FANTASYCON 2009

FantasyCon was hosted by the BFS (British Fantasy Society) last week end at the Britannia Hotel, Nottingham.

Unfortunately David and I couldn't be there the whole weekend, so we arrived on Saturday and set up the Telos Publishing table in the dealers room for a few hours. Telos was selling just three lines this time and that was Taboo Breakers (Calum Waddell), Silver Scream 1 (Steven Warren Hill) and It Lives Again (Axelle Carolyn).

Terry Martin, my publisher at The House of Murky Depths was on a table opposite and so we utilised both tables to promote my books at well. With the Sam Stone Banner behind the Telos Table where I sat with David. Murky Depths had their most successful weekend to date, with booksales and subscriptions reaching record levels.

Soon after we arrived we had to go to our panel, 'Dead Good, or Just Dead', which was in the main room. The other panellist were David Howe (Moderating), Steve Erikson (Fantasy Writer Malazan Series), Me, Adam Neville (Erotic Fiction Editor for Excited Books) and Raven Dane, (Author of the Dark Kind Series). The panel kicked off with an exploration of the current vampire phenomenon, discussing the success of Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries - and TV Series True Blood), Laurell K Hamilton (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter) and of course Stephanie Meyer (Twilight). The idea behind the panel was to discuss what makes Vampire fiction so successful and was this recent upsurge in book sales going to peak. Interesting views were given from all concerned with some fascinating observations on the publishing industry from Adam and what sells.

Following the panel, a variety of different people came to see me and bought copies of Killing Kiss and Futile Flame. We sold out of all of the first editon of Killing Kiss and this has now gone to re-print. Second editions are now available shortly and can be placed at the Murky Depths website.

Saturday afternoon was spent in the dealers room meeting people and networking. But at 3pm I had to go and meet with Ian Whates, editor of NewCon Press, to talk sign the inserts for the limited edition hardback copy of The Bitten Word, which is being launched next year at World Horror Con. At this point I sat chatting with the endearing horror author Simon Clark, a true gentleman. We put the world to rights - having tremendous fun talking about writing and the editing process while we scribbled our names on the sheets.

Later that afternoon, I met the charismatic and approachable Gail Z Martin ; author of The Chronicles of the Necromancer Fantasy series, whose short fiction will also feature in The Bitten Word. Gail said that it is unusual for her to write short stories, she's predominately a novellist like me. I'm looking forward to spending more time with her at WHC2010 next year.

The afternoon led to Stephen Jones' Mammoth Book of Horror Launch and a re-issue of his Mammoth Book of Werewolves (which sadly sold out before I could snaffle one!!).

In the evening David and I went out with Terry for a curry but when we returned to the hotel, we sat in the bar all evening and chatted to some great people. Thanks to Steve Lockley who was a mine of information about the Welsh Writers' Database Academi on which I am now included.

Congratulations to the BFS Team for once again creating a fantastic weekend. It was extremely well organised and there was a lovely welcoming atmosphere all weekend.

Short and brief I know... but much more to follow along with the few photo's we managed to snap that weekend.

The Bitten Word!

NewCon Press are producing a new anthology which includes a story by yours truly as well as some very well known contributors.

The Bitten Word is a collection of vampire stories by some of the top names in horror writing today.

Contributors in alphabetical order are:
Kelley Armstrong
Chaz Brenchley
Simon Clark
Storm Constantine
Jon Courtenay Grimwood
Andrew Hook
John Kaiine
Nancy Kilpatrick
Tanith Lee
Gail Z Martin
Gary McMahon
Donna Scott
Sarah Singleton
Kari Sperring
Sam Stone
Freda Warrington
Ian Whates

There is also a bonus story by Ian Watson!

This will be launched at World Horror Con in Brighton in 2010.

NewCon will not only be publishing this exceptional collection in paperback, but there will also be a limited editon hardback as well. All the hardbacks will be numbered and signed by the contributors.

Look out for my story, 'Fool's Gold' in The Bitten Word next year!

Further updates to follow ...