The SFX Weekender is one of the newest and most ambitious conventions on the UK genre scene. This year, I sat on a panel with fellow authors Ken MacLeod, Paul McAuley, Simon Bestwick, and Sam Stone, where we discussed the role of the apocalypse in science fiction. I also did a book signing at the Solaris Books stand, signing copies of The Recollection.

The best bit, though, was meeting people. I met friends old and new, and people I’d only ever spoken to via Twitter. I had beers with some of the most exciting and promising genre writers in the world. And when taking a photo, I even made a Dalek say “Cheese.”

UK science fiction and fantasy fans, writers and booksellers are among the most welcoming, supportive and accepting people I have ever been lucky enough to meet, and this weekend felt like time spent with my people, my “gang”.  So a big thank you to everyone, and I hope to see you all again next year.

In the meantime, I look forward to Eastercon…

15.00. WE’RE ALL DOOMED! Simon Bestwick, Ken MacLeod, Paul McAuley and Gareth L. Powell tell Guy Haley how genre could make the end of the world as we know it feel fine.

Simon and I will then be signing copies of our books and meeting readers in the ‘Bartertown’ area.

If you’re going to the event, please come and say hello.

The evening will run from 7.30pm-9pm. Entry is free, so please come along.

See you there?

The Liminal - Event 2 from Weston super Television on Vimeo.

• 14 Jan - The Liminal,  7-10pm, at Dr Fox’s Tearooms on Knightstone Island, Weston-super-Mare; with readings from myself and fellow authors Emma Shortt and June Bastable.
• 25 Jan - Oxfam Cotham Bookshop, Cotham Hill, Bristol. I will be doing a short reading and answering questions about my work, the craft of writing, and science fiction in general.
• 3 – 5 Feb - SFX Weekender, North Wales. I will be one of several Solaris Books authors at this event.
• 2 April - Anarchy Books publishes digital versions of my first two books, Silversands and The Last Reef.
• 6 – 9 April - Olympus 2012, Heathrow. I will be at Eastercon as usual and, although the programme hasn’t be unveiled yet, I hope to be participating in a number of panel discussions.
• 18 – 20 May – Discover Festival, Leicestershire. I will be a guest at this event, along with many other fine authors.

Although I have participated in panel discussions and readings at a number of conventions and events, this is the first time I have been invited as a GoH, and I am deeply honoured to have been asked.

One of my duties as GoH will be to be interviewed in front of an audience by Kim Lakin-Smith, where we’ll talk about my work, etc.

L-R: Paul Cornell, Gareth L. Powell, Justina Robson, Juliet E. McKenna

(photo by Cheryl Morgan)

Link to original image:

2) Friday 21st Oct — from 12pm-1pm, I will be joining Juliet E.McKenna, Justina Robson, and Paul Cornell for a lunchtime book signing at Forbidden Planet in Clifton.

3) Saturday 22nd Oct — from 10am-11pm, I will be one of the guests at BristolCon, which is being held at the Ramada Hotel on Redcliffe Way, close to Temple Meads station, where I will be participating in at least four panel discussions and performing a reading from my latest book.

I hope to meet as many of you as possible at these events.