Speculation, Fact and Fiction

This is one of those newer conventions that seem to be springing up all over, adding both depth and breadth to the reader/fan/writerly scene in UK SF&F. This is a really positive trend - and this was an excellent weekend.

I had a goodly handful or more of those writerly networky insider conversations - of which I shall say no more but which do justify authors putting these gigs through their accounts as professional development as well as advertising our wares. On that topic, we had a panel where Kim Lakin Smith invited The Write Fantastic to discuss and explain our work promoting SF&F beyond fan circles. That was myself, Chaz Brenchley and Deborah J Miller, along with Alex Davis offering the event organisers' perspective from his time at Derby City Library. So that's the professional boxes ticked.

But a convention is always so very much more than that. The panel programme provided me - and nigh on 200 others - with information and insights on for eg, the future of SF in new media, the relationship between 'old' and 'new' space opera - and in particular, the nature of heroes (that's small 'h', no cheerleaders involved.)

This was the panel I moderated on the Sunday afternoon, and with Chaz Brenchley, Toby Frost, Phil Nanson and Mark Robson all contributing interesting perspectives and commenting on and developing points arising from our conversation, a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all. As always, I've come away from that panel - and the entire weekend - with new notions to apply to my own writing. And I got to meet Toby and Phil, also a big plus. (Chaz and Mark and I go way back...) That's something else I did note about the weekend - the very healthy mix of familiar faces and new ones. I also got to put a good few faces and handshakes to folk I've previously only known online - yay.

I would also like to say, I am doing my own bit for Fandom TNG - my younger son Ian came along and had a fantastic time. Up to and including having his photo taken with Ian Watson, Ian Whates and Iain Banks (distinguished by Slovobooks as Caledon-iain). Also, my pal Mike came along plus his son/my godson Leo, who similarly had an excellent weekend.

How could they not, when the treats included but were by no means limited to, Paul Cornell, Iain Banks and Ken Macleod as GoHs, a preview of Paul's adaptation of Iain Banks's 'The State of the Art' for BBC Radio 4, the BSFA 50th Birthday Party, Chaz Brenchley's reading of his own achingly good ghost story (which of course I cannot remember the title of, but is one of the Phantoms at the Phil tales*). And the weekend rounded off with possibly the most hilarious 'Just a Minute' I've yet seen at a convention anywhere. Superb stuff, all of it, and the rest I haven't mentioned here.

We also enjoyed the presence of  a very entertaining Jester, who as MC really showed how a chap professionally trained in actorly projection can make himself heard. The Fishmarket - while an excellent venue in many ways - rapidly proved to have some serious acoustic challenges. It really does seem that cons need ceilings... However, remedial action was rapidly taken and with goodwill on all sides, the challenge was met. What really struck me, was the way by Sunday afternoon, folk who know about such things, either in terms of tech, science or experience running events, were offering constructive suggestions about what to do 'next time'. Which naturally prompted folk overhearing to ask when the date for the next one was, so they could get it in their diaries. It was that kind of weekend.

Have I mentioned lately how fantastic I find working in a genre with such enthusiastic, friendly, mutually supportive readers/writers/artists/publishers/dealers/fans?

Having done my share of organising events over the years, I know exactly how much hard work goes into the preparation of a successful event - and how keeping everything ticking over smoothly keeps the organisers constantly busy during it . So  a huge vote of thanks and admiration is owed to Ian Whates, Ian Watson and their indefatigable committee. (So they're convinced to do it again...)

*Addendum - clarification and correction in the comments, plus useful and pertinent links. Go see.