Well, I know everyone else has posted their thoughts on FantasyCon, but I don't think I'll go into much detail. As much fun as name-dropping is, it isn't really productive. Let's just say I met a lot of people I'd only known via the internet before, and managed to talk to many people I'd never before spoken with. Sometimes (usually) I didn't really have much to say, so shy am I, but I did my best and that's what counts.
The only name I'll mention here is one separate from my "life" as a writer. I was able, for a few moments, to speak to Dave McKean as he stood by the hotel bar, having returned unexpectedly from wherever he had been going. Dave McKean is one of the most influential visionaries in comics and film, and to let him know how his work touched me was a thrill. Now that I think of it, it's telling that the one scene from his work I brought up was a moment of writing in his seminal series CAGES. Leave it to me to skip his drawing, painting, etc., and go straight for the writing.
The book launch apparently went very well. I've not seen any numbers yet, but I'm told it sold the best of all the books on Humdrumming's table. We almost sold them out, if I'm not mistaken. I know I brought home an armful from England and now have only a few left (not to worry, Titles Bookstore in Hamilton has more). It's a funny thing, signing books for people, especially people I don't even know. I kept wondering if I were somehow related to them and didn't remember. It's a bit of a thrill, too, no doubt. It won't last long, but for a weekend I enjoyed it.
While I was there I picked up a lot of books. The titles are coming, but for now I just wanted to point out that Mark Samuels's new collection, GLYPHOTECH, is perhaps the best collection I've read in a long time. I'd forgotten just how good Mark is, and this reminded me with a vengeance. I can't recommend it enough. PS Publishing sold out of the copies they brought in 15 minutes, so I suggest you don't dilly dally and start ordering!
I'm still quite jet-lagged, so forgive the brevity here. Rest assured, it was a fun time ... even if it cost me significantly more than the book can ever hope to make.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
FantasyCon 2008
Posted at 9:37 PM
Keywords: FantasyCon, Glyphotech, Humdrumming, Mark Samuels
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3 comments:
Sounds like you had a great time, Simon. The book is beautiful and has me gripped already. You deserve all your success, even though you are a big wanker.
Reading A SHADOW IN GODS EYE made me see what a true craftsman you have become. It's weird for me to admit this to the same guy that once tried to pick up a girl using an Oriental accent, but there you go.
Think about that novel man. I think you could be big. <--words spoken often in the Stranzas bedroom? HAR!
Sounds like it was a great gathering all in all, Simon. Glad your launch was such a smashing success.
I'm glad you're playing it cool with the name-dropping, but Dave McKean is an impressive encounter.
Andrew: that's for the compliments, though we both know it wasn't me doing that accent. For one, I would have said "Asian", as that's the more culturally sensitive term.
Richard: let me assure you, meeting Dave McKean was a definite highlight. His work has stuck with me long after most others have faded.
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