Speculation, Fact and Fiction

This was where I was over the weekend, in Derby UK, and a great time was had by all!
The one-day programme offered readings and Q&A sessions with a fabulous range of authors, and there were workshops, discussion panels - we were spoiled for choice.

Particular highlights for me were - first the interview with Harry Harrison. It's been a few years since I've seen him - and he was on as good form as ever, talking about his career, his experiences of First Fandom, back before 1938 - and his current projects, which include writing his autobiography. I'll be wanting a copy of that.

Then there was Iain Banks reading the prologue to his next SF novel, Matter, by way of an early taste for fans. That was a thrill - and his dealing with questions after that was both hilarious and informative - a brilliant way to end the day.

For myself, I did a two-handed readings and Q&A session with my friend and colleague desperance, and that went with a swing. I also ran a workshop on the general theme of 'learn from real writers' using Mark Twain's Rules of Writing and a similar list by Kurt Vonnnegut.

So I was delighted when first Harry explained about not sending one of his early submissions to his existing editor - because it just wasn't a book for that particular man. I'd been stressing the need for the right book to land on the right desk at the right time. And later, Iain Banks was asked for advice for hopeful writers and he said 'practise, practise, practise - the more you do it, the better you get'. Which also chimed with what I'd been advising.Like I'd been saying to the aspiring workshoppers, I have always learned most from listening to real writers!

Then there was sitting and chatting and catching up with established pals among the other writers, booksellers and publishers as well as improving on newer acquaintances, and meeting a lot of readers who aren't regulars on the fan/convention circuit, plenty of whom fell into the general studenty bracket, irrespective of whether or not they're actually in college etc. Possibly because they can't afford the full-on convention experience but can make something like this?

So should it be a two-day event next year? That's an interesting point and I can see arguments on both sides. It would be good to have say a light Sunday morning programme for the benefit of folk who've travelled some distance and thus have to stay overnight. Always assuming they haven't stayed up too late on Saturday...

On the other hand, would folk who can't afford to stay over feel short-changed by missing the Sunday stuff? Because the one-day nature of the event is a real plus, and not just for folk who can't fund overnight stays. Much as I enjoy conventions, there's a definite appeal for me as a writer in one-day events like this. Being able to travel up Saturday morning and being home by mid-afternoon Sunday means I can still see something of my family over the weekend.

The trick will be finding a middle way. Regardless, roll on next year!

One of the things one picks up at conventions and the like is the latest gossip. This can be highly entertaining - like the time I learned about the rumour I didn't actually exist.

Apparently I was a publisher's construct, the pseudonym hiding a husband and wife writing team. On account of the Tales of Einarinn alternating between female and male first-person viewpoints and the male pov had plainly been written by a chap... Which is at one and the same time, quite flattering in a backhanded way, and also, insultingly patronising. So I just decided to be amused. I still am.

I'm less amused by something I picked up on at the weekend. Apparently 'People Are Saying' that I've jacked in writing completely and gone back to the day job.

Say what?

Granted I won't have a new book out this year. There are a whole lot of reasons for that, including me wanting to take something of pause after concluding the Aldabreshin Compass before getting stuck into the next thing. That pause was mostly spent writing a contemporary novel that's coming together nicely. And then there's the tragic and untimely death last year of my agent Maggie Noach, and the loss of my accountant which did rather put a good few things on hold. But I'll have some short fiction out in anthologies this year.

I certainly have no plans to return to recruitment and personnel management. Sorry, the world of Human Resources is just going to have to manage without me.

Dunno who's been adding two and one-and-a-half and coming up with seven there.

You may take it from me that's it's bunkum and balderdash and quite a few other words beginning with 'b'.

Feel free to spread the word!