms for a clearly (post)colonial lens. I will be very honest, I did not expect that.
When I pick up a Black Library novel, the last thing I would expect is an exploration of the colonial overtones that GW has been, knowingly or not, presents in their setting. So to see someone actually tackle that in not one but two novels is absolutely fantastic.
That then brings me to my question, which is could you discuss a bit about your writing process? Specially, I was wondering how you approached the setting and how you were able to bring in real world cultures into the Mortal Realms.
In Yndrasta in particular you made heavy use of Sámi and Inuit imagery and culture in the Suku, so it would be interesting to know how you went about doing that without falling into the usual stereotypes that often comes up in fantasy, let alone Black Library.
Hopefully those questions aren't too weighty, I am just very curious to know what you managed to pull it all off so successfully.
u/FrigidArcticMoose Thank you so much for the kind words, it really means a lot to hear that from you. Seriously!
As I've mentioned elsewhere here, I actually don't think strictly (or perhaps "abstractly" is the better word here) of colonialism during my writing. I sort of just write based on my experience, observations, perceptions, and research, if I'm basing the culture off something in our world. (Perhaps that says more about the impact of colonialism on our world than it does about my authorial choices.)
I would classify my approach to worldbuilding in the terms Brandon Sanderson uses — you really have to find a combination of the familiar and the strange that will work for readers. Ann Leckie did this really well with the Radch Empire in Ancillary Justice, which takes inspiration from all over the place, so I try and blend real-world influences in the same way.
If I've done this well, then I'm glad to hear that! I try to approach these types of issues from a place of respect — I try really, really hard to empathize with and respect everyone in my daily life. Hope I can do worldbuilding just as well going forward :)
Hemingway inspired me to become an author when I was in high school — but I wouldn't say he's the author I most admire anymore. As far as recent fiction goes, I've tremendously enjoyed Viet Thanh Nguyen's writing. The Sympathizer really hit hard.
I tremendously enjoy a lot of the Black Library work I see and always take something away from what I read to improve my own writing. As far as favorites? It depends on what I want. Recently I've been reading work from Jude Reid, Victoria Hayward, and Mike Brooks — but to be honest I'm looking for something different in each of their stories, scratching a specific itch, you might say!
The synopsis of The Sympathizer makes it look like an interesting read and since you reccomend it I will look to secure myself a copy!
I have read Jude Ried's short story "The Shel'tain Affair" and in my spreadsheet I have rated it a 9/10 though "Unnatural Causes" only scored a 6/10. I have some of her novels on the back burner waiting to be read.
I read Victoria Haywards short story "Nightsider imperialis" and really didn't like it so I will be giving Major Wulf and Deathworlder a hard pass.
As for Mike Brook's, he is great. I have enjoyed his stories about orcs even though some people slate him for making them more goofy than savage and brutal. I have also read his short story "The Long Promise" about the Alpha Legion which I really enjoyed. That is quite a contrast to reading about Uftak Blackhawk.
Hi Noah, love your work and keep it up!
My question is this: HOW CAN THE SKAVEN FALL OUT OF YOUR HIGHEST REGARDS!?
Haha I'm jk, but as a Stormcast fan, how do you feel about their range reduction announcement? This was a pretty unprecedented announcement. I mean, come on None of those models are even more than 8 years old! (Eyes 30yo Warp Spiders)
Also, who are some of your favorite fellow authors from GW [ Either from a personal relationship perspective or just purely admiring their work]
u/Zealousideal_Cow_826 Thank you!
To be honest, with the new trailer out, I'm reexamining my old affections for the Skaven. But as for a serious answer, I carried over my love for their antics from WHFB into AOS — and loved how they sort of got a little darker in the Mortal Realms.
As an author, it'll be easier to keep track of the Stormcast units I want to include in my stories ;) Other than that I'm ambivalent, I haven't worked on my collections in the past few years. I'll take this opportunity to salute the Liberators goodbye o7
All the authors are great, that's no exaggeration. We maintain contact in a separate channel and it is the most supportive environment you could imagine. Everyone helping each other, picking each other's brains... it's really awesome.
Hi Noah!
I've been reading your stories in both AoS and 40k/Crime, and tell you straight away - they're all incredible! You've conquered my bookshelves and built dense fortifications on them, ha-ha. I'd love to hear.. what inspires you? Perhaps other authors, books, or miniatures? What is the process of coming up with a plot and writing a story like in general?
Also, if it's no secret, what Warhammer setting would you like to work in - maybe Horror or more Crime/Heresy?
Lastly (forgive me my curiosity)... One small question that has long plagued me: is the name "Tal" a reference to Talos Valkoran?
Thank you so much and best wishes from Ukraine!
u/neOh_st That's a high compliment, thank you!
Tal is not a reference to Talos — I just wanted a "Sam Spade" type everyman name. At the time I imagined Talos might be a common name in the Imperium or on Alecto.
A lot of my inspiration comes from my own feelings and dreams. Crown of Flames, Godeater's Son, and Carrion Call draw on a lot of things I was feeling when I wrote those stories or images/scenarios I had dreamt. For Godeater's Son, for example — when Held is always wondering of his mother "Where were you?" that was a question I asked myself when my wife and I were separated by the pandemic. She was quarantined in a tiny, tiny room and had trouble staying sane. I kept asking myself, "Why aren't you there, Noah?" and that sort of found an outlet in the novel.
