Category Archive: Conventions
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Posted by Chris on February 7, 2013 at 21:24
Posted in: Book News, Conventions
Despite the fact I personally screwed up last year, there are still two Pendragon titles worthy of your consideration for the British Fantasy Awards:
Best Anthology
Visions Fading Fast, ed. Gary McMahon
Best Collection
To Usher, the Dead by Gary McMahon
Best Artist
Tomislav Tikulin (for VFF)
Paul Mudie (for Usher)
… and from Visions Fading Fast, the five individual tales are also eligible for the Best Novella category:
"Blues before Sunrise" by Joel Lane
"Wild Acre" by Nathan Ballingrud
"Dancer in the Dark" by Reggie Oliver
"The History Thief" by Kaaron Warren
"Night Closures" by Paul Meloy
I thank you.
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Tagged with: Awards | McMahon | usher | Visions Fading Fast
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FantasyCon Write-Up
Posted by Chris on October 3, 2012 at 14:16
Posted in: Book News, Conventions
I am often asked if attending this event is worthwhile financially… and to be bluntly honest with you, I do sell a few books (which helps) and if it were any other Convention I would think twice, but since FCon was my very first event way back in 2000 I have a connection with it and the folks involved and those who attend year-in, year-out.
I don't attend with a view to cover the costs, since I love the weekend away too much – in fact, I think the only time I've covered costs was when Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman attended the Nottingham gig.
I don't have a solid enough memory to write a detailed journal of my five day stay in Brighton – I've even tried selling a copy of To Usher, the Dead today to someone who already purchased a copy last weekend. Embarrassed, me? Yes, very much so. :(
In fact, it is only since attending FCon that I've become more sociable – not that I'm someone whom you could consider a master of conversation, but I try…
Anyway, if you have never attended FCon before then it is easily the friendliest event for convention virgins – and a great place in these days of Facebook friends and Twitter followers to say hello face-to-face and share a drink, many drinks.
Attending FCon for me, though, on a business level is a means of building a shop-front: online sales out-number cold, hard cash… but seeing someone hand-over cash is much more rewarding (and gives me an excuse to exercise my mental arithmetic).
As stated, I've been going to FCon since 2000 and missed three – two one-day events in London and when my nan died – and last weekend was quite possibly the best: drank too much, slept too little, ate great food (just love The Sussex pub) and thoroughly enjoy some wonderful conversation with some great people.
Thanks to those who persevered and waited for my entrance at the To Usher, the Dead launch (and apologies to Gary and Mia for my tardiness) – and equal thanks to those who stopped by the dealer's table.
I would also like to apologise to anyone who caught a glimpse of me dancing on the Saturday night, and to Emily McMahon and her foot who I've just realised I stepped on during "One Step Beyond". :(
No FCon next year (World Fantasy instead) – I've been to a few Cons now and I'm quite apprehensive about WFC (it's huge) – therefore, I'd wait until 2014 for the return of FCon (up north insofar has I am aware) if you are at all intrigued…
Back to the grindstone now – got those Usher pre-orders to post…
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Fade in October
Posted by Chris on July 6, 2012 at 19:00
Posted in: Book News, Conventions, General
FantasyCon has always been a time to launch new books, and this year Pendragon has two: the first, previously stated, is the long-awaited Gary McMahon collection "To Usher the Dead", the other is a debut novella that is quite different; a "slipstream"-style tale from Gavin Salisbury called "Fade Out".
It's a hard story to pigeon-hole which is one of the reasons why I enjoyed reading it so much; and I hope some of you also take a chance on it too.
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Tagged with: fade out | salisbury
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Nasty Snips II is Open… and a Personal Statement
Posted by Chris on October 6, 2011 at 15:30
Posted in: Book News, Conventions
After much thinking, and deliberation, you can send in your short, sharp and shocking tales for consideration in this, the very first Pendragon Press e-anthology!
On Monday I returned from the fun in Brighton sun that was FantasyCon feeling revitalised – I still over-spent and sales were on the slow-side (but I was expecting that), but it was just the kick I needed to push me out of a recent malaise I was feeling with publishing: it was quickly becoming a chore; I wasn't getting that excited really. I won't bore you with financial pressures of running a business – yes, this is a business with accounts and tax-returns – since you too are also under the same strain (we all are, apart from a very select few) but prior to FantasyCon I came very close, very close indeed to saying, "fuck it" and closing up altogether, contacting authors, customers and printers, that sort of thing.
But, last weekend changed all that: it put a vim and a va-va-voom back in my step.
Of course, the recent controversy of that weekend did dampen my spirits a little but I am still in a fun mood…
Since returning from the weekend, I have received a number of orders for the three hardcovers and in a move to try and help customers out, I have slashed the price of said hardcovers by 50% – but only until the end of October. That's Silversands, Feral Companions and We Fade to Grey for £6 each.
