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Post by sleepyscholar on Aug 5, 2024 22:52:38 GMT
I almost never re-read my books. Is the reason the below? Would be understandable if so. You grew weary of having to read them a manifold of times during the editing process. So the idea of venturing yet another repetition is an unattractive one? Given the history of editing on FF books I'm touched that you think they were checked (editing should be done by someone else, anyway). But yes, this is basically the reason. I know the story too well so there isn't so much pleasure in rereading. The exception to that was Magehunter, in which I was surprised to find stories I didn't remember writing.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Aug 6, 2024 18:38:33 GMT
Is the reason the below? Would be understandable if so. You grew weary of having to read them a manifold of times during the editing process. So the idea of venturing yet another repetition is an unattractive one? Given the history of editing on FF books I'm touched that you think they were checked (editing should be done by someone else, anyway). But yes, this is basically the reason. I know the story too well so there isn't so much pleasure in rereading. The exception to that was Magehunter, in which I was surprised to find stories I didn't remember writing. Since we're talking about your books, may I ask whether in The Crimson Tide the idea of tactically returning through the double doors to have another go at the (otherwise doomed) quest was something that you intended? I know that you find getting bogged down in statistical details tedious but it does give the reader a much better chance of success.
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Post by sleepyscholar on Aug 7, 2024 2:47:10 GMT
Given the history of editing on FF books I'm touched that you think they were checked (editing should be done by someone else, anyway). But yes, this is basically the reason. I know the story too well so there isn't so much pleasure in rereading. The exception to that was Magehunter, in which I was surprised to find stories I didn't remember writing. Since we're talking about your books, may I ask whether in The Crimson Tide the idea of tactically returning through the double doors to have another go at the (otherwise doomed) quest was something that you intended? I know that you find getting bogged down in statistical details tedious but it does give the reader a much better chance of success. I don't remember the details, but it does sound like something intended. Wasn't there another example of connecting to the past to get another chance in Black Vein Prophecy? In my never-written Virtual Reality book, Red Dragon Pass, there was going to be a sequence where you got 'reincarnated' in 1920s China as a similar sort of 'second chance' mechanism, but this time in the future. I like to take the idea of 'having another go' (which of course is fundamental to FF) and make it into a story element. But it's sounding like I may have to do some revision on my books before FFF. I thought I was going to be saved from coming, as I lost my passport a couple of days ago (I'm in Perth at the moment). But the passport showed up, so I'm still coming. (Notice how I cleverly managed to bring the topic back to FFF after we went off track.)
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Post by CharlesX on Aug 26, 2024 15:37:56 GMT
Hi
I'm booking for FF5 but I don't know if there's any way we'd be able to meet-up; this is doubly difficult as I don't have a smartphone let alone What's App (meaning, in likelihood I'll miss out on any meet-up that is agreed upon ).
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Post by sleepyscholar on Aug 28, 2024 7:46:00 GMT
Hi
I'm booking for FF5 but I don't know if there's any way we'd be able to meet-up; this is doubly difficult as I don't have a smartphone let alone What's App (meaning, in likelihood I'll miss out on any meet-up that is agreed upon ). The simplest thing is to decide a time and a place (the bar?) and an agreed upon sign (a copy of David Mitchell's number9dream sitting on the table, for example: when I met Mitchell he told me he used to read FF books when he was young) so you know this bunch are the Fighting Fantazine bunch. The trickiest thing will be agreeing a time everyone wants to meet up. 10am F.I.S.T (wot? really?) 11am Dave & Jamie blather 12 McCaig Masterclass 1pm Graham Bottley and AFF 2pm Artist panel 3pm Mason & Williams blather 4pm Livingstone Deathtrap Dungeon My vote would be 10am. As far as I know, I'm the only person to have written F.I.S.T apart from Steve J, and it's not really an experience I want to revisit. I think Dave and Jamie are signing from 10:30 (funny how I know their time but not mine? Maybe I'm not doing it this time). Now I think of it, I guess a physical copy of Fighting Fantazine would be a better sign, but I'm not sure where mine are, and I don't fancy lugging them all the way to the UK. But if any of you have a copy?
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Post by CharlesX on Aug 28, 2024 8:24:44 GMT
Hi
I'm booking for FF5 but I don't know if there's any way we'd be able to meet-up; this is doubly difficult as I don't have a smartphone let alone What's App (meaning, in likelihood I'll miss out on any meet-up that is agreed upon ). My vote would be 10am. As far as I know, I'm the only person to have written F.I.S.T apart from Steve J, and it's not really an experience I want to revisit. I think Dave and Jamie are signing from 10:30 (funny how I know their time but not mine? Maybe I'm not doing it this time). As I'm 2.5 hours+ travel time to FF Fest I won't be able to make it until 10:30-11:00 so my vote would have to be against 10 a.m.. If there aren't big things going on in the evening that might be all right.
