Gamebook Friday: YOU ARE THE HERO at the Sci-Fi Weekender

Over a week ago now, I was in North Wales for the Sci-Fi Weekender 5. I was there really with my Steampunk hat on, but over the course of the weekend a number of people came up to me and introduced themselves as backers of YOU ARE THE HERO (which was nice).

It also just so happened that a couple of the people I interviewed for the book were there - namely film-maker Martin Gooch and Seas of Blood cover artist Rodney Matthews. (You can find out more about the Weekender here.)

 Martin Gooch, Archimedes the Steampunk Parrot, and Jonathan Green at the Sci-Fi Weekender 5.

 Seas of Blood cover artist Rodney Matthews.

In other news, the final manuscript of the book has come in at 98,625 words, although Ian Livingstone is still keen it should hit the 100,000 mark... which might just happen once all the photo tags are in...

JG at the Sci-Fi Weekender 5

I can't quite believe that a week ago today, the Sci-Fi Weekender was already over for another year. I had been looking forward to the event for a long time and then it was all over for me in somewhere around 48 hours. But what an intense 48 hours it was!

This time the Sci-Fi Weekender was a family affair, with the rest of Family Green accompanying me to furthest ends of the Earth to geek out for a solid two days with like-minded individuals. It began with an epic six-hour drive to the Hafan y Môr Holiday Park just outside Pwllheli on the Llyn Peninsula.

The Ends of the Earth.

Having arrived late Thursday night I had to be up early Friday morning to get set up for the onslaught of fans who would stop by my stand during the course of the weekend. And from there on in it was a blur of meeting people, selling and signing books, moderating panels (one of which was crashed by an Alien Xenomorph), partaking in interviews, eating pizza, and ending each evening relaxing at the bar with friends both old and new.

Highlights of the weekend included meeting Royd Tolkien, having people accuse me of being a very bad man for making them stay up until 4 in the morning reading The Ulysses Quicksilver Omnibus, having other people tell me how much they loved my stories (Thanks, Amy!), seeing a life-sized Night Lords Chaos Space Marine win the Cosplay competition (Aaron Dembski-Bowden would have been proud), and taking part in the panel show Just A Minute with my fellow authors Gareth L Powell (a worthy winner), Steve Lockley and David Tallerman.

J R R Tolkien's grandson meets Albert Green's grandson at the Sci-Fi Weekender 5.

David Tallerman and I having to concentrate far too hard during Just A Minute.

It was during Robert Rankin's introduction to Just A Minute that the author of far-fetched fiction christened me his "Evil Steampunk Nemesis" which is a badge I shall wear with pride, and a role I played up to during the show, even being booed by the audience at one point (much to my children's distress), proving that Panto is alive and well and living in an off-season holiday camp in North Wales!

To sum up, here's a slideshow of just some of things that happened over the course of the Weekender, and here's to the Sci-Fi Weekender 6 in 2015!

Steampunk Thursday: Alice on Mars - The Movie!

At the Sci-Fi Weekender 5, last weekend, film-maker Martin Gooch and author of far-fetched fiction Robert Rankin launched the Alice on Mars movie!

For the launch, Martin had prepared a teaser trailer, which you can watch by following this link. He also launched an Indigogo project to help get the film funded. If you would like to contribute (or even be in the film!) then click this link and check it out.

Film-maker Martin Gooch and Steampunk Parrot Wrangler Jonathan Green

at the Sci-Fi Weekender 5.

Steampunk Thursday: Pax Britannia at the Sci-Fi Weekender 5

I will be driving up to North Wales today to take part in the Sci-Fi Weekender 5 and I have some new badges to sell...

As well as selling my books and badges, I shall be taking part in the following panels:

Friday 28 March 2014

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Far Fetched fiction... From Steampunk to Dystopia. Why are satirical fantasies so appealing? David J Howe, Raven Dane, Jonathan Green, Danie Ware.

3:00pm - 4:00pm - Writing into known universes. Jonathan Green, Gareth Powell, Raven Dane, Sam Stone, Debbie Bennett, Dez Skinn.

Saturday 29 March 2014

5:00pm - 6:00pm - What makes Science Fiction Sci-Fi? An exploration of Science Fiction writing from Space Opera to Dystopian futures. Gareth Powell, Sam Stone, Jonathan Green, Bryony Pearce, Sara Jane Townsend, Simon Clark.

I shall look forward to seeing some of you there, as will Archimedes, the original Steampunk Parrot.

