British Fantasy Society

Good Lord, where does the time go?!

I can’t believe that my last post was a somewhat hurried Christmas card and now, here we are, beyond the Ides of March. I survived by the way, how did you get on? Good, glad to hear it!

Well, I’m fast approaching the six month mark at my new job and I still pinch myself when I think about it. It’s a great company with a truly forward thinking approach to the things that matter most and I feel privileged to be a part of it. Kind of makes the uphill struggle to get that degree and all the other stuff really worth it doesn’t it?

Get Writing was simply amazing. We had a few little hairy moments, with people struggling in the snow, technical glitches and the need to swap things around once or twice but all in all it was a fantastic day. I’ve had some incredible feedback (even calls of ‘It was the best yet!) and it looks like I’ll be doing it all over again. Course what I need now is the biggest name I can find for a star turn but heck, it’s nearly a year away, right?

But what about my writing? Well, it’s happening. I’ve had a short story accepted for the Cities of Death anthology (although I’m waiting for the email that says they found something better… confidence? What’s that?) I’m also working on a couple of short stories to sub to some other anthologies, I just need a little more spare time. Gah!

The really exciting thing though, is that whilst Libertine is still very dear to my heart, the back burner novel is now very much on the front burner. Oh it’s a stonker of a tale with Steampunk very much at its heart. The lead is a feisty lady, who is about to discover that she’s not quite the Lady she thought she was. Meet Lady Elizabeth Silverwood – the same name as my steampunk character but very different. For a start she’s very dainty and ladylike, prim and proper in every sense of the word. That is, until Lord Erasmus Silverwood and his friend Mr Darwin go missing. It’s down to our Lady to find them and trust me there will be many a buckle swashed, one or two bucca’s neered and it won’t just be Elizabeth that discovers a whole other side to her nature.

The world will be changed with the snip of a thread as we sail through skies and seas in search of truth and learn that evolution wasn’t all that was discovered on the Galapagos Islands.

I’m excited, but then, I know what’s coming don’t I?

All change

I’ve just realised how exciting my life is right now.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I forgot what’s going on but somehow, with my head in a whirl I just couldn’t quite find the space to get excited. Heck the nerves haven’t even kicked in yet.

You see, the thing is, suddenly everything is different.

For one thing, my writing life is just awesome, considering I’m not yet published in the traditional sense. I love writing for Fantasy Faction and I am stoked with the programme we have created for Get Writing 2012.

But that is not all. Oh no!

Whilst I’ve been working on all of that I’ve also been drafting CV after CV, specific ones for every job I wanted to apply for. At first it seemed that I wasn’t getting anywhere but then I am a firm believer in that saying that when it’s meant to be, it will be.

To cut a long story short I have found a fantastic job with Southern Rail. It will be a challenge, taking my environmental career to the next level but I’m excited about it, looking forward to all the new experiences I’m about to have.

I’ll also be moving home, leaving my beloved Hertfordshire behind and discovering the delights of the West Sussex countryside. Morpheus my gorgeous little black cat will be shaken for a little while, it’s a big move for a little cat but in the end, I think he’ll be happy.

I’m taking the opportunity to make some sustainable choices too. I’ll be travelling to work by rail, slashing my car use, plus I’ll be sharing a house with my newly retired mum. Sure that’s going to be a challenge after years of doing whatever I want but it has it’s advantages. Not only will it be cheaper running one house instead of two flats but it also reduces our various footprints. I’m hoping to start a new personal project (more on that soon) and also, I’ll have the freedom to spend time writing, travel a bit and more knowing that my little cat will always have someone home for him.

Of course, big changes like this mean lots of goodbyes too. I’ve met some amazing people through my work at Dorma, my membership of Verulam Writers’ Circle, East Herts Fantasy Writers, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Badger and Bat Groups, Stevenage Council’s Tree Warden Scheme… so many friends and so little time to say goodbye to them all. So I’m not saying goodbye. These days contact is so easy with facebook, twitter, email, post, phone, travel all available. I will see everyone again, not as often as I wish I could but I am not losing friends, I’m gaining new ones. If I haven’t been able to get in touch yet, know that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking of you, I am well aware of the impact you’ve all had on my life and for that I thank you.

I’m writing this sitting on the train on my way to Fantasycon where I’m meeting up with people I know, people I’ve met once or twice and people I’ve only met online, just another branch of my life these days.

My future is open to offers. Seriously, how much more exciting can life get?

Pride and… well, me actually.

When I first took on the challenge of organising Get Writing 2012 I had no idea where it would take me. Well, I’ve already met some amazing people and launch date is looming ever closer, so I’m going to start blogging about some of our guests from my personal perspective.

And what better place to start than with Stephen King’s UK editor. Below is a message from Philippa Pride but first, let me tell you a tale of just how lovely she is.

Warning, I made an idiot of myself. Again!

It was at the York Festival of Writing, and we were just meeting up for the Gala dinner on Saturday evening. I was almost ready to go when the zip on my dress got stuck. I mean, really, what’s the worst that can happen when you are staying somewhere on your own…

Well, I’d arranged to meet my friends Susan Franklin and Lesley Eames outside the accommodation so thought, “It’s fine, they’ll help me fix it”. So I peeked outside and, true to form, I was confronted with a gathering! Now, don’t get me wrong, they were all people I was pleased to see, but maybe when my zip was functioning…

Susan and Philippa dashed to the rescue, bundled me back inside and a battle ensued. The zip was caught on a seam, it was fixed and all was well. Pride intact? Well, not mine but I’m kind of used to that!

