Saturday, November 08, 2008

Forthcoming Event


So how about that for a cover? Did I ever, in all my born years, expect to write a book that had a posed picture of a member of S Club 7 on the front of it? And like it? I’m pleased with the way the Primeval novel has turned out, so I hope you get a kick out of it too, even if you don’t watch Primeval. There are dinosaurs a-go-go, and when I say dinosaurs, I mean proper dinosaurs in large numbers. There’s also plenty of Russian military hardware, and Cutter, Connor, Abby and the rest. I’m especially proud of the dinosaurs, though. I think I give good therapod. In January, when it’s published to tie into the start of the third season on TV, you can judge for yourselves.

Last weekend, I tripped up to Colchester to attend the 16th birthday celebrations of the Colchester GW store. A very fun time I had, and I would like to thank Bunny and all her crew for making me feel so welcome. Hello to the 4TK guys as well.

Next weekend, the 14th and 15th, I will be attending the ingeniously titled Abertoir, the Aberystwyth Arts Centre Horror Film Festival. I’ll be signing on the Friday evening and then, again, on the Saturday lunchtime. I’m not sure why I’ve been invited to a horror film festival, unless it’s because I wrote a “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” graphic novel. But I’ll be there, willing and able, and if you’re there too, it’ll be fun. Check the Abertoir site for details.

Also just out from the pen of yours truly is “The Forever Trap”, a Doctor Who audio adventure I wrote earlier this year, which has been read on CD by Catherine Tate. She does great voices, and I’m completely chuffed with the end product.

I would also like to alert you to the publication of the trade paperback compilation of my “Kingdom” strip for 2000AD. It collects both of the series that I wrote, drawn by Richard Elson in spectacular fashion. “Kingdom” is nothing like as well known as Nova or Gaunt, say, but the people I’ve given my spare copies to have loved it, and it’s Nik’s favourite comic strip. If you like my novels, you might want to track it down on Amazon, or similar purveyor of published material.

Xhalax - Yes, I do think you have lost your mind to the dark elves. You should know that Shaun has provided Nik with enormous creative fodder. And when it says “Dan Abnett added you as a friend on Facebook” it’s probably referring to the fan Facebook site rather than the real Facebook me. However, if you do join Facebook, I will happily add you as a friend. Does that make you feel less wibbly wobbly?

122 comments:

Rory said...

ZING!

First comment! Win!


Ah Dan, i just finnished reading your Torchwood novel! Good Job!

Restarted Eisenhorn last night.
I love those books!

Any news on you coming up to Merry old land of Scotland? :)

Rory said...

Also you have Facebook Mr Dan?

Search for Rory Brown, and look for the guy with the silly hat and orange sunglasses. :)

Pack_master said...

Zing!

Who's the lassie on the cover? :)

Shame on me, Primeval's not on my list of TV shows - no, don't hit me, it's just that I don't have the time for much TV lately, with university going round and round a wee bi too much.


Rory: I can't keep track of how often I reread Eisenhorn. It's too fantastic a story to let it dust.


Facebook, eh? That would be a reason to join it, I have a bit of a resentment of things like facebook, myspace et cetera. Seems to me, this blog provides me with enough kindness :) but I can be wrong, enlighten me...

Anonymous said...

Best. Cover. Ever!

Anonymous said...

And whilst we're on the subject of dinosaurs, who's with me in raising a glass of sacra to the late Michael Crichton? The primogenitor of the prehistoric.

Anonymous said...

Matthew - hey fella! Long time!

Facebook - We have it, but please look for Dan rather than have him look for you. There are only so many hours in a day, and we don't want to slow down his output now do we :-) Dan's extremely good at accepting friend invitations, so don't be shy, but make sure you get him direct and not one of his fan sites.

Dan Abnett said...

Matthew, I'm with you. Michael Crichton wasn't the greatest prose stylist on the the planet, but he wrote some funting excellent books and created more than one brilliant TV show. His death is a real loss. I'm honestly a little shocked and sad.

Ruth King said...

The cover looks fantastic!

I listened to the first half of The Forever Trap last night before bed. Catherine Tate is a wonderful narrator. I can't wait to listen to the second half tonight. Thanks for drawing me back from the abyss that is Who Withdrawal. (Is it Christmas yet?!)

