Almost everyone who was in Brighton this year will be delighted to know that Fantasycon 2012 will return there next year. After the organisers of the Corby event pulled out we were left in a precarious situation. Our President Ramsey Campbell went down on his knees to every team we thought might take on the convention. For most people it was just too late, but the organisers of this year’s convention staged a rescue mission and we’re very grateful to them. The dates of the convention will be Thursday, September 27th – Sunday, September 30th. We once again have the Royal Albion as the main convention hotel and the Royal York as the overflow hotel. Both hotels have agreed to hold their rates to 2011 prices.

Anyone who signed up for Corby who is not happy with the Brighton venue will be refunded.

I must say I was originally critical of the Brighton as a venue (too South/London-centric) though having gone there I had to eat my words. The numbers attending and the presence of publishers, editors and agents challenged my thinking. However, after World Fantasy in 2013 my personal view is that we should try to alternate between Brighton and a North/Midlands venue.

If you wonder how the venue or location for a Fantasycon is chosen, let me say it is often by default. If you want to bid to host a Fantasycon, you need to get a team in place, identify a suitable venue, outline costs and make a presentation to the BFS committee of what you can offer. It’s a huge amount of work but it really is wide open to a bid.

Quite a few people outside the Society were unhappy at my assertion that I will listen more attentively to the wishes of BFS members ahead of non-members. That’s not to say we aren’t interested in constructive criticism from outside the Society, and I’m happy to report that for every individual currently wanting to shout slogans at us from the internet we have ten people offering support, help or pledging to re-subscribe. I predict really good things ahead.

Speaking of which I have so far made two strong appointments to the Committee to fill vacant jobs. I’m pleased to say that professional accountant and respected blogger Amanda Rutter will serve as Acting Treasurer up to the EGM; and PR professional Lizzie Barrett – equally well-known in genre networks – will serve as Acting Publicity Officer. Both Amanda and Lizzie are more Fantasy minded – as per my pledge in my first statement. Hopefully they will want to continue in post after the AGM. More interim appointments to come.

Onwards and upwards.

Graham Joyce