The Cool Kids' Fantasy Club discussion

I went to Bristolcon yesterday. I say I went to the con, but for the last 5 or 6 years I have actually just been to barcon (i,e, the hotel bar in the hotel where the convention is run. Because I am much more interested in hanging out with book folk and having a few beers than I am in the stalls and panels.

Anyway, it's basically my only trip out each year (I have to look after my very disabled youngest daughter) and I cycle there, then get a taxi back.

Had a good time and finally met Facebook friend Alicia Wanstall-Burke who was launching her debut book Blood of Heirs.

Anyway, I had, as always, a great time chatting to like minded folk. So, come to barcon next year and say hi.

What conventions do you go to? What's the best bit?

Only been to very few, I've done Gollancz fest twice, and Octocon in Dublin.
I'll be at worldcon in Dublin next year which I'm looking forward to

This year's BristolCon was my very first con. It was fun . As you, I also prefer to actually hang out with people and talk with them than attending panels. I think I'll be there next year too. It was great to meet some online friends finally and getting positive feedbacks in person regarding my work as blogger and proofreader/editor-wanna-be.

Starting in Oct. 2019 I'll be all over the place. Big meeting in March to talk about where. So excited. But WorldCon 2020 is the one I'm looking forward to the most. New Zealand! Hobbiton!

Hobbiton is amazing!! We went there a few years ago and I was literally bouncing around the front seat of the car all the way there. Hubby was laughing at me. I was soooo excited. And you get to have a drink in the Green Dragon at the end of the tour. I love New Zealand 😍

Jacqueline wrote: "Hobbiton is amazing!! We went there a few years ago and I was literally bouncing around the front seat of the car all the way there. Hubby was laughing at me. I was soooo excited. And you get to ha..."
Yeah. I'll need to go a day early or stay a day after. It's 5 hours from the con. But there's no way in hell I'm not visiting Hobbiton. It's actually not too expensive to stay the night. Around $200.

It’s worth it. I really enjoyed New Zealand. It’s only a short hop for us from Australia which is good. I’m off to Italy next month. Should be fun too. No Cons though. Not for me anyway.

Never been to one. There’s not much around Newcastle in the North East for the Fantasy genre (unless you know different?). Crime is served well with Newcastle Noir and Hexham and Durham but other than that it’s Harrogate or Edinburgh and they’re not specific to SF/Fantasy

I went to loads a few years ago but haven't gone to any recently. I'm planning to change that next year! Worldcon in Dublin is definitely on the list.
I enjoy meeting people the most too. And discovering new books and authors.

I've been to quite a lot. Fantasy con last year and several previous years, Eastercon, particularly when it was in West London. World Fantasy Con 3 times and two World Cons. Meeting other writers is the best part, but more difficult for me now that I have artificial hearing which struggles in noisy environments.

My main convention is ICON in Cedar Rapids, IA. It's small but it's home (one mile from my house). Jim C. Hines is always pretty awesome as a toastmaster.

My secondary is Wiscon in Madison, WI. Again, sci-fi and fantasy but with a more feminist bent. I'll admit, I'm not the target audience there but I love listening and hearing about books that don't always show up on my social feed.

I keep swearing off cons, because I'm supposed to be getting some work done. And then somehow, I find I'm planning to attend one. This year I'll be at Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, as it's very close. I'm trying to build up the steam to go to Dublin for Worldcon, but I'm still on the fence about that. And I will probably do Jet City in Tacoma because it's small and there's lots of time to actually talk to people and I really like the people who organize it. And it's less than an hour from my house.

Marielle wrote: "I've only been to Bristol/Barcon and a few over in Holland... I love meeting up with friends I met online and meeting new people. I do go to panels and readings to support friends and authors and a..."

I'll see you at Barcon 2019!

Robin, I'm working as a volunteer for Dublin2019 and you would be massively welcomed here. No pressure though. I have a free sofa that week 😉
I'm looking forward to having such a great convention near to home, and it's fascinating working on.

The Worldcons really run on the backs of the volunteers, so thank you for being there. I'm still not sure I'll make it, but those who attend will appreciate you! In the past, I've volunteered hours in the kids and the teen areas. James Bacon made it a lot of fun, and I was stunned by the things he attempts with small children! Pouring 'lead' figurines! And he had a blood spatter expert come in for an educational chat with teens at one worldcon. So if anyone is thinking of attending with kids or teens, be assured there are always wonderful things for them to do.

Good to Know. I may bring my 6 year old for one of the days.
Volunteering is great, it really gets you in with the local scifi /fantasy community and turns a weekend event into a year long oddysey.

Are these book conventions worth going to?

I too will be going to New Zealand 2020. Went to Helsinki WorldCon and it was a blast. Just being with fellow Book Lovers is worth it. If you do go to a WorldCon be sure to go to the Art show early. I am still kicking myself for missing out on one lithograph of a piece I really liked. I even put in a bid for the original art but the price went beyond my budget.

Only been to a few, but meeting authors and fellow fans has been a very positive experience for me.

Does anyone know of some imminent fantasy conventions or group meetings in England?

Will.J.R. wrote: "Does anyone know of some imminent fantasy conventions or group meetings in England?"

Eastercon is in Birmingham this year https://www.concentric2020.uk/

Martin wrote: "Will.J.R. wrote: "Does anyone know of some imminent fantasy conventions or group meetings in England?"

Eastercon is in Birmingham this year https://www.concentric2020.uk/"

Thank you!