Few writers in modern fantasy have left as profound and lasting a mark as David Gemmell. His stories of courage, honoUr, and defiance in the face of impossible odds have resonated with readers across generations, inspiring not only countless fans but also shaping the imaginations of many of today’s most celebrated authors.  Gemmell’s novels are more than tales of battle and heroism—they are lessons in resilience, compassion, and the unbreakable human spirit. Through characters who stand tall against darkness, even when hope seems lost, he gave us worlds that reflected both our frailties and our strengths. For many, his books were not simply entertainment, but guiding lights during difficult times.

It is no surprise, then, that writers who followed in his footsteps speak of him with deep admiration and gratitude. His influence can be seen in the stories they tell, the heroes they craft, and the themes they explore. In their own words, these tributes stand as a testament to the enduring power of David Gemmell’s legacy—a legacy that continues to inspire, challenge, and uplift.

The following tributes are from respected and acclaimed authors of the fantasy & historical fiction genres.

“David Gemmell has meant a great deal to me – for forty years now. His characters taught me some valuable things: about courage, about putting past failures behind; about being unable to. I loved Waylander, Bane, John Shannow, the Thirty, Parmenion – too many to list. He had a huge talent for plotting and his endings are among the best I’ve ever read. His greatest talent though was in creating characters – men and women as real to me as any others in all literature. He made me want to write, to be much better at writing. I owe him a huge debt for that pervasive and enduring influence. I left it too late to meet him; I thought there would be more time. I have written since about his influence on my career. I just wish I’d been able to tell him in person. My tribute is the books I write and the stories I tell – all influenced by him.”  Conn Iggulden – author of the Emperor series.

“David Gemmell was one of the first writers who opened my eyes to just how powerful and moving heroic fantasy could be, and his stories have stayed with me ever since. As a teenager, Legend struck me in a way few books ever had. On the surface it was a tale of a besieged fortress and an empire on the brink, but what made it unforgettable were the people who stood within those walls: their fears, friendships, and sacrifices. Druss the Deathwalker especially left a lasting mark on me, showing how true heroism is not the absence of fear, but the resolve to face it head-on. What impressed me most about Gemmell’s writing was the depth he gave to every character. Ulric, the Nadir warlord, was not portrayed as a simple villain but as a leader with duty and vision of his own, which made the conflict all the more compelling. His characters were never one-dimensional, but strong or resourceful while also capable of ruthlessness or manipulation when the story demanded it. It was the complexity of character which gave his worlds a richness and credibility drawing me in completely. When I started writing, I found myself constantly reminded of those lessons. David Gemmell showed me characters must feel alive, readers need to care about their fates, and that real strength often shines brightest in flawed, human figures. If anything in my own work ever carries even a spark of what Gemmell achieved, it is because his stories inspired me from the very beginning.”  Gary Martin – author of Knights of Gaelgara

“I started reading Gemmell’s work about the same time I became interested in the art and mechanics of writing. I remember reading a handful of lines about the aftermath of an attack – in a book early on in the Drenai Saga – and pausing to wonder how so few words could strike so deep. I looked at it from several angles and began to understand what he had done. Some of my best reading moments lie between the covers of a Gemmell novel, and although I read many more, he kept finding new ways to surprise me.”  Mark Lawrence- author of The Broken Empire Trilogy

“I always knew I wanted to be a fantasy author. It was a goal of mine from an early age. However, it wasn’t revealed to me the kind of writer I wanted to be until I read Lion of Macedon by David Gemmell. It was a foray into our planet’s ancient past but made compellingly relevant to the present. The storytelling was magnificent, the characters wonderfully flawed and the writing steeped in a mix of adventure, humor, and political intrigue I could only wonder at. In short, it was the best told tale that I’d ever read. I feel lucky to have walked through Middle Earth…shared a laugh with Mat Cauthon from Wheel of Time, and hoisted a tankard alongside the magicians of Recluse. No one, however had the impact on my writing like David Gemmell. For me, he is the epitome of what it is to be an outstanding fantasy author. Though he is gone, his words will ring with reading enthusiasts throughout history. The greatest compliment I have ever received about my own writing, is that it would have made the big man proud.” Michael K. Falciani – author of The Raven and the Crow series

