London open night March 2012

[CarolineC]

Martin's been busy setting up the next London Open Night. If you haven't already seen it on the website, here's the blurb ....

The first BFS London Open Night for 2012 has been booked for 2 March 2012 at The Mug House – just under London Bridge, opposite the London Dungeon.

Doors officially open Friday night from 6pm onwards. Festivities planned so far include a book launch for author/editor Allen Ashley‘s new anthology "Where Are We Going" from Eibonvale Press. Also, Quercus Books will be hosting a charity auction – Nicola Budd, Editorial Assitant at Quercus Books, explains:

“As part of the BFS open night on 2nd March 2012, we will be hosting a silent auction to raise money for the charity Have A Heart, supporting children’s hospices in the UK.

The auction, in conjunction with Jo Fletcher Books, will include signed first editions from across the SF, Fantasy and Horror genres, as well as some signed original artworks.

All the money contributed will be going to help build a better future for children who are vulnerable, face adversity or live with a disability or illness, so prepare to dig deep! For more information on the charity go to www.heart.co.uk/have-a-heart/ “

[benedictjjones]

great news, really enjoyed the xmas one so shall be attendance for this

[Nyki Blatchley]

Great.  I'll certainly be there, as long as I'm not skint at the time 

[CarolineC]

Just bumping this one back up to the top. Don't forget the open night on 2nd March, folks! 

Wish I could be there but London's too far for me. Someone needs to set up an open night in West Yorkshire, methinks!

[David Brzeski]

Just bumping this one back up to the top. Don't forget the open night on 2nd March, folks! 

Wish I could be there but London's too far for me. Someone needs to set up an open night in West Yorkshire, methinks!

I'd like to see an open night further north, but West Yorks would be overshooting by a long way for me. LOL
Cambridge, or Lincoln, even Leicester. would be good.

Even Peterborough, where I live, has an advantage in being on the direct train line between London & Edinburgh.

[CarolineC]

You need to move further north, David! 

But seriously, if anyone fancies setting up a BFS event in their locality (I see Cav Scott is talking on another thread about one in the Bristol area) then I know Martin will help/advise with what's needed here (events@britishfantasysociety.org). I'd love to be able to set one up up here, but I just don't have the time at the moment.

[CarolineC]

If you haven't noticed it on the front page news bit (shame on you - why don't you read the news?!), there's an update from Allen Ashley giving more info about the open night as follows:

The next BFS Open Night is on Friday 2 March 2012 at The Mug House, 1-3 Tooley Street, London Bridge, London SE1 2PF (tel. 020 7403 8343). If you are travelling by public transport to London Bridge station, look for the exit that says “Duke Street Hill” or “Tooley Street”. The evening starts at 6pm. There are two main events happening. These are: An Eibonvale Press launch and a silent charity auction run by Quercus Books.

Further details:
Eibonvale Press are launching a brand new anthology edited by Allen Ashley, entitled "Where Are We Going?" Several authors including Allen Ashley, Joel Lane, Douglas Thompson, Marion Pitman, Terry Grimwood, Jet McDonald, Andrew Kirby, Gary Budgen and cover artists David Rix are expected to attend and sign copies of the book. "Where Are We Going?" will be selling at the special low price of £7 paperback and £16 hardback on the launch evening.

At some time between 6.30pm and 7pm, Allen Ashley will be announcing a “Postcard Competition”. This is a free to enter competition with simple rules – write an interesting postcard and win an Eibonvale prize. Postcards and pens will be provided on the night. The competition will be judged by Allen Ashley and the results will be announced at approximately 9pm.

Eibonvale will also be launching Jeff Gardiner’s debut collection "A Glimpse of the Numinous".

Nicola Budd from Quercus Books will be running a silent auction on a selection of desirable Quercus publications from approximately 6.30pm onwards. Nicola will announce the start of the auction and how to take part. The books will be displayed on a couple of tables and people are invited to write their bids on a sheet of paper. The winning bidders will be announced at approximately 9.30pm. The auction is in aid of the charity Have A Heart.

The night will finish at about 11pm or when the BFS has drunk the bar dry (don’t laugh – it happens quite a lot).

So, get along to The Mug House on 2nd March. Buy a book or three. Give some money to a good cause. Meet up with pals old and new. Have a great time.

Further details: email Allen Ashley on editorwherearewegoing [at] hotmail [dot] co [dot] uk

[Peter Coleborn]

If you haven't noticed it on the front page news bit (shame on you - why don't you read the news?!), there's an update from Allen Ashley giving more info about the open night as follows:

I noticed  

[CarolineC]

I knew you would, Peter.   

[benedictjjones]

looking forward to this 

[Phillip Spencer]

Thanks for organising this! I really enjoyed the evening and appreciated the welcome. It felt like "coming home"! Nice to see old faces and many new ones too.

Shame the auction parted me from the contents of my wallet... but at least I have some great books now.

[Peter Coleborn]

It was an honour to make your acquaintance last night, Phil.