Commiserations to Gary McMahon and Simon Bestwick (along with Mark Charan Newton much over-looked for the Best Newcomer category – I ain't bitter…) , but congratulations to all who did win – notably Tim Lebbon, Allyson Bird and Vincent Chong.

Here's to FCon2010 – I should be there, baring the odd black monolith…

This special limited edition chapbook of fifty copies is being delivered to the FantasyCon hotel ready for next weekend – when I return, the story will be available free-to-download for all those who were unable to pick up a copy; if last year is anything to go by, the free Gingerbread chapbook flew off the table at an alarming rate.

Anyway, slightly better now… but not 100%: we small press publishers, we're a dedicated lot. :)

The big news to report, though, and this is now official with a press release from John Jarrold: fourth quarter of 2010 Pendragon will be publishing David Barnett's novel popCult! – I read this on my long-weekend away, and just found it one of the most original pieces of writing in a long-time; a contemporary SF tale in which a struggling writer is drawn into the machinations of a motley group of underground art pranksters who harbour a strange and terrible secret beneath the streets of London.

In other news, well, you'll just have to wait but in the next few weeks I shall be finalising the complete 2010 schedule – and the return of Zorba Pendragon Press.

[Public Service Announcement]
From Thursday 25th June till Tuesday 2nd July the "office" will be closed – any e-mails and/or orders will be processed upon my return and when I am sufficiently sober enough to do so.
[/Public Service Announcement]

I must admit to preferring the collection, though: there's not a single dud story – each and every word is pretty much pitch perfect within the context of that particular tale; even with my editor's hat on, I still couldn't find anything to nit-pick. :)

A true genius of British literature, and science fiction has lost one of the very few voices that a fan could counter when their choice of reading material would be derided has pulp nonsense by the less enlightened.

RIP Mr Ballard, may your spirit forever reside in Shepperton.

I have added this link elsewhere on the web, but I don't think I've added it to this site – 'tis really is superb. :)

Of course, I will be at FantasyCon – wouldn't miss that for all the alcohol in Nottingham (which, naturally, will be drunk that weekend) – in September, and I'll probably be in Bristol in May for the Comics Expo.

Apart from that, not much news… T:III in print, definitely, next month.

So, without further ado, enjoy Eastercon and hopefully I'll see you there next April… :)

In the meantime, check out Vincent Chong's new site: I love the faux-Old West style font and look of the show. Being a new-fan of Deadwood it really strikes a chord (and do not click the link if easily offended…)

Whilst I recover from a sound kicking, I shall put T:III into top gear (without the Hamster at the helm) and continue to read for the "Big Re-Launch" next year (which isn't that far away… *cries*) Thus far, I could be publishing two mass-market novels along with a couple of novellas and a collection. As they say, watch this space.

Later this year, from Screaming Dreams look out for a three-part anthology of supernatural/horror stories either set in Wales or written by a Wales-based/Welsh author. So far, the possible ToC contains a list of new and "old" names.

In other news, can I recommend the new Prodigy album for your aural pleasure? No? Ah well, but you're missing out… ;-)