Anonymous said...

Bloody hell Micheal Crichtons dead?
man i am a proper space cadet sometimesnever read his books only ever saw the films,and shows ,13th warior my fav! loved the fact it was based on a real guy,and of course vikings.

Dukeleto said...

I've never liked Primeval, it has this slightly indefinable "ITV" quality that puts me right off. I'm sure Dan will have applied his magic touch to it tho!

Just letting you all know about the
new DeviantArt fanclub dedicated to Dan. Any of you with artworks, fanfiction or miniatures you want to submit, just let me know or drop the club a note.

Dukeleto said...

oh sh1t yeah, RIP Micheal Crichton!
Hard to overlook the recent climate change scepticism, but still, Jurassic Park was awesome, and I will always love ER!

What other shows was he involved in?

IMDB has answered my question, a Westworld series?? Wow why have a I never seen that? Westworld was awesome, Terminator owes it everything.

Xhalax said...

Yup, the Dark Elves have made their home in my brains and very much like it in there.

As for facebook....my brother tried to explain why all manner of why I was getting messages from facebook, but I can't remember what he said.

And actually, Mr. Abnett, your offer of actually adding me to facebook makes me feel even more wibbly-wobbly. So much so that I've created a secret facebook.

And cool beans on the sheep that's bringing creativeness!

Rory said...

In answer to Pack_master:

The girl on the cover is an Ex-popstar, i cant remmember her name but she used to be in S Club 7, ha i used to love guff like that when i was a kid. Didnt they make there own movie with clones and junk? Gahh kids TV has warped my mind >.<

Al said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Al said...

I think her name MIGHT be Hannah...

>_>

<_<

And I most certainly CANNOT name all the other members of S Club 7... lol

Hmmm haven't posted here for a while.. how is everyone?

I added you on facebook yesterday Dan, and I must say I enjoyed playing 'Where's Dan' looking through some of your photos lol. Sometimes I didn't believe the tag at the bottom of the photo.. you look different with those 80's glasses and a full head of hair! hehe just kidding..

Just checked out the DeviantArt fanclub too, Dukeleto you have some awesome stuff up there man, keep up the good work :)

Xhalax said...

That is Hannah

Xhalax said...

Bugger....on facebook I posted a black and white picture as my profile picture.

I feel like such a copier!

Rory said...

I have Xhalax on Facebook?!

Wait. i can name the rest of S Club... i think

Rachel Stevens was on of them?

Then Jo, she looks like a lesbian
and wasnt the black guy called Bradley... Hmm Then there was the guy called Paul and another one Called Jon..

The last one was called Tina i think.


Am i right? :D

Xhalax said...

And the ridicule can now be heaped on Rory for confessing that he knows all of SClub7 and is correct.

*points and laughs*

Rory said...

sorry. but i didnt know what REAL music was until i was 10, when my uncle bought me a pearl jam album.

Before that it was Bewitched and S-Club. Meh, who am i kidding. im going to See Mcfly on the 25th with my 2 friends Katie and lucy. hahahaha. I really need help.. dont i?

Anonymous said...

I shamefully have to admit that I bought the CD for 'Don't Stop Moving' by S Club 7 when it first came out. And now I'm singing and dancing in a routine for the very song in a Wizard of Oz pantomime this year! Camp is not the word.

Anonymous said...

so some of u guys are on facebook
dont forget to look me up,we shall see how long it takes for some of u to become addicted!
A good cure....an Abnett book.

Anonymous said...

Dan: are any of your clones moonlighting as drivers on National Express coaches? because if not, you might want to ask your parents whether or not you happen to have any long-lost twin brothers, because I swear the resemblance was uncanny...

Anonymous said...

big: my mum has a facebook account. that's a plenty good enough reason for me NEVER to have one.

Xhalax said...

big: care to furnish me with your name so I can find you....as I very much doubt that facebook will allow you to use the name 'big'?

I went the whole hog and used my full sunday title.

Muahahahahahahahaha!

Rory said...

Haha yes you did! :O

Xhalax said...

Rory - I rarely do anything by halves.

