Trokair Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Warhammer community post: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/hwb2kldr/black-library-open-submission-2025-write-your-two-favourite-characters-into-a-scene/ Terms and Conditions stuff: https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/p8ppmwsz/black-library-submissions-policy/ Lysimachus, Mazer Rackham, Xin Ceithan and 1 other 1 3 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 (edited) Ah shoot, here we go again... Seriously though, I won't be bothering this year - good luck to everyone who has a go! Edited January 15 by Mazer Rackham Lysimachus 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087515 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trokair Posted January 15 Author Share Posted January 15 Given the rather limited scope, and that I haven’t keep up with all the recent lore, I guess that if i want to have a go at this I am going to have to draw on what I remember from the Third War of Armagedon summer campaign, only a quarter century ago (give or take). Say a conversation between two of the guys here. I am sure they had models. Mazer Rackham 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087520 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 They have to be named characters though, don't they? Although they don't have to be in the same timeline or universe, if I'm reading it right, so you could do Yarrick vs Archaon. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087523 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheArtilleryman Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 8 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said: They have to be named characters though, don't they? Although they don't have to be in the same timeline or universe, if I'm reading it right, so you could do Yarrick vs Archaon. No, they have to be in the same universe - can’t mix and match. Doesn’t say anything about timeline but it does say Warhammer 40,000 so I’m not sure if you would get away with a heresy character (unless there’s some warp-based time slippage thing maybe?). Mazer Rackham 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lysimachus Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 59 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said: Seriously though, I won't be bothering this year - good luck to everyone who has a go! Very much this. Spent ages on it last year, submitted on the first day, waited months for the response, etc, etc... then didn't even get the automated 'no', and when I inquired about it got told 'they must not have received my entry'. Trokair and Mazer Rackham 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087529 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheArtilleryman Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 (edited) 1 hour ago, Lysimachus said: Very much this. Spent ages on it last year, submitted on the first day, waited months for the response, etc, etc... then didn't even get the automated 'no', and when I inquired about it got told 'they must not have received my entry'. I put in a submission one year (the one where you had to write a pitch for a short story about a minor space marine chapter and send an extract). They sent an email saying I had been shortlisted to the second round and that I would definitely get notified either way if my entry had gone any further. I never heard anything after that, not even a rejection, just radio silence. Edit: Here’s the submission, if anyone’s interested. Had to do a synopsis and then an extract: Edited January 15 by TheArtilleryman Trokair and Mazer Rackham 2 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087533 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trokair Posted January 15 Author Share Posted January 15 (edited) While I am sure that they do mean named characters, I can’t actually see it specified anywhere. So even if I do have an idea, such as a conversation between say one of these Steel Legion Lieutenant and a Steel Legion Trooper it probably be dismissed. Steel Legion Lieutenant Spoiler Steel Legion Trooper Spoiler I am just not sure I am even interest in trying to write named characters. Anyway, best of luck to anybody who does give it a go. Edited January 15 by Trokair Spelling... again. Mazer Rackham 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087537 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wecanhaveallthree Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 I'll be putting my back into a Worldclaimer v. Sicarius brawl on Vigilus. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087624 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Hellion Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 I've done two of these submissions in the past; One of them I was especially proud of since it was about a Imp guard regiment that equal parts Roosevelt's rough riders, buffalo soldiers and wind talkers. Unfortunately I never heard back each time. Don't think I'm the type BL is looking for since A) I'm American B) I don't have any experience in the science fiction publishing scene in Britain C)My schedule is a little packed with DMing a homebrew these days. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6087830 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob P Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 They're judging your writing and ability to stick to the brief. If it says named characters that have or had models then I would stick to that. If they had a model in second edition but not any more then I wouldn't choose that if I was looking to actually get picked (although could maybe get away with Tycho since he was at Armageddon). Shine on the writing rather than trying to pick the most novel concept i'd say. I'd be inclined to say no heresy since it's: Vigilus, Commorragh, or Armageddon for 40k. Good luck everyone. grailkeeper 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6088110 Share on other sites More sharing options...
