British Fantasy Awards Showcase

In order to mark the event that is the first post on this here blog, it seems only fitting that Lord Froggy shares his adventures this past weekend in London at the British Fantasy Society's annual 'Awards Showcase' where, as you can see in the first of Helen's Kodak moments from the event, the table of 'goodies' donated by many of this years recomendees for the BFS Awards 2008.

Although just the tip of the iceberg, when considering this years long list, the diversity on display on that very table is simply outstanding. From literary criticism to killer sooty, campfire tales of terror to heroic accounts of courage, from postcards to pens, flyers and CD's, who in their right mind could dismiss this as childish tat?

Helen and I arrived in at the Ye Olde Cock Tavern in good spirits despite the fact that we had dragged two trolley cases full of goodies across London, narrowly missing a few 'considerate' pedestrians en route, where we greeted by Marie O' Regan, Paul Kane, Simon Clark and Patrick - apologies for forgetting your last name. After an exchange of pleasantries, Helen and I organised the display tables.

So many attendees including but not limited to David Howe of Telos Books, Lee Thompson from Humdrumming, Andrew Hook from Elastic Press, the Gollancz contingent including Gill, Joe Abercrombie, David Deveraux and Tom Lloyd, Sam Stone AKA Paigan Stone AKA the mystery raffle prize girl, Ian Whates editor of Newcon Press, Charles Black of Mortbury Press, Justin Marriot editor of The Paperback Fanatic, authors Steve Aylett, Joel Lane, Staurt Young, and Allen Ashley, and artist Bob Covington. A well earned beverage later, and it was time to start the show and as our official MC was detained, Simon Clark came to the rescue, this becoming the second author to 'play' author and shoe connoisseur Chris Fowler.

Simon, captured here courtesy of David Howe, introduced the showcase and reminded us all of the impact a 'BFS Award' can have on a recipients career and then it was left to myself to introduce those wishing to speak about their respective recomendations...

...and I'm happy to report everyone did a sterling job, kudos to David Howe and Joel Lane for reading extracts, Dave read from Del Stone Jr Black Tide and Joel from his short story My Stone Desire, (Black Static # 1, TTA Press).

Time for refreshment and further greetings as non other than Chris Fowler has arrived, cheers Chris thanks for the pint!

To be continued...