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The Iron Code
- GenresFantasy
326 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2026
About the author
Ian Whates
132 books84 followersIan Whates lives in a comfortable home down a quiet cul-de-sac in an idyllic Cambridgeshire village, which he shares with his partner Helen and their pets – Honey the golden cocker spaniel, Calvin the tailless black cat and Inky the goldfish (sadly, Binky died a few years ago).
Ian’s earliest memories of science fiction are fragmented. He remembers loving Dr Who from an early age and other TV shows such as Lost in Space and Star Trek, but a defining moment came when he heard a radio adaptation of John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids. From that moment on he was hooked and became a frequent haunter of the local library, voraciously devouring the contents of their SF section.
This early love of science fiction manifested most tellingly during his school days, when he produced an SF murder mystery as homework after being set the essay title “The Language of Shakespeare”, much to the bemusement of his English teacher.
Ian’s first published stories appeared in the late 1980s in small press magazines such as Dream and New Moon Quarterly, after which he took a break from writing in order to research his chosen fields of science fiction and fantasy. In other words, he read copious amounts of both. Clearly the research was extensive, because he published nothing further for some seventeen years. In the early 2000s he made the decision to pursue writing seriously, joining the Northampton SF Writers Group in 2004 after being introduced to its chairman, Ian Watson.
In 2006 he started submitting stories again, and has subsequently been surprised at how many otherwise eminently sensible people have chosen to publish him. A couple have even appeared in the science journal Nature, and one, “The Gift of Joy”, even found its way onto the five-strong shortlist for best short story in the British Science Fiction Association Awards. And it didn’t come last! Ironically, the award was actually won by Ken MacLeod’s “Lighting Out”, a piece Ian had commissioned, edited and published in the NewCon Press anthology disLOCATIONS (2007).
In 2006 Ian launched independent publisher NewCon Press, quite by accident (buy him a pint sometime and he’ll tell you about it). Through NewCon he has been privileged to publish original stories from some of the biggest names in genre fiction, as well as provide debuts to some genuinely talented newcomers. The books, their covers and contents have racked up an impressive array of credits – four BSFA Awards, one BSF Award to date, inclusion in ‘Year’s Best’ anthologies and recommendations and honourable mentions from the likes of Gardner Dozios and Locus magazine.
In addition to his publishing and writing, Ian is currently a director of both the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) and the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA), editing Matrix, the online news and media reviews magazine, for the latter.
His first two completed novels are both due to appear in early 2010: City of Dreams and Nightmare via Harper Collins’ imprint Angry Robot, and The Noise Within from Rebellion imprint Solaris, with sequels to follow. When not pinching himself to make sure this is all really happening, Ian is currently beavering away at the sequels… honest!
Ian’s earliest memories of science fiction are fragmented. He remembers loving Dr Who from an early age and other TV shows such as Lost in Space and Star Trek, but a defining moment came when he heard a radio adaptation of John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids. From that moment on he was hooked and became a frequent haunter of the local library, voraciously devouring the contents of their SF section.
This early love of science fiction manifested most tellingly during his school days, when he produced an SF murder mystery as homework after being set the essay title “The Language of Shakespeare”, much to the bemusement of his English teacher.
Ian’s first published stories appeared in the late 1980s in small press magazines such as Dream and New Moon Quarterly, after which he took a break from writing in order to research his chosen fields of science fiction and fantasy. In other words, he read copious amounts of both. Clearly the research was extensive, because he published nothing further for some seventeen years. In the early 2000s he made the decision to pursue writing seriously, joining the Northampton SF Writers Group in 2004 after being introduced to its chairman, Ian Watson.
In 2006 he started submitting stories again, and has subsequently been surprised at how many otherwise eminently sensible people have chosen to publish him. A couple have even appeared in the science journal Nature, and one, “The Gift of Joy”, even found its way onto the five-strong shortlist for best short story in the British Science Fiction Association Awards. And it didn’t come last! Ironically, the award was actually won by Ken MacLeod’s “Lighting Out”, a piece Ian had commissioned, edited and published in the NewCon Press anthology disLOCATIONS (2007).
In 2006 Ian launched independent publisher NewCon Press, quite by accident (buy him a pint sometime and he’ll tell you about it). Through NewCon he has been privileged to publish original stories from some of the biggest names in genre fiction, as well as provide debuts to some genuinely talented newcomers. The books, their covers and contents have racked up an impressive array of credits – four BSFA Awards, one BSF Award to date, inclusion in ‘Year’s Best’ anthologies and recommendations and honourable mentions from the likes of Gardner Dozios and Locus magazine.
In addition to his publishing and writing, Ian is currently a director of both the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) and the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA), editing Matrix, the online news and media reviews magazine, for the latter.
