The Banquet will be held in the Royal Albion Hotel’s Regency Lounge from 1:00pm until around 4:00pm on 30 September, when it will be followed by the traditional Dead Dog Party in the convention bar. There are only a small number of places remaining, and these will be allocated on a first-come basis.

To book your Banquet meal, please go to: http://www.fantasycon2012.org/banquet.php where you will find a full choice of menu and details of how to pay.

Please note that you MUST be a registered attendee of FantasyCon 2012 when you book your Banquet meal, unless you are a British Fantasy Award nominee for this year.

Publishers and individuals who wish to pre-reserve a table should e-mail banquet [at] fantasycon2012.org and supply a list of the ten people that they will have on their table. Each person should have a meal booked and paid for before the table reservation is made.

FantasyCon 2012 is being held at the Royal Albion Hotel in the historic seaside town of Brighton, East Sussex, over the weekend of 27 – 30 September 2012. We now have fewer than 40 memberships remaining, so if you haven’t joined up yet, then please do so now. All you have to do is go to the “How to Join” page on the website (www.fantasycon2012.org/join.php), submit the form with your details and then pay via the PayPal buttons. Alternately, you can print out the form and mail it with a cheque to the address given. A limited number of Saturday-Only memberships are also now available.

James Herbert’s The Rats was published in 1974 with a first printing of 100,000 paperback copies. Within weeks that first printing it was completely sold out, and the book has never been out of print since.

Since then he has reigned as Britain’s undisputed number one author of chiller fiction, with more than twenty best-selling novels to his credit, including The Fog, The Survivor, Fluke, The Spear, Lair, The Dark, The Jonah, Shrine, Domain, Moon, The Magic Cottage, Sepulchre, Creed, Portent, ’48, Others, Once, Nobody True and The Secret of Crickley Hall (set to air as a three-part drama on BBC1 this Hallowe’en).

With world-wide sales of more than fifty million copies, James Herbert is one of the world’s most popular novelists. His books are translated into more than thirty-five languages, including Russian and Chinese.

James Herbert will be signing his latest novel, Ash, from noon until 1:00 pm on Saturday 29 September 2012. Ash is the eagerly awaited third volume in the trilogy featuring psychic investigator David Ash, which began with Haunted and The Ghosts of Sleath.

Also, don’t forget to go to the FantasyCon website HERE and vote for your favourite ghost story of all time. Just fill-out the electronic form and submit it. No novels or novellas please, just short stories. One vote per person, and you cannot nominate your own work (otherwise your choice will not be counted).

We will then tabulate all the votes and the winning short story will be announced during a panel at the convention on the Saturday evening. A carefully selected group of experts will discuss their own favourite ghost stories and what it is that makes a classic spooky tale, before acclaimed author Ramsey Campbell reads the winning entry as the clock strikes the Witching Hour of midnight!

For more information about FantasyCon 2012 visit the website HERE

Among those taking part are Marc Aplin, Mark Gatiss, Will Hill, M.D. Lachlan, Will Francis, Gillian Redfearn and Tony Lee, and the topics covered include how to run a popular blog, how to construct a novel, how to write for TV, how to work with an editor, how to get an agent, how to write successfully for comics, and how to come up with a young adult novel.

Seating is limited to fifteen (15) people per session, so book now to avoid disappointment! All the details can be found on the FantasyCon 2012 website at www.fantasycon2012.org/masterclass.htm.

We will also be presenting a number of Entertainments throughout the convention. These range from the Poetry Event hosted by Allen Ashley, the FantasyCon Quiz with question masters Joe Abercrombie and Sarah Pinborough, and the always-popular Just a Minute chaired by Paul Cornell, to the Fabulous FantasyCon Raffle presided over by the dapper John L. Probert and Guy Adams, and FantasyCon’s Evening Emporium of Entertainment featuring everything from recitations by Reggie Oliver, a short play by Stephen Volk, and the see-it-to-believe-it Burlesque performed by Alessa Dark. And don’t forget that Gollancz will be hosting the FantasyCon Disco on Saturday night with deejays Guy Adams and Rio Youers spinning the hits! For full details of what’s on offer, go to www.fantasycon2012.org/entertainment.htm.

Regarding the Raffle, please remember that we need your help. We would be grateful if you could donate a prize (or, even better, prizes) to support the Fabulous FantasyCon Raffle. All donations – and we really do mean ALL! – are always welcome, and the presenters will do their best to name-check as many people and publishers as possible who have donated prizes in the time available. Please e-mail us on info [at} fantasycon2012 [dot] org if you have something to donate, and go to http://www.fantasycon2012.org/raffle.htm for more information.

And don’t forget that the grand finale of FantasyCon 2012 will be the Awards Banquet on the Sunday afternoon, at which the British Fantasy Society will announce the winners of this year’s prestigious British Fantasy Awards. Banquet tickets are selling fast, and places are extremely limited. All bookings must be received no later than 9 September 2012. All the information can be found at http://www.fantasycon2012.org/banquet.php, and publishers and individuals who wish to pre-reserve a table should e-mail banquet [at] fantasycon2012 [dot] org and supply a list of the ten people that they will have on their table. Each person should have a meal booked and paid for before the table reservation is made.

FantasyCon 2012 is being held at the Royal Albion Hotel in the historic seaside town of Brighton, East Sussex,  from 27 – 30 September 2012. We now have fewer than 60 memberships remaining, so if you haven’t joined up yet, then please do so now. All you have to do is go to the “How to Join” page on the website (www.fantasycon2012.org/join.php), submit the form with your details and then pay via the PayPal buttons. Alternately, you can print out the form and mail it with a cheque to the address given. A limited number of Saturday-Only memberships are also now available.

