helterskelter Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 I'm too much of a newbie to try for this but good luck everyone!! Lies! Go for it anyway. Warpmiss and JH79 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4981454 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warpmiss Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I'm too much of a newbie to try for this but good luck everyone!! Lies! Go for it anyway. The fact that there one of the things they want is horror stories is really tempting indeed... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4981999 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calas Typhon Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Been working on a Trench Warfare story for a while, might chuck it in for a few laughs. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982038 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob P Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 I posted a summary of the advice given on Warhammer TV via Twitch last Thursday at http://www.thebolthole.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=3491 . I'll cut and paste below, but feel free to visit the bolthole too. It was written during a watch through so the advice is in a bit of a random order. Part 1 - Lottie LlewelynWells and John French.- First line must be brilliant. Then first paragraph must be brilliant. And so on. Grip the editors.- Best polished story preferred over multiple entries. Quality over quantity.- Editors after one idea that intrigues them and quality of writing in sample - great characters, engaging prose.- If you're not native UK use UK-English spell checker in Word. Use UK-English vernacular too. Not fatal but, saves editors time.- Get critical test readers you trust and constructive feedback before submitting. Positive feedback not very helpful.- (JF) Prose slightly more important than pitch as good idea poor prose is a no, but ok idea and great prose may result in offer for other pitch- Good pitch = short - para - what it is about - chars - what they want - what is stopping them - how/why they get what they want or dont - tell ending'- Good pitch = be clear - be direct - be precise - what it's about (reduce to core elements)- Naming conventions not as important as editors may ask for name changes in any event- Strong language - novels aimed at 12+. No f-word or c-word. Limited instances of swearing allowed. Think of clever ways of showing it. Use good judgement.- Violence - Do not depict graphic gratuitous violence. No direct violence against women or children. No sexual violence. If in doubt - tone it down. What's the point of the violence? Does it serve the story? Again, think of clever ways of showing it.- Think how story would fit in the range - grimdark/high fantasy.- Don't try and mix all 6 themes. Perhaps 2-3 as a maximum.- Good story mixture of action and dialogue - Not too much exposition/description. Don't just info dump in dialogue. Make dialogue realistic.- Length - Short story - 5-7k words- No preference for description, action or dialogue in sample - just want best writing. Take sample from best bit.- Follow guidelines to the letter. Read all author advice and FAQs.- Don't rush to submit - you have until April. Make it as good as you can make it.Part 2 - Nick Kyme - To give your sense the best chance try to write something that catches eye, perhaps something not seen before but close to background and what you would like to read.- First line ultra-important- Capture attention- Think of audience = the editorsGeneral writing advice- Don't give up- Read widely and keep writing to hone your skill- Tell story in engaging way - avoid info dumps - make sure characters drive story- Read writing advice- Use critical testers to help you spot things that could be improved as this will help you develop a little objectivity when scrutinising your own work Kelborn and Indefragable 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982064 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sete Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) 1st line: "Commissar Yarrick looked the beast of Armaggedon in the eye as he raised his power sword to deliver the finishing blow! But what he saw wasn't madness or hatred... It was love..." Your move black library! Edited January 13, 2018 by Sete Fire Golem, Kelborn and Warpmiss 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982072 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calas Typhon Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 1st line: "Commissar Yarrick looked the beast of Armaggedon in the eye as he raised his power sword to deliver the finishing blow! But what he saw wasn't madness or hatred... It was love..." Your move black library! "owo, whats this?" Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982084 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sete Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) "With a mighty thrust Yarrick drove his power sword inside Ghazgull, a shattering roar pierced the choked skies of Armaggedon..." :cuss I better stop or else I will be writing short story about Ghazz and Yarrick full of innuendos. :D Edited January 13, 2018 by Sete helterskelter, Calas Typhon and JH79 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982094 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Lovehammer 40K: ARMAGEDDON by Sete Felix Antipodes and Sete 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982120 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellow Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Advice from Kyme. Dear Lord! I’m sorry. He’s not my favourite author at all. Being an author would be fun. Good luck to all that enter. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982497 Share on other sites More sharing options...
