WriterCon UK

Mini meet up?

2024-12-03T14:52:10Z

*taps mic*

Ahem - is anyone still reading this comm?

If you are, would you like to meet up in London and go on a mini meet-up? Before we started to organise the larger Coventry WriterconUK events we did some smaller get-togethers at interesting places in London, followed by lunch somewhere reasonable.

To give you an idea of what we could do, we went to Highgate Cemetery one year, the London Aquarium (now known as Sea Life) another year, and the British Museum too.

If anyone would be interested in something like that in 2025 I'm happy to organise it and book a venue for lunch afterwards. There are so many places for free in London, and even if they aren't we can get entry ticket discounts if we are a reasonably sized group.

Let me know!

One of our Writercon regulars has had a book published!

2021-11-07T14:32:17Z

I do hope that all is well with you and your loved ones.

I thought you might be interested to hear that one of our Writercon regulars, lilachigh, has had a book published -- planned as the first of a series of ten! -- which is available for pre-order at Amazon. The book is called 'The Cousins of Pemberley: Cassandra' and it's published under lilachigh's real name. lilachigh says: "Actual publication date is 23rd December, but you are allowed to order the e-book now. Just type in the title in Amazon Books and it appears. I am beyond excited!"

Here's the blurb from Amazon's website:

Many years have passed since the dramatic events of Pride and Prejudice. In The Cousins of Pemberley series we follow a new generation of heroines - cousins with lives as different and interesting as those enjoyed by their mothers.

Cassandra: Cassandra Wickham, daughter of a flirt and a scoundrel, an innocent abroad in a world where money can buy you anything, even a bride.

When danger threatens and the man she thought she could rely on fails her, there is only one place she can turn to for help - Pemberley. Surely the Darcys will protect her, no matter what happened in the past to divide the two families?

lilachigh's own post about it can be seen here.

...

As for Writercon itself, I'm thinking that, assuming this new sort of stick-your-fingers-in-your-ears-and-pretend-it's-all-back-to-normal normality is still operating early next year, we should start in February/March with a blank slate, decide whether we want to try holding an event in Coventry or, perhaps, doing it online instead, and take it from there?

Writercon UK 2020 -- confirmation of cancellation

2020-07-27T19:20:00Z

First, I apologise for not having posted this sooner.

A few weeks ago, the committee took the decision to cancel this year's Writercon event. We are now tentatively planning to hold an event on the same weekend next year, 6th - 8th August 2021, but nothing is yet confirmed, and we can make firmer plans, discuss dates and decide other details early next year, when we should have a clearer picture of what is possible.

I hope that everyone is staying safe and is in good spirits, and making the difficult transition from Lockdown to whatever this is!

Happy Birthday

2019-12-11T15:17:29Z

Happy Birthday

Have a wonderful day

X

Writercon UK 2019!

2019-09-13T11:30:34Z

I’m sitting in the bar at the Ramada hotel, waiting for everyone to arrive. The projector’s set up and we’re ready to go!

Getting to the Ramada by car

2019-09-07T14:00:17Z

lilachigh asked me about the route to the hotel round the back streets to avoid the dreaded Inner Ring Road. Just in case anyone else is driving and doesn't know the trick, here it is:

From the M1 - take M45, which becomes the A45. Stay on that road till you reach the roundabout in Coventry next to a big BP garage. Turn right here, by a big car showroom. You are now on the Leamington Road,

Follow this road to the end, then bear right at the traffic lights but join the left lane. A couple of hundred yards further on there is a large Victorian mock-Tudor school on the left. Turn left just before it, onto Spencer Avenue.

At the end of Spencer Avenue turn right onto Albany Road. Continue downhill until you go under the railway bridge.

Take the next right onto Bedford St (elderly terraced houses), then at the end, turn left onto Gordon St.

At the end of that street the Ramada is directly ahead of you, so turn right to get to the car park.

