Back from NewCon 4 today - congratulations to everyone involved in a pretty great little convention - Iain Banks, Ken MacLeod, Paul Cornell and Storm Constantine were excellent gohs and Iain Banks in particular seemed in fine form. Add to that an unscheduled, brief but very gracious appearance from Northampton’s most famous son, Alan Moore (who seemed genuinely amazed that there were other people interested in science fiction living in or willing to visit Northampton - though having spent a little time in the town, I think I understand what he means, no offence to any Cobblers out there) plus some good debate, cider, three very different bands on Saturday evening, a BSFA birthday cake (very tasty) and lots of familiar faces (and a chance to put some faces to familiar names - Hello Geoff Nelder!) and the even really exceeded my expectations.

One highlight was when Paul Cornell played excerpts from his forthcoming Radio 4 adaptation of “The State of the Art” - with very funny “live reviewing” from Banks himself.  The adaptation sounds like it could be excellent - from what we heard, it sound’s like Cornell’s captured the essence of Banks’s story. My only concern was how much of the warbling BBC-Radiophonic-Workshop-style electronic music I’m going to be able to take. It seemed to be constantly burbling in the background.

Paul Cornell raised an interesting point. What voice do you imagine the AI ships in Banks’s books use when they speak? The adaptation uses Anthony Sher - who sounds very good - but Cornell reckoned most people imagine Stephen Fry when they read the book.  Oddly I think I’d always imagined the ships spoke with one of those slightly posher Scottish accents from around the east coast/Edinburgh - like a cross between Ian Richardson (”You might say that, but I couldn’t possibly comment) when calm, edging towards The Proclaimers when making an emphatic point.

All in all, it was a very good con.

Not perfect, though.

Despite having my entry shortlisted for the Orbiter short story competition (prize, inclusion in Ian Whate’s new Newcon Press anthology Subterfuge - launched last night) I didn’t win - so that Ian Watson is going on my shortlist for people who’ll be up against the wall early in the aftermath of the revolution. Congratulations to the winner, Nick Wood, I read his story and [though pains me to say it, it honestly does] it really is very good - very atmospheric.

Consolation came when, after making the announcement, Ian Whates asked if he could have my entry for his next anthology - Conflict - due for release next year.  Of course I played it cool, holding out for a bigger slice of the action - especially when he told me some of the names already lined up to appear next to mine (I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you) - but in the end I relented.

Actually the conversation might have went something like:

Ian: ” I liked your story, can I have it for Conflict?”
Me: “Seriously?”
Ian: “Yes.”
Me: “Really?”
Ian: “Yes”
Me: “Are you sure?”
Ian: “Yes!”
Me: “Shit! Yeah! Woohoo!”

So that cheered me up.

The only serious problem with the Con was the accoustics in the Fishmarket venue - my suggestion would be to have the panel sessions at future cons at the end of one of the legs of the “L” shaped venue (where the dealers tables were this time would probably be best) - then at least the sound from the other activities of the con would only be coming from one direction. As it was, with the panels sandwiched between bar and dealers, the speakers were always competing against both. At least if the panels were at one end, one of their “opponents” would be taken out of the equation.

Sadly the Park Inn Hotel was a bit tiresome. I found the staff unhelpful, the bed was fiendishly uncomfortable and my room might most politely be described as “distressed” - peeling paint, shabby wallpaper, mouldy bathroom and loud music that went on long after Reception had said it was due to finish. They’re supposed to be renovating the hotel, which would be good as it was fantastically convenient for the convention’s venue but I hope that the changes include soundproofing!

Nevertheless, despite these minor gripes (I mean, it’s not like I spent any time in the hotel) Newcon4 was a definite hit. Well don Ian Whates and everyone else involved.