World Horror Convention 2010: Retrospective

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EXTRA COPIES OF THE SOUVENIR BOOK

For those who did not manage to pick up an extra copy of the trade hardcover Brighton Shock! souvenir book and deluxe slipcases for both convention hardcovers, Cold Tonnage Books may have a few copies for sale. Please enquire at andy@coldtonnage.co.uk.

And remember that PS Publishing will be issuing a strictly limited 100-copy traycased edition of the book, signed by most of the contributors. For more details about how to order this forthcoming very special edition, keep checking the PS website: www.pspublishing.co.uk

THANKS

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all the publishers, organisations and individuals who supported us with advertising, free books or hosted parties, especially Ash-Tree Press, ChiZine Publications, Constable & Robinson Publishing, Dark Arts Books, Edge SF&F Publishing, Heather Graham & Helen A. Rosburg (Medallion Press), Horror Writers Association, Mortbury Press, NewCon Press, Nightjar Press, Orion/Gollancz, Pendragon Press, PS Publishing/Stanza, Quercus, Screaming Dreams, Telos Publishing and Transworld; Benoit Jeannot, Nick Wright and the staff of the Royal Albion Hotel; Laura Hogbin, Agi Lajko and the staff of the Radisson Blu Hotel; Sarah-Jane Lennard and the staff on The Pier,

WHC 2010 Registration Desk

plus all our hard-working convention staff and helpers: Paula Grainger, Bill Breedlove, Johnny Mains, Dave Tompkins, Mandy Slater, Peter and Nicky Crowther, Robert T. Garcia, Alex Davis and the fabulous Red Shirts, Rodger Turner, Lisa Morton, Paul Kane, Marie O'Regan, Andy Richards, James Bacon and Martel Sardina.

And thanks to everybody who came along and helped to make World Horror Convention 2010 such a spectacular success. We couldn't have done it without you!

—Amanda, Steve & Mike
April, 2010

Michael Marshall Smith, Amanda Foubister and Stephen Jones

E-MAIL COMMENTS

Weston Ochse

"The convention struck me as a triumph of organisation, energy and sheer will-power over intractable complications. The hotel struck me as "wrong" from the start (not in a spooky way—just nothing quite seemed to be where it should be. We all kept getting pooled into odd groups in unlikely corners—the building had so obviously been clagged together, expanded, altered etc. that it didn't make any sense.) I'm glad to have stayed there—once—but to be honest, that first night in the oven-like room (the fans made little difference and were too noisy to let me sleep) put me out for the rest of the weekend—I never caught up with the sleep I missed and spent some of my best times outside the hotel. But it was amazing that so much was achieved in so short a time—just my luck that I didn't engage with it as fully as I would have liked. Needless to say, what I wanted as soon as I got home was to do it all over again only properly this time! I think you should feel very good about managing such a difficult feat of logistics—there was a genuine atmosphere of good will and excitement and general buzz. I think people will look back on it with immense affection—even the blips will become the stuff of legend."
—GAIL-NINA ANDERSON

"I've never seen so many happy people in one place before, discussing horror with such enthusiasm, and enjoyment. It was a great convention and will be talked about for years!"
—ALLYSON BIRD

"Just wanted to drop a quick note to thank you for all of your hard work and creating such a great WHC in Brighton this past week. Please also pass along my thanks to the other members of the team for the amazing effort and successful result."
—BILL BREEDLOVE

"I just wanted to send along my appreciation for inviting me to be part of the programming at the convention and to say that I had a marvellous time in Brighton. Thank you for hosting what I have been telling everyone is the best convention I've attended."
—S.G. BROWNE

"I've got just one complaint about World Horror in Brighton—it was too much of a feast.

Ramsey Campbell and Author GoH David Case

Too much to see that I wanted to see, too many old friends to meet again and new people I was delighted to meet, too much free drink (well, maybe that's impossible) at launches . . . I don't think I've ever attended so many events at a convention, but I would have watched even more if I hadn't been involved in some myself. Despite all this, I don't know when I've seen such a convention better organised, and I'm certainly not alone in that view. At the closing ceremony, which was packed to standing room, the organising committee—the first time I've ever seen this happen—was given a standing ovation. They earned it, believe me."
—RAMSEY CAMPBELL

Artist GoH Dave Carson

"Just taking this opportunity to quickly thank you for such a great Convention. We had a wonderful time. Best Convention ever."
—DAVE CARSON

"You people did an outstanding job. Thanks for all the hard work."
—BERT CHAMBERLIN

"I just wanted to thank you and everyone else for all the hard work you put in organising WHC 2010. I'd not been to a convention before, but if they're all as good as that one I intend to become a regular."
—FINN CLARKE

"Just emailing to say a huge thank you for such a wonderful weekend. As my first and certainly not my last World Horror Convention, I had an amazing experience, topped off with attending the Stokers."
—SARAH CLEARY

"I just wanted to thank you for giving me to opportunity to volunteer. You guys did a phenomenal job of organising the event."
—MARK DAKIN

Steve Rasnic Tem

"I was just getting in touch to say thanks to all of you—it was fantastic to be involved, and everyone came away from the event really buzzing! Thanks also for looking after all of us over the weekend—I've got no doubt that everyone would be happy to be involved in any future events or projects."
—ALEX DAVIS

"This was my first WHC and I'll never forget it—it was 'a bit mental' as we say over here, but I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a long, long time. I also met a fabulous bunch of people and made some great new friends. I expect you're exhausted but I wanted you to know that from my point of view, your fatigue is totally worth it! My sincere thanks to you for everything you've done."
—JOSEPH D'LACEY

"Steve Woodworth and I just wanted to let you know that all the WHC team were magnificent in Brighton! We enjoyed every moment of the conference. It takes so much hard work to make an event run as seamlessly as this one did. Thank you again for all your efforts. We really love Brighton, its history and its many colourful characters. And we were very satisfied with the accommodations at the Ramada Brighton. The room was comfortable, the breakfast delicious, and the staff very helpful. And we didn't mind the walk to the Albion—it gave us a chance to enjoy the brisk ocean breeze. We also loved the plentious goodie bags! Besides being the best conference, this was also the best selection of treats—Brighton Shock!, Brighton rock, and a truly outstanding array of books, including the Pocket Programme, hardbound no less. Wow. Needless to say I hope you all will be hosting another conference. Soon. :-) Thank you again for a wonderful time in beautiful Britain."
—KELLY DUNN

Artist GoH Les Edwards

"We had a great convention. Neither of us can remember one we enjoyed more. All of you worked so hard to make sure that everyone had a good time. I hope now that you can have some time to relax."
—VAL & LES EDWARDS

"Thank you for everything. My first convention, and it was a hugely positive experience."
—THOMAS EMSON

"The Constructing Horror Team thank you and the wonderful people who made the event such a joy. The Convention was a huge success and we had the great honour to interview many great storytellers. Thank you! Keep an eye on www.constructinghorror.com as we will post the progress of our documentary there in the future.
—STEVE ERICSSON

"That was one of the best conventions I've ever been to, and not just because I was MoC (although obviously that helped ;-) ). You guys worked your fingers off, and it showed. Seldom have I seen anything more professionally done. Now get some sleep!"
—JO FLETCHER

Ellen Datlow

Editor GoH Hugh Lamb

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

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