If you are relying on a SatNav and feel this is too complicated, put "Albany Road, Earlsdon" or CV5 6JU in, which will get you to the road leading to the way round the back.

Hope this helps!

Just over a week to go...

2019-09-05T22:22:24Z

Some details!

The Lebanese restaurant. A table for 13 has been booked for 8.00 on Friday night :-)

Programme Here is this year's programme, with a craft session, talks and discussions:

Saturday Lunchtime. Because we're fewer in number than usual, the hotel is happy for us to choose lunch from the regular menus, so there will be a very wide choice.

The Buffet. We've agreed on the following menu at £25.00 per person:

Starters/Salad
Curried Cauliflower Soup with Onion Cream on the side allergens: dairy
Salad Station with Mixed Leaves, Peppers, Red Onion, Pomegranate
Meat & Cheese Board with Ham, Peppered Pastrami, Salami, Cheese, Tapenade allergens: dairy

Mains
Chicken Breast with a separate Arrabiatta Sauce allergens: none
Tilapia Fillets with a separate sauce of Sautee Leeks, Fennel & Mustard allergens: dairy, mustard
Courgette and Mushroom Strogonoff (v) allergens: dairy, mustard
Roasted Mediterranean Veg
Roast Potatoes

Desserts
Chocolate Torte allergens: dairy, trace of nuts
Mixed Fruit Eton Mess allergens: dairy
Fresh Fruit Salad (with no apple)

There will also be wine and soft drinks provided.

Cocktails. Since most/all of us cancelled our Saturday night cocktail last year, this year we've arranged just two cocktail sessions, on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, and this is the menu:

Alcoholic Cocktails - £7.50 each
Mojito
Bacardi, mint leaves, lime, Sugar, soda water

Margarita
Tequila Blanco, Grand Marnier, lime

Sunrise
Cherry Brandy, Orange juice, cranberry juice

Aperol Spritz
Aperol, prosecco, soda water

Sicilian sunset
Absolut vodka, passionfruit syrup, grenadine, lime

Non-alcoholic Mocktails - £5.50 each
Virgin Mojito
Mint Leaves, Lime, Soda, Sugar

Orange & Lime Relaxer
Lime, Orange, Lemonade

Shirly Temple
Lemonade, Grenadine

Raffle. One of the highlights of the weekend is the free raffle, which we hold on the Sunday morning as part of our AGM. Everybody gets to choose a prize, and sometimes, thanks to the generosity of their fellow attendees, everybody gets to choose two!

In the past, we've had books, dvds, stationery, action figures and other fandom toys, wine, chocolates, offers of original artwork (including custom-made story banners), and beautiful knitted items, all donated by our generous attendees.

So, when you pack your suitcase, please don't forget to bring one or two items for the raffle!

Travel immoral_crow has pointed out that 13-15 September is welcome weekend for Coventry University so please be aware that the roads may be extra busy.

Checkout The hotel has asked me to remind everyone that checkout on Sunday is at 11 am.

Friday Night trip to the Lebanese Restaurant

2019-08-27T12:20:14Z

For the past few years, most of us have been going to the Aqua Lebanese restaurant (which is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel) on the Friday night. The food is delicious and we have a lot of fun.

Please comment on this post if you'd like to eat at the restaurant, and I will book a table.

Hotel Bookings

2019-08-11T14:31:32Z

Just to save everyone else some time don't call to book your hotel room at the weekend. I just spent 20 mins getting transferred around until they eventually told me that they couldn't take a booking for an event and that I'd have to call back during the week when the dedicated reservations team is in (only from 9-4 so don't try calling after work either).

Writercon UK 2019 is going ahead!

2019-08-08T21:31:32Z

Technically, we are still two people short but, thanks to a generous offer of support, should it be needed, from Pixie, and another person, and with the surplus we have built up over the years, we have decided we can go ahead.

