Fantasycon Schedule

Having managed to scrape up some dosh and cadge a lift, this coming weekend I shall be at Fantasycon in Nottingham. Here's where you can find me:

FRIDAY 23rd OCTOBER

Room: The bar
X.00pm Arriving, Drinking, Saying Hi
Do they have Guinness? Hey, how's things? What're you having? Can you watch this while I go for a fag? Wait, what time is--fuck, I have a panel!

Immoderator: Hal Duncan
Panellists: You?

Room: Conference Theatre
8.00pm Doing ‘It’ Right: Love, Romance & Sexy Times
Why are we often so reticent about love in genre fiction? Conversely sex seems to be everywhere, often done badly. How do we show love in a better light and balance plot tension with sexual tension? Warning: adult references (& childish innuendo)

• the perfect sex scene: making up making out/making love
• a matter of taste: where are the ‘no-go’ areas?
• is love undervalued as a character motivation?
• how can our characters express their feelings without mawkishness?
• diversity and sexuality in genre fiction: what works and what doesn’t?
• are ‘romance’ and ‘conflict’ mutually exclusive terms?
• finding the right words: choosing appropriate vernacular

Moderator: Den Patrick
Panellists: Hal Duncan, Cassandra Khaw, Kim Lakin-Smith, Foz Meadows

Room: The bar
X.00pm Drinking, Saying Hi, Getting Drunk
Do they have apple juice? Can I have a rum and apple juice then? Hey, how's things? What're you having? Can you watch this while I go for a fag? Wait, what time is--fuck, I have a reading!

Immoderator: Hal Duncan
Panellists: You again? Maybe some other folk?

Room: Wherever the readings are at
10:00pm I do a reading
Will there be words? Will they be read? Will it be me reading them? Will it be sexy times in keeping with the panel, or will I go for something timely like a snippet of TESTAMENT? Can I be bothered to bring my suit? Will I remember to mention the Patreon for readings?

Immoderator: Hal Duncan
Panellists: One glass of dark/spiced rum & apple juice

SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER

Room: The bar
X:00am/pm TESTAMENT LAUNCH
Will I be drinking all day in celebration of the release of TESTAMENT? Will I be happy to sign books, possibly even sell them? How early will I make it to the bar after the previous night? Will I leave the bar at any point other than to go outside for a fag? Will I actually eat something at any point?

Immoderator: Hal Duncan
Panellists: Some copies of TESTAMENT probably, in hand or available from the dealer's room

SUNDAY 24th OCTOBER

Room: The bar
X:00am The Glory of Irn Bru
Join us in this homage to Scotland's other national drink. And then start getting squiffy all over again probably.

Moderator: One glass bottle or two cans of Irn Bru, depending on availability

Panellists: Two Anadin Extra

Room: Not sure

12:00pm Mass Signing

Do you want your book signed? Did you buy one or more of my books? Did you know my brand new novel TESTAMENT would be available from the Eibonvale Press table? Did you know I'd also be bringing down copies of BFA-nominees SCRUFFIANS! and RHAPSODY? Are they at the Eibonvale Press table too or am I lugging some around? Do you know that ERRATA and FABBLES:1 will be purchasable too--six quid each or two for a tenner? Do you want ALL THE THINGS signed?

Imperator: Your booklust

Panellists: ALL THE THINGS

Room: The banquet hall

X:00pm British Fantasy Awards Ceremony

Will I lose twice for double the failure? Will Neil Williamson and I jinx each other? Will I get a chance to slip the phrase "in all modesty" into an acceptance speech? Will a single victory by one or t'other turn Neil and I against each other, turn the car journey home into a slow-burning drama of bitter jealousy corroding friendship, leading ultimately to a devastating tragic dénouement? Or will we stand united, ever the proud Scots, resolute in our capacity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory? Or even from the jaws of defeat?

Moderator Furiosa: Lady Luck

Panellists: The jury members

Room: The bar

X:00pm And One More for the Road

Will I be celebrating or commiserating? Will I be having a last wee drink either way before we hit the road? How many boozes can I booze in half an hour, or fifteen minutes, or five? Shall I stick to spirits so I don't need a piss like ten seconds after we set out?

Moderator: Neil Williamson

Panellists: Hal Duncan, Hal Duncan's Id, Hal Duncan's Liver

Cover Reveal: Testament