The British Fantasy Society

Double BFS Award Nominee Allyson Bird Interview

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:09:34 +0000

Allyson Bird has been short-listed for two BFS Awards this year; Best Collection for Bull Runing for Girls and Best Short Story for The Caul Bearer. Her combination of pragmatic, grounded characters and the supernatural has won her acclaim across the board and is one of the subjects covered in a new interview with her, at Steve Jensen's Shadows and Illusions. Covering her inspirations, which of her stories she's happiest with, how she feels about the success of Bull Running for Girls and her forthcoming work, the interview is available now.

The Caul Bearer is also available online for free, with art by Vincent Chong and an introduction by Gary McMahon at the Screaming Dreams website.

Paul Meloy Discusses His BFA-Nominated Stories

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:43:18 +0000

It's British Fantasy Awards month on the Black Static Case Notes blog, and Peter Tennant has interviewed Paul Meloy about his British Fantasy Award nominated stories.

Peter's currently taking questions for Andrew Hook of Elastic Press and Chris Teague of Pendragon. Any other BFA nominees who fancy being interviewed should drop him a line.

Keep an eye on the Case Notes Blog for more interviews as the month rolls on. He's already spoken to Joel Lane about "Winter Journey".

INVITE: The Manchester Book Market

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:39:02 +0000

This weekend Literature Northwest and Comma Press bring you...

The Manchester Book Market

FRI 17 - SUN 19 JULY

The Manchester Book Market returns this weekend for a three-day showcase of the region's indie publishing accompanied by back-to-back performances from the cream of the region's spoken word scene. The market gives the public the opportunity to buy books, magazines and comics direct from leading independent publishers, as well as sample the latest emerging spoken word talent from the North West. Featuring over 20 publishers, the market will cover a wide range of genres and interests, from award-winning poetry and short fiction (from Route Publishing, Crocus Books and Comma) to internationally recognised science fiction and fantasy (from Interzone, TTA and Ballista), as well as childrens books (Bumble Books, DEP, Flapjack), and pioneering new literary magazines (Transmission, Bewilderbliss, Back to the Machine Gun, etc.).

In a special café area each day, over 50 of the region's leading spoken word artists and story-tellers will perform throughout each day.

Featuring: Mike Garry, Chris Jam, Mike Duff, Segun Lee French, Jackie Hagan, Dominic Berry, Elly Rees, Janette Stowell, Sue Stern, Ade Jackson, Nick Murgatroyd, Eileen Pun, Danny Bird, Cora Greenhill, Jonathan Welsch, Zoe Lambert, Tony Walsh, Anjum Malik, Ben Mellor, Martin Stannage, Samira Arhin-Acquaah, Joe Stretch, Anwen Lewis, Tom Fletcher, Akiel Chinelo, Chanje Kunda, Andy Moses, Dermot Glennon, Lula Blue, Maya Chowdhry, Kim Wiltshire, Sabeen Hussein, Nabila Suriya, Gift, Matthew Curry, Tina Tamsho-Thomas, Muli Amaye, Conrad Williams, Tim Lees, Michelle Scally Clarke, C.A. Chance, Helen Thomas, Annie Clarkson, Louise Wallwein, Peter Humphries, Tony Curry, Peter Wild, Nick Royle, Elizabeth Baines, Ailsa Cox, Julian Daniel, Ian Seed, Andrew McMillan, William Park, Chris Woods, and Jerry Potter (compere).

For a full list of times, click here.

St Ann's Square. 11am-5.30pm. Free. Readings between 1pm and 5.30pm

Helen & Martin will be around on Saturday 18th July, promoting the society, and selling copies of recent BFS publications!

David Gemmell Awards - Live audio recording.

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:25:15 +0000

For anyone who was unable to make the David Gemmell Legend Award ceremony, here is an audio recording of the festivities. If nothing else you should really listen to the beginning with James Barclay reading Druss' 'Call to Arms'.

Or check out the recording broken down into segments here http://www.frequency-response.com/post/LiveAudioCast-The-David-Gemmell-Legend-Award.aspx

Andrew Hook's And God Created Zombies to launch at Fantasycon 2009

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:53:12 +0000

Ian Whates of Newcon Press is launching a new book at FantasyCon 2009. The splendidly titled And God Created Zombies is from the BFS's own Andrew Hook and features an introduction from Sarah Pinborough.

Ian will also be selling copies of The Beloved of My Beloved by Roberto Quaglia and our Master of Ceremonies Ian Watson. Check www.newconpress.co.uk for details of these and Newcon's other excellent titles.

Locus publisher, editor and co-founder Charles N. Brown Dies

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:59:02 +0000

Charles N. Brown died peacefully in his sleep on July 12th. Along with Ed Meskys and Dave Vanderwerf, he founded Locus in 1968 and would go on to be the first book reviewer for Asimov's, edit several anthologies, write for numerous magazines and newspapers and serve on the jury for several major SF awards. Locus will continue to publish with executive editor Liza Groen Trombi taking over from the August 2009 issue which will also feature an obituary and a photo retrospective.

British Fantasy Award, Diana Wynne Jones and Twilight Spearhead Guardian Fantasy Coverage

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:19:02 +0000

The Guardian appear to be increasing their genre fiction coverage, judging by recent articles. Alison Flood offers an insight into the impact that Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series have had on the town of Forks, the series' setting whilst Imogen Russell Williams provides a detailed look at the first Diana Wynne Jones conference.

However, the star of the coverage is their series on the winners of the British Fantasy Awards. Kicking off with Allison Flood's examination of Michael Moorcock's first Corum book, it promises to be a fascinating series, whether you agree with her or not.

FOR YOU FAUSTINE: A Novelette

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:30:18 +0000

Allyson Bird made it through to the BFA short list with her debut short story collection, Bull Running For Girls.

Following her well received collection is a novelette entitled FOR YOU FAUSTINE, which is set on Coney Island, New York, and involves the Lamia myth, the mafia and Swinburne's poetry.

FAUSTINE should be with us in time for FantasyCon 2009 from Pendragon Press, who have also made the BFA short list for Best Small Press 2008.

VARDOGER: Gray Matter Novella #5

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:50:34 +0000

Following hot on the heels of Paul Finch's mammoth Groaning Shadows and earlier novellas by Conrad Willaims, Steve Vernon, and Nicholas Royle is Vardoger by BAFTA-winning writer, Stephen Volk.

Vardoger is Novella #5 in the Gray Matter series from publisher Gray Friar Press.

Stephen informs us that Vardoger should be released in time for FantasyCon 2009...

FantasyCon '09 - Membership List Updated

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 12:34:27 +0000

Just received from Debbie, the latest registration list for this years FantasyCon. A limited number of tickets are still available.

BFS Members: £60
Non BFS Members: £70

Saturday Day Rate: £30

And now, without any further ado...