FANTASYCON 2009

FantasyCon was hosted by the BFS (British Fantasy Society) last week end at the Britannia Hotel, Nottingham.

Unfortunately David and I couldn't be there the whole weekend, so we arrived on Saturday and set up the Telos Publishing table in the dealers room for a few hours. Telos was selling just three lines this time and that was Taboo Breakers (Calum Waddell), Silver Scream 1 (Steven Warren Hill) and It Lives Again (Axelle Carolyn).

Terry Martin, my publisher at The House of Murky Depths was on a table opposite and so we utilised both tables to promote my books at well. With the Sam Stone Banner behind the Telos Table where I sat with David. Murky Depths had their most successful weekend to date, with booksales and subscriptions reaching record levels.

Soon after we arrived we had to go to our panel, 'Dead Good, or Just Dead', which was in the main room. The other panellist were David Howe (Moderating), Steve Erikson (Fantasy Writer Malazan Series), Me, Adam Neville (Erotic Fiction Editor for Excited Books) and Raven Dane, (Author of the Dark Kind Series). The panel kicked off with an exploration of the current vampire phenomenon, discussing the success of Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse Mysteries - and TV Series True Blood), Laurell K Hamilton (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter) and of course Stephanie Meyer (Twilight). The idea behind the panel was to discuss what makes Vampire fiction so successful and was this recent upsurge in book sales going to peak. Interesting views were given from all concerned with some fascinating observations on the publishing industry from Adam and what sells.

Following the panel, a variety of different people came to see me and bought copies of Killing Kiss and Futile Flame. We sold out of all of the first editon of Killing Kiss and this has now gone to re-print. Second editions are now available shortly and can be placed at the Murky Depths website.

Saturday afternoon was spent in the dealers room meeting people and networking. But at 3pm I had to go and meet with Ian Whates, editor of NewCon Press, to talk sign the inserts for the limited edition hardback copy of The Bitten Word, which is being launched next year at World Horror Con. At this point I sat chatting with the endearing horror author Simon Clark, a true gentleman. We put the world to rights - having tremendous fun talking about writing and the editing process while we scribbled our names on the sheets.

Later that afternoon, I met the charismatic and approachable Gail Z Martin ; author of The Chronicles of the Necromancer Fantasy series, whose short fiction will also feature in The Bitten Word. Gail said that it is unusual for her to write short stories, she's predominately a novellist like me. I'm looking forward to spending more time with her at WHC2010 next year.

The afternoon led to Stephen Jones' Mammoth Book of Horror Launch and a re-issue of his Mammoth Book of Werewolves (which sadly sold out before I could snaffle one!!).

In the evening David and I went out with Terry for a curry but when we returned to the hotel, we sat in the bar all evening and chatted to some great people. Thanks to Steve Lockley who was a mine of information about the Welsh Writers' Database Academi on which I am now included.

Congratulations to the BFS Team for once again creating a fantastic weekend. It was extremely well organised and there was a lovely welcoming atmosphere all weekend.

Short and brief I know... but much more to follow along with the few photo's we managed to snap that weekend.

The Bitten Word!

NewCon Press are producing a new anthology which includes a story by yours truly as well as some very well known contributors.

The Bitten Word is a collection of vampire stories by some of the top names in horror writing today.

Contributors in alphabetical order are:
Kelley Armstrong
Chaz Brenchley
Simon Clark
Storm Constantine
Jon Courtenay Grimwood
Andrew Hook
John Kaiine
Nancy Kilpatrick
Tanith Lee
Gail Z Martin
Gary McMahon
Donna Scott
Sarah Singleton
Kari Sperring
Sam Stone
Freda Warrington
Ian Whates

There is also a bonus story by Ian Watson!

This will be launched at World Horror Con in Brighton in 2010.

NewCon will not only be publishing this exceptional collection in paperback, but there will also be a limited editon hardback as well. All the hardbacks will be numbered and signed by the contributors.