His first two completed novels are both due to appear in early 2010: City of Dreams and Nightmare via Harper Collins’ imprint Angry Robot, and The Noise Within from Rebellion imprint Solaris, with sequels to follow. When not pinching himself to make sure this is all really happening, Ian is currently beavering away at the sequels… honest!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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June 9, 2026I feel there should be a few more authors on the Goodreads listing - it's just Joanne Harris and me at the moment!
I have a Snorri story in this one (a Red Queen's War character, but the story can be read as a standalone).
Got my copies today!
I have a Snorri story in this one (a Red Queen's War character, but the story can be read as a standalone).
Got my copies today!
October 1, 2026
A pleasant intro from the editor Whates. Nice salute to David Gemmell. Good intentions I applaud. Am disappointed in the rather plain, even lackluster, cover design/art though.
A very respectable lineup of names, all but one who told stories I enjoyed to various degrees of satisfaction. My reading updates cover every story if you're interested; here I will list the more integral to my rating.
The STRONG:
Smith, "Know When to Walk Away": possibly the best story in this book. And you don't expect it. Reading this one felt like reading a new Gemmell tale.
Dean, "The Swordwoman's Daughter": what a fascinating story. Eloquently told, beautifully shared. Unexpected, even when some things were expected. Plenty *of* blood while little actual blood. I do not know this author, but I really liked this tale.
Lawrence, "The Code": helluva story. Best thing I've read of Lawrence's work. Snorri is a terrifically real character. Purpose, violence, code, honor: it's all here.
Abnett, "The Other": great old campaigners story with a nicely done twist in the climax. Good start to this anthology, both homage to Gemmell and Druss, and as heroic fantasy.
Harris, "The Witchfinder": a perfectly entertaining story of comeuppance that's not what I expected to find within these pages.
Stephens, "Fae-blighted": must admit, the title discouraged me at first. I was proven wrong, however, and this is a terrific monster hunting tale. I guessed and was correct about the wee twist, but it detracted not at all. Good story.
Green, "The Wolf in Winter": nice bit of subterfuge, misdirection, and reputation. Deadly, too.
Gwynne, "The Binding": didn't see that coming after the triumphant return home of warriors that kicked off the story. Bloody, big, bad people...it's controlled chaos that leaves ya begging for more.
Carey, "The Necessary Sword": cool story of a golem gaining a form of sentience he wasn't meant to have and giving soul to his purpose.
McKenna, "Lessons in Life and Death": nice opening and good subterfuge. Good lesson, though odd parameters. A lot of movement and talking, a little bit of mild action. Yet a good code story.
THE WEAK OR ODD:
Chan, "Chung Kwai's Sister": odd story, oddly told, with a message. Good intentions did not make a good read.
Nicholls, "The Calaker": starts out great! Ends far too simplistically and rather with a whimper compared to its banger start.
Nicholls, "Bloodhorn": interesting, long, a little belabored. I guess heroic fantasy.
Smith Spark, "A Mighty Battle between Mighty Armies": weird. Fell asleep reading this twice, skimmed most of it. Not to my taste at all.
Whates, "The Hiring Fayre": okay tale. Opens amidst a bit of confusion, tries to build tension, leaves open-ended.
Barclay, "One More Day": I *think* this was a cool story. I got confused a bit, and several times. I think I like this story, but I can't truly say as I don't truly grok what I've read.
Some truly cool stories overall. Begins much stronger than its soft ending.
A very respectable lineup of names, all but one who told stories I enjoyed to various degrees of satisfaction. My reading updates cover every story if you're interested; here I will list the more integral to my rating.
The STRONG:
Smith, "Know When to Walk Away": possibly the best story in this book. And you don't expect it. Reading this one felt like reading a new Gemmell tale.
Dean, "The Swordwoman's Daughter": what a fascinating story. Eloquently told, beautifully shared. Unexpected, even when some things were expected. Plenty *of* blood while little actual blood. I do not know this author, but I really liked this tale.
Lawrence, "The Code": helluva story. Best thing I've read of Lawrence's work. Snorri is a terrifically real character. Purpose, violence, code, honor: it's all here.
Abnett, "The Other": great old campaigners story with a nicely done twist in the climax. Good start to this anthology, both homage to Gemmell and Druss, and as heroic fantasy.
Harris, "The Witchfinder": a perfectly entertaining story of comeuppance that's not what I expected to find within these pages.
Stephens, "Fae-blighted": must admit, the title discouraged me at first. I was proven wrong, however, and this is a terrific monster hunting tale. I guessed and was correct about the wee twist, but it detracted not at all. Good story.
Green, "The Wolf in Winter": nice bit of subterfuge, misdirection, and reputation. Deadly, too.
Gwynne, "The Binding": didn't see that coming after the triumphant return home of warriors that kicked off the story. Bloody, big, bad people...it's controlled chaos that leaves ya begging for more.
Carey, "The Necessary Sword": cool story of a golem gaining a form of sentience he wasn't meant to have and giving soul to his purpose.
