It was Neil's own decision that we not announce he was attending in advance (he flew in from Moscow especially for the event). This was because he did not want the convention to be overrun with specifically his fans, and it allowed him to enjoy the event on his own terms without spending all his time signing books. That said, he still ended up signing a lot of books and talking with a great many people, but he also managed to have a good time himself:
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"A few people complained that if they'd known I was going to be there they would have brought suitcases filled with my books, which I think might be very good reason for not telling people I was going to be there. I had a great time and actually met people I didn't know before the con, and caught up with old friends, neither of which normally happen at conventions. Hmm . . ." —NEIL GAIMAN |
For those who bothered to read it, we did include a clue that he was attending in the Pocket Programme (see pp21-22). So far as we are aware, only one person noticed it.
Photo © 2010 Peter Coleborn
Interviewer Neil Gaiman and Special GoH James Herbert |
ARTIST GUESTS OF HONOUR
Photo © 2010 Peter Coleborn
Artist GoH Les Edwards in the Art Show |
Photo © 2010 Peter Coleborn
Artist GoH Dave Carson in the Art Show |
BRAM STOKER AWARDS BANQUET
Again, overall, the response to the Banquet meal was very positive. Most people seemed to love the fish and chips, but we must apologise to those who had the vegetarian meal: it was not of the standard and quantity we had gone to some trouble to previously sample and approve. This was because on the night—despite everyone having pre-ordered their food so that it could be freshly cooked by the kitchen—more than twice as many people who had actually reserved the vegetarian option claimed they had, which forced the restaurant to spread the available food amongst everyone who demanded it. It should also be pointed out that although the HWA generously supplied free bottles of wine to every table, some diners decided to order further bottles and stick the convention with the bill for them.
Photo © 2010 Peter Coleborn
The Bram Stoker Awards Banquet |
Photo © 2010 Peter Coleborn
Award winners Norman Prentiss, Michael Knost, Brian Lumley, Tanith Lee, Hank Schwaeble, Lisa Morton, Ray Russell and James Herbert |
All photography copyright © Peter Coleborn. All rights reserved. If you want to use any of these photographs in print or electronic media please contact: peter@coleborn.co.uk