Activities
Fantasycon brings writers, readers, artists, publishers and others involved in fantasy and horror writing together to celebrate, discuss, read, listen, appreciate and enthuse about all aspects of the genre.
You might well know that the reason Fantasycon (and other similar events) have Membership rather than tickets is to reflect on the participatory nature of the event, the event is very much made by attendees willingness to get involved in the activities, but also relaxing and socialising, making the event so welcoming and friendly.
The At A Glance event programme can be downloaded from here.
Event Highlights
Thursday
Join Andy W Marsden, from the BFS, in the Deva Tap for an informal social with real ale and relaxing. Food also available.
Friday
Timings:
We are planning to have registration and information desk open from noon, but panels and readings wont start before 3pm at the earliest and are likely to go on until 11pm. The dealers room is planned to be open from noon until 6pm.
4pm New to Fantasycon
An opportunity to meet with other new people and to ask the organising team questions about the event.
8pm Welcome & Book signing:
The Chair of Fantasycon 2018, Allen Stroud, will give a few words of welcome followed by an informal signing event. This is an opportunity to meet the Guests of Honour Adrian and Farah, sadly Claire can't join us for this, and get a book or two signed. Activities, panels, launches etc. will have started, but this gives a chance for attendees who are coming after work to have arrived.
9pm Disco
Saturday
Timings:
Registration is intended to open at 9am, the panels/Reading start at 10am and continue until 11pm. The dealer room is intended to be open 10am to 6pm.
10am Guest of Honour Interview:
Adrian Tchaikovsky interviewed by Ian Whates
7pm Guest of Honour Interview:
Farah Mendlesohn interviewed by Ali Baker.
8pm till late Karaoke:
Always popular karaoke, run by the wonderful David Thomas Moore from Rebellion.
Sunday
Timings:
Registration is intended to open from 9am (for day ticket attendees) and panels/readings from 9.30pm to 3pm. The dealers room is intended to be open from 10am to 1pm.
10am BFS AGM
Here from the BFS committee how the previous year has gone and what the plans are for the forthcoming year. BFS members can vote on ideas and election of Committee members. See below for more details.
11am Fantasycon 2019
Here and discuss plans for 2019
12noon Guest of Honour Interview:
Claire North interviewed by Leila Abu El Hawa.
1.30pm British Fantasy Society Awards Banquet
This need to be purchased separately from event membership, see below for menu.
3pm British Fantasy Awards
Meet our Guests of Honour...
We have some wonderful guests:
We are having planning to have an Opening Ceremony and Informal Signing on Friday night so you can meet the Guests, but also get books signed by authors attending the event. Each of the Guests of Honour will take part in an interview so we can get to know them even better.
Book Launches...
We have lots of wonderful book launches. More details coming soon.
Readings...
We have a reading room with the theme of "An interview and reading with..." the idea being that there is a short interview followed by a reading, we then as each reader to interview the person who follows them. The questions will be the same for everyone and we hope will build that relationship between reader and audience. There will also be an Open Mic poetry session, but no booking is required for this.
Panels, Talks & Workshops...
We are having lots of panels/talks/workshops and would be delighted if you would join us.
Dealers...
Fantasycon would not be Fantasycon without books! and we hope you can find something to read from the wonderful dealer room where you can browse for a new author or perhaps a favourite that is missing from your collection, you might even find art or genre related items to buy.
Details coming soon.
Raffle...
We are have a charity raffle, all proceeds to be split between Beanstalk and Ehlers Danlos Support UK which are both amazing charities.
BFS AGM...
The BFS AGM is intended be taking place at 10am on Sunday morning. BFS members are welcome to attend, even if they are not otherwise attending Fantasycon. Members of Fantasycon 2018 are welcome to attend even if they are not BFS members. This is a good way to find out what the BFS have been up to this year and plans for the coming year.
Social Activities...
For those who like to let their hair down, we are planning to have a karaoke on Saturday night & of course a number of Bars for a drink or two.
British Fantasy Awards and Banquet
Celebrate the most exciting reads (and art) of the year with the British Fantasy Societies Awards. Come for a lovely meal with us and take the opportunity to enjoy friendships old and new.
We will be emailing attendees for menu choices as we require this before the event.
The menu is a choice of starter, main and dessert from the following:
Starters
Tomato and basil soup with green pesto crouton.
Pressed Ham Hock and honey terrine.
Warmed caramelised red onion, goats cheese and redcurrant tart.
Main Courses
Pan roasted chicken supreme, garden pea and pancetta finished with a tarragon sauce.
Slow braised beef feather blade of beef with a roasted shallot gravy.
Pork loin with a black pudding mashed potato, apple puree and grain mustard.
Butternut squash and fresh sage risotto finished with olive oil and Parmesan cheese shavings
Desserts
Fresh strawberries: served in a brandy snap basket with clotted cream ice cream
Baked set lemon tart served with Cornish clotted cream and berries.
Heart shaped baked shortbread with whipped cream, strawberries and a raspberry coulis.
Tea and coffee will be served after the meal and red and white wine with the meal.
Vegetarian, Vegan, allergies and other dietary requirements can be catered for, please just let us know.