The Slab team are back from Bristol – full of cold, alas, but also enthusiasm for our upcoming projects.
There was a smaller turnout than usual this year. Between the proximity in the calendar of other events and the impact of terrible storms in the South West, numbers definitely seemed down.
Our book sales were okay, but we have come back with a few too. I have made a healthy start on Blood on the Motorway by Paul Stephenson, which is so far, so awesome. a good read for Spooky Season. There were times in the dealer’s room, where it felt like the Blitz spirit was required and we jollied each other along as absolutely everyone was in a panel. The bar was empty too!
Speaking of which, a very low bar was set for the wine in the Doubletree. Usually, you expect the house wine to be at least drinkable, and the more expensive wines on the menu to be delicious. When you are charging £17 a glass, to be serving something that whiffs of feet or pure ethanol is not on. Brave wine-drinkers among us tried as far up the menu as the Malbec, and every single drink was dog-rough.
The staff, however, were delightful. It’s not their fault that their wine-buyer clearly doesn’t have tastebuds. Take this abomination, raved about by The Times. Who bribed them? Or maybe 2017 was a less cheesy year? This photo was taken during the karaoke, which I think was my highlight of the con.
It was a pleasure to escape amid the torrential rain to the nearby Granary, in its iconic setting, where the food was delicious, and the pinot noir also. It’s also the location where Del Boy was filmed falling through the bar in Only Fools and Horses.
Great conversations were had with lots of folks, and future episodes of The Good Book Life were plotted.
I also had compliments on the panels I took part in: Self-publishing vs Trad publishing with Ben Jeapes, Chrissy Harrison, Steve McHugh and Rob Hayes, and styles of Writing in Science Fiction and Fantasy with Kevlin Henney, Jaine Fenn, Jonathan L. Howard and Ben Mears.
We have taken the plunge and booked back in for 2027, when the guests of honour will be Chris Baker, MR Carey and Jacey Bedford.
Oh, and just to finalise, after taking feedback, I have re-jigged our store. Do take a look!