The Sci-Fi Weekender 5

There's only four days to go now until the Sci-Fi Weekender 5 kicks off in North Wales, and I have now received more details about when the panels I'm taking part in will be on.

Friday 28 March 2014

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Far Fetched fiction... From Steampunk to Dystopia. Why are satirical fantasies so appealing? David J Howe, Raven Dane, Jonathan Green, Danie Ware.

3:00pm - 4:00pm - Writing into known universes. Jonathan Green, Gareth Powell, Raven Dane, Sam Stone, Debbie Bennett, Dez Skinn.

Saturday 29 March 2014

5:00pm - 6:00pm - What makes Science Fiction Sci-Fi? An exploration of Science Fiction writing from Space Opera to Dystopian futures. Gareth Powell, Sam Stone, Jonathan Green, Bryony Pearce, Sara Jane Townsend, Simon Clark.

I shall look forward to seeing some of you there, as will Archimedes.

JG at Sci-Fi Weekender 5

Two weeks today I shall be in North Wales, taking part in the Sci-Fi Weekender. As well as selling my books and badges, and chatting with sci-fi fans, I shall also be taking part in various panels. I don't yet know when each of the following will take place, but here's what I've got lined up for the weekend.


Far Fetched fiction... From Steampunk to Dystopia. Why are satirical fantasies so appealing? Raven Dane, Jonathan Green, Danie Ware.

What makes Science Fiction Sci-Fi? An exploration of Science Fiction writing from Space Opera to Dystopian futures. Gareth Powell, Sam Stone, Jonathan Green, Bryony Pearce, Sara Jane Townsend, Simon Clark.

Writing into known universes. Jonathan Green, Gareth Powell, Raven Dane, Sam Stone, Debbie Bennett, Dez Skinn.

Maybe I'll see you there.

Steampunk Thursday: Vampires, Dinosaurs, and Resurrection from the Dead

That's how the latest 5-star review of the German edition of Pax Britannia: Unnatural History begins. It goes on to say "an excellent, well thought-out Steampunk world" and ends with "for Steampunk fans there can hardly be a better novel". Which is nice.

You can pick up the German edition from LUZIFER-Verlag here, and the original English edition from Abaddon Books here. Or you could wait and purchase a signed copy of The Ulysses Quicksilver Omnibus (which contains not only Unnatural History, but also Leviathan Rising and Human Nature) from me at the Sci-Fi Weekender in North Wales at the end of the month.

JG at the Sci-Fi Weekender

Five weeks today, I shall be appearing at the Sci-Fi Weekender 5 in North Wales. Archimedes the Steampunk Parrot will also be in attendance, as will other authors such as Gareth L. Powell, Sam Stone and Robert Rankin.

I shall be hosting various panels over the course of the weekend as well as selling my writerly wares, not to mention catching up with old friends (and probably making a few news ones, if previous years are anything to go by). I'll even have my young Pax Britannia companions in tow this time.

If you are thinking of attending, but haven't got tickets yet, might I direct you towards Nerd Vs World and the competition they are currently running?

Maybe I'll see you there...

Steampunk Thursday: The Sci-Fi Weekender

So the news is out... I shall be attending Sci-Fi Weekender 5 that is taking place in North Wales at the end of March. Archimedes the Steampunk Parrot will also be in attendance, as will other authors such as Gareth L. Powell, Sam Stone and Robert Rankin.

I shall be hosting various panels over the course of the weekend as well as selling my writerly wares, not to mention catching up with old friends (and probably making a few news ones, if previous years are anything to go by).

So, maybe I'll see you there...

Steampunk Thursday (Part 3): Nerd Vs World

I enjoyed a most pleasant evening on Tuesday, in Oxford, taking part in the recording of the latest Nerd Vs World podcast. I had been invited by Mr Simon 'Spindles' Potthast, whom I met at the Sci-Fi Weekender*. Also in attendance were Mr Brendan Gylee, whose baby Nerd Vs World really is (and master of the hot drinks cabinet), and Mr Ady Wilce, who supplied some most welcome Yum Yums that kept us** energised during the course of the evening.

We ended up talking for a good couple of hours about everything from Star Wars chopsticks and retro kids TV to the Clemency Slaughter Kickstarter, Pax Britannia (and Steampunk in general) and must-see movies***. You can listen to the podcast here.

The Nerd Vs World podcasters: (from l-r) Ady, Brendan and Spindles.

The guys have very kindly offered to have me back again, at some point in the future, an offer that I plan to take them up on.



The evening's musical interlude was provided by The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing, who also wrote this.


