Well, I have been a fan of Black Library for a few years now. And one of the authors who got my most admiration is definitely 'David Annandale'. So when I got the chance of doing an interview of him on the eve of his release of the second Yarrick novel I couldn't have been more happy. Here goes the episode -
1) Welcome back to the blog. Please start by telling us a bit about what's been going on with you lately?
It's been a busy time since we last spoke. My Grey Knights work appeared -- the novel Maledictus and two audio dramas -- and I wrote the novels Lemartes: Guardian of the Lost and The Pyres of Armageddon. There are three other novels in the bag too, but they must remain shrouded in secrecy for now. Beyond the writing front, I've carried on as one the co-hosts of the Skiffy and Fanty Show podcast, while Shaun Duke and I have begun the Totally Pretentious film podcast. I also had the opportunity to teach courses on fantasy films and drive-in movies, so that was fun too.
2) 'Yarrick: Pyres of Armageddon' is your second novel featuring Yarrick, so how does it feel to write about the character again?
I've now written more about Yarrick than any other character in the 40K universe, so I feel very close to him. I enjoy writing Yarrick very much -- it's rather like visiting with an old friend. And while Imperial Creed was about his first mission as commissar, and was an entirely new adventure, The Pyres of Armageddon deals with events about which there is plenty of lore, and so there was the extra spice of writing about some of the most important moments of his life.
3) So why do you think Yarrick is an interesting character? Why would your readers like him?
Yarrick is very human, yet capable of extraordinary feats, often through will alone. Here is an old man who is respected by both Space Marines and orks, which takes some doing, and I find it fascinating to explore the nature of the man who could achieve this most unusual position. And then there's the Ahab-Moby Dick relationship he has with Ghazghkull, which I love delving into. I've written about one facet of it in Chains of Golgotha. The Pyres of Armageddon is where it begins.
4) Is this novel a sequel to the first one or can new readers jump right on board with this one?
There are threads linking the book to Imperial Creed, but well over a century has passed between the two books. New readers should have no trouble jumping in.
5) The mention of Armageddon in the name smells of action. So is this book solely action oriented or does Yarrick deliver some thing more here?
This may be the most action-oriented novel I've written for Black Library, given the apocalyptic events that take place as the ork invasion begins. But I hope you learn more about Yarrick and why he acts as he does. This was also a chance to bring figures like Herman von Strab onto the stage, and Canoness Errant Setheno is back (and she has gone through a lot between Imperial Creed and now too).
6) What's in future for Yarrick? Do you plan to write more with him as a protagonist?
I would certainly like to, and the logical place to go would be what happens next in the Second War of Armageddon. That will depend on the Black Library schedule, and it's looking very busy (in the best sense of the word!) right now.
7) Can we expect some more 'Black Library' fiction from you in 2015? Care to divulge a bit?
Oh yes, much more to come! Lots that I'm excited about, but nothing I can divulge for the moment. Sorry!
8) So have you ever thought about writing on 'Warhammer' universe? And can we as fans expect some original fictions from you in near future?
I would jump at the chance, so we'll see what the future holds! As for my original work, the short story "The Broken Choir" in A Grimoire of Eldritch Inquests (edited by Josh Reynolds and Miles Boothe) has ties to the events in Gethsemane Hall, and I'm continuing to work on that. There are a few other short stories that will be appearing too, including a fantasy one, in times to come.
About Yarrick: Pyres of Armageddon -
The thrilling exploits of one of Black Library's most iconic characters.
Commissar Sebastian Yarrick returns to action to defend the world of Armageddon. When the largest ork horde seen for centuries hits the hive world, the Imperial forces are faced with an overwhelming attack. As battle rages across the planet, Yarrick and his allies lead the defence, striking at the orks in a series of daring assaults. Even if it means incurring the wrath of Armageddon's corrupt Overlord, Commissar Yarrick will not let Armageddon fall.
About David Annandale -
David Annandale is the author of the Yarrick series, consisting of the novella Chains of Golgotha and the novel Imperial Creed, as well as the Horus Heresy novel The Damnation of Pythos. For the Space Marine Battles series he has written The Death of Antagonis and Overfiend. He is a prolific writer of short fiction, including the novella Mephiston: Lord of Death and numerous short stories set in the Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 universes. David lectures at a Canadian university, on subjects ranging from English literature to horror films and video games.
Links - Website, Twitter
[PS: I just can't wait to find out more about the future projects by David. Well, at least in the mean time I can read this 2nd Yarrick novel, which hopefully would be even better than the first.