Rory said...

i guess. is it and english thing having a sunday name? because i dont think i gots one'o those!

Anonymous said...

xhalax -i m on Dans page,tagged in the album Big and Dan..my names at the top .Matthew Churchill has just come through ....Welcome. Im still gonna blog on here though love it to much !

Anonymous said...

Oh yeh my pictures in black and white to ,thats cause im vain.And the picture i got with Dan i wearing my miniture painting specs
i also say this cause im vain..

Rory said...

Its Hard trying to find Big, considering i know Neither his real name OR what he looks like. Badtimes

Pack_master said...

Well, "Steve" is one part of his name, but if it's short from "Steven" or else... ;)

Xhalax said...

Muahahahahahahahahahaha!

Rory said...

Hmmm, Xhalax is never as scary as she used to be. her Muahahahaha just doesnt have the same punch anymore.

*sadface*

Xhalax said...

Should I be bored of facebook already?

Rory said...

its not as addictive as id hoped. :(

Xhalax said...

It's pretty annoying to be honest....especially since I'm putting off stuff I really should be doing to technically press buttons on games.

Talking to people I won't normally get a chance to converse with is a definitely plus though!

deathwatch_v said...

Hey
I only just found your site Mr Abnett after reading Titanicus, fantastic by the way.

Just thought i'd comment to say that you are easily the best 40k writer ever. From what i have read, in 40 000 years only the great Ravenor has come close to your prowess with a pen or data slate.

I love everyone of your books and you deserve great applause for the work that you have done and for what you continue to do.

Hope you write another Heresy book soon!

Anonymous said...

Have just had the pleasure of meeting Mr Abnett at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre!

Have got to say that I'm intrigued and excited by the ambiguous reference to a new independent project...

Thanks again for the signing/Q&A!

sentinel guy said...

I was also at the Aberystwyth QA/signing this evening.

Im very happy to hear that Gaunts Ghosts have a few books left yet.

If it was up to me they would never end.

Xhalax said...

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the following:

'I hate books.'

Especially when they make me feel crappy.

Unknown said...

Dear Dan Abnett,

I've been following your work in general since the mid 90's with your work in 2000AD and the Gaunt's Ghosts stories since they were first published as short stories in Inferno!, which I might add also no longer exists, and was ecstatic when the Ghosts made the jump to full length novels. I'm greatly dismayed and disheartened at your decision to release The Iron Star as a limited pressing available only to a small area. You've effectively disenfranchised your fan base that is not located within the UK and created a situation wherein those in the UK are able to profit off of your hard work. I understand the desire to limit the production of a limited item, however it was short sighted to make this available in only a small area.

I am sorry that you feel your fans outside of the UK were not, for whatever reason, worthy of this release. However in light of the obvious fact that as a fan my devotion is less valuable then that of those in the UK I will with great resignation be questioning whether I continue to read your stories.

sincerely,

-Rob

Rob Rath said...

Robziel,

Dan doesn't have any say in how many books are published, that's a decision of the publisher, Black Library. Authors rarely even get much input on what goes on the covers of their books. Even so, it's pretty standard to create "special releases" for events like Games Day- much like the limited edition minis available there. It's not a slight against non-UK fans, it's a perk for attending an event.

Perhaps you could write BL nicely and ask that they include the story in the next omnibus? If there's enough interest, I'm sure they'll consider it.

Anonymous said...

Robziel - Unfortunately as the author, and not the publisher, Dan doesn't make decisions about distribution, how much product is printed, or where it is sold in the world.

It is always a great pity when any fan misses out, but Dan does what he can to reach as much of his fanbase as possible, by travelling for signings, by giving interviews, and by engaging with his readers through this website.

This, of course, doesn't resolve your problem, but perhaps you might like to go the the Black LIbrary website and post your comments there, where the people who make the decisions can read them.

Xhalax said...

Black Library specifically kept a number of copies of The Iron Star back from GD UK to sell on their online store....which is, I believe international.

So there was copies available for a short while to anyone, anywhere in the world that was quick enough to buy one, so technically no one was left out in terms of geography because, as I said before, I do believe Black Library's web store is international in it's access and posting.

And I believe that copies of the Horus Heresy short from last year were available during the GD Baltimore 08.