With Author Guests of Honour Joe R. Lansdale, Muriel Gray and Brent Weeks, Special Editor Guest Mary Danby, Special Media Guests Mark Gatiss and Robin Hardy, along with Master of Ceremonies Tim Lebbon, this is an event not to be missed!

Allen Ashley

“I am pleased to let everyone know that I am once again hosting a Poetry Event at Fantasycon. This year we are in the Russell Room from 8.00pm till 9.30pm on the evening of Friday 28 September. I will be running the event in a similar fashion to last year, which is: we will read ’round robin’ style. This means that every participating poet will read two poems (up to about 40 lines each) in the first round. Then, if we have time, we will go round again and people can read a couple more poems. I am advising everyone to prepare up to 6 poems. Last year’s event was fun and friendly with an appreciative group of poets and audience and I anticipate that this year will be much the same. If you want to put your name down, please email me on allenashley-writer [at] hotmail [dot] co [dot] uk or else just turn up on the night to read or listen”.

FantasyCon 2012 is giving you the opportunity to answer the question: What is the best ghost story of all time?
Just go to www.fantasycon2012.org/ghoststory.php, fill out the electronic form and submit it. No novels or novellas please, just short stories. One vote per person, and you cannot nominate your own work (otherwise your choice will not be counted).

We will then tabulate all the votes and the winning short story will be announced during a panel at the convention on the evening of Saturday September 29th. A carefully selected group of experts will discuss their own favourite ghost stories and what it is that makes a classic spooky tale before acclaimed author Ramsey Campbell reads the winning entry as the clock strikes the Witching Hour of midnight!

This poll is open to EVERYONE – you do not have to be a member of the convention to vote. The more people who participate, the more representative the winner will be. So don’t delay – vote today!

FantasyCon 2012 is being held at the Royal Albion Hotel in the historic seaside town of Brighton, East Sussex, over the weekend of 27 – 30 September 2012. Membership is selling fast, so if you haven’t joined up yet, then please do so now. All you have to do is go to the “How to Join” page on the website (www.fantasycon2012.org/join.php), submit the form with your details and then pay via the PayPal buttons. Alternately, you can print out the form and mail it with a cheque to the address given. A limited number of Saturday-Only memberships are also now available.

With many fantastic Guests of Honour, interviews, panel discussions, readings and numerous authors, editors, publishers, artists and actors in attendance, this is one convention you cannot afford to miss! Visit the FantasyCon website HERE

Guests at the event will be: Joe R. Lansdale, Muriel Gray, Brent Weeks, Mary Danby, Mark Gatiss and Robin Hardy. Master of Ceremonies is Tim Lebbon.

There will be panel discussions, Q&As, book launches, readings and films, along with the British Fantasy Awards ceremony and the famed FantasyCon banquet and raffle.

Tickets are selling fast so book yours HERE

Actor, author and playwright Mark Gatiss is a quarter of the team who created the award-winning comedy/horror series The League of Gentlemen for the BBC. He also scripted the three-part Christmas portmanteau Crooked House and the 2010 TV movie of H.G. Wells’ First Men in the Moon, and he co-created the international hit TV series Sherlock with Steven Moffat.

As an actor, he has appeared in all the above shows, along with episodes of Being Human, Psychoville, Nighty Night, Clone, Jekyll, Funland, Dr. Terrible’s House of Horrible, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), The Wind in the Willows and Midsomer Murders.

Mark is also an author, and his books include the Lucifer Box trilogy, The Vesuvius Club, The Devil in Amber and Black Butterfly, four Doctor Who novels, along with a biography of Hollywood film director James Whale.

Robin Hardy is an author, playwright, film director and producer, best known for his 1973 cult classic The Wicker Man, starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee and Diane Cilento. Today, it is justifiably regarded as a classic of British cinema.

He followed it in 1986 with the Irish serial killer thriller The Fantasist, featuring Christopher Cazenove and Timothy Bottoms, and he co-scripted and produced the rarely-seen Forbidden Sun (aka Bulldance, 1989), a mystery based around ancient Cretan rituals starring Lauren Hutton and Cliff De Young.

His latest release is The Wicker Tree, which we will be screening at FantasyCon on the Friday evening, following a Q&A with Robin and screenwriter Stephen Volk. Neither a sequel nor a prequel, but inhabiting the same territory as the earlier film, it is based on the director’s novel, Cowboys for Christ.

Please note that Mark Gatiss and Robin Hardy will both be attending FantasyCon for a limited period only.

They join FantasyCon’s Author Guests of Honour, Joe R. Lansdale, Muriel Gray and Brent Weeks, Special Editor Guest Mary Danby, and Master of Ceremonies Tim Lebbon.

After the success of last year’s event, the convention is returning to the Royal Albion Hotel on the seafront in the historic seaside town of Brighton, East Sussex, over the weekend of 27 – 30 September 2012. For further information, including how to join, visit the website HERE

Mark Gatiss photo (c) Linda Nylind for the Guardian

FantasyCon 2012

Muriel joins FantasyCon’s other Author Guests of Honour, legendary Texas “Mojo Story Writer” Joe R. Lansdale and New York Times best-selling fantasy author Brent Weeks, Special Editor Guest Mary Danby, and Master of Ceremonies Tim Lebbon.

The British Fantasy Society has recently announced its list of Nominees for this year’s British Fantasy Awards, and you can now book your place at the Awards Banquet on the Sunday afternoon. This gala event is always the highlight of the convention, but please be aware that places are strictly limited so early booking is advised.

