An homage to the institute of the fading British holiday centers, Graham Joyce tells an addictive tale here. David, a university student, spends his 1976 summer working at the rundown Skegness resort — a hot, sticky, and ladybug-infested summer — in order to escape home. Something has brought him here, although he's not sure what, [...]
The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit is set on the English coast in the hot summer of 1976, so the music in this playlist is pretty much all from the '70s. The songs follow David's journey of innocence to experience, and on the way he solves a terrifying personal mystery. 1. "In the Summertime" [...]
Last weekend, I attended my very first convention - Fantasycon - and I loved it. Here are some of the things that occurred and helped make it something to remember...
- Simon may never forgive me for making him run from our B&B to the convention hotel because I wanted to attend Rob Shearman's reading. The run included stairs. I will apologise eventually. Maybe. Probably not. It was Rob Shearman after all. I also attended readings by Simon Bestwick (duh!), Alison Littlewood, Gary McMahon, Graham Joyce and Jon Oliver.
- Beware of Graham Joyce and seemingly innocent lists of signatures. Always check under Joyce's thumb. Several writers signed their names to the List of Cunts. Snort.
- An absolute thrill to finally meet Ray Cluley and to discover that his girlfriend, Victoria, is VH Leslie who's had stories published in Black Static. At several points during the weekend I was surrounded by Black Static and Interzone authors. This makes me part of the gang, right? Right? It's almost like having a story within the pages, right? Simon and I went for a meal with Ray and Victoria on the Friday night. A definite highlight of the weekend. The following night we returned to the same restaurant with the brilliant Gary & Emily McMahon. I ate swordfish. This is exotic for me.
- Arriving at a disco via the dance floor when your boyfriend is an extrovert and you are an introvert is scary. I demanded a pint of cider and after a few sips discovered my rhythm - or rather, no longer cared whether or not I had rhythm. I didn't have rhythm.
- Beware of DJs with a wicked sense of humour.
- I can hold my drink. Cue one boyfriend who was slightly less concerned when I demanded he buy me another pint of cider.
- During the British Fantasy Awards the room erupted when Rob Shearman won the award for best collection. Although all the winners received generous applause, the announcement of Rob's win almost brought the hotel down. In fact, I suspect parts of Brighton are still shaking. Adam Nevill got a rapturous applause too. Someone needs to check if the hotel is still standing.
- Despite claiming we would, the Bestwick and I never managed a trip on the big wheel. We ran out of time. It wasn't because we're wimps or that we were still trying to catch our breath after running to Rob Shearman's reading. Although, hearing Soozy Marjoram's report of her experience on the big wheel I'm rather grateful to the beast that stole time.
- Nina Allen is so lovely.
- Alison Littlewood & Fergus are lovely too. But this I already knew. In fact, lots of people were lovely and in some cases bonkers. I appreciate bonkers. Amongst the lovely and the bonkers who I spoke to (leaving out those already mentioned) were Graeme Reynolds, Simon Kurt Unsworth, Jay Eales, Rosie Seymour, Christopher Teague, Rio Youers, Lynda Rucker, Mark West, Selina Lock, Joel Lane, Gary Cole Wilkin, David Price, Simon & Lizzie Marshall Jones, Neil Buchanan, Maura McHugh, and... okay, I've mentioned him before but... Rob Shearman. So, so excited to meet Rob. I don't think it showed though. Apologies to all those I forgot to mention (I have just face palmed)
- Somebody forgot to attend any panels. That would be me. No matter the awesomeness of the Guests of Honour if you get lost in Alice in Wonderland corridors you'll never find your way to their interview. Oops! In fact, I think my reflection is still trapped somewhere in the basement of the con hotel.
- I didn't take many photos because I suffered a strange case of Behind Camera Shyness. This is a new illness. I'm going to prescribe something sugary.
- I developed an addiction to ice cubes. My home made ice cubes do not compare. I would also like to continue having breakfast in bed. Someone arrange the latter.
- Roy Gray (of Interzone / TTA Press) kindly gave us a lift to and from Fantasycon. Much thanks to him. I think he survived the experience.
- Candy floss was consumed.
- Most important of all, the convention made me desperate to write. I'd lost a little of that want over the past few months. Oh, and did I say, I met ROB SHEARMAN!!! This may have pleased me.
After married couple Zoe and Jake survive an avalanche, they are shocked to discover that every single person in their French Pyrenees resort has disappeared — and not only everyone in their resort but everyone in the entire town as well. Their dogged attempts at communication and escape are thwarted at every turn. Frustrated and [...]
Being a Coventry Kid I was really pleased when Coventry came up with its very first Coventry Book Festival. Called Literally – Coventry Book Festival it took place a couple of weeks ago, and much to the delight of the organisers managed to secure a few big names! Amongst them Philip Pullman and Henry Winkler (aka The Fonz) ...Hey!!
Philip Pullman made a rare appearance to collect an award for his novel Northern Lights at the
Coventry Inspiration Book Awards which was a highlight of the festival. These awards are open to anyone anywhere, and this event has been going successfully for a number of years now. Books can be nominated and voted on – and by the way, they are currently accepting nominations for the 2013 awards, so take a look at this link and see if there are any books that you would like to nominate.
www.coventry.gov.uk/bookawards
The leading light as festival organiser was Coventry City Council's Joy Court who is such an enthusiastic champion for everything to do with books, reading and writing whether you're young or not so young. And with Joy at the helm, a whole week of book and literary events were organised – daytimes and evenings. There were lots of school events, talks and workshops and something going on every evening. As far as I know all the authors gave their time for free and the nice thing was, all the public events were also totally free to attend too.
From my own point of view it was a busy week as one of my jobs was to help judge the short story competition, which lots and lots of children and adults had entered; then came some school sessions and four evening events to take part in. Although the Wednesday Inspirational Book Awards ceremony wasn't actually a 'taking part' event as I certainly hadn't won any awards, but it was an enjoyable evening of sitting and listening – and it's not every day that you get to listen to Philip Pullman speaking live. Although in the picture below he's sitting listening to someone else.
The July issue of Locus Magazine, a magazine about SF/fantasy publishing, focused on young adult fantasy fiction. It contains essays by Neil Gaiman; Holly Black; Sarah Beth Durst; Justine Larbalestier; Scott Westerfeld; Graham Joyce; and more.
How did I miss this? Well, I don’t frequent magazine stores. Still, this is exciting. I wonder if I can still get my hands on a copy. Maybe eBay? How about you–have you checked it out?
I just discovered this through Sarah Beth Durst’s blog which I discovered through Bookshelves of Doom
By: Dianah,
on 9/18/2014
By: Cate Gardner,
on 10/3/2012
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By: Ann Evans,
on 7/8/2012
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By: Cheryl Rainfield,
on 8/12/2008
Sounds like a delightful time, Cate. And in list form! Bonus!
Wow. Le wow. It sounds fabulous.
This all sounds lovely but why no mention of Rob Shearman?
It was, Aaron & Deborah
I forgot he was there, Tony ;)
Ooooh bringing down hotels and all. So glad it was amazing--but not surprised!
Funny how you forgot to mention Rob Shearman telling you he loved your work and that you were a terrific writer... :-)
Sounds fab. Must try and get there next time.
Yes, not like me at all, Simon ;)
Oh do, Simon K. I'd love to meet you.
Sounds like fun! I'm glad you got to go!
Me too. Thanks, Kate