September Newsletter: UPDATE!

I have to admit, the temptation to title this update Captain’s Log: Supplementary was strong, but I somehow resisted. Various things have come to light, which I wanted to bring to your attention now, rather than wait the statutory month to send out.

British Fantasy Society Awards

I got a note from Simon Clark, who said:

Simon is an old mate, and I’m delighted to see him win this, especially as he beat Neil Gaiman, who just won the Hugo for American Gods.

To sum up, the Best Novel Award, also known as the August Derleth Fantasy Award, went to Simon Clark for The Night of the Triffids (which is published by Hodder & Stoughton) and the Best Short Fiction Award also went to Simon Clark for Goblin City Lights which appeared in Urban Gothic: Lacuna and Other Trips.

DMZ One Day Event

Those indefatigable folk over at DMZ, who organised the highly successful CARITAS event in July are starting up their season of one-day events, the first of which will be in Wynn’s Hotel in Abbey Street in Dublin 1 on Sunday the 17th of November from 10AM to about 7PM or so. They’ll be showing season premieres of Buffy, Angel and Smallville. I’m not sure of admission charges, but you could have a look at the DMZ website.

Third Place Expands

Those of you who know The 3rd Place, a specialist sci-fi merchandise shop in Crow Street in Dublin’s Temple Bar area, will be glad to hear that they are finally to expand the shop’s business downwards, into the shop’s ample basement. This will be used for RPGs, CCGs and DVDs. (That would be, for the uninitiated, Role Playing Games, Customisable Card Games, and Digital Video Discs…) The DVDs are both region 1 & 2, I’m told. There will also be a permanent sale section. The basement should be opening this weekend (Saturday 28th), all going well.

Slovo Books

Slovo Books is my own website, where I intend to pursue various pet projects, from a tribute to Cathal Ó Sándair, who was the only author to successfully write SF in Irish, to my own family tree. It will also, and more importantly in this context, be the home for the archive of this newsletter, as well as the various other NLs I wrote at various times. There is still some work to be done, but you can go archive here. I am deeply indebted to Ian Sheppard, my Webmaster, for making this all look so lovely.

Octocon Update

I am told that, due to completely unforeseen circumstances, John Meaney will be unable to attend Octocon this year. He sends his regrets.

The Phantom Chancer

The Phantom Chancer is the superhero lead character in one of Roger Gregg’s radio plays, which broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 last Saturday, 21st September.

According to the script:

I’ll admit to some of these, but not all of them! I think, in fairness, that the character is based on bits of me, and bits of various other people, who know who they are... It was interesting watching all the heads turn to look at me during the broadcast, though, seeing as this was one of the ones done before a live audience.

You can hear in over the net at the RTÉ Radio 1 Crazy Dog Live! website in case you don’t believe me.

Bargains Abound

I got a note from Gerry Doyle, who says:

That’ll be in Dublin, I imagine, although Gerry is now living on the outskirts of Ireland’s technology town, Ennis. If you’ve any news, opinions, or hot tips, don’t be afraid to send them on to me. I thrive on gossip...

Regards,
Pàdraig Ó Méalóid