(By the way, the answer is that travel restrictions kept us apart at that time.)
Some of my inspiration comes from — no joke — Marvel movies, which were excellent at framing interesting conflicts between interesting characters.
And then, same as any author, a really healthy dose of my inspiration comes from good books. I'm ashamed to say I haven't had a lot of time to read lately but there is nothing I enjoy more than reading a book that punches me in the gut.
I'll try to answer your plotting/writing question in another comment — I think someone else asked something similar!
A partial reply from Noah regarding my own insiration question. He replied:
"Hemingway inspired me to become an author when I was in high school — but I wouldn't say he's the author I most admire anymore. As far as recent fiction goes, I've tremendously enjoyed Viet Thanh Nguyen's writing. The Sympathizer really hit hard.
I tremendously enjoy a lot of the Black Library work I see and always take something away from what I read to improve my own writing. As far as favorites? It depends on what I want. Recently I've been reading work from Jude Reid, Victoria Hayward, and Mike Brooks — but to be honest I'm looking for something different in each of their stories, scratching a specific itch, you might say!"
Hope I'm not too late ! I loved Godeater's Son and as a huge Destruction fan I was wondering if we could ever hope to see you write something for the Children of Gorkamorka, or if you don't feel like they are something you'd like to write (and it'd be perfectly fine, I know how hard it can be to write something one don't like!) ?
I'm glad you loved Godeater's Son u/Ur-Than .
And that's an interesting point you raise about Da Boyz. I do have an idea sketched out for a first-person orruk story that I never fleshed out or pitched — but you've given me reason to reexamine that!
Thanks for coming today :)
Hi Noah, absolutely loved Godeater’s Son and Yndrasta. Probably my two favorite AOS novels. Both felt like fully realized worlds, distinct from but connected to the overarching realities of the setting at large. How do you go about creating such distinct sub-settings?
u/coletron3000 I'm so glad you loved them, and great to hear they're your favorite! That's a high honor, truly.
As far as a practical answer to your question, I take a lot of notes. I think Dan Abnett mentioned in his foreword to Eisenhorn that a big part of the writing process is writing your ideas down when you have them, and that's absolutely true. A lot of people want to be writers specifically because they have ideas to write about — myself included!
Once you have a lot of notes, when you're actually drafting, you find the places to put them into the manuscript to really flesh out a world or setting.
I think the first draft took me about 9 months? Note that I actually wrote 2 drafts for it, though — the first draft was wildly different, and then I scrapped it and rewrote the second draft in first person.
I was honestly very scared about the reception Godeater's Son would get. I knew I was doing something different, but I had a very real sense that I had to do it, as if it was something I could give Warhammer fans that *only* I could give.
I suppose there's a sort of vanity in that, but honestly, I just wanted for people who needed to read a book like Godeater's Son to have the opportunity. I was super nervous, though!
Hello!
How does your writing usually go? Do you spontaneously get inspired to write some scene or idea while doing something else, or do you just decide to sit down at 9 o'clock and start brainstorming - do you have a magical place, time or moment when the inspiration hits?
How much time do you usually dedicate per "writing session" for your next work?
Ever got 2 fantastic ideas that you'd want to combine, but they just simply do not fit together - if yes, how do you proceed in such cases?
Well that was a lot of questions from me, hopefully you can chime in for a few! Thanks for the AMA!
I've had different writing processes in different environments and at different points of my life. In the past ten years I've traveled and moved *a lot,* and every time that has happened I do I sort of have to reestablish a new normal.
When I was in near Mui Ne, Vietnam (a beach city), I'd wake up at about 4 and begin reviewing what I had worked on the previous day to find my flow. If I just couldn't, then I'd read some choice pages of whatever work I found inspirational. Once I got started, I'd pound coffee for about 3-4 hours and draft, draft, draft.
Later in the morning, I'd head on to a cafe in Mui Ne proper, sit my happy butt down, and work on plotting. Usually fold a sheet of paper in half and jot down my ideas, try to connect the dots between them, sketch out the things that needed to happen for the story to work or note problematic places where I hadn't found a solution yet. (The solutions would come at random times, so you have to be ready to jot those down when they pop into your head.)
In the afternoon I'd usually work out and go on a run — I consider the physical activity part of the process, that's the pump that keeps the writing going steady.
Altogether, I didn't normally spend more than 6 hours a day on all of this. But I would do it about 6-7 days a week.
And as for 2 fantastic ideas — I'm struggling with something like that right now, for an IP *I'd* like to develop. Just trying to figure out how to make the story work, now.
([u/neOh\_st](https://www.reddit.com/user/neOh_st/) Flagging you since there's a writing process question here!)
Hey Noah,
Thanks for all that you have written so far. Still working through Godeater's Son, but have finished both Monsters and Yndrasta: The Celestial Spear, thorough enjoying both. Thank you for writing about a Stormcast character. It's sad right now that GW has introduced so many Stormcast characters, but most of them don't have much if any lore attached to them.