Programming for the convention is also now being put together. As always, there will be panels, talks and presentations on a wide variety of genre-related topics presented over the weekend. If you are interested in being considered for programming, then please register HERE.  And if you are interested in doing a Reading from your own work, then go HERE to register.

Publishers who wish to sponsor Launch/Signing Parties, have material included in the Delegate Bags or donate prizes to the Raffle should contact info [at] fantasycon2012 [dot] org. This is also the same e-mail to contact if you are interested in advertising in the Souvenir Book or Pocket Programme.

The Dealers’ Room is currently sold out, but if you want to be put on a waiting list, in case anybody drops out, then please contact dealers [at] fantasycon2012 [dot] org

After the huge success of last year’s event, the convention is returning to the Royal Albion Hotel on the seafront, where rooms are now selling out fast. For those who require a little more luxury, there are also a limited number of rooms available at the nearby Queens Hotel. Booking information for both hotels can be found on the website HERE

FantasyCon 2012 is being held in the historic seaside town of Brighton, East Sussex, from 27 – 30 September 2012. If you haven’t joined up yet, then please do so now as membership prices will be increased from 1 June 2012. All you have to do is go to the “How to Join” page on the website HERE, submit the form with your details and then pay via the PayPal buttons. Alternatively, you can print out the form and mail it with a cheque to the address given.

He is seeking a photograph of the frontage of the Imperial Hotel in Birmingham. The hotel hosted several SF and fantasy events before it was demolished, including some early FantasyCons. Here, from the archive, is a page detailing the 1959 Eastercon held at that venue. Rob would love to be able to add a photo of the hotel frontage to this page.

If you can assist by providing a photograph of the frontage of the Imperial Hotel, please contact Peter Coleborn at pkcoleborn [at] gmail [dot] com. Please do not send the photograph in the first instance but simply contact Peter explaining what photo(s) you have.

The Jury for the PS Publishing Independent Press Award:
Sandy Auden
Peter Crowther
Nicholas Royle
Peter Tennant
Darren Turpin

Sandy Auden is a freelance writer and photographer. Her work has appeared in SFX, Interzone, Locus and Supernatural magazines; a wide range of websites; and the occasional music video.

Peter and Nicky Crowther’s PS Publishing received the coveted annual BFS Award for Best Specialist/Small Press on seven occasions until, with a yearly output running to between 40 and fifty titles, Peter removed it from further consideration and instead contributes an annual financial prize to imprints with more modest schedules. We’re not sure whether those moist eyes when he presents the Award are due to parting with the prize of £250 or hankering for the days when he was putting out less than a book every week.

Nicholas Royle is a novelist and short story writer, a commissioning editor for contemporary fiction at Salt Publishing, and editor and publisher of chapbook specialist Nightjar Press.

Peter Tennant is the book reviewer and a contributing editor to Black Static magazine. He’s also the proofreader for Interzone and Crimewave.

Darren Turpin is the Marketing / Publicity / Digital / Webguy for UK-based independent genre fiction publisher Angry Robot, as well as the proprietor of their Robot Trading Company webstore. In the past he’s been a Waterstones bookseller, a book reviewer and serial blogger (The Alien Online, The UK SF Book News Network, The Genre Files), a freelance website content manager and a Big Publishing corporate wage slave. He lives in Manchester with his wife Jo and their cat, Hobbes.

The Jury for the Artist Award:
Guy Adams
Anne Sudworth
Christopher Teague

Guy Adams has written over twenty books, ranging from novels such as The World House and the Deadbeat series to novelisations of Hammer movies and more books about Sherlock Holmes than you could shake a Calabash pipe at. He is also the writer of the comic series The Engine, working with artist Jimmy Broxton.

Anne Sudworth is a British artist with paintings in many international collections. She has exhibited widely and has had two books on her work published.

Christopher Teague has been an independent publisher for over ten years and is still relatively sane. In that time, he has realised that folk do judge a book by its front cover.

The Jury for the Non-Fiction Award:
Djibril al-Ayad
Roz Kaveney
Adam Roberts

Djibril al-Ayad is the editor of The Future Fire, a social-political speculative fiction magazine and review, as well as a writer and academic historian (under different pseudonyms).

Roz Kaveney is a poet, novelist, critic and activist resident in London.

Adam Roberts is Professor of Nineteenth-Century Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London; and the author of a dozen science fiction novels and various pieces of SF and Fantasy criticism.

James Barclay: James is the author of the two Raven trilogies: Chronicles of The Raven and Legends of The Raven, and the epic fantasy duology, The Ascendants of Estorea. He has written two novellas, Light Stealer and Vault of Deeds, and his latest book Elves: Once Walked With Gods is out now.

Hal Duncan: Hal’s debut Vellum was published in 2005, garnering nominations for the Crawford, Locus, BFS and World Fantasy Award, and winning the Gaylactic Spectrum, Kurd Lasswitz and Tähtivaeltaja. He’s since published the sequel Ink, the novella Escape from Hell!, various short stories, and a poetry collection.

Maura McHugh: Maura is a writer, freelance web designer and IT consultant. She’s currently writing two comic book series (Rķisín Dubh and Jennifer Wilde) for Atomic Diner in Ireland, and she also works for the Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild as their webmaster, blogger and newsletter editor.

Esther Sherman: Esther is a medical underwriter, burlesque performer, voracious reader, computer games addict and geek culture fan. She is co-editor of Nasty Snips 2, a horror anthology from Pendragon Press due in Autumn 2012.

Damien G. Walter: Damien is a writer of weird and speculative fiction. In 2005 he was shortlisted for the Douglas Coupland short fiction contest, and more recently won a grant from Arts Council England to work on his first novel. He writes and reviews for The Guardian and IO9 among others.