* In the video/slideshow, he's the one dressed as Professor Severus Snape.

** Well, me.

*** I was surprised none of the guys had seen Gareth Edwards' sublime Monsters. If you've not seen it, get hold of a copy and do so without further delay!

The Sci-Fi Weekender 2013

So that was the Sci-Fi Weekender 2013 (a.k.a. #sfw4) and (bar the arctic temperatures in my caravan) a great time was had by all. I hosted two panels - the steampunk one (featuring Mr Robert Rankin) being particularly well-attended - and sold lots of Fighting Fantasy gamebooks as well as numerous Pax Britannia novels.

Too many bizarre and amazing occurrences to even attempt to list them all here but I do have a few shout-outs to make. First of all, thank you to my stalwart supporters, Claire, Matt and John, who I think all impersonated me at one time or another over the course of the weekend by helping out on my stall. Herr Döktor, for the safe delivery of Archimedes, the steampunk robot parrot. Marcus and Winston (among others) who bought up vast stocks of gamebooks (both Fighting Fantasy and Path to Victory). Spindles, Emma and Magic Megan (who asked an excellent question during our steampunk panel). Emma Binns, Nick, Lady Raygun, David Howe, Sam Stone, Raven Dane, Fraser, Chase, Gareth L Powell, Ash, Daisy the Moshi Monsters fan, the Knightmare Cosplayers, Celeste, Laurel and Greg, Dr Geof, the Geek Syndicate guys and gals, Craig Charles, Area 51, Sean and Constance, Neil Brittle and all the organisers, and the nice man who gave me an Access All Areas pass, even though I didn't have time to use it.

Herr Döktor (or should that be Ulysses Quicksilver?) and Archimedes the Steampunk Parrot (who ended up totally stealing the show).

Apologies to all those I haven't mentioned. Come and find me on Twitter or Facebook and say hello.

Only at the Sci-Fi Weekender would you see Batman and Bane sharing a pint, or be able to say the sentence "There's a girl over there adjusting her hooves" without sounding like you were completely mad.

Anyway, check out my slideshow below and, if you're feeling brave, this.

Same time, same place, next year then...

Mission: Games Workshop - Shrewsbury & The Sci-Fi Weekender

So this weekend (just in case you missed all the posts about it last week) I was at the Sci-Fi Weekender in North Wales. On the way up I stopped in Shrewsbury for a bite to eat, and (as is my wont) I popped into the local GW store.

There were some bizarre Tyranid-mechanicus hybrids on display, along with a rather cool Terrorgheist and Arachnarok Spider. However, the GW focus of the weekend was the Sci-Fi Weekender itself.

I had a table at the event, which happened to be positioned next door to the Black Library stand. This worked really well, because it meant that people who picked up a copy of Shadows Over Sylvania or Herald of Oblivion could then come and get it signed, without me having to leave my (very busy) stall.

On the Saturday, myself and fellow BL authors Gav Thorpe and Graham McNeill took part in a panel on Shared World fiction (with an emphasis on Warhammer and 40K, of course), which (I am told) was very enjoyable and chock full of useful advice to aspiring tie-in fiction writers.

I also noticed that I was signing quite a lot of Path to Victory gamebooks, which was nice.

Graham McNeill meets some of the local wildlife at the Sci-Fi Weekender.

Shadows Over Sylvania and Herald of Oblivion on sale at the Black Library trade stand.

 

Marcus and Winston - I think these guys might quite like gamebooks a bit.

 

Some pages you might like to Like

I'm currently busy at the Sci-Fi Weekender, trying to drum up interest in various projects of might that are at various stages of development/completion.

And while you're sitting at home in front of your computer (or at the Sci-Fi Weekender checking your smart/i-device of choice) you can still do your bit to help to by following the links below and 'Liking' one (or ideally all) of these Facebook pages (if you haven't done so already).

Clemency Slaughter and the Legacy of D'Eath



 

YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks

The Curse of the Baskervilles

BEOWULF BEASTSLAYER

Thank you! :-)

JG at the Sci-Fi Weekender

I'm setting off for the wilds of North Wales today, heading to the Sci-Fi Weekender.

I shall be moderating and taking part in various panels, selling my books and signing at the Black Library stand. As of writing, the timings for my panels are as follows:


Friday 1 March - 4.00-5.00pm
No Airships Required: Creating Steampunk Worlds. With Robert Rankin, Sam Stone, Raven Dane and Ian Crichton.

