Enter the Black Library

Enter the Black Library

A 9-Worlds convention follow up

At a recent 9-Worlds panel on ‘Diversity in Warhammer 40,000’ a recurring theme in the question and answer session was a desire for inclusive literature and Black Library fiction by women. To expand on the brief answer we were able to supply at the panel I committed to signposting some authors worth checking out…

Rachel Harrison

Rachel gained my utmost respect as a 40k writer with the short story ‘Execution’ which follows Commissar Severina Raine as she drives the 11th Antari rifles to achieve the seemingly impossible. If you can spare a few pounds then I highly recommend supporting her solo work with Black Library. 

https://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/quick-reads/execution-eshort.html

https://www.blacklibrary.com/series/necromunda/dirty-dealings-eshort.html


You may also find her work in the War for Armageddon Omnibus and Necromunda bundle; as well a few shorts under the name Ray Harrison. This is an author I sincerely hope to see more from in future Black Library publications.

James Swallow

Best known for writing about some of my favourite things in 40k; Sisters of Battle, Blood Angels and Nathaniel Garro. ‘Faith and Fire’ the defining Sisters of Battle novel has a lot of problematic content in the choice of language, jarring switches to the male gaze and the attitude of many male characters to the Sisters… however it deserves a mention for the excellent characters and the foundations it provides for future Sisters of Battle literature.

If you have a moment check out the audio drama ‘+++Corsair+++ Face of the Void’ so you can join me in eagerly awaiting further installments.

https://www.blacklibrary.com/authors/james-swallow/corsair-the-face-of-the-void-mp3.html

Gav Thorpe

Games Workshop legend and well known for his efforts to engage with the community and develop the characters he is writing to better represent them. I would like to draw attention to ‘Imperator: Wrath of the Omnissiah’ which features not only a prominent character of non-binary gender but also one of the most awesome women in 40k right now.

https://www.blacklibrary.com/authors/gav-thorpe/imperator-wrath-of-the-omnissiah-ebook.html

Sarah Kaiser

Whilst not part of official GW publications http://www.eagleordinary.com/ is a much loved webcomic in the 40k universe. You may recognise the art style from recent Warhammer Community promotional material and can expect to see more from Sarah in future Games Workshop work. This lady is one of my personal hobby heroes.



With a recent Black Library drive to find more authors and open up the 40k fiction to a more diverse range of creators I hope this list will need some serious updating before too long...