The jury will deliberate on a shortlist of four nominations as determined by the members of the BFS. The jury shall also have powers to add nominations where it identifies an egregious omission.

The British Fantasy Awards 2012 will be presented during FantasyCon, to be held in Brighton in September.

Award-winning horror/crime writer Joe R. Lansdale is the first Guest of Honour to be announced, with editor/ anthologist Mary Danby – best known as editor of The Fontana Book of  Horror Stories from 1970 to 1984 – as Special Editor Guest.

Further guests to be announced shortly. Full details at the FantasyCon website

Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone’s Magic Man (2010)

90 Mins

Directed by Jason Brock

Imagine becoming the top writer for Playboy in your twenties. Imagine being a mainstay for the ground-breaking Twilight Zone series.

Imagine verging on the cusp of a major film writing career. Then imagine a mysterious illness stealing your mind and youth …

ALSO (on a lighter note!):

On Saturday from 10:00 pm – Midnight in the Lounge

Spine-chilling, mouth-watering and rib-tickling amusements from …

TEATRO PROBERTO

Proudly Present..

Blood on Satan’s Claw: A Pantomime
&
Corruption

BURLESQUE FROM BEYOND

Performances by:
Miss Baby Bones & Alessa Dark
Bea Devile
Ruby Demure & Infinity Favour
(The Flirtinis)
Esmeralda Underwood

Warning!
Not for the faint of heart or those of a nervous disposition!

Important notice: From Wednesday 29 September we can no longer accept electronic or postal memberships to FantasyCon.

From the same date, we will also no longer be accepting registrations for the final few specialist Masterclasses that are still available. If you wish to attend any of these events, you can either book today on the website or enquire at the registration desk if any spaces are still available.

Note that membership for FantasyCon 2011 has now reached 500, which is very close to our limit.

A limited number of day memberships may still be available on the Saturday only for £40. These can be purchased at the registration desk in Brighton on a strictly first-come basis.

Any members who are attending the Con can pick them up there from David Howe, so please seek him out at the BFS Table or at the launches.

Anyone who joins the BFS AT FantasyCon will also get FFF as part of their membership – if you join after the con, then FFF will not be included in the package. So there’s plenty of good reasons to join the BFS and register for FantasyCon 2012 at the con itself as you’ll save a packet in doing so, AND get a superb fantasy Anthology free into the bargain!

Perhaps you’re a seasoned convention-goer. Maybe this is your first Fantasycon – or even your very first con altogether! Whether you’re a newbie or a veteran, the BFS would like to hear from you.

We want to see your reports from Fantasycon: the panels, the readings, the signings, the parties… who you saw, who you missed: your highlights. Tell us what made Fantasycon special for you in 1,000 words or fewer and we’ll put our favourite three reports on the BFS website. The best of these will also be printed in the Winter issue of our newsletter, PRISM, which is mailed out to all BFS members.

All you have to do is send your FCon report saved in .rtf format to prism@britishfantasysociety.org by 9 October 2011, along with a short bio. If you want to include photos, that’s fine with us, but please ensure you attach them individually (preferably as high-res JPEGs).

Rumours of the Marvellous

Watch the video: Rumours of the Marvellous

• Jenny Barber: http://bradanpress.blogspot.com/2010/09/fcon-2010-aftermath.html
• David A. Riley: http://davidandrewriley.blogspot.com/2010/09/fantasycon-2010_19.html
• Adrian Faulkner: http://www.adrianfaulkner.com/content/node/53
• The RCMB: http://www.knibbworld.com/campbelldiscuss/messages/1/4060.html?1284984179
• The SFX blog: http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/09/20/blog-fantasycon-2010/
• Louise Morgan: http://loummorgan.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/fantasycon-2010
• Sam Stone: http://sam-stone.blogspot.com/2010/09/fantasycon-2010-and-bfs-awards.html
• Simon Bestwick: http://simon-bestwick.blogspot.com/2010/09/back-from-fantasycon.html
• Mark West: http://markwestwriter.blogspot.com/
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/#search?q=fantasycon
• Floor to Ceiling Books: http://floor-to-ceiling-books.blogspot.com/2010/09/horr-i-mean-fantasycon-2010.html 
• Ian Sales: http://iansales.com/2010/09/20/space-frogmen-magnetic-shower-curtains-and-jugs-fantasycon-2010/ and http://iansales.com/2010/09/21/undersea-habitats-full-stops-and-low-humour-a-little-more-on-fantasycon-2010/
• Un:Bound: http://hagelrat.blogspot.com/2010/09/fantasy-con-2010-round-up.html (which links to lots more, as well as hosting video and audio footage of the event)
• Kai Savage: http://kaisavage.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/fantasycon-2010/
• Stephen Theaker: http://theakersquarterly.blogspot.com/2010/09/mr-theakers-quarterly-fiction-goes-to.html
• Pablo Cheesecake: http://www.theeloquentpage.co.uk/2010/09/20/fantasycon-2010/
• Stuart Young: http://stuyoung.blogspot.com/2010/09/fantasycon-2010.html
• David Tallerman: http://davidtallerman.blogspot.com/2010/09/my-first-fantasycon-part-1-all-stuff.html
• David Hebblethwaite: http://davidhblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/fantasycon-2010/
• Laura Watkinson: http://www.laurawatkinson.com/2010/09/22/fantasycon-fantastic/
• Fiskerton’s video footage of the British Fantasy Awards: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=AC0C1746804283BB
• Mangacat: http://lifewhatnots.blogspot.com/2010/09/fantasycon.html
• Jonathan Green: http://jonathangreenauthor.blogspot.com/2010/09/24-hours-in-nottingham-or-how-i-learned.html
• Mike Shevdon: http://shevdon.com/how-to-sign-an-ebook
• Adam Christopher: http://www.adamchristopher.co.uk/?p=1593
• Daniele Serra: http://www.multigrade.it/wordpress/?p=223
• Geoff Nelder: http://geoffnelder.wordpress.com/2010/09/19/fancy-that-at-fantasycon/
• Adam LG Nevill: http://adamlgnevill.blogspot.com/2010/09/fantasycon-2010-nottingham-british.html

Don’t miss out again! The 2011 convention will be in Brighton: www.fantasycon2011.org.