As always, I thank you for your continued custom and here's to the future!
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The Joy of Isabel!
Posted by Chris on September 13, 2011 at 13:37
Posted in: Book News, Conventions
This morning, proof copies arrived for the two chapbooks launched at FantasyCon – and rather lovely they look too!
Both Roy and Catherine will be in attendance at the Convention, and the launch event on Saturday afternoon!
EDIT: Due to the vagaries of book production, it turns out that Isabel Jane – though a chapbook – is a little thin to feed through the printer's binder, therefore it will also include an original story from Catherine called "Teething".
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Tagged with: chapbook | dale | gray | isabel jane | joy of technology
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Alt-Fiction
Posted by Chris on May 18, 2011 at 19:02
Posted in: Conventions, General
Just confirmed Pendragon's attendance at Alt-Fiction this year – missed the last couple (just like Eastercon) but the first two I attended always had a good time. If you're going be sure to pop around to the Pendragon table in the dealer's room and say "hi!" I promise not to empty your pockets of cash. Well, maybe a little bit… ;-)
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Closed
Posted by Chris on April 25, 2011 at 16:01
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See you next Wednesday, unless I see you here.
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So, who fancies a pint this Friday?
Posted by Chris on February 7, 2011 at 20:55
Posted in: Conventions, General
Of course, you need to live near Cardiff – the first ever British Fantasy Society Open Night in Wales – at A Shot in the Dark on City Road. We have the first floor lounge booked, and I am assured that despite it being primarily a coffee shop it does have a full bar.
EDIT: Despite the expensive beer, about thirty people turned up and turned it into a rather splendid night; thanks to all those who did, old and new, and here's the next event. Hope those who won at the raffle enjoy their books!
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World Horror in Austin
Posted by Chris on January 12, 2011 at 19:34
Posted in: Book News, Conventions, General
As some of you may well know, I will be in attendance and with thanks to Bad Moon Books a selection of Pendragon titles will be available for sale in the dealer's room. If anyone reading this are also attending, and specifically not from the UK, and you would be interested in buying a book then drop me a line and I shall make sure that Roy @ Bad Moon has a copy on hand. My luggage weight restricts me from carrying too many books.
Fingers crossed, Kingston to Cable and popCult! should be out by then… and possibly Visions Fading Fast: Volume One. The first two are available for pre-order, the latter very soon…
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Spirit of Christmas Future
Posted by Chris on December 9, 2010 at 19:48
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On Christmas Eve in a scant two weeks times, I will be drawing two names from the list of Pendragon subscribers. These two lucky lucky so and so's will receive not one, not two… but every Pendragon title published next year, which equates to at least four books: gratis.
The schedule at the moment looks like this:
The long-awaited release of Gary Greenwood's Kingston to Cable, which Mr Greenwood has been waiting for as long as Hadrian to see;Â popCult! by David Barnett, a novel due at Eastercon; Volume One of Visions Fading Fast, the second anthology edited by Gary McMahon and features stories from Reggie Oliver, Kaaron Warren, Paul Meloy, Joel Lane and Nathan Bellingrud (Volume Two will appear later in the year); To Usher the Dead, a collection of Thomas Usher tales from that man McMahon; and, Â Fade-Out by Gavin Salisbury.
In addition, I will continue to slot in a number of chapbooks… so, if you want to be in a with a chance then sign up to the mailing list and wait for that e-mail over the Christmas period!
In other news, I've signed up to attend Eastercon next year along with World Horror in Austin (of which there will be a significant development…) and FantasyCon of course – but that goes without saying.
2010 it must be said has been a pretty rough year, but then just about everyone has suffered so it's not just me; in all honesty, I came very close to shutting up shop a month or so ago, but managed to secure some funding to at least help Pendragon hobble along. It also helped that dealers and customers have remained loyal which proves one that: there are readers out there, and they at least want to read the books which emerge from the Pendragon roster.
2010 also marks the tenth anniversary of being involved in the small press, though not continuously. I was hoping to at least be part-time by now, but then I have always been rather naive and rather dysfunctional when it comes to business and financial matters. I think what mostly matters is that Pendragon at least survives, just to put out great pieces of fiction to a growing number of customers. No-one is going to get rich, or employed for that matter in writing in the small press, but if what the books do make cover their expenses and royalty payments well I cannot really complain; I'll continue to chain myself to this 'ere 'puter during the day and work the night-shift.
2011 and 2012? Who knows… apart from a bloody good list of authors and stories of course.
Have fun over the festive period, and remember to keep an eye out in your inbox… it could be you, and you too.
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Tagged with: chapbook | Competition | Eastercon | greenwood | Kingston to Cable | McMahon | world horror
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