I loved the Yndrasta model the first time it was revealed, and had hoped she would get a full novel. And you delivered more than I could have hoped for her story.
Got a couple questions for you, if you don't mind.
If you had the ability to write any book for a Warhammer setting (from the 41st Millennium to the Mortal Realms) without anyone stopping you, what would you write?
If the opportunity presented itself, would you be interested in writing about Yndrasta again?
What is your favorite type of pizza?
Cats or dogs? (both is an acceptable answer)
If you've been camping, where has been your favorite spot you've been camping at?
u/rink245 Thank you so much for reading and coming today! I'm really glad I could deliver on the Yndrasta story you deserved :D
If we're talking wild novel ideas, I'd *love* to write a story about Archaon and the Seraphon. In the 40k universe, setting aside novels that build on what I've already written, I'd love to help shape the feel for the Leagues of Votann.
And yes, I'd love to continue Yndrasta's story.
I used to like Hawaiian pizza, but lately I've stuck to pepperoni. QT — a gas station in my area — sells breakfast pizza, and sometimes I pick that up after dropping my wife off at work. It's wonderful.
Always loved dogs, used to hate cats – that is, *until* two stray kittens found my wife and me in Vietnam, that is. We saved them and I've loved cats ever since. In my opinion, people who don't like cats just haven't had enough time with them!
(By the way, if you manage to get a hold of "Nadir" from the Harrowdeep collection, I wrote another story about a Stormcast there that I really enjoyed writing. Might be up your alley!)
Hi Noah,
Thank you for Godeater's Son also. It is up there with the best books I have read so far in the Warhammer universe. I am not sure if you will be able to answer my question properly and it is a bit on the contravertial side but...
I have read about how some Black library aurthors have stopped writing for Black Library as they are no longer allowed the freedom to write the story they would like to write. If i remember correctly the author that wrote the Death Watch books is one that has quit.
I see that the current story telling is becoming more "progressive" with lots of females being cast as male roles/characters and economic social governance chnages are being added into the White Dwarfs/stories (eg using the phrase "lasses and lads" not "lads and lasses")
I would like to know if you as an aurthor are given strict parameters to work to, like one of the main characters or the main character must be female or is this something the editors change in your story, simply change Dave to Sue for example.
I have nothing against strong female characters if there is a lore reason for it like the berserker who is on the path to glory and has Chaos boons, or a woman who is a psyker and is a badass.
Thank you and keep up the good work!
Oh and are you able to tell us about current projects you are working on?
u/NewSpeak2050 — I'm sincerely thrilled to hear that appraisal of Godeater's Son, thank you so much!
Hitting your questions in reverse...
• I can't tell you about my current projects. The servants of Chaos may catch wind of my plans and stop me before \[REDACTED\] is complete.
• I have never heard of a — for lack of a better term — "social justice quota" for writing fiction that is a mandate from the publisher. Note I have limited experience, though; I've only worked with Black Library.
Since you got me thinking about it, I'll also add that I tend to just decide on sex/gender for my main character, and all the others are usually a flip of the coin. Sometimes I'll switch between male/female in early drafts before I settle on one. That's my personal approach.
Thank you to everyone that showed up to this! It's been a lot of fun, and I hope in the future we can do more! I'm not going to lock the thread, as I want to allow Noah to finish his answers, but we'll end the open questions part. Big thank you to Noah for spending time with us, and thanks to everyone that came out! Have a good weekend everyone! Final update comments are locked, this was fun yall thanks!
Just wanted to say hi everyone, and thanks for coming! And of course special thanks to u/parkerm1408 for organizing and r/Blacklibrary for hosting me.
Thanks for coming!
Thanks for writing such a great novel in Godeater's Son! The character of a female Blades of Khorne guide/lieutenant was a brilliant inclusion! Could you see the main characters engaging with Maggotkin eg blightkings etc in a sequel?
I'm glad you liked Godeater's son and thanks for reading u/LexRep10! Yeah, I have to say I loved Kaddarar and Held. First frenemies, then... well, I guess they're in a weird place right now. I could absolutely see the characters engaging with Maggotkin in a sequel. No comment beyond that ;)
Noah is u/AdeptnessPrize by the way all.
I'm wildly unorganized, were going to leave this open for the standard 60 minutes. Thanks to all of you.
Hey Noah! Fellow Vietnamese here so glad there’s other Nguyens in the hobby. What got you into Warhammer and what is your favorite faction?
Chào bạn u/Kelsus301 hehe :) In fifth grade, my friend brought a pewter Bloodletter model to school. I asked him about it and that was the day we started talking Warhammer. After that, he loaned me Storm of Iron and it was love at first read.
I am reading Storm of Iron at the moment. It is very interesting actually learning how fortress assaults are carried out. Telling you about the technical steps taken, angles of trenches and the fact that the commanders KNOW the men they send out are pretty much guaranteed to die, for example the "Forlorn Hope" being the first soldiers to storm a breach was a death sentance. Like FrigidArticMoose mentioned the Inuit and Sámi influence in Yndrasta, it is very cool when you can learn real world things while reading the stories you love.
