<…With careful, steady actions, Alotros sat in the middle of the lake and mechanically cupped handfuls of the dark fluid, one after another, to his lips. He drank silently, unhurried.
‘Look at me,’ ordered Sanguinius. His heart tightened in his chest and a very specific kind of sorrow gripped him as Alotros slowly obeyed.
The primarch saw the trails of dried blood visible from Alotros’s nostrils, his ears, the corners of his reddened eyes. His lips, his chin, the exposed flesh of his neck, all were wet with the blood he had been patiently drinking, mouthful by mouthful.
Sanguinius knew that it was already too late, but he could not go on without trying.
He offered his hand. ‘My son,’ he began. ‘Step back, if you can. Step back from the abyss and return to us. I will save you.’…>
— Fear to Tread by James Swallow (The Horus Heresy, Black Library)
Was anyone gonna tell me "The Flight of the Eisenstein" is "Battleship Potemkin" by Sergei Eisenstein in the 40k universe or was I supposed to find that out by procrastinating on work with watching old movies?
'High priest. I would speak with my brother.’
‘Indeed?’ Sachiel arched an eyebrow. ‘Perhaps your time would be better spent preparing your squad for combat. I’ll overlook your clandestine entry into a meeting that you were not cleared to join, but I strongly suggest you leave now. What little good favour you have is running thin, Rafen.’
‘Are you afraid I might talk some sense into him? He scoffed. ‘Stand aside, Sachiel.’
The Blood Angel’s face flushed red, matching the crimson of his wargear. ‘You will address me as Sanguinary High Priest!
From: Deus Encarmine, James Swallow
Anderson Entertainment Reveals Covers for UFO & Space: 1999 Novels from James Swallow
Anderson Entertainment is publishing two novellas by New York Times bestselling author James Swallow.
Jamie Anderson, managing director of Anderson Entertainment, acquired world all-language rights to the novellas directly from the author.
Swallow said he was “a lifelong fan” of company founder Gerry Anderson’s TV shows such as “Thunderbirds” and “Stingray”.
The two novellas, Space: 1999 The Armageddon Engine and UFO Shadow Play, are new stories set within the worlds of two of the biggest live-action Anderson properties, “Space: 1999” and “UFO”.
Both novellas will be published on September 13th 2024 for Breakaway Day, the annual celebration of the 1975 series "Space: 1999". The books will be published in a limited-edition hardback and paperback, with e-books to follow at a later date.
Swallow said: “Growing up, ’Space: 1999’ and ’UFO’ were a big part of my sci-fi landscape, and so it’s been great fun for me to revisit these characters to tell some exciting new stories. Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s creations are unique, retro classics and I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Jamie and everyone at Anderson Entertainment for this new era of adventures.”
The New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author has written more than 65 novels including tie-ins, thrillers and video games.
Anderson said: "We started to publish non-fiction titles in late 2021, and since then we’ve been working with our partners at ITV Studios to create new stories based on these amazing TV shows. Working with James has been a real pleasure. He’s a genuine fan and we’re sure that they’ll appeal to long-time as well as new readers. We have much more to come."
The two novellas by Swallow will be available for retailers to order wholesale from Gardners as well as direct from Anderson Entertainment.
About the author
James Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author of over fifty-five novels, an award-winning, BAFTA-nominated scriptwriter with millions of books in print worldwide. He is the creator of the Marc Dane action thriller series, and has written for franchises such as Star Trek, Tom Clancy, Marvel and several high-profile videogames. He lives and works in London. Find him online at www.jswallow.com
Intro for a work-in-progress fanfic inspired by a single line (included at end of post) in The Buried Dagger by my favorite WH40k author @jmswallow.
Setting is on Barbarus before Mortarion is found by the Emperor. Took some liberties with Silence's description and Barbaras’s worldbuilding, as in adding a single tree, I guess. I'm still new when it comes to lore too so apologies for any conflicting points. (also I know my writing isn't perfect, pls forgive the odd mistake and lmk so I can fix it lol)
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A glint of pale light bounced from her cold metal as Silence sang.
She was beautiful as ever, polished in blood. Well cared for, the instrument cut through Barbarus’s pestilent sky with harmonious joy, like a spring bird delighting in the sun. Ichor pooled at the edges of her steeled blade at the conclusion of fading translucent streaks, then dripped from the toe’s end with a quiet pattering, like a distant drum beat to accompany her tune.
So much more than a tool, Silence brought a crescent omen of end, whose handle was grasped firmly by her hooded maestro. The young man wielded his instrument with the reverent steadfast and command of a conductor readied at the podium. Delicate, yet sharp, precise, dictatorial. Silence’s snath curved out like a crane’s neck captured in elegant Barbarusian willow wood. Shoestring strips of paled leather wrapped her grip and stem, darkened and indented where his hands had laid day after day -- worn, sculpted by time and strength. Silence fed on the crops gleaned by the Reaper of Men with grace and obedience -- in return, he respected her service through harvesting what evil had been sown before them.
Together, they danced. There were times Mortarion entertained the thought of humming along as his deadly companion serenaded their damned enemy. Ever since he heard that beautiful noise from the villagers on Barbarus the first night spent free from Necare’s prison, no sound met his ears without being composed into song. Everything was music, when he finally learned of its existence. Wind blasting through the valley as a deep horn’s bellow, noxious fog plucking its wheat strings, percussive cracks and pops of the village’s nightly fires.
Most of all, though, he heard it with the swing of his scythe.
She was an orchestra. She was an ensemble. She was a choir to rival that of mighty cathedrals. Named Silence, yet she trilled when her chine’s blade split skin and bone as effortlessly as a knife through paper, like the smoothness of breath pushed under a woodwind’s reed.
(Quote from The Buried Dagger and more below)
The inspiration:
"'Silence' was still moving, coming around, and the Death Guard heard the air sing as the blade cut again before the guardian could register that it had already been killed."
I loved the imagery of this whole scene, so vivid and fantastical yet grounded. Easy to follow, exciting, and James Swallow's technical writing skills push me to improve. I've tried to pay attention to the way he keeps the flow going while still taking the time to set the scene and immerse the reader.
It's been less than a year since I let myself pick up writing again and I'm proud of the direction I'm headed. Obviously I have a long way to go, if anyone has critiques, please comment or shoot me a DM/ask! I'd appreciate feedback very much.
Anderson Entertainment are taking preorders for two all-new Space:1999 and UFO novels by award-winning author James Swallow
Anderson Entertainment are taking preorders for two all-new Space:1999 and UFO novels by award-winning author James Swallow.
Debuting, appropriately, 13th September 2024 , Space: 1999 – The Armageddon Engine and UFO: Shadow Play are available to preorder now as Signed Limited Edition editions from Anderson Entertainment – both separately, and as a bundle.
London-based James Swallow is an…
There was an axiom that all pilots shared, dating back to the days of the first propeller-driven flyers, when the skies were harsh and deadly to all those who reached for them.
Any landing you can walk away from is a good one.