Saturday 2 March - 4.00-5.00pm
Shared Worlds: Writing into a known universe.With Gav Thorpe and Graham McNeill.


If you've going to the Sci-Fi Weekender as well, do drop by the Author Zone and say hello, just make sure you keep an eye out for dragons on the way.

Maybe I'll see you there...

Warhammer Wednesday: Vampires, vampires, vampires

They get everywhere, don't they? But before 1897, and the publication of Bram Stoker's Dracula, there weren't actually that many instances of undead bloodsuckers appearing in English literature.

Of course Dracula changed all that, although one reviewer at the time completely misjudged the impact that book would have on the world.

I have written about vampires on numerous occasions and my latest gamebook publication Shadows Over Sylvania doesn't only feature a host of the foul fiends, you get to play the part of one yourself!

You can pick up a copy of Shadows Over Sylvania here, or you could wait until the Sci-Fi Weekender and pick one up from the Black Library stand where I shall be signing copies during the course of the weekend.

Meet Archimedes the Steampunk Robot Parrot

I popped along to the Second Surrey Steampunk Convivial, held at The Royal Oak in New Malden, today. As well as catching up with the likes of Mr Kit Cox and Herr Doktor, I got to meet Archimedes the Robot Parrot for the first time.

In case you're wondering (and you've read Pax Britannia: Time's Arrow already), yes, Archimedes is based upon Gustav Lumière's invention as he appears in the book.


He bent down and retrieved something that had rolled under the desk.

It was the golden parrot. It was still attached to its perch but it was badly dented, having been partially crushed.

Ulysses peered into the automaton bird’s glittering crystal eyes.

“Could this be repaired, do you think?” he asked. “I mean, I don’t know how much you know about electronics and audiology–”

“Enough,” she said, taking the broken object from him.

“What was it?” Ulysses asked. “His pet or something?”

Cadence shot him a scolding glance. “Archimedes is a state-of-the-art automaton.”

“Called Archimedes.”

“Yes, what of it? Uncle Gustav liked the company.”

“Well, when you start naming the state-of-the-art automaton that you keep around your apartment for company, it’s what we call a pet.”


Archimedes has been fabricated by the talented Herr Doktor himself, and caused quite a stir at the Convivial.

If you're going to the Sci-Fi Weekender (1-3 March) then you too will be able to meet Archimedes, and pick up a copy of Time's Arrow while you're about it. :-)

JG at the Sci-Fi Weekender

One week today I shall be at the Sci-Fi Weekender in North Wales, along with some of you, I hope.

You're best to check the timetables there (in case of any last minute changes) but I'm currently chairing two panels. As of writing, the timing for these is as follows:


Friday 1 March - 4.00-5.00pm
No Airships Required: Creating Steampunk Worlds. With Robert Rankin, Sam Stone and Raven Dane.

Saturday 2 March - 4.00-5.00pm
Shared Worlds: Writing into a known universe. With Gav Thorpe and Graham McNeill.


I will also be signing copies of my new Path to Victory gamebook Shadows Over Sylvania at the Black Library stand over the course of the weekend and selling my Pax Britannia titles at my own little table. I am also down to conduct a Q&A session with a certain 'star'.

If you see me, stop me and say hello, and if you see me at my stand, drop by and buy a book (or even a badge).

Maybe I'll see you there...

Warhammer Wednesday: Signing at the Sci-Fi Weekender

Yours Truly and Shadows Over Sylvania will be at this year's Sci-Fi Weekender, at the Hafan y Mor Holiday Park, North Wales, from 1-3 March.

I'm going to be hosting various panels but I shall also be signing copies of my brand new Path to Victory gamebook at the Black Library stand.

So if you're coming along, check with the BL guys and hopefully I can deface your copy of Shadows for you (or even Herald, if you'd like).

Forthcoming Events

I shall be attending Dragonmeet this Saturday 1 December, and generally hanging out with the Tin Man and the Warlock at the Fighting Fantasy stand. Also in attendance will be Steve Jackson, Ian Livingstone, Ralph Horsley, Sarah Newton, and the guys from Cubicle 7 (who are actually organising everything). If you see me on Saturday, do come and say "Hi!"

I shall also be a guest at next year's Sci-Fi Weekender - 1-3 March 2013 - where I shall hosting at least one panel, taking part in a signing session or two, and hopefully selling some of my books. Gav Thorpe is also going, and the two of us have been cooking up some ideas for the weekend - but more on that another time. The doyenne of crime-horror Sarah Pinborough herself shall also be in attendance.

And that's your lot for now. Until next time...