Look out for my story, 'Fool's Gold' in The Bitten Word next year!

Further updates to follow ...

In Manchester This Weekend!

Hi All,

An impromptu opportunity arose this week which means I will be at a Golden Orbit event.

This takes place at Sachas Hotel, Tib Street, Manchester. 12-4.30pm.

If you want to join me there, you'll find me at the Murky Depths stand. Copies of Killing Kiss and Futile Flame will be available to purchase as well as the much acclaimed quarterly magazine Murky Depths.

Hope to see you this weekend.

Sam xxx

Signing Successes!

BORDERS AND WATERSTONES SIGNINGS

On 4th July saw David, Terry and I were at Borders, Oxford Street, London.

I arrived to a fabulous welcome from the events manager Mark and I found I had a table on the first floor right in front of the escalators. It was a very good spot. Borders is a massive store; there were thousands of people milling around that day.

We stayed a few hours and sold some books and then later on left a stock of signed copies to be put out on the shelves.

A few days later Mark told me that the stock had almost sold out! So that was a brilliant result.

Waterstones

Last weekend we were in Waterstones in Bury, Lancashire and this was a really surprising venue.

The bookstore is situated in the Union Arcade Mall, in the centre of the relatively small town of Bury. Bury itself has all of the high street shops but it is nevertheless on a very small scale.

Bury is a local venue for me because I lived in the area for most of my life. I did expect some people to turn up to the signing that I knew but nothing could prepare me for the waiting queue when I arrived. Several people said they had heard about the book. One was a teacher from a local high school, who told me that he'd heard his students talking about me and the books and had incidently come across the advertising to say I'd be there. Others told me that friends and relatives had read the first one and had recommended it.

It was terrific to talk to so many charming and interesting people.

We were time tabled in at Waterstones for only an hour but ended up staying a little longer because of the interest.The sales exceeded our expectations. And Waterstones was pleased too. Just before we left the Assistant Manager told me that she thought it was a very successful signing and that it 'had been better than most'. She also invited me to come back when we launch Book 3 - which I most certainly will, because the staff made us feel extremely welcome.

I've always know Bury to be full of lovely people and it was nice to go home and feel so warmly received again.

Here's a selection of other pictures from the event.

London Launch

Futile Flame Launch

As you know we launched Futile Flame Book 2 of The Vampire Gene Series on Friday 3rd of July. The event was extremely well attended.

At the start of the evening David and I arrived early at The George, Fleet Street, London and were given access to the venue's private room immediately. Terry Martin the MD of The House of Murky Depths had yet to arrive and I was all jittery and nervous, because I hadn't even seen a hard copy of the book yet.

Writing a novel in many ways is like giving birth; there is a lot of pain and agony involved in the process but for all the months of stress, you produce a baby that you love. Like all mothers I wanted to see my offspring for the first time, and also I hoped fervently that it was liked and even loved by others as well. So, I was pleased when a rather stressed Terry arrived (he'd been stuck in peak-time traffic in London centre) and boy did he need a long drink!

The books were brought up and displayed and immediately I scrutinised a copy, gulping down a large glass of white wine in a state of nervous agitation. Lots of worries were in my mind. Will anyone attend? Will we sell any copies? Will the critics like the second book, or will they think I've peaked too early on the first? It's quite a dilemma.

Suddenly people began to pour in. Some I knew and had hoped would attend, but lots of faces I didn't know. Several people came over, examined the book and stopped by to talk to me.

The event was hosted by the British Fantasy Society (BFS) and was being held with a Torchwood Writers' panel. So I ask a few of the new faces, have you come for the Torchwood Event and they said 'No, we came to see you!' I was completely bowled over.

More people arrived. David made an announcement and explained a little about the books and the event followed by Martin Roberts from the BFS, then it was over to me to say a few words about the books. Finally Terry expressed his pleasure in the new book and then there was a rush of sales. Luckily I'd brought a great red pen with me and I wrote personalised messages for everyone who asked.

