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Attending Boskone 2021
I will be a programme participant at this year's online Boskone (12-14 February), the annual (and oldest) science fiction convention in New England, USA, organised by the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA).
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Worldcon 75
I’ll be attending the 75th World Science Fiction Convention in Helsinki, Finland from 9-13 August 2017, which is the first time a WorldCon has taken place in a Nordic country. It looks like it’s going to be a terrific event with a huge array of programming items. It will be my first time visiting Finland, and in a bonus coincidence, a new Moomin Museum has opened in Tampere. Here is my schedule for the event: Wednesday, 9 Aug, 2017 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Messukeskus, 206 ‘Coffee, Pie and Murder: 25 Years Later’ The cult television show Twin Peaks makes its return in 2017. Is this a good idea,…
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The Image at Hay Festival, Kells
In 2013 the prestigious Hay Festival opened a chapter in the picturesque town of Kells, and the town has been hosting the event annually since then. This year the Hay Festival, Kells is taking place from 23 – 26 June, and with technology journalist Karlin Lillington I’ve co-curated a stream of programming within the Festival called ‘The Image’, which features an array of talent from the arenas of illustration, cartooning, comic books, and computer games. Guests include video games and comic book writer Rhianna Pratchett, animation director and comic book artist Paul Bolger, comic book artist and stage production designer Maeve Clancy, comic book writer and YA novelist Michael Carroll,…
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Worldcon Comic Book Programme
Nearly two years ago my friend James Bacon phoned me up and asked me if I’d be on for designing the comic book programme at Worldcon in London (known as Loncon 3) in August 2014. I agreed readily enough as I was keen to raise the profile of comic books at the event. Comics are still a bit of a newcomer to Worldcon – the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story was only introduced in 2009. I didn’t realise how much work was involved, which was probably lucky for James, as I might have turned him down if I truly understood. I now have huge respect for the Worldcon programming…
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Loncon 3
Yesterday at Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction convention in Chicago, the membership voted for the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention to convene in London in 2014. It will be called Loncon 3, and the Guests of Honour are Ian M Banks, John Clute, Malcolm Edwards, Chris Foss, Jeanne Gomoll, Robin Hobb, and Bryan Talbot. Several months ago I was asked by the Division Head of Programming, James Bacon, to be the Head of the Comic Book Programme. I accepted the position without hestitation as it’s a chance to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of the comic book scene currently. We’re already in discussions about the programme, and I…
