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jemck at 09:36am on 26/02/2008
jemck at 09:36am on 26/02/2008Saturday and Picocon at Imperial College was definitely a winner.
Paul Cornell was, as always, a class act; entertaining as well as informative on his life working in the different media of books, comics and TV script writing. He was also charmingly and inadvertently insulting to a few select folk, to general hilarity, includign among those he'd just dissed.
Liz Williams is an author I've been aware of in the general sense, without having ever met her or read her work (so many books, so little time etc) and from her bio it's clear she's an interesting person. So I was curious to see precisely what values of interesting might arise from 'runs a witchcraft supply shop in Glastonbury'. She proved to be one of those rare people who can balance a clear-sighted understanding of the practicalities of the book business with an bright-eyed and outward-looking imagination fuelling a passion for really creative writing. Younger son and I are agreed we must buy her forthcoming book The Shadow Pavilion so we find out what happens to the badger.
We're also itching to read Cory Doctorow's Little Brother after hearing him read from that. Again, Cory's someone I'm aware of (how can one not be?) but haven't previously encountered him personally. Very entertaining and someone with a mind, well, one could say 'like a razor,' but I find myself thinking more along the lines of a swiss army knife.
So as you might imagine, all three of these discussing why futurism sucks made for a fascinating and stimulating panel to round off the talks part of the event.
Beyond that, there was chatting to pals and catching up with news and there were tours of the new Imperial College SF Society library - now refurbished with splendid new shelving in its permanent home that other uni sf societies can only envy. There was the traditional destruction of dodgy merchandise and silly games (some involving fish...) and networked gaming for those so inclined. So younger (twelve year old) son had a fabulous time and I can console myself that if my rapidly silvering hair means I'm definitely part of the greying of fandom, at least I'm doing my bit for Fandom:TNG. We're currently discussing whether or not he gets to come to EasterCon for a day.
Elder son and husband were enjoying their own day at home with their respective computer games. I did ring in at lunchtime to remind husband that son did need to source some materials for his biology class this week - namely an animal heart for dissection.
husband: where's he going to get a heart?
self: try Bakers the Butchers in the Woolgate
(it gets a bit Lancrastian in the Cotswolds)
husband: OK (not missing a beat) and do they sell brains and courage as well or do we have to go somewhere else for those?
People do look at you curiously when you burst out laughing while making a phone call in a Starbucks.
Anyway, back to work now!
Paul Cornell was, as always, a class act; entertaining as well as informative on his life working in the different media of books, comics and TV script writing. He was also charmingly and inadvertently insulting to a few select folk, to general hilarity, includign among those he'd just dissed.
Liz Williams is an author I've been aware of in the general sense, without having ever met her or read her work (so many books, so little time etc) and from her bio it's clear she's an interesting person. So I was curious to see precisely what values of interesting might arise from 'runs a witchcraft supply shop in Glastonbury'. She proved to be one of those rare people who can balance a clear-sighted understanding of the practicalities of the book business with an bright-eyed and outward-looking imagination fuelling a passion for really creative writing. Younger son and I are agreed we must buy her forthcoming book The Shadow Pavilion so we find out what happens to the badger.
We're also itching to read Cory Doctorow's Little Brother after hearing him read from that. Again, Cory's someone I'm aware of (how can one not be?) but haven't previously encountered him personally. Very entertaining and someone with a mind, well, one could say 'like a razor,' but I find myself thinking more along the lines of a swiss army knife.
So as you might imagine, all three of these discussing why futurism sucks made for a fascinating and stimulating panel to round off the talks part of the event.
Beyond that, there was chatting to pals and catching up with news and there were tours of the new Imperial College SF Society library - now refurbished with splendid new shelving in its permanent home that other uni sf societies can only envy. There was the traditional destruction of dodgy merchandise and silly games (some involving fish...) and networked gaming for those so inclined. So younger (twelve year old) son had a fabulous time and I can console myself that if my rapidly silvering hair means I'm definitely part of the greying of fandom, at least I'm doing my bit for Fandom:TNG. We're currently discussing whether or not he gets to come to EasterCon for a day.
Elder son and husband were enjoying their own day at home with their respective computer games. I did ring in at lunchtime to remind husband that son did need to source some materials for his biology class this week - namely an animal heart for dissection.
husband: where's he going to get a heart?
self: try Bakers the Butchers in the Woolgate
(it gets a bit Lancrastian in the Cotswolds)
husband: OK (not missing a beat) and do they sell brains and courage as well or do we have to go somewhere else for those?
People do look at you curiously when you burst out laughing while making a phone call in a Starbucks.
Anyway, back to work now!
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