Please do take the time to register any books you’re thinking of bringing – it doesn’t take long. Each book will be assigned a BookCrossing code (a BCID) which you then write (or put on a post-it, depending on how you feel about writing in books!) inside. This means you can track the book’s travels on the BookCrossing site – and some have been known to go all around the world.

If you’re not signed up, and you don’t fancy creating your own account, we have a BFS account which members can use – just ask Louise Morgan (LouM on the BFS forums) and she’ll send you the login details.

Likewise, if you pick up any books that have been registered and have a BCID inside, please go to the site and mark them as found – it only takes a minute or two, and again, you can use the BFS account if you don’t have one of your own.

If everyone coming to Fantasycon registers and brings just one or two books, this could be rather brilliant. I can see it becoming a real highlight of the event every year…

There are a lot of people I call friends that I only see once a year – at FantasyCon – and so I am among those who feel that it is an integral part of the BFS. It is extraordinarily hard to put this event into words, and do justice to its “being”. I decided after much thought that I should just lay out the facts and let you decide for yourselves. Lists of who, what, where and when will remind old hands of good times past, and I hope will encourage others to try it out for size.

FantasyCon itself has produced a plethora of publications, The Fantasycon Programme Booklet which has evolved through many different stages, from A5 through hard cover books (the World Fantasy Convention to be precise) to A4 format, and one very strange item that was not quite like any other format produced by the BFS.

There is insufficient space to include all the hundreds, maybe thousands, who have had a part in these events as organisers, helpers, guests, speakers and fans, without embarking on something closely resembling a telephone book, (and about as interesting no matter how nice the people are). For those I have not had room to mention, a big thank you, and see at the next con – whenever that may be.

(Adapted from an article by Jan Edwards appearing in Silver Rhapsody, the BFS booklet celebrating the society’s twenty-fifth anniversary.)

1972

The first BFS AGM was held at Chessmancon (the BSFA Eastercon). The August Derleth Fantasy Award (ADFA) was won by Michael Moorcock for The Knight of Swords. A BFS President was elected, subsequently becoming an honorary title.

1973

(18 November): Beyond the Horizon, a one-day fantasy fayre, part of the Space Exploration Festival, Ceolifrith Arts Centre. Speakers: Kenneth Bulmer, Ramsey Campbell, Richard Davis, George Locke and Hartley Patterson.

1974

Part of BSFA’s Tynecon (Eastercon). Keith Walker announced the ADFA winners.

1975

Fantasycon I (22 February). Imperial Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Dave Sutton, Sandra Sutton, Jim Pitts and Dave Riley. Speakers: Richard Davis, Hugh Lamb, George Locke, Ramsey Campbell, Adrian Cole, Keith Walker. Programme Book: A5, 16 pages, edited by Dave Sutton. Cover Art: Stephen Jones. Notes: A one-day event with 41 pre-registered members; 60 actually attended. The AGM was held in the morning, the speeches in the afternoon

1976

Fantasycon II ( 28/29 February). Imperial Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Dave Riley, Dave Sutton, Sandra Sutton. GoH: Robert Aickman. MC: Ken Bulmer. Programme Book: A5, 24 pages, edited by Dave Sutton. Cover Art: Stephen Jones. Notes: Fantasycon was designated from thence onward as a forum for writers, artists and editors to meet fans, for the BFS to present its Awards, and a venue for its AGM.

1977

Fantasycon III (26/27 February). Imperial Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Jon Harvey, Stephen Jones, Brian Mooney, Jim Pitts, Keith Walker. GoH: Basil Copper. MC: Ken Bulmer. Programme Book: A5, 28 pages, in card cover edited by Keith Walker. Cover Art: Stephen Jones. Notes: The Programme Book is a mix of articles and information concerned with the weekend’s events: AGM, buffet, panels, talks, films and… folk music (well it was 1977). A list of attendees shows a number of stalwarts still attending to this day, such Ramsey and Jenny Campbell, Sandra and Dave Sutton, John Carter, Steve Jones, Peter Coleborn, Adrian Cole, Mike Chinn.

1978

Fantasycon IV (24/26 February).Imperial Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers:. Steve Jones, Jon Harvey, Dave Sutton, Sandra Sutton, Jim Pitts, John Heron, and Adrian Cole. GoH: Stephen King (fell ill and could not attend.) MC: Ramsey Campbell. Programme Book: A5, 28 pages, edited by Steve Jones. Cover Art: by Jim Pitts (based on Salem’s Lot). Notes: The attendee list is almost twice the length of its predecessor. A bigger list of events shows a rise in interest and a strengthening of the Fantasycon phenomenon.

1979

Fantasycon V (23/25 February). De Vere Hotel, Coventry DeVere). Organisers: Dave Sutton, Jean Sheward, Mike Chinn, Keith Walker and Jim Pitts. GoH: Karl Edward Wagner. MC: Dave McFerran. Programme Book: A5, 22 pages edited by Dave Reeder and Ro Pardoe. Cover Art: David Lloyd Notes: The tried and tested panels, but with a predominance of film in the Saturday evening programme. The buffet/banquet was ditched for a GoH speech and the AGM settled at its honoured spot of Sunday morning. Plenty of lady speakers this year, with Louise Cooper, Pat McIntosh, Jessica Yates and Terri Beckett.

