FantasyCon 2011 (UK)

[Anne Lyle]

I now have my reading slot - 2.30pm on Saturday.

Be there, or be dragged off to the Tower of London to await a grisly death...

 

[P.G.Bell]

So, how did everyone find FCon last weekend? I didn't get as much out of it as I'd hoped, but then I missed most of Friday and Sunday due to train schedules. Quite enjoyed myself though! (And I missed the whole hullaballoo surrounding the Fantasy Awards, which perhaps deserves it's own thread).

Met John A. Lindqvist, who was a lovely, lovely man. As is Kim Newman, a man I greatly admire.

So, anyone else have some experiences to share?

 

[Ian Whates]

So, anyone else have some experiences to share?

Thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. Had a great time catching up with friends and drinking into the small hours, loved the thrill of being asked to moderate a panel on Saturday with 90 minutes notice and no prep whatsoever (no pressure, just Brian Aldiss, Christopher Priest, James Lovegrove, and Ian R MacLeod to moderate), launched two excellent books on Friday night through my own NewCon Press, gave away a stack of my own novels at the Solaris mass authors signing, saw Gwyneth Jones again for the first time in three years (and had a great time interviewing her for her GofH spot), thoroughly enjoyed kicking back and drinking bucks fizz with Jaine Fenn on Saturday morning (we accounted for 6 glasses each), ate loads of sushi Friday night and pizza on Saturday, took loads of photos, did some networking, met some new friends... and was relieved not to be stuck behind a table in the dealers' room for once.

I too missed out on the banquet (we opted for fish and chips instead... well, it was Brighton) and all the controversy surrounding the awards ceremony, though I've been hearing about it non-stop since.

 

[Boneman]

I really enjoyed it, despite missing the Friday afternoon sessions as I had an induction day at Sussex Uni, just up the road. I paid £65 for a weekend ticket and got over £40 worth of freebie books, which was excellent. I heard Brian Alldis speak - the man has a wicked sense of humour - and the interview with him could have gone on for longer and I'd have stayed just to listen. Likewise Joe Abercrombie - doing panels and being interviwed brought over what a good egg he is. I went to excellent panels and readings, and the exhibitors hall and bought more books.
I should have spent more time in the bars with Ian, and I'd have met more luminaries. Apart from the heat (who'd have thought it?) my only carp was the 2-hour dinner break before the evening session - was way too long, unless they were expecting us all to be sitting down to a five-course meal. Fish and chips on the beach was so much better..

 

[P.G.Bell]

I really enjoyed it, despite missing the Friday afternoon sessions as I had an induction day at Sussex Uni, just up the road. I paid £65 for a weekend ticket and got over £40 worth of freebie books, which was excellent. I heard Brian Alldis speak - the man has a wicked sense of humour - and the interview with him could have gone on for longer and I'd have stayed just to listen. Likewise Joe Abercrombie - doing panels and being interviwed brought over what a good egg he is. I went to excellent panels and readings, and the exhibitors hall and bought more books.
I should have spent more time in the bars with Ian, and I'd have met more luminaries. Apart from the heat (who'd have thought it?) my only carp was the 2-hour dinner break before the evening session - was way too long, unless they were expecting us all to be sitting down to a five-course meal. Fish and chips on the beach was so much better..

Glad you had fun, Boneman. You're not the only one who missed out on the Friday afternoon sessions - I had a six hour train ride from Cardiff, so didn't arrive until dinner time, which was a shame as I'd have loved to have attended some of those panels.

All in all, I thought this year was a great improvement on the last few held in Nottingham. I think the move to the coast (and the spectacular weather) helped the whole thing feel fresh.

I've put together a (very) brief report of my trip, along with some photos, at the Impossible Podcasts blog if anyone cares to check them out.

 

[iansales]

... loved the thrill of being asked to moderate a panel on Saturday with 90 minutes notice and no prep whatsoever (no pressure, just Brian Aldiss, Christopher Priest, James Lovegrove, and Ian R MacLeod to moderate)

That's not what you said at the time Good interview with Gwyneth, btw.

 

[Gary Compton]

Glad you had fun, Boneman. You're not the only one who missed out on the Friday afternoon sessions - I had a six hour train ride from Cardiff, so didn't arrive until dinner time, which was a shame as I'd have loved to have attended some of those panels.

All in all, I thought this year was a great improvement on the last few held in Nottingham. I think the move to the coast (and the spectacular weather) helped the whole thing feel fresh.

I've put together a (very) brief report of my trip, along with some photos, at the Impossible Podcasts blog if anyone cares to check them out.

I feel like I'm missing out on these convention love'ins.

I have never been to one of these events, never wanted to until now.

But, with all the talk about drinking into the night, having fun and free stuff. I'm buying into the idea.

Will anybody chaperone me and take me under their wing?

 

[Boneman]

Gary, I intend going to a few more, always allowing my studies don't get in the way, so I'll keep you posted! Go to one, and you're hooked...

 

[Ian Whates]

Good interview with Gwyneth, btw.

Thanks, Ian. Shame it wasn't better attended, but many had just spent an hour listening to Brian Aldiss in a room that was closer to a sauna -- we watched them come out gasping and fanning themselves. I suspect another hour in there was beyond them.

As for the drinking into the night, Gary, I bumped into a friend, 10 am Sunday morning, who was on his way to the BFS' AGM. He looked zombified, explaining that he hadn't gone to bed until 6.00 that morning (I'd bailed out and headed to bed at 2.30 am)... Believe me, for con-going you need stamina!

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

It's back in Brighton next year, Corby has been cancelled.

 

[Boneman]

Hopefully they'll have installed air-conditioning by then... Good to see you, BTW, Dug!!

 

[Anne Lyle]

I feel like I'm missing out on these convention love'ins.

I have never been to one of these events, never wanted to until now.

Same here. Never saw the point, as I thought SFF conventions were just for the kind of fans who like to dress up as Klingons - but then Juliet McKenna prodded me into attending NewCon (Ian's occasional convention in Northampton) and now I'm addicted!

But, with all the talk about drinking into the night, having fun and free stuff. I'm buying into the idea.

Will anybody chaperone me and take me under their wing?

There's generally a newbies' corner at FantasyCon, but sure - let us know when and where you're going to be, and we'll say hi (programme commitments allowing, of course!).