If you've already signed up but have not yet paid your membership fee, bogwitch will be chasing you, and if you're still thinking about joining us, there is lots of room!

Also, our contact at the Ramada has asked me to advise you to book your accommodation as soon as possible, because rooms are going fast.

A Quick Reminder

2019-08-07T21:59:23Z

As Treasurer, can I just remind everyone that has not paid yet (or made an arrangement to), that we will starting to pay for things soon and we will need your memberships paid in order for the event to go ahead.

If you are unsure of how you can pay, or if you have any other query related to the membership please just let me know or check the sign up page here.

Also, you can still sign up here! Come on, you know you want to!

Writercon UK 2019 -- Another reminder!!

2019-08-01T18:13:54Z

We have fourteen people signed up so far but we need TWO more before 10 August so that we can contact the hotel and confirm that we are going ahead*, so if you are planning to come to Writercon UK 2019 (details below), please sign up NOW!!

This year's meeting will take place on Friday 13th September to Sunday 15th September at Ramada Hotel, The Butts, Coventry, CV1 3GG. The Membership Cost is £49 (to cover room hire, wine, goody bags, and a small contribution towards the craft materials).

* If we cancel on 10 August, we'll have to pay a token cancellation fee but anyone who has already paid their membership fee will be refunded in full. If we leave it any later, we'll have to pay whopping £300+, so we are being strict about this deadline!!

Once we have 16 people we are good to go but, obviously, the more the merrier!

WRITERCON UK 2019 -- REMINDER!!

2019-06-26T08:46:05Z

Hi everybody -- another reminder: this year's meet-up will take place on Friday 13th September to Sunday 15th September at Ramada Hotel, The Butts, Coventry, CV1 3GG. The Membership Cost is £49 (to cover room hire, wine, goody bag, and a small contribution towards the craft materials).

We already have nine people signed up, but we need at least 16 people before 10 August for the event to go ahead, so please sign up here as soon as you can -- you can pay nearer the time if it's more convenient.

The sooner you sign up and we know your current fandoms, the easier it will be to organise talks, the craft project, the quiz and the goody bags, so expect to be chased :-)

Writercon UK 2019 -- Reminder!!

2019-05-21T09:26:36Z

Don't forget: this year's meet-up will take place on Friday 13th September to Sunday 15th September at Ramada Hotel, The Butts, Coventry, CV1 3GG. The Membership Cost is £49 (to cover room hire, wine, goody bag, and a small contribution towards the craft materials).

We need at least 16 people to sign up before 10 August for the event to go ahead, so please sign up here as soon as you can -- you can pay nearer the time if it's more convenient.

The sooner you sign up and we know your current fandoms, the easier it will be to organise talks, the craft project, the quiz and the goody bags, so expect to see more reminders :-)

Writercon UK 2019 Sign-up Post!!

2019-04-15T12:57:17Z

For those who prefer to use Dreamwidth, there is also a sign-up post here.

Dates:
Friday 13th September to Sunday 15th September

Venue:
Ramada Hotel, The Butts, Coventry, CV1 3GG

Membership Cost: £49.
This covers room hire, refreshments (including tea, coffee, biscuits and cake!) during breaks on Saturday and on Sunday morning, a private room for the Saturday evening buffet (but not the cost of the buffet itself, nor of other meals) and a GOODY BAG!

Programme:
Friday evening: Introductions, quiz, goody bags and socialising.
Saturday: A full day of talks, workshops and a craft session, followed by more socialising and the buffet.
Sunday morning: Fun, the AGM, the raffle, even more socialising... and goodbyes :-(

Accommodation:
Members are responsible for booking their own accommodation. We have arranged a special rate, so do mention that you're attending the Writercon event. The price is £70 per night for a single room and £80 for a double, and includes a breakfast buffet (where you can choose anything from a full English breakfast to fruit and yogurt). Car parking is free as a special favour to us. The Ramada has asked us to point out that September is a particularly busy month, and once the rooms are gone they're gone, so please reserve your room early to avoid disappointment.

