Have you ever harboured ambitions of writing for Black Library? Do you have a Warhammer story idea that the world needs to read? The Open Submissions window is a chance for aspiring Black Library authors to show off their writing chops, and Black Library Submissions Editor Richard Garton-Wills is here to tell us all about it.
Richard: With Warhammer Age of Sigmar’s glorious new edition in full swing, what better way to celebrate than with a Black Library Open Submissions window?
This time we want all aspiring authors to immerse themselves in the newest Mortal Realms lore and pen original, gripping tales taking place in the time of the Dawnbringer Crusades. As brave Freeguilds answer the Crusader’s Bell and take up the sword, will you take up the scribe’s quill?
If you want to submit an idea in this window, all you have to do is send us a 100-word summary of your proposed short story, along with a 500-word writing sample.
We would like to see unique stories that fully embrace the spirit of Warhammer Age of Sigmar’s new edition and its developing narrative – tales that capture the essence of the realm in which they’re set. If what we read impresses us, we will ask to see more, and your story could even be published.
We will reply to everyone who submits, but sadly we can’t provide you all with individual feedback.
There are numerous ways you could approach your story.
For example, perhaps a new settlement lost contact with its parent city, becoming isolated? And what of the lowly rank-and-file who make up the majority of the Dawners – might they ever try to escape their obligation and desert their Crusade? Could the insidious cults of Chaos attempt to corrupt the Crusades from within?
We would love to see stories from the perspectives of the Freeguild soldiers and Stormcast Eternals that form the backbone of these valiant expeditions, but we’re also interested in the opposite perspective.
What do Bloodbound hosts or the deathless minions of Nagash make of these titanic migrations and the upheaval they bring? Are the orruk warclans – newly bolstered by kunnin’ Kruleboyz – delighted by the prospect of the fighting coming to them for a change?
Inspiration for your story can be found in many places. The novel Dominion by Darius Hinks provides an in-depth look at how the Dawnbringer Crusades function, while the Warhammer Age of Sigmar Core Book features breathtaking art that will fuel your narrative.
If you’re less familiar with Warhammer Age of Sigmar’s epic fantasy setting, now’s the time to jump in. There’s also plenty of short fiction available in anthologies such as Thunderstrike & Other Stories to give you a crash course in the awesome lore.
The submissions window will be open from Wednesday the 27th of October to Tuesday the 9th of November – so open up the Tome Valoris and start penning your epic saga.
We’ll have more information on how you can submit your proposal as we get closer to the Open Submissions window. But if this sounds like the calling you’ve been waiting for, get your creative ideas churning and start working on your summary – you could ascend to the mighty halls of Black Library, joining the likes of 2018 Open Submissions entrant Marc Collins, whose debut novel Grim Repast has just hit the shelves.