Just Added!: In the last couple of days I did an interview with Kris Sherriff of The Gaming Kingdom, a Fife-based wargames club, and you can find that interview here: http://www.thegamingkingdom.org.uk/blogs.htm

I’ve a few things to talk about today. First off, I’m going to be in London on Saturday 8th of November, signing copies of the brand new Horus Heresy book, Mechanicum, at a couple of Games Workshop stores. Between 12 Noon and 1pm I’ll be at Brent Cross and then between 3pm and 5pm I’ll be at the Plaza store in Oxford Street. If you can make it along to one (or both) of those events, it would be great to see you there and if you happen to have any other of my books with you, I’ll happily stick a pawprint on those as well. Or if you just fancy a natter then that’ll be nice too. Hope to see you in London.

Anyway, that’s business dealt with.

If you look at a rather excellent website called SF Signal (http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/007350.html) then you can read a small piece I did for their Mind Meld section, where a number of writers are asked to respond to a particular SF-related question. In this case, the question was:

“Astronaut Buzz Aldrin said fantastic space science fiction shows and movies are partly responsible for the lack of interest in real-life space exploration among young people. Do you agree with this assessment? Why?”

Follow the link and you’ll read my answer (as well those of people far cleverer than me). Thanks to John DeNardo for allowing me to participate in this, it was quite a challenge and was a lot of fun to do.

Okay, what else is new? Ah, well, I’ve just handed over the first half of Courage and Honour, the fifth novel in the Ultramarines series, which was a lot of fun to write and involves getting the Space Marines back to basics of doing what they do best. I’m really pleased with it so far, having learned the hard lessons taught by the struggle of Mechanicum, and I’m remembering why I love doing what I do. I’ve put together the (very) detailed timeline for the back half of the book now that the pieces are in place and it’s going to be a rockin’ good ride to the finish line.

This may be the last blog entry for a little while, as my girlfriend and I are off to Australia on Wednesday night for three weeks of well-earned holiday. We’re off to see Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns for what we’re hoping is going to be an adventure, with trips out to sea, exploration of caves, trips into rain forests and some white water rafting amongst the sightseeing. We’re also going to hang out with my very good bud, Anthony Reynolds, which will be ace – since I’ve not seen him since he left the UK to go back to Oz two years ago. I’m taking the laptop with me, so I may get the chance to do some random bloggage, but if we’re having as much fun as I hope we’re going to be having, then I wouldn’t bet on it. Anyway, I’ll be sure to let you know how it all went when I get back (if I come back…).

Right, on to answers to your questions.

Xhalax: Yeah, I spent the first few reads of the graphic novel and comic just looking at the great artwork too. And no, it’s not wrong to find Dark Elves yummy…but just remember, they’re mother and son and any such feelings should fade away. Look forward to seeing you on Saturday. And thanks for the Defenders of Ulthuan purchase. I’ll be doing the final book of that next year, I promise.

Andy: Good luck with the competitions and there’s something about our hobby that seems destined always to be stuck in small rooms. Weird, huh?

Gildor: Glad I could shed some light on Uriel’s name. Just remember that the way you decide to pronounce Uriel’s name is the right one for you. And thanks for the nugget of info on pronunciation.

John: You never know your luck. The worst that can happen is you don’t win, so what have you got to lose? And cheers for the best wishes for the award!

Stephen G: You’re welcome. And hopefully there’s not too many critters getting ready to come out in Australia, since I’m heading that way in a few days. The Emperor better bloody protect!

Liam: Yeah, will see you on Saturday and glad you’re there to lend helping hands to unbalanced siblings (and I mean that in the nicest way…). And the fate of Dalia…I guarantee it’s not what you’ll expect. I’ve always pronounced Vaanes in the same way as Van-ez, but then read it however it works for you. But we’ll chat more on Saturday…

Ben: Thank you very much for that. A simpler, more direct compliment than that would be hard to imagine. I’m glad you enjoyed the book and look forward to seeing you on many more adventures in fiction.

Okay, that’s all for now, so see you on the other side of the world.

Cheers,

Graham.

Ps – Congratulations Obama!