FantasyCon 2011 (UK)

[Anne Lyle]

Barely seven weeks away - who's going?

http://www.fantasycon2011.org

 

[The Judge]

I might mosey on over as I'm just down the coast. I imagine the Saturday is the best day?

 

[Anne Lyle]

Saturday is usually when the big GoH interviews happen - but this year they've moved the awards banquet to Sunday lunchtime, so I don't know if that will make a difference.

I can't stay for Sunday as I'm flying off to Venice on Monday, but I will be there Friday evening until Sunday early morning. And I will be doing a reading from "The Alchemist of Souls"

 

[HareBrain]

Ooh, Brighton's only 40 minutes away. Guess I am.

 

[Boneman]

Only 20 minutes away on the train for me: I'll be there.

 

[Susan Boulton]

Not me, just can't make the money stretch for another Con this year. When it was in Nottingham I could get a lift there and manage with just the one night in the hotel. This year would mean a £60 membership, plus train, plus two nights hotel, plus spending money,(food, drink and books) so that would be roughly £500 I can't afford...

Besides, Eastercon is a big one next year and the year after that is World Fantasy, plus another Eastercon, the money will only stretch so far.

 

[Ian Whates]

Yup, I'll be there!

I'm launching two new titles from NewCon Press over the weekend -- Cyber Circus from the fabulous Kim Lakin-Smith (her second novel) and the by turns hilarious and poignant Diary of a Witchcraft Shop by Trevor Jones and Liz Williams (sharing 12 months of anecdotes and adventures running their business in Glastonbury).

I'm also interviewing Gwyneth Jones for her Guest of Honour spot, which I'm particularly looking forward to. Gwyneth's lovely, and I haven't seen her in a couple of years.

 

[Stephen Palmer]

Haven't seen her for 15 years, maybe more... Say hello to her for me!

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Saturday is usually when the big GoH interviews happen - but this year they've moved the awards banquet to Sunday lunchtime, so I don't know if that will make a difference.

I can't stay for Sunday as I'm flying off to Venice on Monday, but I will be there Friday evening until Sunday early morning. And I will be doing a reading from "The Alchemist of Souls"

It must be tough!!!

So Brighton. Mm mm, my best man lives in Brighton and I haven't seen him for a few years. Plus, it's near to our anniversary. These alignments of momentous events might induce me take Mrs Tein away for the weekend.

Plus it would be interesting to meet a few old Chronies.

We shall see.

 

[The Judge]

Plus it would be interesting to meet a few old Chronies.

Less of the old!

 

[Anne Lyle]

It must be tough!!!

Yeah, it's all work, work, work when you have a book under contract

(Seriously, I have very little "free" time as in, "not writing" time. My holidays are working holidays - I'm going to Venice to research my WiP. But then again it's not really work when you're doing what you love, is it?)

 

[Ian Whates]

Haven't seen her for 15 years, maybe more... Say hello to her for me!

Will do, Stephen!

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Yeah, it's all work, work, work when you have a book under contract

(Seriously, I have very little "free" time as in, "not writing" time. My holidays are working holidays - I'm going to Venice to research my WiP. But then again it's not really work when you're doing what you love, is it?)

Look, your not helping your case for sympathy with that post.

Quite the opposite in fact.

Now had you mentioned the smell of the canals is worse in August or that it will be heaving with day trippers every day. That might, just might have swun....

What am I thinking???


Anyway, FantasyCon is a no goer I'm afraid.

I made a strong case to Mrs. Tien, she was almost convinced. The bracing fresh sea air, the pebbled beach, the hotel and the looking up of old friends. I thought I was on a winner, until she reminded me about the small matter of the wedding we are due to attend that day.

Oh well, maybe next year. Is it always the August bank holiday?

 

[Ian Whates]

Oh well, maybe next year. Is it always the August bank holiday?

TIEN, Fantasycon is always in September, usually around the 20th (I know because that's my mum's birthday, which I've missed so many times). This year it's a little later: September 30th to October 2nd.

The event has also swapped venues. Having been held in Nottingham for the past four or five years, it's in Brighton this time around, and in 2012 wil be in... Corby.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Ian: That's it then. I've officially lost it. Why did I think it was August. I mean, its not as though there wasn't enough clues. The dirty great 30th of September on the top of the page should have given it away. Not to mention Anne's stonking great clue at in the first post.

Seven weeks to go.

Probably still wont be attending, I doubt I will able to prove my sanity between now and then.

No: it's the padded cell for me and that's a fact.

Well, actually it'll be nice to see some new wallpaper. I've nearly pounded the padding on this room down to bare brick.

TEiN's attendance - To be reviewed at his next case conference following extensive 'electric shock therapy'.

On the other hand...

Anne's trip to Venice will be positively chilly at the end of September.

 

[Anne Lyle]

I'm not going to Venice for the weather - the previous time I went was April, and we just missed the snow! I am however sensible enough not to go in the summer

 

[Sea Lion Books]

Don't let a little bit of weather stop you from going to Venice Anne, you should go

 

[Anne Lyle]

Don't let a little bit of weather stop you from going to Venice Anne, you should go

I'm totally going - it's already booked!

However we've decided to stay near Gatwick on Sunday night and fly out early Monday morning (cheaper, plus more time in Venice), which means I shall be at FantasyCon on Sunday as well - no sense in driving all the way back to Cambridge.

On the downside, I will probably need another holiday to recover!

 

[Sea Lion Books]

That's the spirit, Anne!

 

[P.G.Bell]

I'll be there, for what it's worth - I'll be interviewing Simon Kurt Unsworth about the launch of 'Quiet Houses' for my podcast. Plus, it'll be my fourth FCon and probably my last for a couple of years, so I'm determined to make the most of it!