As usual, there will be optional alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, and an optional Friday evening trip to the Lebanese restaurant, Aqua.

...

Signing up

PLEASE SIGN UP BEFORE 10th AUGUST.

At £49 per person, we need 16 people to ensure that we can pay for the venue and refreshments (plus wine and goody bags). Should we have to cancel, the Ramada will charge us a cancellation fee, and if we leave it till less than 30 days before the event, it will more than wipe out Writercon UK's finances, so we have to have 16 people signed up before 10th August or Writercon UK 2019 cannot go ahead!

To sign up, please comment on this post by copying and pasting the template below and answering the questions. The comments are screened, and if we need to clarify anything, I'll contact you by PM.

Your answers are used to compile the quiz questions, choose the items for your goody bag, plan talks, workshops, and craft sessions, etc, and to select suitable menus for Saturday, so do, please, fill in the form and tell us your current fandoms and your dietary needs!

Your data -- username, real name, email address and PayPal account name -- will be used for the purpose of organising Writercon UK meetings only. It will be stored securely for two years, after which time it will be deleted, but you can ask to be removed from our mailing list and have your data deleted at any time.

Payment
You can register now, and pay later. Last call for payments will be five weeks before the event, but we'll remind you before that if you haven’t paid up!

This year we're using PayPal's 'Send money to friends and family' facility.

To send your payment,

Log in to your own PayPal Account.
On the menu at the top of the page, click Send & Request.
Enter the email address shown below and click Next.
Paypal displays a warning. Click Sending to a Friend or to Family.
Enter £49.00 and add your fandom name*, then scroll down and click Continue.

*Because your PayPal account name may be different from your fandom name and we need to know who's paid!
Click Send Money Now.
PayPal confirms your transaction. It's done!

If you have any problems making a payment, email bogwitch at bogwitch@livejournal.com.

...

tlanti and kazzy_cee will be recruiting speakers/workshop leaders shortly, and we'll remind you about raffle prizes nearer the time.

Finally - don't forget to pimp Writercon UK to all of your friends!

...

People signed up so far: (15)

bogwitch
enchantersnight
gillo
hils
hobbituk
immoral_crow
lilachigh
lonemagpie
ningloreth
• pixie barefoot
shapinglight
signe_chan
speakr2customrs
sweetheartwhale
tlanti

Writercon UK 2019 -- 13th-15th September!

2019-04-08T10:39:06Z

We had 11 responses to the poll, and a large majority voted for the second option, 13th-15th September, so we have booked the Ramada Hotel, Coventry for that weekend.

Look out for the sign-up post, which will be up shortly.

IMPORTANT Writercon UK 2019 DATES

2019-03-19T13:47:51Z

Hello everybody! It's that time of year again!

We have contacted the Ramada Hotel, Coventry, and, unfortunately, the date we agreed at the AGM -- 6th-8th September -- is already taken, but the weekends before and after are free. So, which date do you prefer? Please vote below.

View Poll: Writercon UK 2019 Dates Poll

In case you need to check, tlanti has sourced a calendar of conventions here.

Small Bear Pics.

2018-09-13T18:24:14Z

Bill asked for pics....

Here they are sharing a lolly from my goody bag -

And here is their new home -

Someone mentioned a costume database ...

2018-09-10T21:49:45Z

Who was it? And if you are here, or can remember, what was it called?

Another writerconuk weekend has been and gone...

2018-09-10T21:03:17Z

Each year the writerconuk weekend simply whizzes by! It's so nice to see folks who you only ever interact with online in person - I've only been going for 3 years, but it feels like I've known everyone forever. And this year there were newbies too, which was really nice. What's special is the way we all pick up from last year like it's been days, not months. It's a really friendly group and everyone is made welcome. Better still, it's not just for people who create art or write - people who just read or comment are also drawn into the fold and made to feel like they belong.

