Reply to JENNY BARBER's editorial in Dark Horizons 56

[Shaun Jeffrey]

I'd also like to see news about upcoming film releases, not just reviews of films that are out.

[David A. Riley]

"But I don't need to be a member to submit something for review, so I don't see that as a benefit."

No, but without membership renewals and new members, the BFS would be struggling to survive, so we would all lose.

As for films, I agree, more coverage on every aspect would be good. We just need someone who is knowledgeable on this to provide us with material. My forte is books, though I do enjoy good movies. I'm just not into them enough to do anything myself. I'm hoping, too, now that I intent to get Prism out on a regular schedule again that we can be a bit more uptodate on reviews.

[Peter Coleborn]

When the BFS started, early members included Stephen Jones, Neil Gaiman, Ramsey Campbell, Jo Fletcher... all before or in the early stages of becoming full time professionals. I like to think that being part of the BFS community encouraged and helped them in their careers. Maybe too many people come to the BFS nowadays already seeing themselves as professional writers -- I dunno for sure. But as David says, it seems that many people don't see the BFS as an aid in their careers anymore. I've always felt that the BFS is there to encourage members to read (consume) the best of fantasy, and to help them (should they so wish) to get published.

Actually, I agree that at times the BFS gives away a lot of material that is paid for by the members. I know that there is an argument for this: giving non-members a taste of what we do. But so many folk see the WWW as a repository of free information, I wonder if the BFS should be contributing to all this free stuff. I remain undecided.

Of course, if the membership stood at 400, 500 or more, pro rata costs go down and so the membership fee could be reduced. Conversely, the fewer members, the higher the subs. Economics.

[Peter Coleborn]

As for film news -- any news, in fact: Prism must have on board a team of people dedicated to sifting through the news for future events, releases, etc. And members should send in such snippets of info as soon as they see it (with references). It doesn't matter if a dozen or so other people have already done the same; better have several emails about the new remake of Frankenstein (is there???) than none. And this links back to membership numbers: the more we have, the greater the news gathering.

[Stephen Theaker]

The point about music is a good one, Craig, and when I joined the media reviews team I really intended to review music. What I found though was that I take too long to get into albums, or the albums aren't outright fantastical enough to make a review seem pertinent, but I would like us to move more into that area. If I come across a label devoted to material of interest to our members I will certainly get in touch...

[Peter Coleborn]

In answer to Stephen's comment about fantasy music, try a Chthulhu ringtone?
http://www.cthulhulives.org/toybox/Phone/index.html

Since I have no idea how to load these onto my mobile, I still use one of the default tones.

[Peter Coleborn]

But being more serious again, and returning to membership issues. To paraphrase: ask not what the BFS can do for you, but what you can do for the BFS. The more one puts in, the more one -- and everyone else -- gets out. And thus the community grows.

[LouM]

In answer to Stephen's comment about fantasy music, try a Chthulhu ringtone?
http://www.cthulhulives.org/toybox/Phone/index.html

Since I have no idea how to load these onto my mobile, I still use one of the default tones.

I'd be tempted, but I'm afraid that every time it rang, it would summon one of the Old Ones from the depths in the most eldritch of fashions....

... but enough about my other half. Boom boom. 

[Ian Whates]

I have to confess that some of the comments made in this thread puzzle me a little.

I'm a member of the BFS (unless my subs are overdue again!).

I regularly sell books as a small press publisher at Fantasycon.  In order to do so, I pay my membership to the convention and then pay for a dealers' table.  Forgive me, but, having done those things, I then feel I've earned the right to sell books there. 

I don't feel obliged to join the BFS from a sense of gratitude at their allowing me to sell those books (particularly after I've paid to do so).

I'm a member of the BFS because I choose to be, because I want to support an organisation that supports the cause of genre fiction in the UK.  Obligation doesn't come into it. 

[Peter Coleborn]

I'd also like to see news about upcoming film releases, not just reviews of films that are out.

I'm sure that if film news is sent to news@britishfantasysociety.org it will be posted on the BFS website. If anyone has news from whatever source, send it with links a.s.a.p. Same applies to news for audio / music / events / book launches / book deals / etc / etc...

[Peter Coleborn]

In answer to Ian's post: when I've organised Fantasycons I and the team have always seen the dealers' room as an attraction, one of the reasons for attending the convention. If there were no books to buy, the dealers' room would be a rather miserable afair. Ideally, there should be a range of new and old, mainstream and small press items. As Ian said, if a dealer has paid for the ticket, he/she has the right to sell the wares without negative comments.

It would be ace if all who attended FCon were BFS members, and that they all contributed actively to the society. To achieve that larger membership the BFS must offer an attractive package. I think it's moving in that direction. All that's need is to get the message out now.

[Stephen Theaker]

On music reviews, I was in the middle of contacting a record label last month to ask about review copies when I realised their entire catalogue is on Spotify - like most albums are now. So that should make it easier to review the odd album in future.

[Stephen Palmer]

We shouldn't be too hard on people who self-publish. All I would say though is that reviewers should be honest. If it's crap, call it crap. If it's really crap, say so.

[David A. Riley]

I recently received some paperbacks from someone who self-published under their own imprint. Impressively, unlike most small press books these weren't oversized paperbacks, but looked just like anything produced for the mass market - which I must admit was refreshing.

Further, the covers, the whole look of the things were thoroughly professional - and if the books had really been published by one of the mainstream companies I would not have been surprised.

The only downside was in the writing. That, clearly, would not have been picked up by any mainstream publisher. The other downside was the proofreading, which wasn't very good at all.

A pity, because in every other respect the books looked excellent.

David

[Craig Herbertson]

I think the proof reading is a major issue, David - sounds petty but its these tiny flourishes make the difference between a  professional and an amateur. And proof reading errors really jar on me when I'm reading. If I can draw an analogy with music - when David Bowie was produced by a record label his work was incredible. When he worked for himself his work was perhaps genius, but it also betrayed a certain self indulgence and relaxation that comes when others are not judging you. The end result I believe was a less enjoyable experience for the consumer. Same with books.