You can also check out my 'first interview of him'; as well as reviews of his works - 'Yarrick: Chains of Golgotha', 'Yarrick: A Plague of Saints', 'Yarrick: The Gallows Saint', 'Yarrick: Imperial Creed' on this blog.]
1) Welcome back to the blog. Please start by telling us a bit about what's been going on with you lately?
It's been a busy time since we last spoke. My Grey Knights work appeared -- the novel Maledictus and two audio dramas -- and I wrote the novels Lemartes: Guardian of the Lost and The Pyres of Armageddon. There are three other novels in the bag too, but they must remain shrouded in secrecy for now. Beyond the writing front, I've carried on as one the co-hosts of the Skiffy and Fanty Show podcast, while Shaun Duke and I have begun the Totally Pretentious film podcast. I also had the opportunity to teach courses on fantasy films and drive-in movies, so that was fun too.
2) 'Yarrick: Pyres of Armageddon' is your second novel featuring Yarrick, so how does it feel to write about the character again?
I've now written more about Yarrick than any other character in the 40K universe, so I feel very close to him. I enjoy writing Yarrick very much -- it's rather like visiting with an old friend. And while Imperial Creed was about his first mission as commissar, and was an entirely new adventure, The Pyres of Armageddon deals with events about which there is plenty of lore, and so there was the extra spice of writing about some of the most important moments of his life.
3) So why do you think Yarrick is an interesting character? Why would your readers like him?
Yarrick is very human, yet capable of extraordinary feats, often through will alone. Here is an old man who is respected by both Space Marines and orks, which takes some doing, and I find it fascinating to explore the nature of the man who could achieve this most unusual position. And then there's the Ahab-Moby Dick relationship he has with Ghazghkull, which I love delving into. I've written about one facet of it in Chains of Golgotha. The Pyres of Armageddon is where it begins.
4) Is this novel a sequel to the first one or can new readers jump right on board with this one?
There are threads linking the book to Imperial Creed, but well over a century has passed between the two books. New readers should have no trouble jumping in.
5) The mention of Armageddon in the name smells of action. So is this book solely action oriented or does Yarrick deliver some thing more here?
This may be the most action-oriented novel I've written for Black Library, given the apocalyptic events that take place as the ork invasion begins. But I hope you learn more about Yarrick and why he acts as he does. This was also a chance to bring figures like Herman von Strab onto the stage, and Canoness Errant Setheno is back (and she has gone through a lot between Imperial Creed and now too).
6) What's in future for Yarrick? Do you plan to write more with him as a protagonist?
I would certainly like to, and the logical place to go would be what happens next in the Second War of Armageddon. That will depend on the Black Library schedule, and it's looking very busy (in the best sense of the word!) right now.
7) Can we expect some more 'Black Library' fiction from you in 2015? Care to divulge a bit?
Oh yes, much more to come! Lots that I'm excited about, but nothing I can divulge for the moment. Sorry!
8) So have you ever thought about writing on 'Warhammer' universe? And can we as fans expect some original fictions from you in near future?
I would jump at the chance, so we'll see what the future holds! As for my original work, the short story "The Broken Choir" in A Grimoire of Eldritch Inquests (edited by Josh Reynolds and Miles Boothe) has ties to the events in Gethsemane Hall, and I'm continuing to work on that. There are a few other short stories that will be appearing too, including a fantasy one, in times to come.
About Yarrick: Pyres of Armageddon -
Commissar Sebastian Yarrick returns to action to defend the world of Armageddon. When the largest ork horde seen for centuries hits the hive world, the Imperial forces are faced with an overwhelming attack. As battle rages across the planet, Yarrick and his allies lead the defence, striking at the orks in a series of daring assaults. Even if it means incurring the wrath of Armageddon's corrupt Overlord, Commissar Yarrick will not let Armageddon fall.
About David Annandale -
David Annandale is the author of the Yarrick series, consisting of the novella Chains of Golgotha and the novel Imperial Creed, as well as the Horus Heresy novel The Damnation of Pythos. For the Space Marine Battles series he has written The Death of Antagonis and Overfiend. He is a prolific writer of short fiction, including the novella Mephiston: Lord of Death and numerous short stories set in the Horus Heresy and Warhammer 40,000 universes. David lectures at a Canadian university, on subjects ranging from English literature to horror films and video games.
Links - Website, Twitter
[PS: I just can't wait to find out more about the future projects by David. Well, at least in the mean time I can read this 2nd Yarrick novel, which hopefully would be even better than the first.
You can also check out my 'first interview of him'; as well as reviews of his works - 'Yarrick: Chains of Golgotha', 'Yarrick: A Plague of Saints', 'Yarrick: The Gallows Saint', 'Yarrick: Imperial Creed' on this blog.]
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