Re: Eastercon Liverpool
Um, unfortunately, the only 'Con I've ever managed to attend was an Eastercon at the Liverpool Adelphi.
As far as I was concerned, it was a grim experience. I learned that you gotta *live in*, 1000--1700 doesn't cut it. I learned that most writing groups' attendees don't have a clue. I learned that most writing groups' attendees react *very* badly to even the gentlest hint that a modicum of research might be worthwhile. I learned that grammar and puctuation were considered unnecessary by the education system, expression was all. I learned that group organisers need flack jackets and pepper spray if they hope to moderate a mob of wannabe authors who are discovering their mediocrity...
I was nearly lynched for taking along a complete short story that read well. Happens it had actually been published in the UK Small Press to modest reviews...
I couldn't find the heart to write anything more for several years...
Sorry you had such a poor experience, Nik.
I have to confess, my own has been the complete reverse. At the first convention I went to, very reluctantly, Novacon in 2004, I met some fabulous people who have since become firm friends -- including Gwyneth Jones, Ken MacLeod, Jon Courtenay Grimwood and Storm Constantine.
I find conventions incredibly inspirational for my writing and for my general enthusiasm for the genre. They're great places at which to meet people, learn about the industry and about writing... and generally socialise with people interested in the same things you are.
As for 'living in', I'm not entirely sure what you mean. At last year's Eastercon, despite it being held in a hotel on the Heathrow ring road, we still went out every night to eat (usually at a fabulous gastropub which was around the corner some 10 minutes' walk away), at the previous one I would regularly go into Chester's beautifil town centre, stop to grab a coffee with fellow attendees at Cafe Nero or have lunch at one of the city's pubs, and at the Glasgow one a few year's back, even took the Saturday morning out to do some shopping... By all means don't do any of that and stay in the hotel for the whole weekend if you choose to, but no one is about to expect or force you to.
Having said all that, I have heard that the Liverpool Eastercon (which was before my time) had its downside, which was why the attempt to hold a further con there in 2007 collapsed -- too many people had reservations about going back there.
It sounds to me as if you've had a very unfortunate experience; I'm only glad I've never encountered anything like that.
