Despite an early start to the day, I still began my journey to FantasyCon later than I would have liked - assing around with laundry and trying to get a pair of tracksuit bottoms that would fit just so. Anyhow.
Having made it to Euston, I then see that Peter Mark May is standing on the concourse a yard away. He doesn't recognise me at first because:
a. I'm wearing a hat (as I often do)
b. he's off in his own little world
c. all of the above
d. none of the above
Anyhow. We chat and then we board the train. Which only got part of the way to our destination - and already, I forget which station we had to change at, since I'm writing this a few days after the fact. Suffice it to say that our arrival at Chester where FantasyCon was held this year was a couple of hours later. What mitigated this is that the convention hotel was literally on the other side of the road from the train station. And because I went to the last FantasyCon held in Chester at this hotel, I can attest the venue is decent.
Despite being a couple of hours late, I was still in good time for my programming. Just as well. This year was notable because, despite volunteering to partake in the programming, I was drafted into five slots over the three-day weekend. Friday saw me as part of the line-up of the For Tomorrow anthology based on the Wellbrook High incident - edited by Dan Coxon and published by Steve Shaw of Black Shuck Books. What I didn't realise until after the fact was that Ben Langley, who was in the audience for that reading, actually did a decent sketch of us. Following that reading, I then had a discussion panel on making the familiar frightening, moderated by Rachel Knightley, and accompanied by Lee Swift, Silas Bischoff, and Adam Millard. Silas is new to me but I already I like the guy - chilled, articulate and intelligent. Then came the Tales In The Dark session with myself, Stephen Kozeniewski, Kayleigh Dobbs, and Simon Bestwick, all led by Kit Power.
On Saturday, I was fortunate to 'have the day off' and devote time to eating and lounging with my peers. Sunday was time to do another reading, followed directly by a panel on toxic masculinity, moderated by Allen Stroud. This was then followed by lunch with a group of peers, where I inhaled a whole pizza and then lit out to catch the train back to London.
It's par for the course that there are those peers that turn up to the convention where you may not get to see them for any more than a couple of minutes, let alone actually speak to them. In fact, only once have I made a concerted effort to talk to near enough all the attendees at FantasyCon - and that was, actually, at the last FantasyCon in Chester. The reason why I remembered it is because Marguerite, who was serving as a Redcoat, had warned me to take it easy and not exhaust myself trying to achieve this lofty goal. For those unaware, the Redcoats are those in the genre who volunteer and don the red hi-vis vests to guide all attendees through registration, make sure rooms are set up for the readings and panels, guide attendees to what's where, etc. They're the in-plain-sight and behind the scenes, making sure (with the aid of hotel staff) that the event runs smoothly. Of course, for the usual suspects that you don't get to speak to, there are - conversely - the new connects that you do. In my case, the likes of Silas, Ruth EJ Booth, Nico Rogers and others. This is one of the major benefits of hitting a convention - that you connect with such individuals in person.
And, of course, Saturday evening is reserved for the British Fantasy Awards. Stewart Hotston on fine form as the master of ceremonies as awards were presented. Including a win for veteran Ramsey Campbell as the Karl Edward Wagner award recipient for service to the BFS and the genre.
Despite the fact that such conventions can be fun/reaffirming/etc. in the company of your peers, they can quite full-on; with every other minute being a meet-and-greet, a panel to see, a reading to-do, late night convos in the bar before you realise just how late it is, etc. And because such conventions are so full-on - even if they're fun - they can also be tiring. I have no shame in saying that as much I love hangtime with my peers, I'm genuinely grateful to get back in my house and relax alone. Even the train ride back into London is good - just lounging in relative peace and quiet is relaxing.
But, next year? Given that next year will be WorldFantasyCon - the result of FantasyCon and WorldCon coming together? It'll be even more of the same.
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