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Postage Update
Posted by Chris on October 23, 2012 at 12:11
Posted in: Book News, General
To excuse any further embarrassment on my part, this update is purely to state that I am processing Usher pre-orders – alas, the day-(or rather, night) job is getting in the way and I effectively only have one day a week to make my journey to the post office. Not much of an excuse, but the only one I have unfortunately.
As usual, your patience is very much appreciated.
Diolch yn fawr.
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Tagged with: McMahon | usher
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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…
Posted in: Book News, Conventions
Tagged with: Fantasycon
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Back
Posted by Chris on October 2, 2012 at 20:22
Posted in: Book News
Back from FCon: To Usher, the Dead launched, many conversations, plenty of beer drunk, and very little sleep.
Address labels printing, books being packaged, posting has begun.
Monosyllabic posts to continue for a little while…
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Sold out… almost…
Posted by Chris on September 26, 2012 at 11:17
Posted in: Book News, General
Packing up books for FantasyCon this weekend I have discovered that there are only two copies of the signed/numbered edition of Silversands left… when these sell at the weekend, then that's it folks; I still have the standard edition, which isn't signed and numbered, but do you want to risk not having a book to keep when Gareth Powell becomes a Big Name? And trust me, he's rapidly on the way…
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Tagged with: Fantasycon | powell | Silversands
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Competition Time!
Posted by Chris on September 19, 2012 at 18:00
Posted in: Book News
The first person to answer correctly the following Thomas Usher-themed competition by Monday 24th September Wednesday 26th September 9pm will win a copy of the signed, limited hard cover edition. If that lucky winner has already pre-ordered their copy, then their monies will be refunded or credited for any other book on sale – whatever the winner wishes.
Question: Name Thomas' wife and child.
E-mail answers to chris [at] pendragonpress [dot] net.
The winner will be notified by e-mail that day and announced on the website.
Have fun!
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Tagged with: McMahon | usher
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Thomas Usher
Posted by Chris on September 18, 2012 at 20:54
Posted in: Book News, General
Today, I approved the cover proof of Gary McMahon's collection To Usher, the Dead – a collection that has been talked about for many a year, the delay being all mine. Featuring the eponymous Thomas Usher, a "psychic detective" who featured in the two-book series Pretty Dead Things and Dead Bad Things
I can't remember where I read his first appearance, but when Gary asked me about the collection the first book wasn't yet published. He stated that it would contain a new novella called "The Other Tenants" and since I love novellas and didn't really relish reading every story I asked him just to send me that – I knew the stories would be good anyway.
I think it was less than a week when I said yes to the collection – and so the wheels turned, and for me very slowly (anyone who has dealt with me, past present and future will testify to this). It was around this time that I also noticed Paul Mudie's cover work on Charles Black's series of horror anthologies and thought he would be the perfect artist. He agreed.
I can't explain why I took so long to publish this collection – money probably – but all I can say is that I'm glad it is now coming to fruition and in my cold hands next Friday, 28th September.
As a consequence of getting this book ready, Gavin Salisbury's short-novel Fade-Out won't be making the party – but will be available later in October – and the much fabled Nasty Snips Project will too be available (or at least the first couple of instalments) around Hallowe'en.
Just when enthusiasm for the business and industry wane, I get a jerk of adrenaline from what is I believe – and I say this without apology – a very important book for not just Pendragon but the horror/supernatural genre.
I just hope I can do Gary and Thomas some justice.
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Tagged with: bfs | collection | Fantasycon | McMahon | usher
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Competition!
Posted by Chris on August 13, 2012 at 20:15
Posted in: General
Since my family and friends aren't interested, the two free two-month subscription cards I've received from Lovefilm are up for grabs… and I will be plucking two names from the mailing list on Friday.
This competition is only open to UK residents unfortunately.
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Usherin' the Wraparound
Posted by Chris on August 2, 2012 at 21:09
Posted in: Book News
When I asked Steve Upham to do the text layout for Gary McMahon's forthcoming collection, what he has produced just confirms my decision that I really should leave such matters to the experts – it really has heightened an otherwise gorgeous piece of cover art from Paul Mudie:
… and there's still signed copies available to pre-order, but they are selling rather quickly.
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Tagged with: McMahon | usher
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Visions Fading Fast: a review!
Posted by Chris on July 31, 2012 at 11:25
Posted in: Book News, Reviews
Courtesy of This is Horror – of which I must add a caveat to dispel any hint of nepotism considering the links between myself and the organisation and the reviewer.
Nevertheless, an absolutely cracking review… and if you do wish to purchase hardcover edition then perhaps the McMahahon Selection (under Special Deals) would be better value for you, the discernible reader?
Posted in: Book News, Reviews
Tagged with: McMahon | Visions Fading Fast
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McMahon writes about VFF
Posted by Chris on July 16, 2012 at 21:06
Posted in: Book News, General, Reviews
Over at This is Horror, Gary McMahon writes about this his second anthology has editor.
Unfortunately, there are no more signed copies left… but you can still have a numbered hardcover – and paperback of course (but the hardcovers are much, well, nicer to behold.)
… and, a review of Mark West's The Mill (which originally appeared in We Fade to Grey). If like the reviewer you would prefer to read the story within a collection, then of course copies of the numbered/signed hardcover still available. :)
Posted in: Book News, General, Reviews
Tagged with: ballingrud | lane | McMahon | meloy | oliver | Visions Fading Fast | warren | We Fade to Grey | West
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