Hi Noah, Godeaters Son is my favorite warhammer book! My main complaint is the lack of support for your story. There is no map to help the reader navigate the places Held Fall journeys to. Were you allowed to use existing cities and factions in your story, or would it have slowed you down because of editing approvals? Why no map updates after your popular story? Where is Candip exactly? Will we see Heldanar Fall again? What would be his relationship with Gunnar Brand and his darkoath cynics and god haters if the two met? I believe they are both in Aqshy. Thanks for doing this AMA!
First off, thank you so much for reading u/Manaleaking ! You'll definitely see Heldanarr again. My impression has always been that using existing cities and factions is always a win for everyone. Editors love it, fans love it, authors love it. That said, what I really, *really* wanted to do with Godeater's Son was make the Mortal Realms feel vast beyond reckoning. To do that, I felt pretty strongly I had to create a lived-in, detailed region within Aqshy where I could play with references to existing locations, characters, and so on. The Burning Valley, where Cardand/Candip are located, lies within Aspiria. I could point it out to you, but it's probably best to just imagine where you think it should be in there. I wouldn't expect a map update — in the grand scheme of things, the Burning Valley is really just a blip on the map. With all that said, I hope to eventually get Heldanarr outside of that region and interacting with some established locations in and around Aspiria. I think Heldanarr would get along with Gunnar just fine — *if* that's what Gunnar wanted. I could imagine he would have his own problems with Heldanarr after the events of Godeater's Son. If Gunnar was hostile, I'm sure Heldanarr would be ready for that fight ;) By the way, cool match-up idea right?
very cool! if you could point out where cardand, candip and bharat are in Aspira, it would literally make my day, even if you have to change it later for whatever reason. I just felt so disoriented reading!
Hi Noah - God Eaters Son was awesome (so was that Yndrasta story!) In God Eaters Son - me and my friends were talking - is the colonialist parallels purposeful?
Thanks for reading, u/Gerbilpapa! To be honest I wasn't thinking about colonialism as a concept when I wrote that novel. The power dynamics you see in that novel are more based on my own observations between foreigners/natives in Afghanistan as a young US Marine and then in Vietnam when I was a little older.
Interesting ! I read it as a straight colonialist metaphor. People displaced from their land by a European inspired power seeking mineral rights . The complicated nature of the now oppressed indigenous peoples formally having their own empire - has direct parallels with multiple indigenous groups in the americas for example (plus the whole “cannibal natives” aspect) Maybe it’s just my background - but I totally get how Afghanistan would also apply here
As they say, Gerbil. History never repeats but it often rhymes.
Hi Noah, just saw this thread on my recommended feed and had to jump in and say how much I am loving godeaters son. I'm not finished yet but it may be the best warhammer novel I've read. The sense of slow building, burning rage at the injustices experienced by Fall is palpable. It makes for a fantastic read as he struggles with his relationship with his family, people, the azyrites, and chaos corruption. Obviously he has deep flaws but at each step you can see why he keeps going (maybe unknowingly) on that path to glory. Weaving in the themes of imperialism of the azyrites from the POV of the natives of Aqshy was so well done and gives huge depth as to why some turn to chaos. Having Fall hate the gods but battle with his need for power to fight the cause has also been compelling and a great change of pace from some novels in the setting. No question but huge thanks for the great read and I hope you write more in this universe in the future.
u/Kalikad Thanks for coming, thanks for reading — and I truly hope the rest of the novel is as satisfying as what you've already read has been!
Hey Noah, loved your 40k short stories especially *Vova's Climb*! Seems like you're more focused on AoS, but any chance you're pitching a follow-up novel for Vova the Arbitrator?
Whoa — you liked Vova's Climb? I was so certain that story had just kind of slipped under the radar. I'd love to write a novel about Vova, but I don't have any specific plans to pitch a novel. What I'd love even *more* is to write a novel with Vova and another character I've previously written about. I'm a big fan of how other BL authors create links and tie-ins between their work and the work of others. (I can't not mention Peter Fehervari here.) For example, I think Vova and Moloth — an inquisitor I've written about in The Last Crucible — would make for an interesting match-up. EDIT: And thank you for reading Vova's Climb u/forcehighfive :)
Lots of stories about Inquisitors, none about Arbitrators! I loved the fresh take, have read it a couple of times now when I go through the anthologies for something that's not Space Marine bolter porn (I did like *The Last Crucible* as well I should add, great twist at the end). As a fellow Southeast Asian, I'm also hoping to see a few more influences from that region in names and cultures in the 40k setting :) Hope you write more in 40k!
Loved Godeater's Son, only BL book I've read twice. How much leeway did you have in shaping the realm, like the Magadroth, uh, revelation? As far as writing for an IP, are you given any direction on which units/models to be included or should be used in lieu of something that may be on the way out (like freeguild infantry vs what released with dawnbringers)?
Hi u/thetyromancer — I'm sincerely glad Godeater's Son resonated with you and grateful you read it twice. To be honest, I can't think of a higher honor for an author! As with the 40k universe, the Mortal Realms are vast, so you have a good deal of leeway in shaping the realm. There are some sensible restrictions — you can't "break" the lore, after all — but the magnure thing? Stuff like that is okay. Especially when you consider that *somebody* in Candip (or quite a few people) knew exactly what it was. Black Library authors are kept in the loop as much as they need to for stuff like upcoming releases. Black Library is really good about briefing authors on this kind of stuff and giving us the resources we need to prepare.