So, on with the details. Behind the cut to save scrolling...

I'd got everything ready on Thursday really, so my weekend started by putting the last bits in the case and loading the car first thing Friday morning. I had my breakfast (usual SW weetabix and fruit with yogurt) and then set off. I'm not good driving on motorways - no matter how fresh I am when I get onto it, within 10 minutes I am feeling drowsy - so I programmed the satnav on my phone to avoid them. Last year Waze took me right through Milton Keynes, so this year I went back to Google Maps. I like driving on the A and B roads - you get to see the countryside you are driving through, and it only adds an extra 20 to 30 minutes max onto the journey time. This year it was nearer 45 minutes owing to the need for a loo break. No services on the small roads! I ended up stopping at a pub near Woburn safari park which was very nice...

When I arrived at the hotel, others were already there so I took my stuff up to my room (situated very handily on the 2nd floor) and joined them in our very own section of the bar. So posh... I decided to make sensible choices where possible but otherwise was "off plan" for the weekend - and thoroughly enjoyed my bruschetta with ricotta cheese which I had as a late lunch.

We always start Friday nights with a quiz, and kazzy_cee did her usual brilliant job. My team didn't do too badly, considering they were carrying me as deadwood (I know very little about fandoms other than Buffy and Lucifer!) but of course, hils team won as usual. I think if they didn't, an apocalypse would be on its way, LOL....

After the quiz, most of us went to the Aqua Lebanese restaurant for dinner, which has become a tradition. The food is great, it's really reasonably priced and the staff are brilliant. And they cope with all of us paying individual bills...

For starter, I had grilled halloumi cheese with pepper (which is my latest obsession)

Then for main course, I had a mixed grill of chicken, lamb and a kafta kebab with salad and rice. Unlike the magic refilling plate of last year, this DID go down, but I still couldn't eat all the rice...

The food really was lovely - and as I said, really reasonably priced. I think my bill was around £20.

After dinner we finished off the evening with a cocktail - ok, mine was a virgin one without the alcohol (which I now view as empty calories) but it was really nice nevertheless, and looked just the same as the ones with alcohol in them!

Around 11 ish I took myself off to bed. End of Day 1!

I slept really well Friday night - the bed was super comfortable and I was asleep pretty much as soon as my head hit the pillow!

After a shower and a cup of tea from the complimentary supplies provided, I went down to breakfast. I love the breakfast at the Ramada - you can have anything you like. Pastries, toast, cereal or my favourite, the cooked English breakfast. I didn't have the fried eggs, because they are fried in oil not my usual fri light or spray of oil, but the scrambled eggs were well cooked and with the fat cut off of the bacon I was pretty much on plan!

The first talk was from kazzy_cee (who always comes up with interesting topics) and after a refreshment break, ningloreth talked to us about dialogue and encouraged several of us, including me, to read the books she used as examples (the one about the sheep will be with me from Amazon by the end of this week...)

We use the hotel restaurant for lunch, and as I'd had a big breakfast I just had the tomato and red pepper soup served with garlic bread. It was delicious and served in a cute little bowl with a lid (but I forgot to take a pic, soz!)

The afternoon session began with another session with kazzy_cee, who was talking about fandom and why we love them... It was very interesting, because some people have multiple fandoms and others only have the one so there was discussion about what makes you tip over from being a viewer to being an actual fan, and what that meant.

After the tea break it was time for the craft session. Last year we ran out of time, so I did a bit more preparatory work with the kits, so sods law, we finished a bit early... but everyone finished (or had it ready to be finished off when they got home) and they all seemed to enjoy themselves (*relieved*). One lesson learnt was that I need to make sure whatever we make is collapsible, as the tissue boxes were a bit bulky for those travelling on trains/planes!

I was really proud of all the wonderful finished products though - I felt like a proud mama looking at them all lined up...