1980

Fantasycon VI (3/5 October). Imperial Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Steve Jones, Peter Coleborn, Mike Chinn and Carl Hiles. GoH: Ramsey Campbell. Guest Artist: Jim Fitzpatrick. MC: Karl Edward Wagner. Programme Book: A5, 34 pages edited by Steve Jones and Jo Fletcher. Cover Art: Jim Fitzpatrick (heroic fantasy with a Celtic flavour). Notes: This convention was dedicated to the memory of Dave McFerran (1954–1980), a long-time member of the Society who sadly passed away in that year. The now familiar Awards statuette designed by Dave Carson was used for the first time this year.

1981

Fantasycon VII (10/12 July). Centre Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Peter Coleborn, Mike Chinn, Ramsey Campbell, Carl Hiles, Ken Cowley, Dave Reeder and Jim Pitts. GoH: Peter Tremayne. Artist Guest: Alan Hunter. MC: Karl Edward Wagner. Programme Book: A5, 36 pages edited by Stephen Jones and Jo Fletcher. Cover Art: Alan Hunter. Notes: The programme is film heavy and we see a return of the buffet, plus Adrian Cole’s songs and sonnets.

1982

A convention to include GoH Tanith Lee and Eddie Jones, and Anne McCaffrey as MC, sadly did not happen due to internal BFS problems. The con was taken over by others and named Mythcon.

1983

Fantasycon VIII (14/16 October). Imperial Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Steve Jones, Jo Fletcher, Mike Wathen, Di Wathen, Mike Chinn, Nic Howard, Carl Hiles, Dave Sutton, and Peter Coleborn. GoH: Gene Wolfe. MC: Ken Bulmer. Programme Book: A5, 44 pages edited by Stephen Jones and Jo Fletcher. Cover Art: Bruce Pennington (Fantasycon attendees received a glossy colour version; non-attendees received a monochrome version). Notes: Programme of panels, films, plus… the RAFFLE. Yes, this is the onset of an institution that survives to this day.

1984

Fantasycon IX (14/16 September). Royal Angus Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Steve Jones, Jo Fletcher, Mike Wathen, Di Wathen, Peter Coleborn, Kim Newman, Dave Sutton and Dave Carson. GoH: Charles L Grant. Special Guest: Tanith Lee. MC: Ramsey Campbell. Programme Book: A5, 48 pages edited by Steve Jones and Jo Fletcher. Cover Art: Andrew Smith. Notes: A secondary cover from Fantasy Tales was inserted inside the official cover of the Programme Book.

1985

Fantasycon X (6/8 September). Royal Angus Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Steve Jones, Jo Fletcher, Mike Wathen, Di Wathen, Peter Coleborn plus others. GoH: Robert Holdstock. Special Guest: Diana Wynne Jones. MC: Charles L Grant. Programme Book: A5, 96 pages edited by Steve Jones and Jo Fletcher (first of the A4 format-sized programmes). Cover Art: David O’Connor (in full colour). Notes: The guest speakers list goes on for ever! This Con saw the rise of publishers parties and signings that have now become very much a part of the Fantasycon itinerary.

1986

Fantasycon XI (26/28 September). Midland Hotel. Birmingham. Organisers: Stefan Jaworzyn, Di Wathen, Mike Wathen plus others. GoH: Dennis Etchison. Special Guest: Jody Scott. MC: Samantha Lee. Programme Book: A4, 68 pages edited by Stefan Jaworzyn, Carl Hiles and Steve Jones. Cover Art: JK Potter. Notes: This was the first Fantasycon to be staged in the Midland Hotel. There’s one illustration to note: a photo-montage by JK Potter of Jo Fletcher and Steve Jones in full monster mode.

1987

Fantasycon XII (4/6 September 1987). Midland Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Stefan Jaworzyn, Steve Jones, and a host of others. GoH: M John Harrison, George RR Martin, JK Potter. MC: Douglas E Winter.

Programme Book: A4, 70 pages edited by Dave Sutton and Steve Jones. Cover Art: Jim Burns’s Other Edens (courtesy Unwin/Hyman) in full colour. Notes: A JK Potter photographic portfolio was included in the Programme Book.

1988

Fantasycon XIII combined with the World Fantasy Convention (28/30 October/Halloween). Ramada Inn, London. Organisers: The Worldcon Committee. GoH: James Herbert. Artist Guest: Michael Foreman. Special Guest: Diana Wynne Jones. MC: Clive Barker. Programme Book: Hard cover programme book edited by Stephen Jones and Jo Fletcher. Notes: This was the first time the WFC left North America. The theme of the convention was “Gaslights & Ghosts”.

1989

Fantasycon XIV (6/8 October). Midland Hotel. Birmingham. Organisers: Mike Wathen, Di Wathen, Peter Coleborn, Sylvia Starshine. GoH: Thomas F Monteleone. Stephen Laws. MC: Brian Lumley. Programme Book: A4, 68 pages edited by Di Wathen and Mike Chinn. Cover Art: Martin McKenna. Notes: Back to the Midland Hotel.

1990

Fantasycon XV (14/16 September). Midland Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Mike Wathen, Di Wathen, Robert Parkinson, Peter Coleborn. GoH: Joe R Lansdale, Stephen Gallagher. MC: Stephen Laws. Programme Book: A5, 52 pages edited by Di Wathen and Mike Chinn. Cover Art: Steve Pawlett. Notes: Some interesting and extensive guest notes (very long guest list).