McKenna, "Lessons in Life and Death": nice opening and good subterfuge. Good lesson, though odd parameters. A lot of movement and talking, a little bit of mild action. Yet a good code story.
THE WEAK OR ODD:
Chan, "Chung Kwai's Sister": odd story, oddly told, with a message. Good intentions did not make a good read.
Nicholls, "The Calaker": starts out great! Ends far too simplistically and rather with a whimper compared to its banger start.
Nicholls, "Bloodhorn": interesting, long, a little belabored. I guess heroic fantasy.
Smith Spark, "A Mighty Battle between Mighty Armies": weird. Fell asleep reading this twice, skimmed most of it. Not to my taste at all.
Whates, "The Hiring Fayre": okay tale. Opens amidst a bit of confusion, tries to build tension, leaves open-ended.
Barclay, "One More Day": I *think* this was a cool story. I got confused a bit, and several times. I think I like this story, but I can't truly say as I don't truly grok what I've read.
Some truly cool stories overall. Begins much stronger than its soft ending.
August 20, 2026
Full of heart, these short stories captured the essence of the late David Gemmell’s heroic tales.
I’ve always thought stories from ‘The Big Man’ walk the borders of stoicism and vulnerability, I don’t cry often when reading but one of the only times I know of is from a DG book.
The ‘non-fantasy’ story ‘Know When to Walk Away’ by Gavin Smith I believe is a callback to a true story about David as a young boy and his stepfather who was a big influence on his character, values and ultimately characters he wrote.
Very good anthology, most stories were a 3.5-5 star for me.
I’ve always thought stories from ‘The Big Man’ walk the borders of stoicism and vulnerability, I don’t cry often when reading but one of the only times I know of is from a DG book.
The ‘non-fantasy’ story ‘Know When to Walk Away’ by Gavin Smith I believe is a callback to a true story about David as a young boy and his stepfather who was a big influence on his character, values and ultimately characters he wrote.
Very good anthology, most stories were a 3.5-5 star for me.
August 18, 2026
Signed by ALL THE AUTHORS!
Love it!
The stories are of course a bit of a mixed bag, I did not finish two of them, but the majority was quite good.
Love it!
The stories are of course a bit of a mixed bag, I did not finish two of them, but the majority was quite good.
Review of advance copy
Like any anthology, there's a variety of tones, as well as "quality" of the stories, by which I mean how much I liked them, they were all well written. Lots of fun stories here, from high fantasy, to low fantasy, to gutter fantasy, and even one that doesn't really qualify as fantasy at all. But all the stories do a great job honoring the late great David Gemmell and his iconic character Druss the Legend's Iron Code.
Special call outs to:
- "Candles" by Adrian Tchaikovsky, one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time, while not actually being a comedy story.
- "The Swordwomansman's Daughter" (not the swordsman's daughter as the table of contents says) by Sunyi Dean, for being gritty and full of wonder and adventure, while tugging the heart strings just right
- "Know When to Walk Away" by Gavin Smith - for being a great read, despite not actually being fantasy, I'm glad it snuck into the book.
There were many more great stories, but those three really stood out to me.
Special call outs to:
- "Candles" by Adrian Tchaikovsky, one of the funniest stories I've read in a long time, while not actually being a comedy story.
- "The Swordwomansman's Daughter" (not the swordsman's daughter as the table of contents says) by Sunyi Dean, for being gritty and full of wonder and adventure, while tugging the heart strings just right
- "Know When to Walk Away" by Gavin Smith - for being a great read, despite not actually being fantasy, I'm glad it snuck into the book.
There were many more great stories, but those three really stood out to me.
October 5, 2026
The Iron Code is a collection of short stories by a bunch of fantasy and sci-fi authors compiled together as a tribute to David Gemmell. I really like Gemmell's stories, and recognized a lot of the authors here, so this ended up being a pretty good read. I did back this book on Kickstarter as well.
Like any compilation, there are hits and misses here. Luckily more hits than misses. Particular standouts were Mark Lawrence's "The Code" and Gavin Smith's "Know When to Walk Away". Fans of Lawrence's Red Queen's War will find a lot to love.
I've never been the biggest fan of short stories. By their very nature I feel like they don't give the character and plots enough room to breathe and develop, and they end up feeling shallow. The stories here benefit from the sword and sorcery theme though, and they're all fun and quick. If you're a fan of Gemmell or enjoy fantasy like Conan, you could do worse than this.
Like any compilation, there are hits and misses here. Luckily more hits than misses. Particular standouts were Mark Lawrence's "The Code" and Gavin Smith's "Know When to Walk Away". Fans of Lawrence's Red Queen's War will find a lot to love.
I've never been the biggest fan of short stories. By their very nature I feel like they don't give the character and plots enough room to breathe and develop, and they end up feeling shallow. The stories here benefit from the sword and sorcery theme though, and they're all fun and quick. If you're a fan of Gemmell or enjoy fantasy like Conan, you could do worse than this.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews