World Horror Convention 2010: Retrospective

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Graham Masterton

"I hope you are beginning to recover from Brighton Shock! Wiescka and I wanted to thank you for a great opportunity to meet some old friends and acquaintances we hadn't seen in years, but mostly for your impeccable hospitality and terrific organisation."
—GRAHAM MASTERTON

"You and your co-wonder-workers did an amazing job. Thank you so much. I had a memorable weekend!"
—ANGEL LEIGH MCCOY

"Just wanted to say again, congratulations on a brilliant WHC last week. It was a truly fantastic convention, and I hope you feel that the two years of hard work that you put into its organisation was well worth it—I think everyone who was there certainly did!"
—MARK MORRIS

Hank Schwaeble, Lisa Morton and Ray Russell

"Was it the best World Horror Convention ever? Well, I haven't been to all of them (in fact, I think this was only the fifth one I've attended), but it was pretty spectacular. Here's my blog on WHC, complete with photos: cinriter.livejournal.com/190923.html"
—LISA MORTON

"I wonder if I'll ever go to a better convention? Pat yourselves and all of your collaborators on the back. It was superb down to the last detail. As well as being non-stop excitement and enjoyment, I think it really signified and accelerated a sea change in the UK genre's fortunes. A real moment for horror. I think you guys made publishing take us all more seriously too, and that is no easy thing to do. Done a personal highlights over at: adamlgnevill.blogspot.com/2010/03/tribe-of-horror.html. Looking forward to your next one..."
—ADAM NEVILL

Kim Newman and Neil Gaiman

"It was a terrific conference, and you deserve all the plaudits you will get. The hotel staff couldn't have been more helpful as far as I was concerned. They even got me an old whisky bottle as one of my props. It was a splendid occasion with so many highlights it would impossible to enumerate them all. In addition to current stars like James Herbert, Neil Gaiman, Ramsey Campbell to name but three, it was great to meet some of The Pan Book of Horror veterans like Basil Copper. Superbly and generously organised by Amanda, Steve and Mike. Finally Brighton with its blend of stylish elegance and raffish theatricality was the ideal venue."
—REGGIE OLIVER

Vincent Chong, Paul Kane and Marie O'Regan

"I just wanted to say thank you for asking us to be a part of WHC; we had a blast, and people seem to have had a great time from what's cropping up on Facebook etc. ;-) Thank you for all the hard work you've put in organising the event, it really showed in how well everything ran and how much was there for the attendees."
—MARIE O'REGAN

"Just a quick note to say a great big thank you for WHC 2010. I had a brilliant time and it was a joy to meet so many of my literary heroes.

Randy Broecker and Allen Koszowski

The programming was exceptional, though some choices were very difficult due to the overall quality and relevance to my interests of all the available options. My only disappointment was regarding the Kaffeklatsches—Peter Crowther had seven members attend and for Brian Lumley only four, which I found sad and disrespectful. I'm sure the fact that these events were free allowed certain individuals to skip the sessions they had booked. Perhaps in future a refundable deposit might be a possible option to ensure that only people who are motivated to attend book places? Thanks again for all your hard work—be assured it was appreciated and incredible value. My first convention too, and certainly not the last."
—PAUL O'ROURKE

"Just to thank you for all the great work you did around WHC. I really enjoyed it and my sessions, great fun."
—DAVID PIRIE

"Thank you all very much, it was a brilliant con and I had a great time. Lovely people, nice hotel, too many events I wanted to go to! Wish I could got to Austin, but unless I win the lottery . . . will have to be content with FantasyCon.
—MARION PITMAN

"Thank you for looking after me so well at WHC.

Special Media Guest Ingrid Pitt

I feel such a wimp. I really would have loved to have been there for the whole show but Tonio, who likes to keep me in check, ordained that all I was to do was arrive, give a limp-wristed wave, smile piteously and exit mournfully left. Without everyone being so supportive, helpful and downright wonderful that would have been the extent of my day out. As it is, from the moment I arrived until I wobbled off, I felt wonderful. I was even able to thwart the effort to keep me off the Q & A panel. Whether that was a clever move or not I can only leave to you. So, once again, thank you everybody."
—INGRID PITT
"PS: The big shades I was wearing is because I have become blind in one eye and have to protect the good 'en. (Just in case you thought I was a bit OTT.)"

Norman Prentiss

"I know I'm late with my praise, but it's taken me a while to process the incredible events and opportunities you (and many others!) put together for horror fans and authors in Brighton. When I was living in St. Louis many years ago, the local restaurant reviewer complained about a new chain because (I'm paraphrasing), "the portions were so large that they didn't fit on the plate." I still think about how churlish this statement was: how can you complain when people give you TOO MUCH? I'd never complain like that. Even so, my only regret about WHC Brighton is that I can't revisit the same convention again, attending different sessions or events that I missed during my one time through. This was a great convention with a wealth of choices, and it's amazing that you were able to co-ordinate so many elements. I know this type of parallel programming isn't easy, and stuff inevitably goes wrong—but from my perspective as an attendee, everything ran like clockwork. Bravo!

Norman Prentiss and Michael Knost

As for the hotel, the public areas were great in their maze-like elegance; the rooms were as described on the website; and the overall location of the convention was terrific. I'm so glad the committee chose Brighton, since I don't know if I'd ever have gone there otherwise, and I really loved the city (and especially loved reading about it afterwards in Michael Marshall Smith's fantastic The Servants). And I don't know how any convention could ever top that huge goodie bag. Sooo many books, including a signed edition from PS of Ramsey Campbell's brilliant The Grin of the Dark, and the biggest and most impressive convention program I've ever seen: both a generous tribute to the guests of honour AND an incredible new Stephen Jones anthology. So, thanks again to all of you for all your hard work. I really had a fantastic time."
—NORMAN PRENTISS

"Just a quick note to say how much we both enjoyed World Horror. The organisation of the event was second to none and everyone I spoke to was impressed with the way things were run."
—JOHN LLEWELLYN PROBERT

"Thanks for organising an excellent convention. I'm sure you're all muttering, 'Never again,' but not really meaning it."
—NICHOLAS ROYLE

Bob Eggleton

Sarah Pinborough and Michael Marshall Smith

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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