James Herbert (1943-2013)

This afternoon, I heard the news that best-selling British horror writer James Herbert has died at his home in Sussex.

I've enjoyed reading his novels over the years (I discovered Herbert before I discovered Stephen King) as well as various adaptations of his stories on both the big and small screen. And then last year, at FantasyCon 2012, I found myself standing next to him in the bar at the Royal Albion Hotel.

I was about to speak to him when I suddenly became overwhelmed by fanboy shyness. He didn't appear to be in particularly good health, and I decided not to bother the great man. Today I find myself joining with all those who have been inspired by his books over the years in mourning his passing.

You always regret the things you don't do.

It's worth reminding yourself of that fact every once in a while.



James Herbert

(8 April 1943 – 20 March 2013)

FantasyCon 2012 - The Aftermath

This morning I find myself feeling a little tired, with aching legs and a strange sense of displacement... Ah, yes, it was FantasyCon this past weekend. That'll explain it...

I arrived at Friday lunchtime in time to have a pint* practically put straight into my hand and then it was off to the 'How Important Are Blogs?' panel, which due to the vagaries of people's travel plans meant it became dubbed the 'Angry Robot How Important Are Blogs?' panel. The general consensus of opinion was that blogs are important**, although Emelyn Rees isn't a fan of author blogs****.

Straight after the Angry Robot panel it was time for 'Blurring Genre Boundaries' which was the first FantasyCon panel I've sat on. It was moderated my m'editor Jonathan Oliver and was a really fun panel, with a great atmosphere****. It is always pleasing when other well-known writers and editors attend panels and on this occasion is was Joe Abercrombie who came up with a great question from the floor.

The rest of the day became a blurring of catching up with old friends and making more new ones. (Just don't search for #JonCon on Twitter, whatever you do!) But the main event was yet to happen.

Saturday was, to use the vernacular, 'full on'. The day began with a very necessary hearty breakfast and then it was straight off to 'What Makes A Good Short Story?' with m'colleagues Cavan Scott and Mr Kit Cox. During the course of the panel I'm pleased to say that my one-time roomie Simon Bestwick was recommended as a master of the horror short.

The rest of the day involved various book launches - Angry Robot as well as the already legendary Solaris/Abaddon Give-Away, the launch of the new Solaris anthology Magic - not meeting James Herbert in the bar, not meeting Mark Gatiss in the bar, and making plans for a new anthology...

At the Solaris/Abaddon Give-Away.

Now that's Magic!

The Angry Robot's less angry meat-slaves.

Then it was time for 'Is Steampunk Here To Stay?' my second panel of the con, moderated by Jared Shurin, and with Yours Truly as the only author on the panel who seemed happy to have his work described as steampunk. To sum up the panel Kim Newman thinks steampunk has had its day and is on its way out, I think it's here to stay, and Eastern literature may be the source of its salvation.

Can you feel the tension in the room? I could!

After going for dinner with friends, there's not really very much to say about Saturday evening other than...

DISCO!

Gollancz challenged the FantasyCon attendees (which included writers, editors and publishers, as well as book-bloggers and other fans of the genre) to drink their free bar dry. After about half an hour that challenge had been met.

Pimms, you say? Why thank you, sir! That's my five-a-day sorted anyway.

I have to say there's nothing quite like a room full of authors and the like dancing (and shouting along to) The Beatles' Paperback Writer.

Need I say more?

There's also nothing quite like doing a reading at 10.30am on the Sunday morning after the disco with very little voice but I'm delighted to say that despite being up against the BFS AGM and the Sunday Morning Hangover, including myself my reading's attendance made double figures. Thanks again for those who came to listen (including David Tallerman) and for the kind comments afterwards.

Yes, that is a throne I'm sitting upon.

Congratulations to all involved in the organisation of the event and a big thank you to Marie O'Regan, Paul Kane, Alex and Emma Davis in particular. Here's to World FantasyCon 2013!


* The first of many.

** Which was a relief, otherwise what's the point in me typing this first thing on a Monday morning?

*** I would have liked to have caught up with him later to discuss his comments and set out an argument for the defence but there just wasn't the time - it really was that busy.

**** At least I thought so.

FantasyCon 2012 - Day 3

So... Sunday... Day 3 of FantasyCon 2012.

Not so much going on today (other than the British Fantasy Society AGM, the BFS Banquet and Awards Ceremony, and the World FantasyCon 2013 Dead Dog party) but then it is the day after the (already notorious) FantasyCon Disco!

Today you'll find me in Room 134 of the Royal Albion Hotel reading from 10.30-11.00am. As to what I'll be reading, I am as yet undecided. It might be an extract from the final part of Time's Arrow - White Noise - or it might be a short horror story (just what you want on a Sunday morning), or maybe a bit of both. Anyway, if you're up do come along and keep me company.

