Upcoming BL Stuff 2026

[darkhorse0607]

Not mad about it, I feel like that's the one I voted for last year. Either that or World Engine, I cant remember.

[Lorehunter]

I went for Neferata, by Josh Reynolds, for the Fantasy book. I've never been a huge Dwarfs guy, though I think Gav Thorpe did a terrific job with The High Kâhl's Oath. Even talked about how much he loves Dwarfs in the Limited Edition's introduction. I'll definitely be picking it up. 

Edited Wednesday at 09:03 PM by Lorehunter

[Felix Antipodes]

I’m wondering just how many new titles will be announced/previewed over the next week.  Will we see anything about long held up books like the Horus Primarch book, the next Abnett release in his Inquisitor series, or even details of a sighting of an ADB?

Or will be just get reruns of the ones already announced on WarCom like Chem Dogs?  I’d like to see at least a mention of the next Scouring novel but who knows what we will get.  Here’s an idea GW/BL.  How about a roadmap for the next 12 months?  No details of plots, just titles and authors.  Maybe a cover or two if already done…

That would generate some word of mouth, PR buzz at the very least.

[darkhorse0607]

Yeah, it's a valid question. 

 

I think my lowest expectations have it mainly around things we have already seen, with a big focus on the Solomon model and voting for Readers Choice 2026 as the selling points. Potentially another Scouring novel 

 

Obviously I want more (I once again ask for Black Legion 3, not even because I am that excited anymore after 10 years of waiting, but because I need closure and its habit now), like Watchers of the Throne 3, Lion book 2, something Blood Angel would be nice, another Rath book, etc. I just dont have confidence it's going to happen  

 

Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. It would be cool to get a roadmap of a sizzle trailer of upcoming book covers or something 

[Ubiquitous1984]

The 30k model will be the highlight of the BL celebration, and you’ll like it!

[Lorehunter]

7 hours ago, Felix Antipodes said:

I’m wondering just how many new titles will be announced/previewed over the next week.  Will we see anything about long held up books like the Horus Primarch book, the next Abnett release in his Inquisitor series, or even details of a sighting of an ADB?

Or will be just get reruns of the ones already announced on WarCom like Chem Dogs?  I’d like to see at least a mention of the next Scouring novel but who knows what we will get.  Here’s an idea GW/BL.  How about a roadmap for the next 12 months?  No details of plots, just titles and authors.  Maybe a cover or two if already done…

That would generate some word of mouth, PR buzz at the very least.

Roadmaps work well for things like Magic: the Gathering because each set still has TONS of surprises for additional buzz generation. Announcing "Return to Homelands" in January gets folks excited for going back to the Homelands set (lol), and then excited again that October because of new cards, new mechanics, returning Planeswalkers, advancing narrative, all the goodies that accompany a new set. 

 

Books? I don't see it operating the same way, it's just a different engagement model. For a CCG it impacts everyone who currently plays the game- even if they aren't into a set, they're still gonna see it at their table. Books can be bypassed or ignored- if you're not a Dark Angels fan, the next Lion novel won't do much for you. There's no 'second bite of the apple' for most fans, unlike with a game. 

 

With a shorter drip cycle, all of us remain more engaged waiting for our preferred faction(s) to get some time in the spotlight. I find that much more effective for buzz and engagement. But as always, YMMV. 

 

Also, as for ADB, he's still around. Head of Narrative I believe, so he's more behind the scenes these days, but he does have a new Night Lords novella that's part of the Collector's Edition for the upcoming Dark Heresy CRPG from Owlcat Games. 

[Felix Antipodes]

Except it did work just fine for many years on the BL website, where they used to list their upcoming titles for the next 3-6 months.  While I understand that the casual GW game player may only partake of BL books that cover their favourite faction(s), there are plenty out there that have moved on from the gaming side itself and just read the books for their grimdark hit or just nostalgia.  I want to see another Lion novel, not because I’m a DA fan, but because GW has done nothing with the character since his return and I want to see something/anything that continues his story.

As for ADB, I know he has moved on (and why) and wish him success in his new role.  I just would have liked to see him wrap up his Horus series before he did.

[darkhorse0607]

Yeah, granted some books will probably only get read by fans of the faction (Eldar for example), but there are more than a few case studies out there for books that reach across faction lines 

 

For example if they announced Watchers 3, you cant think that it would only be read by fans of the Talons or High Lords. And then as Felix said, a second Lion book that either/both follows up with how the Dark Angels have changed, or follows up to 500 Worlds where he meets Guilliman would probably be massively popular

 

Black Library will likely never have the hype that a big model release will, but given how popular things like audio/ebooks have gotten, they could generate a lot more if they just tried

 

*edit 

Building a better Black Library is also an investment in their future. If/when all of these games (Total War, Dawn of War, the inevitable Space Marine 3), and the show comes out there's going to be the influx of newer folks that we always see. Being able to offer more on the lore side than "sometimes we talk about the books, many times we dont" will help hook newer customers that come searching for more stories

Edited yesterday at 03:09 AM by darkhorse0607