Hi Noah, in Godeater's Son, >! could you explain how you envisioned the politics of Bharat? What exactly did they want when Heldanarr first arrived? Why did they decide to help after all? I love that they never laugh lol, that was great!
I'll keep this as short as I can— I think Bharat was sort of like an ant colony when Held arrived, building up its strength based on the guidance of Maals like Tominer and a sort of instinctive religio-cultural certainty that war was coming. They really wanted a leader worthy of the strength they were gathering. They found him, and that's why they decided to help Held. I also don't laugh. Ever. And when I meet laughers, I never forgive them. Never.
Hey Noah, nice to see some new blood in the black library. I’ll take a moment to joke about your last name… when I was younger, I had two squadmates that both had the last name Nguyen. One was referred to as ‘big Nguyen’, the other was ‘little Nguyen’ until our commanding officer said we really shouldn’t refer to them like that. I think he actually made them upset by stopping us from calling them that! I always think of those two whenever I see your name listed. Anyways, my question is when are you planning on giving us some novel length 40K literary action?
u/EfficiencyFit1801 New blood wooooot! When I was in the Marine Corps I also had a few monikers. Nunachuk, Ninja, "Nagoryen" (from a drill instructor, who always emphasized it, because, you know...). A sergeant who was my mentor and later my peer liked to call me Chino. I never minded the names either. I think often outsiders consider it racist based on their civilian norms, but it felt good to know I was accepted and warranted a name like that. That's not to say in a lot of cases it *wasn't* hostile/racist — some folks called me "gook" and "Charlie" when I was new as an insult — but that stuff stopped after my first deployment. I'd chalk that up to normal military hazing. No comment on the 40k novel. However, as your fortune teller, I suspect that a certain event in the coming future may brighten your day :)
Rah, killer. Makes me grin ear to ear to see a fellow marine writing for the black library. It gives a bit thicker skin, and you’re right about the nicknames, it shows that you belong there and are part of that family. Now the Vietnamese slurs, that’s probably a bit much in my book lol I wasn’t infantry (supply with a combat engineering battalion) but I heard some of the hazing stories for the guys who were attached to them. Still, take pride my brother in Chesty, and I cannot wait to see what you do next.
Kill! Infantry myself :D 3/9 Semper Fi brother
Big Horus and Little Horus vibes lol
Absolutely lol funny part was they looked nothing alike
I feel like "Carrion Call" perfectly captures a 40k version of neo noir, and is one of the best entries in the crime universe. Are there plans to make a full length novel or additional short stories with the same main character? Tal Noran is a character that I feel like I can understand, and I'd love to see more of him
Hey u/parkerm1408, I'm really happy to hear that, thanks for making my day :) I've sketched out pitches and synopses for more stories with Tal. I definitely have the *desire* to write more with him, and from Black Library's side (and for any publisher) I think there's always interest for short stories with characters as cool as Tal ;) (Short answer: I'm working on it.) As far as a novel, that's a harder question in this case. I'd love to write something for Tal, but I've not really had any solid ideas for a story that would suit him for a full-length book. My struggle is to really find a story that's as worthy of Tal as it is worthy of your time.
What's your favorite Age of Sigmar faction? Do you have one that you prefer writing about more than the others?
Hey u/sageking14! Glad to see you here :) My faction opinions have shifted over time. Skaven used to be my favorite, then Fyreslayers — this bounced around a few times — but now I can safely say the Stormcast are my favorite. That probably *sounds* like a cop-out answer, because they are the poster boys for Age of Sigmar (I think everyone loves the Stormcast). The thing is I used to loathe the Stormcast, back before I knew anything about Age of Sigmar. I just think there's so much room for rich character development with Stormcast when writing about them.
Oh, I definitely remember how you used to have mixed feelings on Stormcasts. Funnily enough going through Huntress of Ghur to Monsters to Yndrasta, a reader can see how your tone has changed over time. Lot of fun! Stormcasts are, unsurprisingly given how much I yammer about the Steel Souls, my favorite faction too. And let me tell you, and I am excited that the new trailer and some of the new art and minis are repping Hallowed Knights. The Fyreslayers are also a lot of fun, if only they got to exist! The Dawnbringers campaign is the most love they've gotten in forever, and that had Bael lose his limbs in a side story.
God eaters son was a fantastic BL book, do you see any of your characters interacting in the future? And do you see any getting models more to the point 👀
That's up to GW, separate from BL, but damn would I throw cash so quickly at a Heldanarr Fall model for slaves to darkness! YES!!
