Mr. Parker
Hey Laurie - quick question, if you wouldn't mind indulging my curiosity.
You mentioned that the planning meeting involved Alan Bligh from the FW side of things. Does that mean BL are trying to coordinate releases with the FW team in their 30k game series, and that you're all trying to tie the novelisation of the Siege in with the game? Or is it that you're trying to divide and conquer the run up to the siege, making sure you're not stepping on each others toes with regards to certain events? Or is it much simpler than that, and Alan just happens to be a great guy to bounce ideas off.
Why does it say "Holy Terra"? There are two answers - 1) It was written from the perspective of a future history, looking back at the Horus Heresy from M41, and 2) because Index Astartes is (mostly) a dreadfully written collection of first-pass dross that is thankfully slipping away from being considered canon as newer and better stuff comes in.
As for the crossover between Black Library and Forge World, we've been pretty clear about this from the start - the two departments are SOOOOOO closely linked, because they both used to be run by Tony Cottrell. I've been involved since the first draft of 'Book 1: Betrayal', and I've edited/proofed everything they've ever done, for continuity. It's always been a massive crossover effort. Same with the two boardgames from the Studio.
I'm not joking when I say that my work email signature has said "Arch-Heretic" for the past 4 years...
