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Post by eddempster on Apr 13, 2008 9:50:57 GMT
Ehm... I'm not sure if this is seriously off topic enough, TBH, but I couldn't find a general discussion area. Anyhow, my mate Richard Payne (you may have read his stuff in Doorways Magazine) asked me what horror conventions or meetings we have over here, because he'd like to attend one. I had to admit that I don't know. It's altogether possible that there aren't any. From what I hear about the World Horror Convention (similar to the World Baseball Series - only Americans and Canadians seem to attend) it's not particularly well attended. So if they struggle to fill a conference centre with horror fans from a population of about 250 million, it seems to me the British one is likely to be held in somebody's spare bedroom. Please tell me I'm wrong
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Post by dem bones on Apr 13, 2008 10:09:15 GMT
Hi Ed. Well, there's AltFiction at Derby on 26th April details, and the British Fantasy Society have some - I gather - well-attended get-togethers, too. Not a convention, as such, but you'll usually find a small Vault contingent haunting October's Zardoz Pulp Fair in London and book launches are usually good fun. Keep an eye on Stephen Jones' site as he usually publicises these. If your friend is thinking in terms of hundreds of people in attendance then he might be disappointed. Hopefully, those who've attended Fantasycon and AltFiction can guestimate the figures?
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Post by David A. Riley on Apr 13, 2008 11:03:17 GMT
The annual Fantasycon organised by the BFS is your best bet. There are usually 250 or more attendees, quite a large proportion being writers, publishers (especially small press) and editors. The book room is always worth a visit and there are some interesting talks and discussions over the weekend. You should check out these two sites: www.britishfantasysociety.org/www.fantasycon.org.uk/The BFS also organises regular small functions - Open Nights - which are often in London, but they have begun to hold them elsewhere in the UK as well, such as York. Best wishes David
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Post by carolinec on Apr 13, 2008 13:54:47 GMT
Hi Ed and welcome! David beat me to it - I was just about to give you FantasyCon details too.
If you can get to Derby for AltFiction in a couple of weeks it might be worth a try. I did my first AltFiction last year and was so impressed it made me try FantasyCon last September, and I'll be at AltFiction again in a couple of weeks.
If your intention is to network with other writers, editors, publishers, etc then these are the kinds of events for you. Also, there are useful talks and panel discussions, workshops, etc. And lots of books to buy!
And like David said, the BFS are starting to have regional events too, but I don't think there are any in the south west at present. Might be an idea to keep an eye on the BFS forum/website for any announcements there.
Of course, neither of these events are specifically for horror - they both have elements of SF/fantasy too.
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Post by eddempster on Apr 13, 2008 14:06:05 GMT
That's great - thanks for all your replies. I doubt he or I will make it to Derby in a couple of week's time, but Nottingham in September sounds doable.
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Post by jkdunham on Apr 13, 2008 15:47:00 GMT
Caroline, if the Pantechnicon posse are still planning a get together while you're all in Derby, could you let me know? It'd be nice to drop by and say hello to you and Troo. I promise I'll behave! Just whatever you do, don't let me near water or feed me after midnight...
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Post by carolinec on Apr 13, 2008 16:21:09 GMT
Caroline, if the Pantechnicon posse are still planning a get together while you're all in Derby, could you let me know? It'd be nice to drop by and say hello to you and Troo. I promise I'll behave! Just whatever you do, don't let me near water or feed me after midnight... Hi Steve - yes, a few of us are going to be there - including me and Troo. Are you actually coming to the event (ie. do you have a ticket?), or would you suggest meeting up before or after? I'll be in Derby from the Friday eve myself, but I guess Troo won't be arriving till the Saturday (maybe you could confirm or deny, Troo?). Anyway, PM me with a suggestion about how we could meet up and we'll sort out the details. It would be great to see you in the flesh, so to speak! Oh heck, I've just realised, that'll mean you'll know what I look like ...
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Post by marksamuels on Apr 13, 2008 18:34:35 GMT
I've not been to an alt.fiction, but have been to quite a few Fantasycons. Apart from failing to win awards the three times I've been shortlisted , I've always had a wonderful time. Edd, you should come along. Mark S.
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Post by eddempster on Apr 13, 2008 20:13:40 GMT
Thanks, Mark - I might just do that. It's a hell of a long drive from Somerset, though. I need to get my arse in gear and write a few things worth selling to publishers, to make full use of the trip, really.
Funny - I hate driving, so while I wouldn't think too much about going to say WHC in Utah, the thought of a drive up to Nottingham fills me with dread.
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Post by jkdunham on Apr 13, 2008 22:29:15 GMT
the thought of a drive up to Nottingham fills me with dread. You, me and everyone else in the East Midlands, Ed. Oh heck, I've just realised, that'll mean you'll know what I look like ... I reckon you're just worried that the truth will be out and you won't be able to pretend you're not a gorgeous leggy blonde anymore. And you won't have any trouble finding me in Derby, I'll be the one swinging from the bells in the cathedral.
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Post by carolinec on Apr 14, 2008 20:31:44 GMT
Oh heck, I've just realised, that'll mean you'll know what I look like ... I reckon you're just worried that the truth will be out and you won't be able to pretend you're not a gorgeous leggy blonde anymore. Very true, Steve - you've got it in one! I'm going to try to liase with Troo about when she's arriving, etc and then I'll PM you about a possible meet up. From my recollection, there's a square close to the Assembly Rooms with cafes/bars and so on. Maybe meeting in one of those would be a good idea? Don't be scared of us - if we meet somewhere public like that, you'll be perfectly safe!
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Post by jkdunham on Apr 14, 2008 22:35:33 GMT
From my recollection, there's a square close to the Assembly Rooms with cafes/bars and so on. That's right, The Assembly Rooms overlooks the Market Square. I'm not sure I can afford to drink in those cafe/bars though, that is if they'd even let me in!
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Post by carolinec on Apr 15, 2008 9:31:49 GMT
From my recollection, there's a square close to the Assembly Rooms with cafes/bars and so on. That's right, The Assembly Rooms overlooks the Market Square. I'm not sure I can afford to drink in those cafe/bars though, that is if they'd even let me in! Well, I've PM'ed Troo to see what she says - before I actually saw this! I'm sure we might be able to club together to buy you a drink! Or have you got any other ideas? I'm going to have my Black Book at the ready for you to sign, you realise! ;D
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Post by jkdunham on Apr 15, 2008 18:37:02 GMT
I'm sure we might be able to club together to buy you a drink! Or have you got any other ideas? No, that sounds good to me. Thanks.
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Post by troo on Apr 23, 2008 12:46:33 GMT
Ed's avatar hypnotised me
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