Post by moondemon on Jun 22, 2010 16:40:50 GMT
Waking up at 5am on a Saturday morning is never my idea of how a good weekend should start. But there are always exceptions, and this was one of them. This was Saturday 12th June 2010, the day that the alt.fiction event was being held at The Quad, Derby.
Not only that, but it was the first ever such event I was going to attend, so I had no idea what to expect of the day. What I DID know, however, was that I was going to meet up with a few people I’d met on Facebook, Indeed, one of the very first I met was Mr. Prolific himself, Gary McMahon, swiftly followed by Allyson Bird and John Travis. And a better, and fuller, welcome I couldn’t have wished for. And that, all told, was the tenor of the whole day from that point on.
The first, and ONLY hiccough, of the day happened during registration. Because Liz, my wife, paid for the ticket, they had a badge printed in her name, despite instructions to the contrary. But, the wonder that is technology, with the judicious application of a biro I was no longer Liz but Simon with nary a bat of an eyelid. Any brief grump at administrative cock-ups was instantaneously forgotten when I was handed a bag full of goodies, including previews of Tim Lebbon’s new novel Coldbrook and the reissue of the very first Pan Book of Horror Stories, and full copies of Andy Remic’s Kell’s Legend and Thomas Blackthorne’s Edge, the Pan Bplus the requisite programme of course.
It isn’t just about the networking and joining up with friends, however, it’s also about the talks, panels and workshops. So, the first talk of the day, a podcast session between the grandmasters of horror, Ramsey Campbell and Stephen Jones, which turned out to be incredibly informative on many levels, and helped to consolidate (and confirm) much of the thinking I’d been doing over the previous weeks. I felt it was great to realise that I’d been thinking along the very same lines, especially when voiced by two such stalwarts.
After that, our first retirement to the bar area to seek refreshments, in the company of Gary, Allyson and John, followed by some more introductions to people, most notably: Stephen Volk, Conrad Williams, Graham Joyce, Mark Morris, Peter Coleborn (who insisted on taking photos of my head tattoos), Raven Dane and Sarah Pinborough. A couple of pints later, the first panel, moderated by Gary McMahon, and featuring Sarah Pinborough, Tim Lebbon, Stephen Jones and Conrad Williams. Two weeks on and I must admit I don’t remember much of this one, except that it was a highly entertaining hour that whizzed by far too quickly.
And so on to the second exodus to the bar, for more cider and more networking. I have to admit that it was here my event ended – I then stayed ensconced happily in the bar for the rest of the day, inspired by the numbers of flights of stairs I had to endlessly negotiate with two bags in tow. So, resting my weary legs seemed the most appealing activity, sweetened by more cider and good company. I met Andy Remic sunning himself outside on the verandah, who graciously signed the copy of his book I’d been given. A thoroughly nice chap, too!!
Sometime in the evening, most people disappeared in one of three directions – to a hotel to watch that evening’s Dr. Who, or go to watch the England vs USA World Cup game or head to a restaurant for a curry. If I’d had any dosh left, my preference would have been to go for the latter: instead, I stayed in the bar area, and talked to Martin and his girlfriend (and Pixie Pants – sorry, didn’t catch either of your real names) for about two hours (and briefly chatted to Stephen Jones while coming back from the toilet) about cats, conventions and other things.
And so the evening wound on and it was time to say my goodbyes. I was quite tipsy myself by now, and the last person I talked was a very wobbly Gary McMahon. So off I stomped to find a taxi and then get to my hotel.
No doubt about it, alt.fiction was a great day – and if this is what I can expect from future events, then you can definitely sign me up for the next one, plus I’ll be returning next year. Many, many thanks are due to the organisers of the event , Writing East Midlands – apart from a few blips, you guys put on a flawless event. Roll on September and FantasyCon2010!!!
Not only that, but it was the first ever such event I was going to attend, so I had no idea what to expect of the day. What I DID know, however, was that I was going to meet up with a few people I’d met on Facebook, Indeed, one of the very first I met was Mr. Prolific himself, Gary McMahon, swiftly followed by Allyson Bird and John Travis. And a better, and fuller, welcome I couldn’t have wished for. And that, all told, was the tenor of the whole day from that point on.
The first, and ONLY hiccough, of the day happened during registration. Because Liz, my wife, paid for the ticket, they had a badge printed in her name, despite instructions to the contrary. But, the wonder that is technology, with the judicious application of a biro I was no longer Liz but Simon with nary a bat of an eyelid. Any brief grump at administrative cock-ups was instantaneously forgotten when I was handed a bag full of goodies, including previews of Tim Lebbon’s new novel Coldbrook and the reissue of the very first Pan Book of Horror Stories, and full copies of Andy Remic’s Kell’s Legend and Thomas Blackthorne’s Edge, the Pan Bplus the requisite programme of course.
It isn’t just about the networking and joining up with friends, however, it’s also about the talks, panels and workshops. So, the first talk of the day, a podcast session between the grandmasters of horror, Ramsey Campbell and Stephen Jones, which turned out to be incredibly informative on many levels, and helped to consolidate (and confirm) much of the thinking I’d been doing over the previous weeks. I felt it was great to realise that I’d been thinking along the very same lines, especially when voiced by two such stalwarts.
After that, our first retirement to the bar area to seek refreshments, in the company of Gary, Allyson and John, followed by some more introductions to people, most notably: Stephen Volk, Conrad Williams, Graham Joyce, Mark Morris, Peter Coleborn (who insisted on taking photos of my head tattoos), Raven Dane and Sarah Pinborough. A couple of pints later, the first panel, moderated by Gary McMahon, and featuring Sarah Pinborough, Tim Lebbon, Stephen Jones and Conrad Williams. Two weeks on and I must admit I don’t remember much of this one, except that it was a highly entertaining hour that whizzed by far too quickly.
And so on to the second exodus to the bar, for more cider and more networking. I have to admit that it was here my event ended – I then stayed ensconced happily in the bar for the rest of the day, inspired by the numbers of flights of stairs I had to endlessly negotiate with two bags in tow. So, resting my weary legs seemed the most appealing activity, sweetened by more cider and good company. I met Andy Remic sunning himself outside on the verandah, who graciously signed the copy of his book I’d been given. A thoroughly nice chap, too!!
Sometime in the evening, most people disappeared in one of three directions – to a hotel to watch that evening’s Dr. Who, or go to watch the England vs USA World Cup game or head to a restaurant for a curry. If I’d had any dosh left, my preference would have been to go for the latter: instead, I stayed in the bar area, and talked to Martin and his girlfriend (and Pixie Pants – sorry, didn’t catch either of your real names) for about two hours (and briefly chatted to Stephen Jones while coming back from the toilet) about cats, conventions and other things.
And so the evening wound on and it was time to say my goodbyes. I was quite tipsy myself by now, and the last person I talked was a very wobbly Gary McMahon. So off I stomped to find a taxi and then get to my hotel.
No doubt about it, alt.fiction was a great day – and if this is what I can expect from future events, then you can definitely sign me up for the next one, plus I’ll be returning next year. Many, many thanks are due to the organisers of the event , Writing East Midlands – apart from a few blips, you guys put on a flawless event. Roll on September and FantasyCon2010!!!