pornokitsch

Post-Script: SFX Weekender, Feb 2010

The interblogspacesnets are already filled with reviews of the first SFX Weekender, so I'll do my best to keep this concise. For our two cents on the lodging & general environment, check out Anne's notes (and photos) earlier.

The SFX Weekender is a promising event that could, and should, improve with time and practice. Ultimately, we had a fantastic time this past weekend: good intentions and great people overshadowed a few pesky flaws.

You can stop right there, or press on to find some lengthier rambling after the jump. All, of course, from the bookgeekish point of view.

SFX Weekender: The Other Side

In the days to come we will be posting all sorts of luscious details about our weekend away in Camber, Sussex.  (For example!  We met the author of Doctor Screw!)  For tonight, however, Pornokitsch is delighted to bring you a few photos of the non-geeky bits - or, in some cases, the less geeky bits - of the SFX Weekender.

Gail Carriger x Sartorial Excellence

The courageous Gail Carriger comes out and says what needs to be said. Folks, don't wear pajamas to conventions:

You are disrespecting the authors and presenters (if you're a fan) and the fans (if you're an author), not to mention all the other important individuals who have arranged for and attended the event (con organizers, editors, agents, producers, actors). Most importantly, you are shaming yourself and the SF/F industry as a whole. Yes you are. Suck. It. Up.

It isn't all vitriol and shame - she offers tips & links to snazzy, geeky fashion advice. We all don't have to look like Lord Akeldama, but, as she points out, there's still no excuse for an 'untended beard'.

Post-Script: Art Spiegelman @ Kansas City, 1996ish

Finding this image reminded me of an Art Spiegelman reading/signing in Kansas City, over a decade ago (yikes).

The occasion was UMKC's annual Cockefair Lecture. Given the lecture's history of getting big name speakers, the crowd consisted of Ladies Who Lunch and me (wide-eyed and clutching my sister's copy of Maus).

Spiegelman promptly shocked the bejeezus out of everyone by giving a fantastic, forty-five minute lecture about all the New Yorker covers he'd done that got banned. With illustrations. 

Upcoming Signings: Paul Hoffman & Jasper Fforde

Both Paul Hoffman & Jasper Fforde are coming to Forbidden Planet (London) next week. 

Hoffman's The Left Hand of God is the author's first fantasy novel, and has been highly lauded. He'll be at FP on Thursday, 14 January - 6 to 7 pm.

Jasper Fforde is a fantasy regular - Shades of Grey is the first book in his newest series. Done with fairy tales & literary silliness, his new series is set in a color-based dystopia (reminds me of Paranoia). He's dropping by FP on Monday, 18 January - 6 to 7 pm.

Post-script: Random Anecdote about Jane Yolen

In 2005, I went to WorldCon in Glasgow. It was my first major convention. My friends Arin and Rich, experienced at this sort of thing, calmly worked the room, whilst I bounced around like a stoat on speed. Great weekend.

In my typical way, I grossly over-prepared by bringing a few dozen 'essential' books for the key signings. But, never one to let an author go un-molested, I freely shopped for the other authors that were at the event.

One was Jane Yolen, whom I grew up reading - meaning my books were all in boxes in Kansas City, rather than in my greedy hands in London. 

Post-script: Howard Chaykin @ BICS, 3 October

The book: BICS isn't about books, but my American Flagg collection is stashed overseas. As a fallback, I had found a copy of Howard Chaykin's early Sword of Sorcery work (starring Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser). 

My subconscious, however, saved the day. Without thinking, I carried an Ace printing of Swords in the Mist with me to read on the train. It was still in my pocket, so I had Chaykin draw the Mouser inside the front cover of my favorite Fritz Leiber book.

[I realize that paragraph was utter gibberish to 98% of the world. Fortunately, I think Pornokitsch readers are drawn from the other 2%...]

BICS (Done that, too)

I've undoubtedly missed the boat on a timely review of the British International Comic Show (nee Birmingham International Comic Show). But it was a blast, and I'll be posting reviews of all the reading material that I picked up throughout next week.

Unlike last year, I did a better job packing - so I came back with two proper suitcases filled with loot, and not a thousand carrier bags. (Virgin Trains probably appreciates this as well).

After the jump, more bits on BICS and a rare picture of Birmingham looking pretty. 

Post-script: 10 Tips for Comic Book Signings

With the British International Comics Show on the horizon (see you there!), here are a few more tips - carefully gathered from the geek community. I got most of these from die-hard collectors, interviewed while they were standing in line at comic conventions (MCM and BICS). 

Although familiar with the conventions of book signings (pun intentioned), the different rules for comic book signings & artist sketches took me by surprise. 

More tips to share? Suggestions? Disagreements? Horror stories?

Pestilential Nuisances

As some day it may happen that a victim must be found,

I've got a little list — I've got a little list 

Of society offenders who might well be underground, 

And who never would be missed — who never would be missed! 

There's the pestilential nuisances who write for autographs — 

All people who have flabby hands and irritating laughs — 

All children who are up in dates, and floor you with 'em flat — 

All persons who in shaking hands, shake hands with you like that — 

And all third persons who on spoiling tête-á-têtes insist — 

They'd none of 'em be missed — they'd none of 'em be missed!

- W.S. Gilbert (The Mikado)