Back in my early years of BFS membership, I naively volunteered to do a report on FantasyCon 1993 for the BFS Newsletter. Somehow I got conscripted onto the editorial team and seven years later I’m still here and still a part of the BFS family. So here are the edited highlights of that first report...
OK, so who decided to dig up the road? The only way I know to get from the A34 to the Pallasades car park and it was full of sand and bollards – funny how they reminded me of the average level of conversation at four am at last year’s FantasyCon. Can’t think why.
So there we were, arriving for yet another drinking session at Birmingham’s Midland Hotel – sorry, another year’s chance to listen to various panels discussing, er, whatever it was they were discussing. Not forgetting, of course, the opportunity to win one of those elusive Brian Lumley books in the amazing, unique, FantasyCon raffle. I mean, the raffle’s really what we all come for isn’t it? People travel from all over Europe for our raffle. Perhaps they don’t have them over there.
Plastic bags abounded, row upon row of freebies stacked behind the desk and clutched in the hot little paws of those newly conscripted into the BFS. You can tell the first-timers by the way they study their programme and cast anxious glances at the clock on the wall, wondering why the panel that was supposed to start ten minutes ago still shows no sign of convening. The rest of us know that the bar’s open, the books and bags will still be there tomorrow and what the hell – we’ve got all night, haven’t we?
A pound a pint and the bar staff certainly looked more relaxed this year. Perhaps they’d heard that George had every intention of staying awake all weekend. Which was more than could be said for others, who evidently found the stack of Andromeda goodie bags made a very comfortable mattress. Still it was a very tiring weekend, trying to keep up with all the free alcohol courtesy of the various publishing houses in attendance – yes, and Millennium, or at least a woman whose top had parted company with her leggings leaving plenty of space for Tad Williams’ hand – stood on a table this year too. Or was it a chair? But I’m jumping ahead already.
Back to Friday night. Was registration supposed to start at 6? Or was it 6.30? Did anyone know? Did anyone care? By the time the registration desk closed, Phil was already looking haggard and the bar was three deep with people who’d finally realised that this was FantasyCon, where the idea of anything ever starting on time is, well, a pure fantasy really. Friday night’s panel was well worth listening to – an entertaining chat between Pete Atkins and Stephen Jones about the relative merits of the ‘Hellraiser’ films amongst other things. I can think of no better way to spend the wee small hours.
Saturday morning dawned bright and early. Far too bright and much too early. It never ceases to amaze me how many people actually make it down to breakfast, never mind look disgustingly awake and cheerful. Following Dennis Etchison’s introduction, there were more panels throughout the day, including talks by both Peter James and our other guest of honour: Tad Williams. And let’s not forget the hilarious fly-on-the-wall view of Kim Newman’s new film company, discussing their latest blockbuster: ‘Dinosaur Man’ Or was it woman? Starring Sharon Stone. Or was it Jean Claude Van Damme? ‘The Fly’ meets ‘Jurassic Park’ and funnier than both.
And then, late into the evening, came the moment we’d all been waiting for: The Fantastic FantasyCon Raffle. With more than two thousand tickets sold this year (note the word sold – whatever did happen to the free one we were supposed to get on registration?), the prizes were mostly won by the French table. There was the usual much-coveted Peter James tie, a role-playing game, stacks of books and no Star Trek posters.
Highlight for many was the Michael Marshall Smith cabaret at the back – you had to be there! And after the raffle came the swap session, where those who had something attempted to bargain with those who had something else, much to the annoyance of those who had nothing at all, and those who had something that no-one else wanted.
I had a good weekend. I think most people did. It’s a chance to renew acquaintances with all those people you’ve managed to avoid for a whole year since the last time you embarrassed yourself. But seriously folks, the success of this year’s con was due largely to three people – Peter, Mike and Phil – whose hard work and unflagging humour made the weekend what it was.
What was it, exactly?This report from Debbie Bennett on Fantasycon 1993 first appeared in Prism, and then was reprinted in the Fantasycon 2000 Souvenir Magazine under the title "Remember 1993".
Copyright © Debbie Bennett, 1993