Eastercon 2009, Bradford, 10-13 April

[Ian Whates]

What books will you be launching this time? Collections?

Well, since you ask... Actually, no, not collections this time around (although I do have a couple of those in the pipeline). NewCon Press is branching out. The three are:

1. The Beloved of My Beloved by Ian Watson and Roberto Quaglia -- British SF meets Italian surrealosm. By turns ingenious, hilarious, erotic, obscene and quite, quite brilliant. A bizarre love story unlike anything you've seen before.

2. Starship Fall by Eric Brown -- a return to Magenta Bay five years after the events of 2007's Starship Summer. The same group of friends facing new challenges on an alien world. a powerful and moving piece of SF; classic in style, original in content. Oh, and a cracking cover by Dominic Harman to boot.

3. The Gift of Joy by... ehm... me. My first short story collection. Eighteen stories, five of them original, thirteen which have appeared in various venues, including the BSFA-shortlisted title story. And another cracking cover, this time by Vinny Chong, which can be seen on this thread: http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/48777-coming-soon.html

Oh, and like you, Nesa, I'm really looking forward to meeting Tim Powers, not to mention catching up with Jon Courtenay Grimwood, who was nice enough to email me to say how much he enjoyed one of my recently published stories... so I collared him for an endorsement which now appears on the back of the collection (along with one from Ken MacLeod) .

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Really, Billy? That comes as a shock! Hopefully catch you at another con later in the year.

I will be at Picocon at the end of the month and Fantasycon in September,did not book Eastercon because it stated at the time that single rooms were going to be £95(maybe it was an error) and I refuse to pay that for a hotel in the UK at a annual con then it was £65 but by then the main hotel was full and I don't like bussing to overflows as they tend to leave too early.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Re: Eastercon Liverpool

I have sadly never been to an Eastercon before. I would like to attend one along with a ComiCon and more WorldCons of course before I depart to that great literary vault in the sky....

How does it compare with WorldCon in terms of scale, countries represented, format etc....?

Around about 800-1000, multi stream,good dealers room, lots of fan activity,and from various countries around the World but nowhere near Worldcon stats. Well it is being held at Heathrow next year 15min.free bus ride from the airport Neil Gaiman is one of the GOH's.

 

[GOLLUM]

Re: Eastercon Liverpool

Around about 800-1000, multi stream,good dealers room, lots of fan activity,and from various countries around the World but nowhere near Worldcon stats. Well it is being held at Heathrow next year 15min.free bus ride from the airport Neil Gaiman is one of the GOH's.

yeh I know Neil's a GOH...the torture continues.... He's also GOH for WorldCon in Canada. Please all come down to my home city in 2010, you'll have a ball!!

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Yes I know just booked my hotel.

 

[GOLLUM]

Yes I know just booked my hotel.

Yeh! Yahooi!!! Gollum does a little joy-filled breakdance.....

OOpps..sorry Ian, didn't mean to hijack the thread.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Yeh! Yahooi!!! Gollum does a little joy-filled breakdance.....

OOpps..sorry Ian, didn't mean to hijack the thread.

Sorry Gollum I meant for Montreal I will have to find a new job before I can afford Melborne.

 

[GOLLUM]

Sorry Gollum I meant for Montreal I will have to find a new job before I can afford Melborne.

Aww...*SIGH*... Actually I kinda figured that was what you were saying. Anyway I have a plan to visit the US within the next 3 years and Europe the next 5, so when that occurs I hope to meet some of the Chrons members.

 

[Ian Whates]

Re: Eastercon Liverpool

Well it is being held at Heathrow next year 15min.free bus ride from the airport Neil Gaiman is one of the GOH's.

Are you sure about that, Billy? Neil was one of the Guests of Honour last year when it was held at the same hotel, but as far as I know, the author GoHs next year are Al Reynolds, Iain Banks, Liz Williams, Mike Carey, not Neil again.

Know what you mean about the hotel prices -- that nearly put me off this year as well, but in the end I booked a reasonably priced room at one of the satelite hotels and decided to suffer the bus ride.

I have to go this year --quite apart from wanting to meet Mr Powers and support JCG, I have all these books to launch... and besides, Eric Brown has promised to take me for the best curry of my life!

 

[iansales]

If you wanted a single room, chances are you'd end up in an overflow hotel anyway. The con hotel has a very small number of single rooms. I'm in the Hilton.

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Re: Eastercon Liverpool

Are you sure about that, Billy? Neil was one of the Guests of Honour last year when it was held at the same hotel, but as far as I know, the author GoHs next year are Al Reynolds, Iain Banks, Liz Williams, Mike Carey, not Neil again.

Know what you mean about the hotel prices -- that nearly put me off this year as well, but in the end I booked a reasonably priced room at one of the satelite hotels and decided to suffer the bus ride.

I have to go this year --quite apart from wanting to meet Mr Powers and support JCG, I have all these books to launch... and besides, Eric Brown has promised to take me for the best curry of my life!

Ian I was getting mixed up with this years Worldcon in Montreal as it was getting a bit early in the morning.

 

[Ian Whates]

I'm in the Hilton.

So am I and so is Ian Watson... Maybe we should rename it for that weekend the Hiltian!

 

[JonCG]

I'm really looking forward to meeting Tim Powers, not to mention catching up with Jon Courtenay Grimwood, who was nice enough to email me to say how much he enjoyed one of my recently published stories... so I collared him for an endorsement which now appears on the back of the collection (along with one from Ken MacLeod) .

My pleasure! Just signed deal with Orbit for three historical fantasies so feeling v happy myself. Now tell me about this amazing curry place you're being taken to...

 

[iansales]

so am i and so is ian watson... Maybe we should rename it for that weekend the hiltian! :d

room party!

 

[Ian Whates]

My pleasure! Just signed deal with Orbit for three historical fantasies so feeling v happy myself. Now tell me about this amazing curry place you're being taken to...

Historical fantasies? Many congrats, Jon -- that sounds fabulous; a real departure for you so presumably a fresh challenge... Can't wait!

As for the curry place, I'm seeing Eric for a jar or two near the end of this month, so I'll see if he can be persuaded to reveal more...

 

[iansales]

I suspect Eric means the one he took me to several years ago - and I think it was Akbar's.

 

[JonCG]

I suspect Eric means the one he took me to several years ago - and I think it was Akbar's.

"The Good Food Guide—'Recommending Akbars'. The only Indian restaurant recommended in Yorkshire."



interesting!

 

[Ian Whates]

"The Good Food Guide—'Recommending Akbars'. The only Indian restaurant recommended in Yorkshire."



interesting!

Hmm... I'll second that. Should we book a table now, do you think? Better not make it Saturday night, what with the BSFA Awards and everything... How does Friday sound?

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

Ian! if you have not seen this already taken from the Feb. edition of Locus. Well done

This recommended reading list, published in Locus Magazine's February 2009 issue, is a consensus by Locus editors and reviewers
Anthologies - Original
Celebration: 50 Years of the British Science Fiction Association, Ian Whates, ed. (NewCon Press)

 

[iansales]

Should we book a table now, do you think?

It might be a bit early to book. Besides, you need to check with Eric that it is Akbar's he's thinking of...