grailkeeper Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 I think a submission that fulfills the letter of the requirement but not the spirit probably wont get very far. They want to see that you can produce what they want. For me the biggest limiting aspect is the physical location. Most of the 40k ones have defined factions and characters there. It can be hard to get characters you might want there. Vigilius might be an exception but I dont really know much about that place. Trokair, Mazer Rackham, Rob P and 1 other 4 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6088450 Share on other sites More sharing options...
grailkeeper Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 I think I've figured a very clever way of getting two characters to meet. Written well the whole story could be done in 500 words. Think they want a full story from pitchers, or its more a test to see if those pitching can write well and meet the brief? Mazer Rackham and Trokair 1 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6088526 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazer Rackham Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 (edited) Had my arm twisted by a certain silk-sporting frater. EDIT: Sorted, cheers! Edited January 26 by Mazer Rackham Brother Hellion and grailkeeper 1 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6090105 Share on other sites More sharing options...
grailkeeper Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 How are you guys getting along with your entries. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6093318 Share on other sites More sharing options...
grailkeeper Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 (edited) Weird, the posts are unavailable now. It says Application error: a client-side exception has occurred (see the browser console for more information). Wonder if that means anything. ' Edit. Checked through the GW website. It is working there. Must be some computer thing. Edited February 13 by grailkeeper Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6094635 Share on other sites More sharing options...
crimsondave Posted Tuesday at 12:38 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 12:38 PM On 1/18/2025 at 7:54 AM, grailkeeper said: I think a submission that fulfills the letter of the requirement but not the spirit probably wont get very far. They want to see that you can produce what they want. For me the biggest limiting aspect is the physical location. Most of the 40k ones have defined factions and characters there. It can be hard to get characters you might want there. Vigilius might be an exception but I dont really know much about that place. Is there anything going on at Armageddon right now? It quite difficult to figure out what exactly is going on in the setting at the moment with the timeline so all over the place. I mean, Guy Haley didn’t even know where the Arks of Omen fell in the timeline. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6095661 Share on other sites More sharing options...
grailkeeper Posted Tuesday at 03:35 PM Share Posted Tuesday at 03:35 PM 2 hours ago, crimsondave said: Is there anything going on at Armageddon right now? It quite difficult to figure out what exactly is going on in the setting at the moment with the timeline so all over the place. I mean, Guy Haley didn’t even know where the Arks of Omen fell in the timeline. I'm not sure what the latest fluff is but I'm sure you could reasonably set it in any story in the last millenium or so. 2nd or 3rd War would be fine 1st probably not. I think they're probably looking for good writers who can deliver what they want, rather than someone who knows exactly which suburb the Black Templars are currently visiting. That kind of thing is for editors to clear up if its an issue and really authors should have a bit of licence on. Its not a "who is the biggest fan" competition. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6095684 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Hellion Posted Wednesday at 01:13 AM Share Posted Wednesday at 01:13 AM At this point, its best to make up your own conflict and make sound ambiguous enough to be slapped anywhere on the timeline. But this time around they did mention specific places which kind of puts a hamper on things. crimsondave 1 Back to top Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6095723 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBladesAurus Posted Wednesday at 03:24 PM Share Posted Wednesday at 03:24 PM On 2/18/2025 at 6:38 AM, crimsondave said: Is there anything going on at Armageddon right now? It quite difficult to figure out what exactly is going on in the setting at the moment with the timeline so all over the place. I mean, Guy Haley didn’t even know where the Arks of Omen fell in the timeline. A Daemon invasion, with both the Orks and Imperials fighting against it. The book I can think of is **Armageddon Saint**. https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Armageddon#Aftermath Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/385081-black-library-open-submission-2025/#findComment-6095782 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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