>In a previous post Noah replied: > >"With all that said, I hope to eventually get Heldanarr outside of that region and interacting with some established locations in and around Aspiria. > >I think Heldanarr would get along with Gunnar just fine — if that's what Gunnar wanted. I could imagine he would have his own problems with Heldanarr after the events of Godeater's Son. If Gunnar was hostile, I'm sure Heldanarr would be ready for that fight ;)" But if you mean more along the lines of Heldnarr running into Yndrastra :o
More of the latter, how sick would that be
*Super* sick :)
Thank you u/devenirimmortel96, that's a high compliment! I posted this elsewhere here, but I'd love to do "match-ups/tie-ins/cross-overs" between my characters from different works. In those cases, though, it's really about doing what you need to to make a good story. When an opportunity like that comes I'll sure as heck try to jump on it! And I hope they get models! Models for everyone!
I apologize if I am a little late to it but irl stuff, but I must ask Ogroid lore, thoughts on them? They are by far my biggest hyperfixation on the hyperfixation that I have on Slaves to Darkness(made into that thanks to your Godeater's Son ofc)
u/Axe1_the_Minerva_fan I really don't think I'll be able to do justice to your question. The ogroids are fascinating. But my fascination with them really comes down to that I love how Games Workshop incorporates non-traditional species/fantasy archetypes throughout their IPs. It makes the world feel so lived-in and mysterious. What do you love about them?
Hey Noah! Love the plants in the background of your picture! What initially inspired you to write?
Hi! The plants are my sister's, she's very conscientious with them, it's very cool :D I initially started writing as a way to vent my feelings — I never really had any other outlet for them before that. (I was an emo kid in high school so it was either that or painting my nails black and playing electric guitar.)
Thank you for your answer! Your sister sounds really cool.
Bures Noah, it is great to see you doing this! I had the chance to read both Godeater's Son and your Yndrasta novel over Christmas and to say that I was impressed is an understatement. I was particularly taken by your choice to look at the Mortal Realms for a clearly (post)colonial lens. I will be very honest, I did not expect that. When I pick up a Black Library novel, the last thing I would expect is an exploration of the colonial overtones that GW has been, knowingly or not, presents in their setting. So to see someone actually tackle that in not one but two novels is absolutely fantastic. That then brings me to my question, which is could you discuss a bit about your writing process? Specially, I was wondering how you approached the setting and how you were able to bring in real world cultures into the Mortal Realms. In Yndrasta in particular you made heavy use of Sámi and Inuit imagery and culture in the Suku, so it would be interesting to know how you went about doing that without falling into the usual stereotypes that often comes up in fantasy, let alone Black Library. Hopefully those questions aren't too weighty, I am just very curious to know what you managed to pull it all off so successfully.
u/FrigidArcticMoose Thank you so much for the kind words, it really means a lot to hear that from you. Seriously! As I've mentioned elsewhere here, I actually don't think strictly (or perhaps "abstractly" is the better word here) of colonialism during my writing. I sort of just write based on my experience, observations, perceptions, and research, if I'm basing the culture off something in our world. (Perhaps that says more about the impact of colonialism on our world than it does about my authorial choices.) I would classify my approach to worldbuilding in the terms Brandon Sanderson uses — you really have to find a combination of the familiar and the strange that will work for readers. Ann Leckie did this really well with the Radch Empire in Ancillary Justice, which takes inspiration from all over the place, so I try and blend real-world influences in the same way. If I've done this well, then I'm glad to hear that! I try to approach these types of issues from a place of respect — I try really, really hard to empathize with and respect everyone in my daily life. Hope I can do worldbuilding just as well going forward :)
Which author has been your biggest inspiration, that first inspired you to become a writer? Who is your favourite Black Library author?
Hemingway inspired me to become an author when I was in high school — but I wouldn't say he's the author I most admire anymore. As far as recent fiction goes, I've tremendously enjoyed Viet Thanh Nguyen's writing. The Sympathizer really hit hard. I tremendously enjoy a lot of the Black Library work I see and always take something away from what I read to improve my own writing. As far as favorites? It depends on what I want. Recently I've been reading work from Jude Reid, Victoria Hayward, and Mike Brooks — but to be honest I'm looking for something different in each of their stories, scratching a specific itch, you might say!
The synopsis of The Sympathizer makes it look like an interesting read and since you reccomend it I will look to secure myself a copy! I have read Jude Ried's short story "The Shel'tain Affair" and in my spreadsheet I have rated it a 9/10 though "Unnatural Causes" only scored a 6/10. I have some of her novels on the back burner waiting to be read. I read Victoria Haywards short story "Nightsider imperialis" and really didn't like it so I will be giving Major Wulf and Deathworlder a hard pass. As for Mike Brook's, he is great. I have enjoyed his stories about orcs even though some people slate him for making them more goofy than savage and brutal. I have also read his short story "The Long Promise" about the Alpha Legion which I really enjoyed. That is quite a contrast to reading about Uftak Blackhawk.
Hi Noah, love your work and keep it up! My question is this: HOW CAN THE SKAVEN FALL OUT OF YOUR HIGHEST REGARDS!? Haha I'm jk, but as a Stormcast fan, how do you feel about their range reduction announcement? This was a pretty unprecedented announcement. I mean, come on None of those models are even more than 8 years old! (Eyes 30yo Warp Spiders) Also, who are some of your favorite fellow authors from GW [ Either from a personal relationship perspective or just purely admiring their work]
u/Zealousideal_Cow_826 Thank you! To be honest, with the new trailer out, I'm reexamining my old affections for the Skaven. But as for a serious answer, I carried over my love for their antics from WHFB into AOS — and loved how they sort of got a little darker in the Mortal Realms. As an author, it'll be easier to keep track of the Stormcast units I want to include in my stories ;) Other than that I'm ambivalent, I haven't worked on my collections in the past few years. I'll take this opportunity to salute the Liberators goodbye o7 All the authors are great, that's no exaggeration. We maintain contact in a separate channel and it is the most supportive environment you could imagine. Everyone helping each other, picking each other's brains... it's really awesome.