So I think it's a shade unfair to say that non-UK fans are being left out by Black Library.....plus BL are releasing books in other languages too.

And if all else fails, befriend someone in the UK and get them to get you stuff. I get stuff here in the UK (which included copies of The Iron Star because I LOVE going to Games Day) and send them off to the Netherlands and Australia on a fairly regular because I have friends out there who are unable to attend Games Day for all the goodies that are up for grabs.

HiWayRobry said...

That's cuz you have a heart of gold Xhalax!

Anonymous said...

Xhalax - after that revelation I have to agree with Rory's earlier comment. You are becoming decidedly more soft and cuddly!

Xhalax said...

HiWayRobry - So there's gold under them, there ribs?

Matthew - I was scary before?

Rory said...

Hahahaha you used to be a Crazy all knowing, Book-reading Over seer'

Now your soft... Soft!

Rob Rath said...

Hiway, Churchill and Rory-

That's so not true. She hangs out with Stormtroopers, I've seen it.

Never trust someoene who keeps company like that.

Anonymous said...

Rob - she sends me flowers on Facebook. Flowers!

I've never had the Sith down as flower arrangers.

Rory said...

I guess, the fluffy side is just a front. deep down she is a flaming ball of hate! :D

Xhalax said...

Oh yes, inside this robust, blonde exterior beats a cold, black, druchii heart and she LOOOOOOOVES it!

Rory said...

D: i dont like this new stormtrooper commanding' ass kicking Flower giving Xhalax! :O

Xhalax said...

Fine. Be like that then.....I shall return back to my normal apathetic self and stay that way.

*sulks in the corner*

Rob Rath said...

Matt-

Xhalax sent you flowers and your first thought wasn't "Mafia warning"?

No, don't sulk and go apathetic Xhalax. There's no contradiction between flowers, stormtroopers and a cold, black heart.

So maybe this is just me being odd, but I just spend a good two minutes trying to think of a link between Stormtroopers and flowers. All I came up with was an image of a line of Stormtroopers pointing blasters at a group of hippies while the hippies put flowers in the gun barrels. Eugh, Star Wars and '60s news footage- mental culture clash at its worst.

Uncle Truth said...

Dan, I have not posted for a looooooonngggg time, but I notice that you have been incredibly busy anyhoo!

I finished Titanicus about two weeks ago and had a lump in my throat to say the least,(I've learned my lesson from previous posts, so no more spoilers from THIS ginger!).

I hear that you're coming to my hometown in April, which is truly awesome! The only hitch for me is that it's the day of my very, very first wedding anniversary ever and I don't think that even I could get away with taking my wife to a sweaty GW store to queue the day away!

I also had a particularly bizarre conversation with someone who - with nothing more than an offhand remark - has forevermore ruined the Ghosts books for me! He asked me what I thought the Ghost's sing-song accent equated to in the context of British, or Irish regional accents.
From that point, I have been tearing my hair out, (almost) as a result of my infuriating compulsion for reading dialogue in my head using the accent of the character in question.

AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!

Can you, or any of my fellow posters who have asked this question in the past please, please end my Irvine Welsh born suffering by giving me a hint about the Tanith and Verghast patois?

Yours with happines at the return of the mighty starhawk and looming blood pactness,

Tom

Anonymous said...

I always thought of the Ghosts having British accents u know English Irish Scotish Welsh,and also with regional accents eg Yokshire etc, but i suppose its whatever u feel comfortable with!
The Verghast sound like Londeners in my head. Being from a major city
(London)and from Britain i suppose thats natural!

Rob Rath said...

I hear the Ghosts with American accents- even though I know the Tanith are Celtic of some stripe. I've always seen the Verghastites more as Rust Belt workers from Detroit or South Chicago than Londoners or New Yorkers. I figure it has to be somewhere with mining and manufacturing.

Though Sturm, Corbec and a few others have British accents. It's wildly inconsistent, now that I think about it.

Dukeleto said...

Pretty sure the Tanith sound Welsh, double consonants abound in their place-names. Then again, their names are more Irish or Scots, so who knows.
I'M Welsh, tho I don't sound it, so I'm probably biased.

Like the idea of the Verghast being from Detroit!