After the craft session there was more cocktail having, and then we all had the last session of the day, which was hils and signe_chan talking about sporting fandoms. I was a bit surprised at the interaction between the hockey clubs and the fans - I'm pretty sure that doesn't much happen outside hockey, to be honest. All very illuminating, though!

Then it was time to change for dinner, at 8pm. The hotel really pulled the stops out this time - I could have eaten absolutely anything on the menu - and I had sweet potato soup with some bread, followed by a taster of the fish I'd never heard of (but was really tasty) and then chicken with the mediterranean roasted veggies, small roast new potatoes and a bit of the cauliflower risotto. I was very restrained with dessert - just fruit salad with a small spoonful of the eton mess to be sinful...

By then I was absolutely stuffed, so we retreated to the break out area and just chatted until time for bed. And again, I was out like a light...

I'm always a bit sad on the Sunday of the writerconuk weekend - it's all nearly over! I like to pack everything up before I go to breakfast on the last day anywhere, so I did that and then took the craft bags and stuff out to the car before heading back for breakfast. I had another big cooked breakfast, except this time they poached me 2 eggs beautifully, as I wouldn't be eating again until I got home later in the afternoon.

After breakfast, I checked out of my room and paid my bill and it was time for the final session.

This was a fun time with Charadary or Picharades, where we had to guess what fandom/character/film/book etc. I'm not normally a fan of actually doing the charades but couldn't seem to keep my mouth shut so ended up doing 3!!! It was a good laugh though, but sadly, had to come to an end and it was time for the AGM meeting.

The business part doesn't take very long - the Committee report on the year and hab318princess stood down as Treasurer after 3 years, passing on the baton to bogwitch, and ningloreth and tlanti and kazzy_cee agreed to stay on in their current roles. We all agreed to come back again next year, so 2019 is a go!

Then it was time for the raffle - everyone got around 3 prizes. Small confession. Remember my clock, that I didn't want to part with? I left it for the first round, but picked it when my number came up the second time! So everyone had a chance, but it is currently sitting in my craft room ticking away in an Elvish style...

After the AGM we all started to drift off - some to their cars, other to the bar to await the departure time to catch their trains. It was lovely to see everyone again, and sad that it was all over.

I went home on the A and B roads again, and got home just before 4pm, as they say, tired but happy.

Seriously, if anyone thinks it sounds like fun, IT IS! If you can come along you really should - we get a good rate for the hotel (including parking) and the fee to attend isn't huge. So, so worth it. Go on, you know you want to...

Home!

2018-09-10T17:32:13Z

We just got home about 5 minutes ago. Crossing was a bit lumpy, but fortunately Ben-my-Chree is not only stabilised side to side, but pretty well against a head on sea as well, so it was not too bad. Mind, you can always tell if it is a bit rough - the only thing eaten or drunk around us after we left port was fizzy water... and there was not a lot of conversation :)

It was lovely to see you all - and there is a room here if anyone fancies a holiday. (Sailings are usually smother than ours - and there are lots of flights - pity I am a flight-phobic.)

My fandom talk from this year's event

2018-09-10T14:29:33Z

You can find a .pdf file of my 2018 presentation on The Magic of Lighting here. You can see my notes for the presentation under each slide so should be able to get a flavour of the talk even if you weren't there.

I can't embed the video clips in the .pdf I had but here is the reference about how the face changes in different light.
The key lights clip from Bladerunner 2049 can be found here
The almost final slide clip which covers almost all the parts I highlighted in the talk can be found here.

Writercon write up.....

2018-09-10T14:14:21Z

My write up of the weekend can be found on my journal here (unlocked)....

Enjoy!

Now I need to see if I can post my talk.....

Making a tissue box

2018-09-08T15:21:41Z

What fun! Fandom tissues!!

Raffle!

2018-09-08T12:56:57Z

Look it all the gorgeous donated raffle prizes! Looking forward to the raffle tomorrow :)