Horror and Handshakes

Witchcraft, Book Signings and BFS Chat

Saturday 25th October 2014 was a fantastic way to start the run up to this year's Samhain celebrations in London. The British Museum currently has a small but perfectly formed art exhibition - Witches and Wicked Bodies - in Room 90, where I spent an hour or so studying the artwork and making notes. With etchings, lithographs, mezzotints, pen and ink and paintings from artists such as Albrecht Dürer and his contemporaries in the 15th century the exhibition takes you right through to 20th century with depictions of witches, demons, and dark, dark beings on display from the likes of Fuseli, Goya, Barry, Delacroix, Odilon Redon, Aubrey Beardsley, Henry Keen and more.

Highly recommended. Find out more about Witches and Wicked Bodies...

Hallowe'en Horror Signing - Forbidden Planet

After the exhibition, and a cheeky French lunch I toddled off to the Hallowe'en Horror Signing event at Shaftesbury Avenue's incredible Forbidden Planet.

There, I met up with the wonderful and inspiring Jan Edwards from Alchemy Press and Theresa Derwin of KnightWatch Press and had brief chats with Simon Marshall-Jones of Spectral Press and Gary McMahon. 

I only bought three books as the budget was cruel despite my desire to stroke and acquire practically everything in sight. So, I chose The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror - 25th Anniversary Edition which was kindly signed by Ramsey Campbell, Kim Newman, Stephen Volk, Thana Niveau, Reggie Oliver, Lynda Rucker, Robert Shearman and the mighty editor Stephen Jones.

I also bought Kim's An English Ghost Story which he signed, and Mark Morris's The Wolves of London - also signed. Can't wait to get my teeth into these.

British Fantasy Society Open Day

Just down the road, The Bloomsbury Tavern was hosting the British Fantasy Society Open Day where I met up and chatted with Jan, Theresa, Peter Coleborn, Mike Chinn, the dashing Tim Dry, the absolutely gorgeously lovely Barbie Wilde, Adrian Cole, John Gilbert and Dean M Drinkel. 

Barbie, Tim, Dean and I - all together in time for Western Legends Publishing launch of PHOBOPHOBIAS on 31st October!

I stole away at around 7pm, on my husband's arm and we swept into London's heaving streets in search of food. We ended up, as always, at a Spaghetti House then ran to Victoria. I fell asleep on the train home with a big smile on my face and was tucked up in bed before midnight.

News

Oh, and I have some exciting news! Hopefully I'll be able to reveal more on that soon.

FantasyCon 2012

...begins in Brighton this Friday, 28th September!

I'm going along on the Saturday again. Last year I just listened and lingered, stroked limited edition, beautifully-bound books, sat next to Ramsey Campbell and lined up for a series of signings. I also briefly chatted to Gary McMahon and Stephen Jones.

This year I hope to do the same but am looking forward to meeting up with an editor and saying hello to Simon Marshall-Jones of the wonderful Spectral Press as well as Sarah Pinborough and a whole other pile of  amazingly talented authors. 

Not only that - Mr Prediction himself, Phil Ambler will be meeting me and hubby at the bar for a natter and a glass or two.

Tim Lebbon is Master of Ceremonies and special guests include Mark Gatiss, Mary Danby, Joe R. Lansdale and... James Herbert!

Very excited, nervous - and can't wait.

More at http://www.fantasycon2012.org