Uncle Truth said...

Cheers lads. I've ruminated over most of those possibilities, but the ones that sprung to mind immediately for the Tanith were Irish, or American, (sing song) and welsh, or even Yorkshire twang for the Verghast, (Goin' down t' mine!).

I'm surprised that this hasn't come up before.

Damn, I hope I haven't spoiled the Ghosts books for you chaps now!

Tom

Rory said...

I see them as having Scottish Accents.

I mean come on, They live in woods (or Used to) Theyre favorite weapon is a Knife (ever been to Glasgow?) And they Brew there Own Alchohol. Could you get much more scottish? Although i do see Gaunt with a sorta well spoken/english accent.

Biased? Me? Never! :D

Xhalax said...

For me, everyone is very english in their speaking and accent....some being faux-posh, like me.

Anonymous said...

There must be something wrong with me. Someone mentions heart of gold and my first thought is how much it would fetch on eBay. My second was how to clean up the blood afterwards.

Sorry Xhalax, nothing personal. I just like gold, that's all.

Xhalax said...

......

Anonymous said...

We seem to under the general concencuss,that the tanith sound like a true British regiment ,with all our brothers and sisters from the four nations in there some where ! which i must say is very true to life as most regiments are a great mix of peopes not just from the Union but from all over the Commonwealth .Its great to share ideas and culture and makes for a great place to learn about others,my best friend in there was an african chap who was every bit
Ezrah "The natural warror".
Saying that i do feel the strong Gaelic influence in there My Dad was a stalker in the Highlands which is something i grew up with so him and those chaps are never far from my mind,Gaunt reminds me of an English officer but as a whole the regiment feels rural British,and i gurantee there u will always find someone that reminds u of !a Tanith Member

the-seventh-son said...

Lordy that was brilliant

i always think of the Ghosts as having Northern accents, on the border of Scotland and England,

but i do like the idea that the Verghast elements of the Ghosts are from London or Detroit, for a bit of variety

as for the Volpone i kinda see them as having French accents, which would stand to reason :P

Dju said...

@ Seventh Son : the French element in this blog's audience thanks you for this remark.
Actually, with Gilbear being described as very tall and heavy-built, I don't see him as French at all, more like a good ol' WASP football player.

the-seventh-son said...

@Dju, i see what you mean, i for some reason though have Sturm having a really strong French accent and walking round saying nononon

The Roane Deepers i kinda picture as having an African accent, like the painter in this seasons heroes

Narmanians are clearly Russian with all their tanks...

Dukeleto said...

ah no way 7th, the Roane Deepers are definitely ANZACS, cmon, ill-disciplined but tough as boots??

I see the Volpone as pretty much just aristocratic twits from any Euro country you care to name (or even Ivy-league yanks) Perhaps German more than others, WWI Fritz mixed with an Ivy-League football team!

the-seventh-son said...

@ Dukeleto

i was more going towards the superstitious feel, like they said in Ghostmaker i think it was...

Anonymous said...

Now i saw the Narmanians as our American Brethren go figure.
Roane Deepers definatly our ANZAC Brethren, although u would be suprised how disciplined they are in real life!
For some reason i saw the Volpone regiments as Black fellas!

the-seventh-son said...

nah big Pardus are the Americans

but i guess i have to conceed on the Anzac thing!

Volpone's being black is an interesting one

what about the Vitirians and the other ones

Rory said...

i always saw the vitrians as black, or asian. dunno why!

Dukeleto said...

Vitrians are described as black, all of them, in the Gaunts Ghosts books and the untouchable in the Inquisition trilogy, every Vitrian that appears has a name beginning with Z and very dark skin.

HiWayRobry said...

When I was in boot camp at the MCRD in San Diego I had the honor of seeing the Scottish Marines in full-dress uniform. They were a sight to behold! That's how I see most of the Tanith 1st. The Verghast I see as as the Royal British forces.
The Phantine are the typical conceited Americans, good in a fight and they know it.

Rory said...

Yes! someone who agrees! :D

Anonymous said...