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Post by hallucination on Aug 28, 2024 8:33:58 GMT
There is a gap in the programme between the auction and the 'dark room'. Perhaps we meet in the bar at that time. As that is towards the end of the day, there’s nothing to stop us arranging an earlier meet-up on the fly (via whatsapp) and posting any plans made here too
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Post by sleepyscholar on Aug 28, 2024 8:34:37 GMT
My vote would be 10am. As far as I know, I'm the only person to have written F.I.S.T apart from Steve J, and it's not really an experience I want to revisit. I think Dave and Jamie are signing from 10:30 (funny how I know their time but not mine? Maybe I'm not doing it this time). As I'm 2.5 hours+ travel time to FF Fest I won't be able to make it until 10:30-11:00 so my vote would have to be against 10 a.m.. If there aren't big things going on in the evening that might be all right. Well I'm 16+ hours travel time away, but I'm making it! As for the evening, if last time was anything to go by, there's nothing going on then. But I think we get chucked out of the venue 5pm or so, which means 'the evening' isn't necessarily such a useful option. I guess there will be people having to head off home or those, like me, who are staying with someone and so have plans for the evening. Should we set up one of those quiz threads to decide a preferred time?
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Post by sleepyscholar on Aug 28, 2024 8:37:28 GMT
There is a gap in the programme between the auction and the 'dark room'. Perhaps we meet in the bar at that time. As that is towards the end of the day, there’s nothing to stop us arranging an earlier meet-up on the fly (via whatsapp) and posting any plans made here too The schedule I'm looking at doesn't have an auction mentioned. Prior to the Dark Room (if that's the DD thing with Sir Ian) I'll be a bit busy. But that may be a good time for a meet-up, I guess.
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Post by hallucination on Aug 28, 2024 8:39:02 GMT
This is the schedule I’m looking at: Attachments:
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Post by sleepyscholar on Aug 28, 2024 11:47:21 GMT
This is the schedule I’m looking at: Thanks for putting it up. I'm just on the schedule, so evidently they don't think it's worth telling me about any of that stuff. I note that I'm being set up for another 'Yes, but not for your signing' situation. I fear 6pm may be a bit too late for me, but you're right, there is a convenient hole there.
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Post by hallucination on Aug 28, 2024 12:20:22 GMT
You will at least have things from me to sign!
I can’t speak for others of course, but because it’s a jam-packed day I’m a bit reluctant to suggest (well, commit to) a time in advance, other than the post-auction gap. To me, it makes sense to wrangle a meet-up in the moment during down times. I don’t see a problem with posting it here too. Lurkers who show up will just have to out themselves as such ;-)
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Post by misomiso on Aug 28, 2024 19:51:22 GMT
Yes - similar to last time.
I'm on the whatsapp group.
Sleepyscholar nothing for you to sign this year as I got it last time!
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Wildy
Wanderer
Posts: 52
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by Wildy on Aug 28, 2024 22:24:47 GMT
I’m same as CharlesX more or less, landing at Heathrow at 9:00, hopefully transit is fast enough to the place even if I’ll miss the first events (and that’s if there’s no lateness). I wish I could arrive earlier but the only solution (beside a hotel) is a midnight flight and staying at Dublin Airport during the night/early morning. I now regret I didn’t picked this option first… Anyway, I’m bringing tons of books to sign, also saw that Andi Ewington is coming (so will bring my copy of freeway fighter comic). Speaking about Fighting Fantazine, might bring the White Dwarf 82 (sod off Brian Ansell) to get it signed as well, maybe! I wonder how people manage to get books signed and also attend the talks as they seem at the same time. Can’t wait to get the new book and see if there are any traders selling some old puffin books to complete my collection. I wouldn’t mind saying hi to some people (but I’m a bit shy). I also wouldn’t be able to stay longer (will miss the last events) as my return flight is at 7pm… Still, looking forward to this event for a year now especially after missing all the previous ones!
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Post by sleepyscholar on Sept 1, 2024 1:42:05 GMT
Yes - similar to last time. I'm on the whatsapp group. Sleepyscholar nothing for you to sign this year as I got it last time! You mean you don't have a copy of The Wailing World?I'm shocked. And stunned. Anyone would think you didn't read Japanese.
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Post by sleepyscholar on Sept 1, 2024 1:49:51 GMT
Anyway, I’m bringing tons of books to sign, also saw that Andi Ewington is coming (so will bring my copy of freeway fighter comic). Speaking about Fighting Fantazine, might bring the White Dwarf 82 (sod off Brian Ansell) to get it signed as well, maybe! Funnily enough I mentioned this in an email with Marco and Steve Williams. But you won't get the crucial signature, as it was really Ian Marsh's work and he absolutely won't be at FFF. My only contribution, as Ian's story goes, was suggesting 'Obbitses for that crucial but difficult 'o'.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Sept 1, 2024 15:37:52 GMT
I wonder how people manage to get books signed and also attend the talks as they seem at the same time. ... Still, looking forward to this event for a year now especially after missing all the previous ones! I hope you enjoy it! And some (obvious and probably unneeded advice from me) Make the most of the time you have - have a plan in advance otherwise you might miss crucial signings and talks. The day goes QUICK. And when you are getting your books signed , if you have anything you've always wondered about, ask the author there and then - no telling when you'll get another chance.
