Phoenix Convention

For one reason or another (i.e. exhaustion and the day-job) I have not managed to prepare a Phoenix Convention VI report, but I am sending this newsletter with some Guest news and to confirm the details of Phoenix Convention 7.

In relation to Phoenix Convention VI, the reports from Members and Guests seem to be positive and everyone was expressing their desire to attend Phoenix Convention 7 in March 2010. (Note the use of the numeral “7” instead of the Roman “VII”. I think “7” is such a lovely looking number in this form, that I intend using. All comments on a postcard to...)

On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank all our Guests who made the event very entertaining and memorable for everyone; and to thank the Members for turning up in such numbers and being so supportive. I hope to see you all again in March 2010, if not sooner.

That being said, read on...

Guest News

Ken MacLeod

Congratulations to Ken MacLeod on winning the 2008 BSFA Best Novel Award for “Night Sessions”. A well deserved win. I can recommend the book whole heartedly.

Leah Moore & John Reppion

On Saturday, 18th April, at 3:00 pm, John Reppion and Leah Moore, will be presenting on, “Dracula: from novel to comic book”.

The event will take place in The Gallery of Writers, Dublin Writers' Museum, 18 Parnell Square, Dublin 1, Ireland (http://www.writersmuseum.com/)

Admission free to talk (€7.50 to Museum) Booking not required.

This is part of the Dublin – One City, One Book – Dracula events in April 2009 (http://onecityonebook.wordpress.com/)

Brian J. Showers

Also as part of the Dublin – One City, One Book events, the Irish Film Institute Bram Stoker's Dracula on Screen programme, will take place this weekend, 17-19 April 2009, in the Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

A panel of experts chaired by Brian J. Showers will discuss the following topics:

1. Sexuality / romance in Vampire films

2. The perception of Dracula in films

3. Vampire mythology in cinema

Admission is free, but the event is ticketed. More details, including booking arrangements, are available on the attached pdf file.

Phoenix Convention 7

It is early days yet in the preparation of Phoenix Convention 7. The details that can be confirmed at this stage are:

When? March, 5^th, 6^th & 7^th, 2010

Where? Central Hotel, Exchequer Street Dublin

How much? Full membership €30.00

Student Membership €15.00

Supporting Membership €10:00

All prices will be reviewed after October, 2009

Who?

Guest of Honour

Iain M. Banks

Other Guests

Chaz Brenchley

Eugene Byrne

Michael Carroll

Paul Cornell

Raven Dane

Chris Dolley

Derek Gunn

Colin Harvey

Ian McDonald

Oisín McGann

Maura McHugh

Juliet E. McKenna

Ken MacLeod

Leah Moore

Cheryl Morgan

C.E.Murphy

Kim Newman

Peadar Ó Guilín

John Reppion

Brian J. Showers

Colin Smythe

Charlie Stross

John Vaughan

Steve Westcott

(All guests have accepted invitations to attend on the proviso that work, or some other unforeseen circumstance does not intervene to prevent their doing so.)

Website

The website still has the Phoenix Convention VI details, but will be updated in the near future. If you wish to join the convention you can use the PayPal facilities currently on the website.

I will be in touch in about one month’s time with further Guest and Convention news.

Until then, Bye!

Regards,

Peter