“I often think back on my adolescence as ‘the wilderness years’. A time spent in search of a surrogate father figure. A long, fruitless and sometimes harmful quest that ended only in my late 20s when I picked up a battered old copy of Lion of Macedon. David Gemmell guided me, comforted me, transported me, showed me right and wrong and the infinitudes in between in a way that no other person had ever managed. His was the arm around the shoulder that had been missing all those years. One of his many gifts – the ability to show that absolutely everyone is flawed, yet sometimes beautiful for that very reason – helped me to understand that while my dad wasn’t perfect, he was my dad. Through this I found peace, at last. Heavily influenced by this profound effect of his books, I began to write myself – primarily as a means of catharsis, but hopefully to help others in some small way. And when I reach the editing phase of one of my books, I always – always – go back and read a Gemmell, both to relive the adventure and remind myself “this is how to write”. Good art makes us feel less alone, and in David Gemmell’s writing, I found a lifelong companion.” Gordon Doherty – author of Legionary

“It’s difficult to quantify the effect David Gemmell has had on me. Simply put, I would not be an author had I not read the big man’s work. In a much more profound way, I wouldn’t be the person I am either. Yes, his tales of heroism and bravery inspired me to create worlds and characters of my own, but his words also pushed me to step in when I saw someone being harassed or bullied, and to try to see the good in people despite their past mistakes. Being given Legend for the first time by my cousin Gary was like seeing a forest for the first time having only ever seen a houseplant. It opened my eyes to a world of exhilaration and adrenaline that my teenage life had lacked up to that point. I had read The Hobbit and, like all youths of my era, Harry Potter, but this was something different. Something mature and heroic, filled with lessons about right and wrong that my naïve mind was keen to absorb. Druss reminded me of my grandfather, who died when I was young and was my first hero. This book resonated with me on a molecular level. I was hooked. Of all his talents—his simple yet elegant style, his humour, his incredible action scenes, and his ability to weave philosophical ideas seamlessly into his stories without ever becoming preachy—his greatest gift was his ability to make you love a character in just a few pages, sometimes a few paragraphs, or even a single line. As early as Legend, he turns the fat, annoying Orrin into a character we genuinely come to love during that short running scene. It’s a wonderful piece of writing. The scene I always come back to, though, is in Lord of the Silver Bow, when Odysseus tells the story of the young Helikaon. Odysseus recounting how he took a frightened boy and helped make him a man, bringing his courage to the fore—the tale of “the boy who flew”—tells you everything you need to know about both Helikaon and Odysseus. From that moment on, you live and die with those characters. That was David’s magic. Every time I read one of his books, I get that same feeling. In a way, Gemmell’s work has the same effect on me that Odysseus’s words had on Helikaon. So, on behalf of the teenage me who read those books so long ago, thank you, David, for making me fly.” Michael Maguire – author of The Lost Company

“Like so many others of my generation, David Gemmell had a huge influence on me, not only as a writer, but as a man. I first stumbled across his debut novel, Legend, in the mid-80s shortly after its publication. I don’t remember how I came to find the book, but I was heavily into fantasy role-playing games, so it’s no surprise that I would be attracted to a novel featuring an armoured axeman on the cover, even though that was now infamous “armoured hamster” cover, that apparently even David himself despised. Cover art aside, within a few pages I was hooked on David Gemmell’s flavour of fantasy. A world filled with evil, in which damaged men and women battled to hold back the dark, often against seemingly impossible odds. Gemmell created heroes that were flawed, frequently in ways that appeared to be irredeemable, but who, when the stakes were as high as they could ever be, would find within them some spark of humanity and heroism that allowed them to defeat their demons, both metaphorical and, in many cases, very real. I don’t think the impact that David Gemmell had on me as a writer can be overstated. The character that started it all was Druss, the Legend. Deathwalker to the Nadir. The man who defeated the Immortals at the Battle of Skeln Pass. There was something timeless and compelling about that ageing warrior being summoned for one last battle in which, seemingly through the sheer force of his formidable will, he sought to turn the tide of battle against an insurmountable force. In my own Wolf of Wessex this was a topic that I turned to. The protagonist, Dunston the Bold, is an axe-wielding warrior called back to service against his better judgement. That character owes more than a little to Gemmell’s Druss, but in all my books I am seeking to recreate some of the story-telling magic that Gemmell conjured with such apparent ease. If I hadn’t picked up that paperback copy of Legend back in the 80s, who can say whether I ever would have become a writer, let alone a full-time author? All I know is that reading Gemmell’s books gave me something to aspire to and kindled a flame within me for the heroic and the tragic that burns strong to this day.” Matthew Harffy – author of The Bernicia Chronicles