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Never quite sure where this sort of topic goes. I was looking for opinions as to what were the good SF and Fantasy conventions in the UK. In 2016 I was thinking of visiting a few, probably getting a table, selling some books
So I was looking for advice as to which conventions people think are worth visiting. After all if they're worth going to as a punter, there's a fair chance they're worth visiting as a trader :-)

Good question Jim, and I'd also be interested to know.
& while I don't have enough books out to justify an entire stand, I'd certainly be up for going halfsies or thirdsies or . . .

fractionsies?

It's not cheap to hire a stand - they want their pound of flesh, and you're in competition with geeks like myself trying to flog merchandise and miniature wargaming stuff.

It's dog eat dog at these places, Jim.

R.M.F wrote: "It's not cheap to hire a stand - they want their pound of flesh..."

I first read that they 'wanted their pound of FISH.' Need some caffeine.

I think Will Macmillan Jones did a bunch this or last year -- I vaguely recall him mentioning it.

Kath wrote: "fractionsies?"

For a limited subset. I probably wouldn't consider (say) forty-seven fifty-thirdsies

Alicia wrote: "R.M.F wrote: "It's not cheap to hire a stand - they want their pound of flesh..."

I first read that they 'wanted their pound of FISH.' Need some caffeine."

Was that at Fin-Con?

R.M.F wrote: "It's not cheap to hire a stand - they want their pound of flesh, and you're in competition with geeks like myself trying to flog merchandise and miniature wargaming stuff.

It's dog eat dog at the..."

Oh I know, some of the wargames shows charge a lot more than some of the fantasy conventions! And quite big fantasy conventions at that

Tim wrote: "Good question Jim, and I'd also be interested to know.
& while I don't have enough books out to justify an entire stand, I'd certainly be up for going halfsies or thirdsies or . . ."

I think it works better where there are a couple of people behind the stand. It's somebody to talk to, somebody to look after things when the other one nips to the loo, that sort of thing.
I'd be happy to share a stand

I've done a few of these, Jim, and they are great fun. Thing is, you have to commit to doing the cons for a ew years so that you start to get known there.

Some cons vet the applicants too, and look to see if you've been to - or they have seen you at - other places - before they let you have a table.

But you can't beat doing them for raising profile, but it's an expensive weekend...

Yes, that was one reason why I decided to ask people for advice and to see which ones people know.

I haven't been for many years apart from the Worldcon held here last year which was huge and impersonal. However, the main ones are Eastercon which I think is in Manchester next year and Novacon, which you've just missed.

There's a list here though it includes ones abroad - https://metaphysicalfantasy.wordpress.com/events/uk-conventions-and-festivals-scifi-fantasy-and-horror/

Doesn't include all the media cons for various TV genres/shows, there are probably still loads of those.

I'm gonna move this to agony aunt...

Sorry I can't help. I've never attended one.

I'd probably enjoy going to one, though.

Eastercon is usually very costly, which is why I haven't done it yet.

The cons run by The British Fantasy Society, Bristol Fantasy Society, Edge lit and Novacon are always very friendly and good starting places.

Yeah Novacon last year was great fun. And I have almost forgiven Will for the dastardly trick he played on me.

If they held one in Conwy it would be handy for Will. And it'd be Concon, which I rather like!

Didn't you do Novacon this year too, GL? (he asks, quickly changing the subject. And it was the barman's fault anyway, not mine.)

I couldn't make it, sadly, this year.

Blameshifter!!

And no, I didn't make it this year either.

Right I'll check things out
Any nice and northern?

Edge lit is Derby and Novacon is Nottingham. Next year Fantasycon will be Scarborough

Is there one in Ireland called Leprecon?

Rosemary (The Nosemanny) wrote: "Is there one in Ireland called Leprecon?"

That one is for lepers!

We had a ComicCon a few weeks ago, but i didn't feel up to dealing with the crowds..

I think there's one in Norwich but I'm not sure what it's like. I really enjoy doing events but a fantasy/sci-fi crowd would be much better for me than the Christmas Market I usually do... well... in theory.

Trouble is, they're all miles away and hard to get to for me. I'd be up for sharing a table at any that are up to a couple of hours from Bury St Eds if anyone's on though.

Cheers

MTM

I've looked at the Norwich con, but did wonder how many would attend... I still reckon you'd be better in Nottingham, Mary

I'm willing to attend any con as long as flights and board is paid.

And bacon. I'll supply my own candles.

I met a chap at the Christmas Fair who sells a lot of horror books up Lowestoft way. Apparently books are big on the Norfolk coast!

Having had grandparents in Lowestoft, I would believe that!

No offers of flights paid for yet.

Hmmmm

Way too many starving artists friends I have.

Well so far I've booked for Scarborough

Just been told that Mancunicon at easter is both fully booked and the waiting list is so long that there's no point joining...