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World Fantasy, SFX Doctor Who, Gaiman's Launch
Well, I'm off to the World Fantasy Convention in Calgary tomorrow, the event which I've been describing to those not in the know as being as much fun as it sounds, but in a different way. My only contribution to anything outside long serious hours of work in the bars and restaurants and parties is a reading, from my short stories, at 10am on the Sunday. My competition is the business meeting, hangovers, and a panel about elves, so I have some hopes. Which will probably be dashed by the elves.
Neil Gaiman's launch party for The Graveyard Book last night was lovely, held in a crypt and so packed that I took a turn round the floor, greeted the great man warmly, met a bright young chap in his party to whom I was introduced as 'the scarecrow one' (I hope that was referring to Doctor Who) and said hello to a few friends before wandering off into the night. It was either that or collapse from exhaustion under the coats, and I feel that the book's head was wetted. Neil: very sweet chap. You may already know this.
And speaking of said Who, I've got an essay in the latest issue of SFX Magazine, where I talk about my love for the show over the years, and how much fandom is a part of that, and I get all gushy, really. But I'm quite pleased with it. I'm being sent one with a Patrick Troughton cover, I'm told.
Oh, and see the tag over there on the right? (For Blogger readers.) I'm now Twittering away, and rather enjoying it. If you Twitter too, do Twitter with me.
At any rate, I hope to see some of you in Canada. If you read the blog, do say hello. Much packing to be done. Cheerio.
Neil Gaiman's launch party for The Graveyard Book last night was lovely, held in a crypt and so packed that I took a turn round the floor, greeted the great man warmly, met a bright young chap in his party to whom I was introduced as 'the scarecrow one' (I hope that was referring to Doctor Who) and said hello to a few friends before wandering off into the night. It was either that or collapse from exhaustion under the coats, and I feel that the book's head was wetted. Neil: very sweet chap. You may already know this.
And speaking of said Who, I've got an essay in the latest issue of SFX Magazine, where I talk about my love for the show over the years, and how much fandom is a part of that, and I get all gushy, really. But I'm quite pleased with it. I'm being sent one with a Patrick Troughton cover, I'm told.
Oh, and see the tag over there on the right? (For Blogger readers.) I'm now Twittering away, and rather enjoying it. If you Twitter too, do Twitter with me.
At any rate, I hope to see some of you in Canada. If you read the blog, do say hello. Much packing to be done. Cheerio.
Labels:
Doctor Who,
Neil Gaiman,
SFX,
World Fantasy Convention
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Enjoy your trip.
Here are six things you should know about Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
1. It's a major centre for oil, cattle, and oily cattle.
2. About half the population is from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, who came to work in the oil industry.
3. If you drive north to the town of Ft. McMurray, you can get a job, usually within 15 minutes, working for an oil company, that will pay you more than the BBC and Marvel combined. the downside, actually having to live in Ft. McMurray.
4. By law as a tourist to Calgary, you must buy a cowboy hat in honour of the annual Calgary Stampede. The Calgary Stampede is caused by tourists rushing to the 50% off cowboy hat sale.
5. Never use the words "pointy eared bastards" used when describing elves at the panel. Calgarians use that term to describe people from Ontario and it will confuse them.
6. It's not as cold as Winnipeg, but you still don't want to hang around through winter.
Enjoy your trip.
I read your thing in SFX about Who and though it was really well done.
One thing though. You mention that you sort of got as far as you did because fandom is very much an open source for creatives wanting to get into the media in some way.
Do you think this is true of today's fandom. Or was it kind of more the case when you started out.
Oh! I don't normally buy SFX (can't afford it and DWM - and I read all of DWM but not all of SFX), but I'll have to see about getting the new one for your article.
Enjoy Calgary - England'll probably seem positively tropical when you get back!
Regrettably, I shall have to miss you (and Kate Orman, et al) at Chicago TARDIS next month, since I'd need to save up about $1000 in less than a month and take the entire Thanksgiving weekend off work to do it.
I was awfully tempted to make the attempt though, since it's fairly close by. Hope it's a blast, and maybe some other year I will make it up there.
You know, Furious, I found all that to be true! Ian: if you're finding it bracingly tough to get in, then the system of peer pressure and competition is still as powerful as it ever was. That's what evolved people as writers. Actually, M, Calgary was very mild. Thanks for giving it some thought, Owen.