Hiway- the Scots are British they make up a major part of the Union in fact a Scotsman is running Britain as we speak,...lol
their is no such thing as the Scottish Marines,and most of the regiments are mixed now, its very rare that u will see a British regiment that hasnt been influenced in some way by another as they have been fighting alongside one another for hundreds of years!,u probably saw a Highland regiment of the Army...lol
And guys ur Right i got the Volpones mixed up with the Vitrians
my mistake 100 laps for big!

Rory said...

But Big, isnt it only recently that they were integrated? :P

Anonymous said...

*pokes*

So, when can we expect the second series of Darkblade novels to come out? I reread them recently, and want more.

HiWayRobry said...

big,
That was 1981 and I can almost guarantee that they were Scottish Marines. If you say I'm wrong then I will bow to your superior knowledge, but I'm pretty sure that I'm right. Either way, they were intimidating and glorious all at once.

Anonymous said...

Yeh in Britain u have
"The Royal Marine Commandos"we have fewer troops than say the Americans so not only are they Marines but also Green beret Commandos and ur Navy Seal types!(the S.B.S. a part of their formation) Now the the Royal Marines have a World famous band which plays alongside the Army bands for which the Scots are reknown,eg. The Bagpipes Kilts etc.So what u probably saw was the 2 on parade (or on show)together.Which i say lucky you ,im envious!In the Army they called me "Scotney" because me Dads Scottish and im a Cockney..lol!
If and when i get married it will be in FULL Scots regalia and i will have pipers in attendance playing away!..lol dont know what the misssus is going to do as she is Welsh!
Rory its not an official intergration .What i mean is the army doesent turn around and say each regiment should take a certain amount of troops from another country or any part of the Commenwealth (We are lucky to have the most varied Army in the world)
but i have seen all nations represented in all regiments!
For instance i was brought up on stories of The Black Watch so that was the regiment i wanted to join and their would have been nothing stopping me,i ended up going elsewhere but thats another story!
Hiway-The Marines u met might have been Scottish (IE were they where from) ...possibly.

Xhalax said...

Lordy - Mr. Lee will be working on Malus book 6 next year.

Anonymous said...

The Malus novels are great aint they!

Xhalax said...

Well I've read them, then I loaned my omnibus to my brother, along with the two other books I bought...which are now his on the understanding that he buys me the next omnibus when it comes out and I've just sent a friend the whole lot as a christmas present.....so yeah, Malus = teh win!

Rory said...

Yea. Scotland only has like 1regiment now right? Royal Regiment of Scotland or somthing, I know for a fact the scots guard dont exist anymore.

Anonymous said...

Rory -your jokin? bloody hell ! i tell ya they will make to many cut backs one day and it will all go pearshaped...for real.what they dont understand is some of these regiments a part of our culture !
I always saw the Blue Bloods as a Guards unit!

Xhalax said...

Urk!

I'm such a gutless wonder. I've played like ten minutes of Dead Space and I'm scared.

I'm pretty bad at it too, as I've only come across one bad guy and I'm down to four shots on my plasma cutter and I had to use my only health pack.

Where are those damn Astartes when you need them to hide behind and dismember the bad guys for you?

Rory said...

its true. i think they meant to make a "Super Regiment" Pah,

HiWayRobry said...

Xhalax,
I hope you're playing with a set of really nice headphones, in the dark, at night, by yourself. That's the only way to play Dead Space.
big,
All I remember is they wore kilts and were every bit as good, it not better, than the Marine Corp precision drill team. They were amazing. So much so that almost 30 years later I still am impressed!(Maybe they were called Roayal Marines?)

Anonymous said...

If u liked that then its worth watching "The Royal Edinborough Milatary Tatto" dont know if u get it in the States but if u do its worth it bro! its the Scots at there finest and they invite other Military bands along!

Rory said...

its like, because scotland is the best small country in the world. despite our teenage pregnancy and high violence rate. were Good people deep down.

Anonymous said...

Dont quite know where ur going with that Rory......but good luck.

Dan must be busy he aint posted in a while...hopefully its for our benefit and theres no probs!
Anyone heard about these cd's with new herasy stories on them!would like to get my hands on some!

Xhalax said...

HiWayRobry - No, I'm not because I'd like to not experience a heart attack.....ever!

