David A. Riley's Blog, page 136

BFS Journal - Prism

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The BFS Journal is the title for the new hardback quarterly publication from the BFS which will include Dark Horizons, New Horizons and Prism. It was hoped that the first issue would be out for Christmas but unfortunately it won't be ready now from the printers till early in the New Year. As a result I am posting out to all new members who should have received this a copy of the September issue of Prism as a form of apology, together with a letter explaining what has happened.

I think members will like the new publication. It will certainly look impressive and is substantial in size. I just hope that it works out financially compatible with the society's income. I don't know what the printing costs are yet, nor how much it will cost to post, but these are the vital figures. Time will tell.

In the meantime a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to make sure that a schedule is worked out, together with coordinated formatting work on what we, the editors of the three publications that make up the new Journal, send in, to make sure things flow smoothly and future issues come out like clockwork. An ambitious plan, but one which we can succeed with if we all pull together.

FantasyCon 2011 - Brighton

We're still deciding whether to book for next year's FantasyCon or not. It's in the same venue as this year's World Horror Convention, which was okay, but it's about as far as we'd like to travel for a convention in this country. And the hotel, though it looks majestic enough in photographs, is a bit rundown. How having a FantasyCon so far south will affect membership, I don't know. I have heard that some people won't be going because of the distance involved and the time it would take them to get there. That doesn't bother us too much. We'll drive there as usual. And, after having travelled across Europe regularly to stay at our place in Bulgaria, driving to Brighton is no great deal. That's not even as far as Dover for the ferry!

In the end, I think we'll probably be going.  Though we'll have to make sure we book before the end of the year, when the rates go up.



John Ajvide Lindqvist is one of the Guests of Honour. Author of Let the Right One In, I would be interested to see him there. I haven't read the book yet, though I bought a copy recently, but the original film adaptation was brilliant and I'm looking foward to seeing the English language version, Let Me In, as soon as it's out on DVD. (I missed it at the cinema)

A link to the FantasyCon 2011 is here.

Mind you, if we do go and if there's another fish and chip banquet on the pier - no way, this time. That was one of the worst fish and chip meals I've ever had. And the costliest.

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

I went to an audition for this play by Bertolt Brecht on Monday night with the Oswaldtwistle Players at the Civic Theatre across the road in Oswaldtwistle. I was phoned tonight by the play's director, Chris Knight, who told me that I've got the part of Sheet, a shipyard owner - plus a number of small parts later in the play after my main character is bumped off. Rehearsals start in January.

This will be the second time I've had a part in an Ossy Players production. I had one several years ago in MacBeth Did It, when I played a millionaire drunk who ends up with the witches' couldron on his head, wandering about the stage (and sometimes nearly falling off it).

The play will run from April 6th to the 9th next year.

BFS Open Night - Manchester

I braved the ice and fog to drive to the BFS Open Night at the Lass O'Gowrie in Manchester last night - and I'm glad I did. It was an enjoyable, very informal gathering, and I had some really interesting conversations, especially with Peter Coleborn, Paul Finch, and Simon Bestwick. Bought a copy of Paul's new novelette Sparrowhawk - a Christmas ghost story. Paul told of some oif his experiences in the police years ago, including some grisly autopsy stories! Simon was his usual hilarious self.

David Howe has posted photographs that he and Sam Stone took on the BFS Forum. For those who have registered for the site this is a link to them.

David did a great job at arranging this and I'm glad it was such a great suceess, especially considering the weather.

Alice - The Musical

Last night's performance was the best yet, with an enthusiastic audience and some brilliant performances from the young cast.

There are some new photos here.

BFS Open Night - Manchester, Sunday 5th December

The BFS will be holding its first open night in the North West this Sunday at the Lass O'Gowrie, 36 Charles Street, M1 7DB. Situated between Princess Street and Oxford Road, and not too far from the Oxford Road Rail Station and a bit further to the Piccadilly Station.

I'm looking forward to this. So far I understand there'll be David Howe, newly elected BFS chairman, plus writers Paul Finch and Simon Bestwick.The Open Night starts at 6 p.m.

There are some details about it on the BFS site: link

Prism - December 2010

Was emailed a pdf of the new BFS Journal, which is now a hardbound book incorporating Dark Horizons, New Horizons and Prism.

This is a copy of the outside covers:

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It will be interesting to see how this goes down with members, though I expect most will be happy enough with the changes. Having got used to doing the layout myself for Prism for the past three issues I do miss not having that kind of control anymore. There are numerous things I would have done differently, from the size and positioning of various photos, to the use of single and double columns and the choice of font for the headings. Personally, I would prefer it if the three periodicals included in the journal were layed out by their own editors, as in the past, which would give each section its own distinctive identity.

Alice - The Musical - Opening Night

Last night, despite the ice and snow, was opening night for Alice - The Musical and, thankfully, it went well. All the cast turned up and, though the previous night's dress rehearsal had its occasional problems, opening night went as smooth as it could have been, with an appreciative audience.

Then back home to catch up on the latest Dexter and The Walking Dead!

Alice - The Musical

It's the dress rehearsal tonight. The show starts tomorrow, running through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, with a matinee on Saturday.

I've been "volunteered" to act as prompt, which is something I've done once before and swore never to do again. So much for never. Ha ha.

Linden will be in one of the dressing rooms, helping the girls into their costumes. there are some quick changes during the performance.

Linden and I were both up till three in the morning Saturday night. I was making a three and a half foot tall mushroom while Linden was doing a caterpillar costume. Then Sunday afternoon till early evening we were both across the road at the Civic Arts Centre for the technical rehearsal.

Anyway, fingers crossed but everything seems to be going okay so far.

Cassie's husband, Allan, is a professional light and sound engineer and is in charge of those aspects of it. So there are no worries there. Luckily he will be available throughout the show - he travels all over the place with his job. Not long ago he was in Albania!

One of our other daughters, Christy, is involved too as assistant director. As a schoolteacher by profession she's great at helping with discipline - and has a great sense of humour. Our son, Dharamn, has helped out too, providing various things, and his girlfriend Leesa has volunteered to help backstage in the dressing rooms too. Lots of family support!

If anyone would like to order tickets, they should use this link to React Academy.

Malicious Deviance

This is a banner that's been provided for this anthology, in which my story They Pissed on My Sofa will appear.