1991

Fantasycon XVI (15/17 November). Ramada Inn, Earls Court, London. Organisers: Di Wathen and Michael Arft. GoH: Dan Simmons, Jonathan Carroll. MC: Brian Lumley. Programme Book: A5, 52 pages edited by Di Wathen and Mike Chinn. Cover Art: Steve Pawlett. Notes: Guest list even longer than 1990!

1992

Fantasycon XVII (2/4 October). Midland Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Di Wathen and Robert Parkinson and others. GoH: David Schow, Lisa Tuttle and R Chetwynd‑Hayes. MC: Adrian Cole. Programme Book: A4, 56 pages edited by Di Wathen and Phil Williams. Cover Art: Bob Covington. Notes: David Schow did not arrive due to pressure of work.

1993

Fantasycon XVIII (1/3 October). Midland Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Peter Coleborn, Mike Chinn, and Sylvia Starshine. GoH: Peter James, Tad Williams, and Les Edward. MC: Dennis Etchison. Programme Book: A5, 56 pages edited by Phil Williams. Cover Art: Les Edwards.

1994

Fantasycon XIX (30 September/2 October). Midland Hotel, Birmingham. Organisers: Peter Coleborn, Mike Chinn, Sylvia Starshine. GoH: Katherine Kurtz, Brian Lumley. MC: Graham Joyce. Programme Book: An unfamiliar, almost square, format, 60 pages, edited by Dave Hughes and Seamus Ryan. Cover Art: Clive Barker. Notes: The Programme Book’s unconventional format caused much comment at the time.

1995

Fantasycon cancelled through lack of organisers, but Fcon regulars gathered instead at Welcome to my Nightmare in Swansea on the Halloween weekend (27/29 October). The event was staged as part of the UK Year of Literature and Writing 1995.

1996

Fantasycon XX (4/6 October). International Hotel, Docklands, London. Organisers: Peter Coleborn, Mike Chinn, Jan Edwards. GoH: Chris Fowler, Tom Holt. MC: Kim Newman. Programme Book: Peter Coleborn. Notes: Marks the 25th year of the BFS.

1997

FantasyCon XXI (running with World Fantasy Convention). International Hotel, Docklands, London. 30 October–2 November 1997. GOH: Iain Sinclair, Joan Aitkin, Bob Eggleton, Hugh Cave, Ron Chetwynd Hayes, Doug Bradley, Robert Holdstock. We’re not absolutely sure who organised it, but we think it included Steve Jones & Jo Fletcher, and probably Peter Coleborn, Jan Edwards & Mike Chinn. Any further info will be very welcome!.

1998

FantasyCon XXII. 11–13 September 1998. Birmingham. GoH: Freda Warrington, Jane Yolen. MC: Ramsey Campbell. Organised by: Debbie Bennett, Mick Chinn, Peter Coleborn, Jan Edwards, Lynn Edwards, Di Lewis, Pauline Morgan.

1999

FantasyCon XXIII. 17–19 September 1999. Britannia Hotel, Birmingham. GoH: Louise Cooper, Raymond E. Feist, Graham Masterton, Robert Rankin, Mike Tucker. Organised by: David Howe, Debbie Bennett, Mike Chinn, Peter Coleborn, Jan Edwards.

2000

FantasyCon XXIV. 8–10 September 2000. Brittania Hotel, Brimingham,. GoH: Storm Constantine, Stephen Lawhead, Doug Bradley, Stan Nicholls. Organised by: David Howe & Debbie Bennett.

2001

FantasyCon XXV (Birthday Bash). 23 September 2001. Champagne Charlies Pub, London. GoH: Hugh Lamb, Simon Clark. Organised by: David Howe, Debbie Bennett.

2002

FantasyCon XXVI. 2002. Tappit Hen London &/or Champagne Charlies, London. GoH: Graham Joyce. Organised by: Debbie Bennett, Nicki Robson.

2003

FantasyCon XXVII. 2003. Stafford. GoH: Chris Fowler, Catherine Fisher. Organised by Debbie Bennett & Nicki Robson.

2004

FantasyCon XXVIII. 2004. Quality Hotel, Bentley, Walsall. GoH: Robert Holdstock, Muriel Gray. Organised by: Debbie Bennett, Nicki Robson.

2005

FantasyCon 2005. 30 September–2 October 2005. Quality Hotel, Bentley Walsall. GoH: Mark Chadbourn, Simon Clark, Steven Erikson. MC: Graham Joyce. Organised by: Debbie Bennett, Vicky Cook, Marie O’Regan, Jenny Barber, Pat Barber.

2006

FantasyCon 2006. 22–24 September 2006. Britannia Hotel, Nottingham. GoH: Neil Gaiman, Juliet E. McKenna, Ramsey Campbell, Raymond E. Feist, Clive Barker. MC: David J. Howe. Organised by: Debbie Bennett, Vicky Cook, Marie O’Regan, Paul Kane, Pat Barber, Jenny Barber.

2007

FantasyCon 2007. 21–23 September 2007. Britannia Hotel, Nottingham. GoH: Stephen Jones, Michael Marshall Smith, Terry Brooks. MC: Peter Crowther. Organised by: Jenny Barber, Vicky Cook, Marie O’Regan, Paul Kane, Pat Barber.

2008

Britannia Hotel, Nottingham. GoH: Christopher Golden, James Barclay, Dave McKean. MC: Christopher Fowler.

2009 

Britannia Hotel, Nottingham. GoH (planned): Gail Z. Martin, Brian Clemens, Jasper Fforde. MC: Ian Watson. 