Maybe I'll see you there...

FantasyCon 2012 - Day 2

So... Saturday... Day 2 of FantasyCon 2012.

Today you'll find me on the 'Is Steampunk Here To Stay?' panel (5.00-6.00pm in the Russell Room) alongside such genre luminaries as Mr Kim Newman and Ms Kim Lakin-Smith. The panel is being moderated by Jared Shurin (of Pornokitsch fame) so it should be a lot of fun all round.

Other highlights of the busiest day of the Con, as far I'm concerned, include the James Herbert signing, the Abaddon/Solaris Giveaway, the Mark Gatiss interview (with Mark Morris), the Media Tie-ins panel, and the Disco (of course).

Also hoping to catch up with a few friends throughout the course of the day, so if you see me in the bar (or wherever) do pop over and say hello.

FantasyCon 2012 - Day 1

Yes, it's here at last - FantasyCon 2012!

I'll be heading down to Brighton today for what will no doubt prove to be a raucous, entertaining and very useful weekend, hobnobbing with other genre authors, editors, publishers and fans.

As well as Yours Truly, amongst those attending are Will Hill, Cavan Scott, Sarah Pinborough and Simon Bestwick.

Today - Friday - you'll be able to find me on the 'Blurring Genre Boundaries' panel (2.00-3.00pm in the Fitzherbert Room) but if I arrive in time, I'll also be in the audience for 'How Important Are Blogs?' (same venue but from 1.00pm). I'm hoping the general consensus of opinion will be 'Yes' seeing as how I dedicate a fair amount of time to blogging. (Not missed a single day so far this year!)

In the evening there really is an embarrassment of riches - from a showing of Wicker Tree, and the Quiz, to readings by Lou Morgan and Will Hill. With so much on offer, I think  I'm just going to have to decide when I'm there.

Steampunk Thursday: Abaddon's Open Submissions Deadline Looms

This weekend I - along with Abaddon/Solaris editorial team Jonathan Oliver and David Moore - will be taking part in FantasyCon in Brighton.

However, while we're all away from our desks, if you fancy yourself as a future Pax Britannia writer and you've not got your novella submission in yet, then you need to get your skates on and probably spend this weekend chained to your desk.

As Gareth L Powell put it on his blog the other day, 'I dislike the term “aspiring writer”. You see it a lot in people’s social media profiles, but to me it seems noncommittal. Either you write, or you don’t.'

You can read the rest of this particular blog post here.

If you're still intent on becoming an Abaddon author, you need to send a 150-word synopsis, 1000-word chapter-by-chapter (or section-by-section, however you structure it) breakdown of your novella, and a 2000-word sample of the novella, to submissions@rebellion.co.uk, by midnight on the 30th September (i.e. Sunday night).

Oh, and good luck!

Forthcoming Events

A quick round-up of events you can find me at over the coming weeks...

Games Day 2012
Sunday 23 September
I will be attending Games Day next weekend and - as well as wandering around checking out the participation battles, Design Studio revelations and the rest - I shall be hanging out at the Black Library stand, from time to time. So if you see me, and want me to sign a copy of Herald of Oblivion, or The Armageddon Omnibus, or whatever, do ask. Maybe I'll see you there.

FantasyCon 2012
Friday 28 - Sunday 30 September
I'm going to FantasyCon again this year (although I've got a fair bit of work to do before then!) arriving around about Friday lunchtime and leaving around Sunday lunchtime. As well as attending the obligatory Saturday night disco, I shall be taking part in the following*:

Friday - 2.00pm-3.00pm - FITZHERBERT ROOM - 'Blurring the Genre Boundaries' panel
Saturday - 5.00pm-6.00pm - RUSSELL ROOM - 'Is Steampunk Here to Stay?' panel
Sunday - 10.30am-11.00am - ROOM 134 - Jonathan Green Reading

Black Library Weekender
Saturday 3 - Sunday 4 November
I shall also be attending the Black Library Weekender. Specifically you'll find me taking part in a seminar about Gamebooks on the Sunday, 11.15am-12.15pm*, along with Christian Dunn and Graeme Lyon.

And that's your lot for now. More events and public appearances will be added as and when...


* Timing may change, so check the latest schedule/timetable on the day, if you're going.

If you are a member of the British Fantasy Society...

... then we will no doubt already know that voting for the British Fantasy Awards is now open and will close on 31 March 2012.

Each member may put forward up to three Recommendations in any category, expressed in preferential order. All Recommendations should ideally be accompanied with publication details: year of publication, publisher, and title of collection, magazine, editor, etc, if applicable. The four titles or names with the highest number of Recommendations will go forward to form the shortlist of nominations.

You're also able to vote if you attended last year's FantasyCon in Brighton or are booked to attend FantasyCon 2012.

And in case you didn't know, I had a few things out last year that might just qualify...