I creeped myself out playing Silent Hill 3 in the semi-dark (I live in the twilight zone at home, which is shown in my pastiness), at night, while I'm home alone.....and I nearly fell off the bed when there was a sudden burst of static from the small radio the character carries and I got attacked by some dog-like thing.

Bad bad baaaaaaaaad!

I don't feel all that at peace in my home as it is anyway, so playing scary games in the dark in a house that has be on edge isn't the brightest thing for me to do.

Xhalax said...

Big - I know Dan has been online on facebook a couple of times over the last week.....but I'm too scared to speak to him again after the first time.

Urk! I'm becoming something of a facebook stalker.....I'm not impressed!

Rory said...

Either do i Big! Scotland, in all honestly, Is a dump. haha.

Scary games - WIN

i can still remember the first time i played Ravenholm it 3 in the morning with surround sound headphones. or when i spent everynight for a week playing fear in the dark.

I didnt sleep. at all.

IT WAS ACE!

Xhalax said...

I can't say anything has every scared me into lack of sleep....I enjoy my unconscious state far too much to allow fantasy to stop me.

Dukeleto said...

Any of you played Left 4 Dead much?
"WITCH!"

HiWayRobry said...

Doom 3 was the game that creeped me out the most. It actually scared me a couple of times so much that I had to stop playing. Until the next night when I jumped right back in!
The first Silent Hill was pretty creepy too.

HiWayRobry said...

Doom 3 was the game that creeped me out the most. It actually scared me a couple of times so much that I had to stop playing. Until the next night when I jumped right back in!
The first Silent Hill was pretty creepy too.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr Abnett,

I am not here to comment on your book cover, although it is indeed lovely. But to demand truth.

I was attempting to construct a 'wishlist' containing a number of your fine books. When I clicked on the rather surly looking 'Eisenhorn' gentleman I was rewarded with this message;-

Your search "dan%20abnett" did not match any products.

My question is this, if you are only twenty per cent 'Abnett', what is the other eighty per cent?

Yours,

Worried of W. Yorks.

Rory said...

Considering I jump at Thriller movies.

I Had to play Doom 3 in daylight.


I played the first bit at night. for thrills ofcourse. Until all the lights went out and i fell down a hole filled with zombies.i had to turn my computer off my computer i was that scared.

I never played that game at night again.

HiWayRobry said...

That double post was NOT my fault!
*ahem*
I hear ya Rory. For me, I love being scared. It's about the only thing that makes me feel alive. (Pathetic, I know)

Anonymous said...

Just gonna hog the blog for a bit:
Dan, Nik, Xhalax and Big - Thanks for your birthday messages! Although I must say I'm horrified at waving goodbye to my twenties.

I'm half way through The Forever Trap and very impressed so far. Catherine Tate is fantastic, and she obviously enjoyed having fun with all the alien voices. I'm pleased to see it's doing well in the charts.

Rob Rath said...

I still remember one Christmas Eve when I was a teenager I unwrapped Resident Evil: Director's Cut as my early "Christmas Eve" gift.

I stayed up playing it in the dark while everyone else was asleep. I got to the part where the dogs burst in through the windows, and jumped so suddenly my elbow knocked one of the blubs off the tree and broke it. Now that's entertainment.

Worried W. Yorks:

It is true that Dan is only 20% Abnett. Scientists can only theorize about the other 80%, and it is likely we will never know his true makeup, since all postulates have been overturned due to contradictory evidence.

Ideas, anyone? What makes up the other 80%? I'm guessing that like most writers, he's at least 5% coffee.

Anonymous said...

Rob - not so much coffee, more camomile tea or hot ribena. He's also a couple of percent Emma Hamilton, and just a tad Huguenot. Go figure.

Pack_master said...

Don't forget 16% genetically unstable - too much cloning, pal.

Just read the new comic you made with Ian Edington. Dunno what it's called originally, in german it's "Gebrandmarkt" which translates "Branded", methinks. Well, it's about a Witch Hunter, so it is good. Like it very much. It's not that bloody, though... more... slimy ;)

Anonymous said...

its pretty pathetic but i cant actually play survival horror games in the dark anymore i love to play them but just not in the dark lol strange i dont have the same feeling about horror movies

speaking of survival horror games anyone playing left4dead if not and your a fan of zombie films/games by it its the shit whats not to love about a zombie coop suvival fps :D

Anonymous said...

oh and before i forget im sure Dan is at least 15% Cossack

Rob Rath said...

