Speculation, Fact and Fiction

Did my illustrated talk on Oxford's fantasy writing tradition last night. At The Corner Club - an very good venue, er, assuming you can do stairs. The room set up for audio-visual is at the very top of an old building. But then, there may well be a lift - I didn't ask, but if access is an issue, folk presumably would.

They certainly had the tech side sorted - not something one can always say. In this instance it was instant-electric-screen, here's the computer, data-stick in there, here's the clicky, off you go. Only slight glitch was slow response of the clicky towards the end - the batteries inconveniently deciding to die, I suspect.

A small audience. But as it turned out, we were scheduled against Philip Pullman at the official Sunday Times lit fest. The lit fest were very slow getting their programme out this year and Oxfringe was already finalised. Ah well, them's the breaks.

And small audience or not, they were all keen, visibly engaged with what I was saying and thus the Q&A became a friendly and interesting chat about aspects of fantasy, writing and other stuff. Which chat continued as a handful of us moved to the bar. So, all in all, a good gig.

Next up is an open-admission (ie free!) event at Borders bookshop, Oxford, 6 - 7.30 pm tomorrow, Saturday 4th April. If you're within striking distance, do come along and join us in talking about reading and writing SF&F. that's going to be fun!

(Now I must go and do some housework...)

I am revisiting an established literary tradition.
You are writing an homage.
He/She is doing pastiche.

They are writing fan-fic