Next month in Nottingham is FantasyCon, the annual convention weekend for the British Fantasy Society.  As the society’s name suggests, the British Fantasy Society is dedicated to all things fantastic regardless of medium.  Neither is the genre exclusively classic fantasy, as the society is also interested in urban fantasy, speculative fiction, and horror.

FantasyCon first began in 1975, and has continued to evolve into the convention it is today.  To give some idea into the high regard that people hold FantasyCon, people insist that FantasyCon is what makes the British Fantasy Society. Whilst this statement may be subject to discussion, FantasyCon is nevertheless an important aspect of the British Fantasy Society.

Although the programme for FantasyCon is yet to be announced, fixtures for next months convention include the Banquet, British Fantasy Awards, book launches (often with free drinks), book signings, and discussions with authors.  Naturally, there is also a bar where you can have a drink with your favorite authors.

Authors that have already confirmed their attendance at this years FantasyCon include Bryan Talbot (steam punk author and writer of The Adventures of Luther Arkright), Peter F. Hamilton (awesome science fiction writer, whose work includes Fallen Dragon and Nights Dawn trilogy), and Lisa Tuttle (The Silver Bough, amongst others).

Also of note is the Area 51 stand.  This section of the bar is where anyone who is a FantasyCon virgin, or has there on their own, can congregate.  Over the years it has proved to be a spectacular success.  For someone like myself, who is travelling on my own to my first FantasyCon, it is a great idea.

If you intend to be there, keep an eye out for me, and be sure to say hello.  I can usually be found somewhere near the bar.