Cor-

I had to choose between CoD: World at War and Left4Dead, and (not without some regrets) went with World at War. Played the Left4Dead demo and really liked it... plus CoD has "Nazi Zombies" to tide me over.

I've got zombies on the brain recently. I've been polishing a short story about a zombie to send off to a competition.

Nik-
I'm not much of a coffee drinker either. I didn't drink it at all until I started working at a law firm, where it's sort of a cultural must.

Emma Hamilton! That's impressive. I'm not related to anyone famous, but do have ancestors who were staff members and associates of famous people.

Rob Rath said...

I should probably have mentioned this earlier, but this cover makes me think of a James Bond book with a Dinosaur Island plot twist. "Extinction Is Forever" or something like that.

"Do you like my velocitaptors Mr. Bond? They are excellent mothers; very gentle and caring. So try not to judge them too harshly when they start to eat you."

Anonymous said...

Rob ...thats soooo cool i pissed myself laughing!
" Goodbye Mr Bond"

Anonymous said...

Rob ...thats soooo cool i pissed myself laughing!
" Goodbye Mr Bond"

Anonymous said...

Rory: "Yea. Scotland only has like 1regiment now right? Royal Regiment of Scotland or somthing, I know for a fact the scots guard dont exist anymore."

I don't have a clue if that's true or not but if it is then it's across the road from where I live in Canterbury. The Royal something Scottishy Highlanders Barracks, who just got back from Afganistan last week.

Anonymous said...

thank god for wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Regiment_of_Scotland

Anonymous said...

Man im getting serious Tanith withdrawls,gonna have to start reading the omnibuss or something,when is Blood Pact due again?

Oh and of course would love to see some Cavalry battles Dan,u just write them so well!

Rob Rath said...

Big-

The funniest thing about the idea of Bond on a Dinosaur Island is that it's only slightly more ludicrous than Moonraker.

Anonymous said...

I thoughraly agree!
Mind u as a kid i liked Moonraker
Jaws was in it ( i was always picked as Jaws in the playground games that were bond) and it was always on at chrimbo! There was always sharks ,piranhas or snakes to fight so why not Dinosaurs!
Im also a massive fan of the Flesh Tearers Legion ,and they also fight Dinosaurs,and now it seems so does one of the girls from s club 7.....and there gonna show uuu hhhooww.....lol

Anonymous said...

Afternoon peeps,

I tend to lurk and read more than post but may I direct your attention to the black library's coming soon page where you'll find that Dan's next HH book...Prospero Burns has been list for a November release.

I wonder what thats about then lol.

Pack_master said...

Well, well, well... I just saw that your battle with Graham is over, deciding which one of you takes which part in the HH-novels about SW and TS... but "Prospero burns" dones't really give away, which part you've finally chosen.. please, please please please tell me you've got the savage and honourable part writing about the Wolfs of Fenris... Dan? :)

Anonymous said...

the odd thing that always struck me about Michael Crichton (yeah, sorry I'm late) is how he was accepted as a 'respectable' mainstream writer even though he was essentially a SF author, and - with no disrespect to him or his achievements intended, but let's be fair - one of, um, not consistently stellar ability or talent. sure, he was certainly no L Ron Hubbard, but he wasn't a J G Ballard or a Philip Dick either. true, his later career benefited from the support of a vast and very slick marketing machine, but the original key to Crichton's commercial success was that he was pretty much the first capable authors to try and make SF 'accessible' to a mainstream audience, via the simple trick of putting existing SF stereotypes (flesh-eating space plagues, ravening dinosaurs, homicidal robots etc.) into entirely normal, modern or near-modern settings that any reader could immediately relate to. and while I think his purely literary record is of rather mixed value, there is no doubt that his success contributed directly to the ongoing success and expansion of the SF genre, especially in terms of other media like films and TV. for that reason alone, any SF fan - even if they don't much care for his books, as many don't - should mourn his loss and respect his achievements, cos what was good for Michael Crichton was ultimately good for all of us.

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