Rob Shearman

My first FantasyCon – but very definitely not my last! I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t being so welcomed by some of the friendliest (and funniest!) people I’ve met in a long time. There’s this sort of artsy cliché that all writers are tortured souls who live in isolation and scowl testily at each other, but FantasyCon proves the lie to that, and shows just how mutually supportive a bunch we can be. (Even if our souls are a / bit /tortured.) Thanks so much!

James Barclay

I was looking forward to good chatter, wide-ranging and stimulating debate, time with old friends, time with new friends and time to simply enjoy the warm embrace that is FantasyCon. And it’s always good to have your expectations exceeded, isn’t it? There’s something unique offered by FantasyCon, something that has grown organically over the last few years. It’s a sense of genuine inclusivity. More of the same next year, please.

Peter Crowther

This year’s FantasyCon was marred (though almost imperceptibly) only by a somewhat dysfunctional hotel and an even more gibberingly-incoherent than usual acceptance speech by yours truly on the momentous occasion of PS picking up the Best Small Press Award for the seventh time! The event itself, however, was wonderfully organised with some fine highlights – Nicky and I particularly enjoyed the banquet (now refreshingly bearing traces of pomp and circumstance… not to mention increasingly flamboyant attire by both girls and boys alike) and I loved the “Taboo” panel that followed the raffle late on Saturday night, when I was Guinnessed and wined to such a degree that one might have reasonably expected me simply to have keeled over (which, to be fair, I did – to Nicky’s great amusement – when the panel had ended and I returned to the room).

The guests and emcee were all fabulously good eggs, of course (it was especially good to see Chris Golden on this side of the Atlantic – excellent speech, chum!), but it was the sheer energy, good humour and pure warmth of the delegates – fans, crowd, attendees… call them what you will – that, as ever, carried the entire gig shoulder-high into the record books. Hotels and their dippy-doo bar staff and gruff-mannered reception drones may come and go, you know – and guests of honour and assorted dignitaries, too, back into their garrets with their brushes and quills – but the mass of the British Fantasy Society will continue, unfazed and undaunted, long after all of we 2008 con- goers have fallen from the perch. We are carrying forward a tradition and a collective mentality that may one day save the world. Well, shoot… somebody has to. Bravo, I say to us all!

Conrad Williams

Best part of FantasyCon for me was winning my award and then, about ten seconds later, being “volunteered” to fold raffle tickets. Apparently Glenn Close, having won her Emmy, was conscripted to wipe effluvia off the toilet floors with a toothbrush before the end of the night. So I’m in good company…

Simon Guerrier

Stayed up too late, bought too many books, drank too much beer, met too many people, talked too much rubbish, had too much fun. Sleep now.

Christopher Golden

FantasyCon isn’t the rowdy, drunken free-for-all I’d been warned it might be… mostly because all of the people I met were too professional and polite to get very rowdy. Drunken free-for-all, yes. Rowdy, no. I had a fantastic time as the 2008 Token American, and my only regret is that there were so many people I spoke to in passing that I wish I’d had more time to talk to all of them. If someone would hurry up and invent teleportation, or buy me my own airline, I’d go every year.

Ramsey Campbell

Who cares (well, not too much) about the beer or the treacherous key cards or those of the staff who graduated from moroseness class? We’re the FantasyCon, for heaven’s sake. We have the people and the panels and the community we’ve built up and are still building. Here’s to the next one! And the next, and the next, and wheel me into the bar when I’m in my box.

Steve Jones

I enjoyed this year’s FantasyCon even more than last year’s – and I was a Guest of Honour then! From the various panels to the Awards Banquet, through the Raffle to the liveliest British Fantasy Society AGM for years, this was a convention that had a genuine energy to it. I even did business. The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror signing quickly sold out, and the number of writers, artists and publishers attending ensured that there was always plenty to talk about. Added to that, I won an award. And I’ve finally started to work out where the good restaurants are in Nottingham! Marie O’Regan, Paul Kane, Vicky Cook and their dedicated team of helpers are to be congratulated for bringing the convention up to a level where those who follow them will undoubtedly be able to build upon their success. Thank you to everyone who helped make my weekend such a terrific experience.

Tim Lebbon

FantasyCon’s all about the company. Well, the company, and the beer… though if you stayed in the hotel, the ale was shite (when it was actually on). The company and the food… which was OK if you ventured to one of the many excellent eating establishments around the hotel. The company and the atmosphere… which on the streets of Nottingham at midnight on Saturday when Golden forced me out for a walk and a tray of chips, was what I can only describe as “exciting”. So yes, the convention is all about the company. And if you can judge someone by the company they keep, we are fine people indeed.

Graham Joyce

“FantasyCon was real!”

Visit the dedicated FantasyCon website for full details on how to register and pay for the convention.

Registration Prices

For the full weekend:

• BFS Members: £40 until March 31, then £50 until June 30, then £60 thereafter
• Non BFS Members: £50 until March 31, then £60 until June 30, then £70 thereafter

Saturday Day Rate: £30

Banquet: £35 (menu to be confirmed, price includes soft drinks and good quality red/white wine).

Accommodation Costs

Twin/Double Rooms: £80 per night, Single Rooms: £55 per night. (When booked through the BFS. The BFS’s allocation of rooms will run out eventually, after which different prices may apply. Other hotels are available nearby.) 

Last Year’s Event 

If you didn’t attend Fantasycon 2008 and you’re wondering what you missed out on, take a peek at the comments of some of last year’s attendees. When we say you missed out on the fantasy event of the year, don’t take our word for it. See what Peter Crowther and Christopher Golden and James Barclay and others had to say - here.