The evening progressed with the arrival of some of my friends from the Doctor Who circuit, who I regularly see at the London Tavisode or spent time with at Gallifrey in LA in February. As well as David and I's lovely friend Ellie who brought along some other friends. Celebrity appearances involved writers such as Robert Shearman, Simon Messingham, Suzanne Barbieri, Adam Nevil (and watch out for him because he's just signed an amazing book deal with Pan Macmillan).

Within the Torchwood celebs were Andrew Cartmel, Mark Morris, Joe Lidster, Sarah Pinborough and Guy Adams.

Here's a selection of other pictures from the night.



Overall, I think my editor, Terry Martin, was extremely pleased with the launch sales and so the launch of Futile Flame had a very positive start.

Katie & Peter Stateside

Ok. I admit it. Sometimes I can't help watching car crash TV.

Last night I couldn't resist the urge to watch Peter Andre and Katie Price (Jordan)battle it out in their stateside show. And what a disaster it is. In fairness to Peter he comes over as a really nice, caring and genuine man. He's struggling to make a sufficient musical comeback, and from what I heard of his new album he will have every opportunity to do so; it's brilliant! The music was heartfelt, evocative and very, very appealing.

But Katie - oh my. A self-confessed negative person. She would drive me completely crazy if I was married to her. She constantly puts Peter down, she's rude, she's cold and she has not even a drop of humour in her entire (skinny to the point of anorexia) body.

Why did he put up with it we ask ourselves? Perhaps it is because he really loved her - as he said; or maybe poor Peter is a masochist. We may never understand this fascination with such an abusive, controlling personality.

But who cares.

The 'whys' and 'wherefores' don't really matter. What matters is that this kind of television show, AKA 'Celebrity reality' is undeniably fascinating for a lot of people. And why? Because we're human and we can't help enjoying other people's misery. Whether it is because you relate it to your own failing relationships or whether you cringe and say, 'thank God, my life is nothing like that.' The average person can feel superior. One thing's for sure this lifestyle is so far removed from the 'norm' we can't really identify with it.

Katie Price is famous for being famous and having a very big (fake) chest. We know this - so what? One thing we mustn't ever do though is under-estimate her. Ms Price is a hard-headed business woman and she doesn't care who gets burnt in her endless attraction to publicity. Couple that with her obviously fake emotions for all around her and you have a ... As one person put it on my Facebook page 'her eyes are like a corpse' - that equates to 'dead' to me.

There are too many differences between Katie and Peter to ever make their relationship work. The first is that Katie only thinks of her own happiness. When dealing with her son, Harvey, Katie often stated her wishes above his. 'Mummy is walking away... Mummy is leaving ... Mummy needs a kiss' It was all about her. And the emotion she displayed was zilch ...

Andre in opposition to this addresses Harvey's needs. 'Bye Harvey ... see you Harvey ... By using Harvey's name, Peter was not making himself the important person. - It wasn't about Andre - it was about Harvey. Unlike his mother who only thinks of herself.

Furthermore, Peter had an evening of friends, family and important people listening to his new album - do you think Jordan played the supportive wife? Hell no. Predictably she whined about being tired,showed only an emotionless interest in his music and promptly fell asleep as he was talking.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned - but this isn't love to me.

Book Sales through the roof!

Hi All,

Thanks so much for your support! The first edition of Killing Kiss is almost sold out and the publishing house has informed me they are going to do a second edition run.

Pre-orders for Futile Flame have exceeded expectations.

Don't forget that if you want a signed copy then I'll be at Borders, Oxford Street, London on 4th July 2009 from 12pm. And also at Waterstones, Bury, Lancashire on 11th July at 2.30 to 3.30pm.

Or if you want to take this last opportunity to obtain a first edition copy of either book - place your order now at Murky Depths! You can even request that it's signed and personalised to you!

Otherwise - I'll see you at the book store.

Sam x