ANYWAY!!! I digress. A course with Philippa would be money well spent, of that I am absolutely certain so please do check this out, it’s booking fast, just three weeks away:

Dear Friends of Sandra

Would you or any of your friends or clients like to come to France this September?  We are gathering at a gorgeous farmhouse in the Dordogne from 10-15 September for the next Book Doctor writing course.

It will be a wonderful opportunity to free your creativity, start or continue your book and gather some insider tips for getting it published.

For more information, contact me at philippapride@yahoo.co.uk and click on the animated gif below to go through to my website www.thebookdoctor.co.uk and on the YouTube to see a short video with me;  I’m a certified NLP Coach and Stephen King’s British editor.

There are just three rooms left now.

With best wishes from Philippa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qawl8evdIT4

For some background, this is her biog for Get Writing:

Philippa is a writing coach, publishing consultant and book editor and runs workshops in which she combines inspirational exercises for freeing creativity with the nuts and bolts of getting published.  A former commissioning editor with a major publishing house, PHILIPPA PRIDE has worked with some of the most successful writers today, including world superseller Stephen King who knows of  ‘no-one in the writing and publishing business who is better equipped to talk about and teach the art and craft of writing’.

Described by Hodder’s MD as ‘a talented spotter of new fiction, a creative editor and a terrific champion of her authors’, Philippa continues her connection with Hodder & Stoughton as Stephen King’s British editor and has branched out into coaching; she is a certified NLP Master Practitioner and NLP Coach.

I can assure you that Philippa is the most genuine lady, totally encouraging and supportive and truly inspiring. I’m hoping to book up for the next course, which will be after GW. And, of course, if you can get to the UK on February 11th 2012, she will be running a workshop for us and taking some One to Ones – not to be missed!

Confessions of a technophobe

Confessions of a technophobe.

Here is my guest blog as part of Steve Lockley’s Open House.

I am feeling rather humbled as the guests so far have been extensively published, incredibly talented people. I, on the other hand, am still finding my place…

Training for Fantasycon

I recently booked to attend FantasyCon 2011 down in Brighton and was already excited about going. Then I heard that there was to be a British Fantasy Society Open Night held at The Mug House, on the 3rd June.

Should I go? Hell yeah, course I should, it was a chance to meet some people before going away for a weekend with a bunch of strangers.

Well, let me assure you, they’re strangers no more!

I arranged to meet my friend from EHFW, Nyki Blatchley, who was later insulted by Dean M Drinkel (from El Lupo Films) who married us off (sorry Nyki!). Mind you, he also decided I was nearly 20 years older than I am. *sigh* Whilst white hair makes me stand out from the crowd it does also have that effect! I’m 40, just for the record, not that it matters

Seriously though, what a fabulous night I had. I was determined to meet lots of people and over the course of about five hours I did just that.

A couple of special mentions for great advice, contacts and all round good belly laughs:

The aforementioned Mr Drinkel, force of nature and great fun to be around. It all started with a photo then I couldn’t get rid of him… he he, in a good way! Dean told us all about M is for Monster an anthology he’d put together, featuring a certain Mr Jonathan Pinnock from VWC (yes, he of Mrs Darcy and the Aliens fame). I’ve now arranged to buy a copy from Jon, can’t wait to read it!

Later we were joined by Adrian Chamberlin, from Dark Continents Publishing, and we chatted for ages about the company, it’s authors and even, my work. He also recommended I read The Left Hand by Serenity J Banks, so I downloaded it when I got home and will be reading it when I’ve finished the book I’m on right now. I’ve been thinking about doing some reviews so watch this space…

Joe Hill, author of Heart Shaped Box and Horns, also came along. I was able to have a brief chat with him (cheekily asking if he might be in the UK in February… watch this space too!). What a great guy, he is just so easy to talk to and passionate about his work.

I also caught up with the lovely Robert Shearman, writer for Doctor Who and fellow Exeter graduate. We had a really relaxed chat, and plan to meet again soon to talk some more.

Paul Kane and Marie O’Regan, organisers of FantasyCon made me feel most welcome too so I’m now really looking forward to going, knowing that I will be meeting new friends when I get there.

Finally, I got to meet Craig Lockley. I came across him on the Musicbrick site a good couple of years ago. He noticed that I’d mentioned my fantasy writing and told me he is heavily involved with the BFS, organising all the reviews for their publications (and trust me, there’s a lot of them, their readers are a busy lot!). Anyway, we became friends on facebook and twitter and have been in touch ever since so meeting at last was brilliant. The icing on the cake was that he also put me in touch with his brother Steve Lockley who has his own blog and I will be guest blogging there on 22nd July. Of course, I will add a link here!

So all in all, it was a great night. All these things aside, it was a fabulous venue with great food, beer and atmosphere and everyone seemed to be having fun. Thanks to Martin Roberts for organising it!

If you’ve ever thought about going along to an Open Night but weren’t sure, trust me, you’ll love it. Hopefully the London ones will become a regular thing, hope to see you at one of them.