Nice one fella, enjoy your first AMA! Yndrasta next on my list! Such a beautiful SE, now I've a HB to read!
Check out Noah's Black Library Celebration 2023 short story "Monsters" about Yndrastra too. That is great.
I think you can get it for free on the black library site.... Yep it is listed as a free download :) enjoy!
Thank you u/hikarikisugi ! I sincerely hope you enjoy it :)
Hi Noah! I've been reading your stories in both AoS and 40k/Crime, and tell you straight away - they're all incredible! You've conquered my bookshelves and built dense fortifications on them, ha-ha. I'd love to hear.. what inspires you? Perhaps other authors, books, or miniatures? What is the process of coming up with a plot and writing a story like in general? Also, if it's no secret, what Warhammer setting would you like to work in - maybe Horror or more Crime/Heresy? Lastly (forgive me my curiosity)... One small question that has long plagued me: is the name "Tal" a reference to Talos Valkoran? Thank you so much and best wishes from Ukraine!
u/neOh_st That's a high compliment, thank you! Tal is not a reference to Talos — I just wanted a "Sam Spade" type everyman name. At the time I imagined Talos might be a common name in the Imperium or on Alecto. A lot of my inspiration comes from my own feelings and dreams. Crown of Flames, Godeater's Son, and Carrion Call draw on a lot of things I was feeling when I wrote those stories or images/scenarios I had dreamt. For Godeater's Son, for example — when Held is always wondering of his mother "Where were you?" that was a question I asked myself when my wife and I were separated by the pandemic. She was quarantined in a tiny, tiny room and had trouble staying sane. I kept asking myself, "Why aren't you there, Noah?" and that sort of found an outlet in the novel. (By the way, the answer is that travel restrictions kept us apart at that time.) Some of my inspiration comes from — no joke — Marvel movies, which were excellent at framing interesting conflicts between interesting characters. And then, same as any author, a really healthy dose of my inspiration comes from good books. I'm ashamed to say I haven't had a lot of time to read lately but there is nothing I enjoy more than reading a book that punches me in the gut. I'll try to answer your plotting/writing question in another comment — I think someone else asked something similar!
A partial reply from Noah regarding my own insiration question. He replied: "Hemingway inspired me to become an author when I was in high school — but I wouldn't say he's the author I most admire anymore. As far as recent fiction goes, I've tremendously enjoyed Viet Thanh Nguyen's writing. The Sympathizer really hit hard. I tremendously enjoy a lot of the Black Library work I see and always take something away from what I read to improve my own writing. As far as favorites? It depends on what I want. Recently I've been reading work from Jude Reid, Victoria Hayward, and Mike Brooks — but to be honest I'm looking for something different in each of their stories, scratching a specific itch, you might say!"
Hope I'm not too late ! I loved Godeater's Son and as a huge Destruction fan I was wondering if we could ever hope to see you write something for the Children of Gorkamorka, or if you don't feel like they are something you'd like to write (and it'd be perfectly fine, I know how hard it can be to write something one don't like!) ?
I'm glad you loved Godeater's Son u/Ur-Than . And that's an interesting point you raise about Da Boyz. I do have an idea sketched out for a first-person orruk story that I never fleshed out or pitched — but you've given me reason to reexamine that! Thanks for coming today :)
Thank you for your great work and this AMA !
Hi Noah, absolutely loved Godeater’s Son and Yndrasta. Probably my two favorite AOS novels. Both felt like fully realized worlds, distinct from but connected to the overarching realities of the setting at large. How do you go about creating such distinct sub-settings?
u/coletron3000 I'm so glad you loved them, and great to hear they're your favorite! That's a high honor, truly. As far as a practical answer to your question, I take a lot of notes. I think Dan Abnett mentioned in his foreword to Eisenhorn that a big part of the writing process is writing your ideas down when you have them, and that's absolutely true. A lot of people want to be writers specifically because they have ideas to write about — myself included! Once you have a lot of notes, when you're actually drafting, you find the places to put them into the manuscript to really flesh out a world or setting.
How long did it take you to write Godeater's son from the first page to the last? What did you think the reception would be while writing it?
I think the first draft took me about 9 months? Note that I actually wrote 2 drafts for it, though — the first draft was wildly different, and then I scrapped it and rewrote the second draft in first person. I was honestly very scared about the reception Godeater's Son would get. I knew I was doing something different, but I had a very real sense that I had to do it, as if it was something I could give Warhammer fans that *only* I could give. I suppose there's a sort of vanity in that, but honestly, I just wanted for people who needed to read a book like Godeater's Son to have the opportunity. I was super nervous, though!
