Shen and Fantasycon by the Sea

There’s a thing in Chinese medicine called Shen. You see it in people, it's a light in their eyes,  a glow in their face and it means that they are totally alive. Well my Shen was well and truly lit this weekend!

Irene Soldatos, James Bennett and Sue Tingey
Irene Soldatos, James Bennett and Sue Tingey

I met some amazing and lovely people in Scarborough at the floating market that is Fantasycon. If you want to write any kind of speculative fiction, Fantasy, Horror or Science Fiction, then this is the place to be. I’ve learned more  about writing, storycraft and publishing in the last two and half days than I have in the last twelve months.

The good folk of Fantasycon are very friendly. Whether they're regulars or visiting guests they’re so passionate about fantasy (in all its guises) that the talking and drinking usually goes on into the small hours.

Wow Bits

These were my highlights, the bits I got a wow out of.

Elizabeth Bear in interview.  I’ve never heard anyone speak so wisely or be so funny about what it takes to write with craft and art, skill and heart. She won’t be reading this but anyone who can write that well and that much and still find the time to relax and be silly is pretty damn cool in my book!

Scott Lynch talking so openly about his life, his writing and the desire to cram all the amazing stuff he could into The Lies of Locke Lamora. It was great to finally meet and chat with him.

Scott Lynch and Marcus Gipps in uffish thought
Scott Lynch and Marcus Gipps in uffish thought

A five minute chat with Joe Hill. He told me how Heart Shaped Box was inspired by M R James’ Casting the Runes, we also talked about cool podcasts.

Some wonderfully drunken talks about myths, folklore and legends with the brilliant V H Leslie and Tracy Flahy.

Phil Lunt’s amazing reading from Druss the Legend at the Gemmell Awards. He has such a wonderful voice that it quite made up for the fact that Druss’s axe Snaga hadn't arrived.

If you're looking for great people to chat about writing fantasy and horror with, these people are definitely worth hunting out:  Sue Tingey, James Bennett, CC Adams, Eric Ian Steele and Thomas Arnfelt.  Just don't tell them I sent you.

I had the most wonderful time and to be honest my feet still haven't quite touched the ground.

Extra bits

Hashtag for fantasycon  #fcon2016

Podcasts

 

 

 

 

 

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