helterskelter Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 (edited) I dare anyone to tell me what's implied at the end of fulgrim and the kinky torture in another short is aimed at 12 year olds. Edited January 14, 2018 by helterskelter Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982630 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scribe Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 I dare anyone to tell me what's implied at the end of fulgrim and the kinky torture in another short is aimed at 12 year olds. Wonder why Slaanesh was hidden away in AoS so far... Some concepts in the GW mythology are above what kids should be reading (imo) but that doesn't mean they won't set a bar for new entry writers. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellow Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 I dare anyone to tell me what's implied at the end of fulgrim and the kinky torture in another short is aimed at 12 year olds. Yes the torture scene in Fulgrim (of Fulgrim) was the first thing I thought about when reading those “tips”. Completely unacceptable to put that in to be honest. Warpmiss 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982642 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob P Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Advice from Kyme. Dear Lord! I’m sorry. He’s not my favourite author at all. Being an author would be fun. Good luck to all that enter. It's worth noting that he has been an editor at BL for a long time, so even if his novels aren't your thing (which is more than fine), his advice has a good chance of being sound. Fire Golem, mc warhammer, Bonestomper and 3 others 6 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4982699 Share on other sites More sharing options...
drooling blood Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 It's worth noting that he has been an editor at BL for a long time, so even if his novels aren't your thing (which is more than fine), his advice has a good chance of being sound. Its also worth noting that BL has been in a downward spiral since hes been a editor. YMMV. Lucky for him, he thinks he knows other stuff. But that just isnt true. The sooner hes gone, the better. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4987839 Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheywood Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 (edited) It's worth noting that he has been an editor at BL for a long time, so even if his novels aren't your thing (which is more than fine), his advice has a good chance of being sound. Its also worth noting that BL has been in a downward spiral since hes been a editor. YMMV.Lucky for him, he thinks he knows other stuff. But that just isnt true. The sooner hes gone, the better. Weird, because I was under the impression BL's doing quite well these days. What with old authors returning to the fold, interesting new series being commissioned, a refreshing lack of plot point for plot point tie-ins, and a greater degree of communication about upcoming releases. That must be just a psychout by BL before they transition into a new role as an entirely Kyme-centric publisher. Edited January 19, 2018 by cheywood Never_born, Fire Golem, Kelborn and 3 others 6 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4987874 Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1soul Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 I think BL is doing well nowadays despite (or regardless of) Kyme He's a (usually) bad writer and a not incompetent editor IMO Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989117 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACK BLΠFLY Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 No love for the Salamanders ? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989118 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire Golem Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 No love for the Salamanders ? No, more like no love for the author that many feel has written about the Salamanders badly. I don’t agree that means he’s a bad editor or that his advice isn’t worth anything though. cheywood and JH79 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989124 Share on other sites More sharing options...
b1soul Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Is there any evidence that he's an above-average editor...genuinely curious Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989135 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellow Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Maybe BL go by sales and associate him with any books that sell well. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989149 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob P Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 I don't see how opinions about Nick Kyme in either role come into it. The fact is, the editor is a gatemaster. If the editor wants certain things and you ignore them, you could write to best book ever, but it won't get published. Therefore if an editor is offering advice to new writers, who are looking to write for that specific publisher, I would tend to give weight to that advice even if I don't like that editor's work. The other thing is, and this is something that I recall being said by Nick Kyme at a BLL which really grated with me at the time, the BL books are ''pulp''. I'm more willing to accept this now as not being a very bad thing - at the time I thought it was a silly thing to say to fans at BL event as, to me, it means rushed and trashy. I do think that this says more about the style and tone of the novels than the quality within genre fiction. Warpmiss, mc warhammer, JH79 and 2 others 5 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989314 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc warhammer Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 well, rather than address the content of kyme’s advice and say “oh i think the fourth line is more important” or “I disagree with nick’s point about not giving up. the key to success is to surrender and walk away asap” it’s easier to scoff and just dismiss it wholesale. helps keep the anger alive Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989653 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH79 Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 (edited) Is there any evidence that he's an above-average editor...genuinely curious I would assume that to know an editors worth one would have to be an author who has worked with a number of different people in said role? I personally wouldn't know where to begin judging the quality of an editor, however someone who does work with Kyme is Guy Haley, confirming in this interview that Nick is his editor. Obviously judging the quality of a novel will come down to personal taste etc but if Kyme was Guys editor for Perturabo, Dark Imperium, Dante, Devistation of Baal & Shadowsword etc then i would like to assume that he's pretty damn good at his job... Just food for thought - Back on topic a little has anyone submitted a story or two yet? I'm on something ridiculous like my 3rd re-write of this short that I'm finding increasingly hollow and difficult to justify! Fun times lol! Edited January 22, 2018 by JH79 Warpmiss 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989749 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 Not yet. Got about 3-5 ideas for scenes all within the same story. Just can't decide. ^^ Maybe I'll send More than one, This time. JH79 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989809 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warpmiss Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 We have the max length for the sample (500 words) but, what about the actual story? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/343212-black-library-open-submission-window-2018/page/2/#findComment-4989834 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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