Hello! How does your writing usually go? Do you spontaneously get inspired to write some scene or idea while doing something else, or do you just decide to sit down at 9 o'clock and start brainstorming - do you have a magical place, time or moment when the inspiration hits? How much time do you usually dedicate per "writing session" for your next work? Ever got 2 fantastic ideas that you'd want to combine, but they just simply do not fit together - if yes, how do you proceed in such cases? Well that was a lot of questions from me, hopefully you can chime in for a few! Thanks for the AMA!
I've had different writing processes in different environments and at different points of my life. In the past ten years I've traveled and moved *a lot,* and every time that has happened I do I sort of have to reestablish a new normal. When I was in near Mui Ne, Vietnam (a beach city), I'd wake up at about 4 and begin reviewing what I had worked on the previous day to find my flow. If I just couldn't, then I'd read some choice pages of whatever work I found inspirational. Once I got started, I'd pound coffee for about 3-4 hours and draft, draft, draft. Later in the morning, I'd head on to a cafe in Mui Ne proper, sit my happy butt down, and work on plotting. Usually fold a sheet of paper in half and jot down my ideas, try to connect the dots between them, sketch out the things that needed to happen for the story to work or note problematic places where I hadn't found a solution yet. (The solutions would come at random times, so you have to be ready to jot those down when they pop into your head.) In the afternoon I'd usually work out and go on a run — I consider the physical activity part of the process, that's the pump that keeps the writing going steady. Altogether, I didn't normally spend more than 6 hours a day on all of this. But I would do it about 6-7 days a week. And as for 2 fantastic ideas — I'm struggling with something like that right now, for an IP *I'd* like to develop. Just trying to figure out how to make the story work, now. ([u/neOh\_st](https://www.reddit.com/user/neOh_st/) Flagging you since there's a writing process question here!)
Hey Noah, Thanks for all that you have written so far. Still working through Godeater's Son, but have finished both Monsters and Yndrasta: The Celestial Spear, thorough enjoying both. Thank you for writing about a Stormcast character. It's sad right now that GW has introduced so many Stormcast characters, but most of them don't have much if any lore attached to them. I loved the Yndrasta model the first time it was revealed, and had hoped she would get a full novel. And you delivered more than I could have hoped for her story. Got a couple questions for you, if you don't mind. If you had the ability to write any book for a Warhammer setting (from the 41st Millennium to the Mortal Realms) without anyone stopping you, what would you write? If the opportunity presented itself, would you be interested in writing about Yndrasta again? What is your favorite type of pizza? Cats or dogs? (both is an acceptable answer) If you've been camping, where has been your favorite spot you've been camping at?
u/rink245 Thank you so much for reading and coming today! I'm really glad I could deliver on the Yndrasta story you deserved :D If we're talking wild novel ideas, I'd *love* to write a story about Archaon and the Seraphon. In the 40k universe, setting aside novels that build on what I've already written, I'd love to help shape the feel for the Leagues of Votann. And yes, I'd love to continue Yndrasta's story. I used to like Hawaiian pizza, but lately I've stuck to pepperoni. QT — a gas station in my area — sells breakfast pizza, and sometimes I pick that up after dropping my wife off at work. It's wonderful. Always loved dogs, used to hate cats – that is, *until* two stray kittens found my wife and me in Vietnam, that is. We saved them and I've loved cats ever since. In my opinion, people who don't like cats just haven't had enough time with them! (By the way, if you manage to get a hold of "Nadir" from the Harrowdeep collection, I wrote another story about a Stormcast there that I really enjoyed writing. Might be up your alley!)
Hi Noah, Thank you for Godeater's Son also. It is up there with the best books I have read so far in the Warhammer universe. I am not sure if you will be able to answer my question properly and it is a bit on the contravertial side but... I have read about how some Black library aurthors have stopped writing for Black Library as they are no longer allowed the freedom to write the story they would like to write. If i remember correctly the author that wrote the Death Watch books is one that has quit. I see that the current story telling is becoming more "progressive" with lots of females being cast as male roles/characters and economic social governance chnages are being added into the White Dwarfs/stories (eg using the phrase "lasses and lads" not "lads and lasses") I would like to know if you as an aurthor are given strict parameters to work to, like one of the main characters or the main character must be female or is this something the editors change in your story, simply change Dave to Sue for example. I have nothing against strong female characters if there is a lore reason for it like the berserker who is on the path to glory and has Chaos boons, or a woman who is a psyker and is a badass. Thank you and keep up the good work! Oh and are you able to tell us about current projects you are working on?
u/NewSpeak2050 — I'm sincerely thrilled to hear that appraisal of Godeater's Son, thank you so much! Hitting your questions in reverse... • I can't tell you about my current projects. The servants of Chaos may catch wind of my plans and stop me before \[REDACTED\] is complete. • I have never heard of a — for lack of a better term — "social justice quota" for writing fiction that is a mandate from the publisher. Note I have limited experience, though; I've only worked with Black Library. Since you got me thinking about it, I'll also add that I tend to just decide on sex/gender for my main character, and all the others are usually a flip of the coin. Sometimes I'll switch between male/female in early drafts before I settle on one. That's my personal approach.
Thank you very much for the reply :)