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Post by sleepyscholar on Sept 1, 2024 16:37:17 GMT
I wonder how people manage to get books signed and also attend the talks as they seem at the same time. ... Still, looking forward to this event for a year now especially after missing all the previous ones! I hope you enjoy it! And some (obvious and probably unneeded advice from me) Make the most of the time you have - have a plan in advance otherwise you might miss crucial signings and talks. The day goes QUICK. And when you are getting your books signed , if you have anything you've always wondered about, ask the author there and then - no telling when you'll get another chance. Good advice, though bear a thought for the people in the queue behind you. There may be time constraints. Marc and my signing last time went way overtime, but that isn't always possible. Dave Morris, for example, was saying that he and Jamie have their signing immediately before the panel they're on. And I would guess they'll leave after that panel. Last year I hung around in the bar, chatting to Peter D-E, who I hadn't seen since Games Workshop days, and James Wallis, so when someone popped up and said 'Is anyone here connected with Frank's APA (the music fanzine) we were able to say 'Yes, the founder and the current moderator'. But I don't remember seeing too many other authors in the bar on that occasion. Oh, and one more piece of advice: when you do ask an author a question, remember that the author has read the book less recently, and less thoroughly than you have, so may not be able to give you a satisfactory answer.
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Post by bloodbeasthandler on Sept 1, 2024 18:24:44 GMT
Good advice, though bear a thought for the people in the queue behind you. There may be time constraints. Good point. I meant to say 'ask the author something you've always wondered about...' rather than anything or everything.
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Post by sleepyscholar on Sept 2, 2024 1:33:21 GMT
I've just remembered Marco was with us, so it was 'Founder, current moderator, and provider of most of the covers'.
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Post by andrewwright on Sept 5, 2024 8:31:31 GMT
I'm not on the whatsapp group, but happy to meet up. Is there a nailed down time and location? When it's over (6pm+ ish, depending if you do the Dark Room or not), everyone goes to the Castle Inn across the road, went there with Jamie Thomson, Paul Gresty, Martin Noutch and others at FFF3 and had a really good time, and at FFF4 had a good chat with Tony Hough while the Scriptarium guys kept buying me pints (I think).
Last year me and Simon Barns were a bit too intimidated to approach the Mason/Gascoigne/Darvil-Evans table at the bar, but maybe less shy this year! :-) (Felt a bit guilty because way back in the late 90s/early00s Paul Mason very kindly mailed me colour photocopies of 3 Warlock magazines and Box of old Bones scenario to my grungy flat in Bangkok and I wanted to say thanks in person!)
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sylas
Baron
"Don't just adventure for treasure; treasure the adventure!"
Posts: 1,744
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy, Way of the Tiger
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Post by sylas on Sept 5, 2024 15:15:54 GMT
I will try to find you guys as well when I'm free. I'll be bringing a couple FF boardgame prototypes so it would be great to try them out.
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Post by Bifford on Sept 5, 2024 16:26:53 GMT
Hey all.
I will be attending my first Fighting Fantasy Fest on Saturday, both as a trader (White Hare Games & The Warlock Returns) and as a attendee. I hope to see you all there and welcome selfies (as long as you send me a copy with your name & handle so I know who you are!) and chit chat. Will I see you there?
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Sept 5, 2024 18:19:09 GMT
Just to check: is the WhatsApp group created for FF4 confirmed as the group for FF5? It has been renamed in a way that suggests so, but there hasn't been any activity on there recently – not even the friendly offers of pornography that we've all grown to love. As for meeting up, probably staking out a section of the bar area for forummers and then people coming and going when they can is the way to go. That and either announcing or asking what people look like. It's difficult not to be surprised that none of you look like werewolves, ghosts, demons and the like – at least so far. I feel strangely ambivalent about getting my books signed. With anything new I've no hesitation, so last time I got Shadow and Assassins signed by Ian, and Secrets and House of Hell (I'd just bought a Wizard copy of the latter) signed by Steve. But my tanned, desiccated copies of The Crimson Tide and The Keep of the Lich Lord have existed more or less unaltered since the early '90s – likewise Talisman and Samurai – and I'm not sure that they need to be changed now. I might just get the authors' signatures on the programme. And possibly a buttock. I wouldn’t mind saying hi to some people (but I’m a bit shy). I also wouldn’t be able to stay longer (will miss the last events) as my return flight is at 7pm… Still, looking forward to this event for a year now especially after missing all the previous ones! I sympathise with this. It's not often that I seek out large groups of strangers. But last time the atmsophere was quite relaxed and friendly. No one spontaneously attacked a shopkeeper with a sword or anything like that.
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Post by andrewwright on Sept 5, 2024 20:07:54 GMT
I will try to find you guys as well when I'm free. I'll be bringing a couple FF boardgame prototypes so it would be great to try them out. Just got a signed copy of The Dungeon on Blood Island from Sir Ian at the Barnes Bookshop signing this evening. Great to see you credited as a playtester on the copyright page! :-)
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Post by vastariner on Sept 5, 2024 23:09:15 GMT
I drove in and parked somewhere last time, but now I will be clobbered by the pleb tax, given I will be using fewer of the planet's resources by not buying a Tesla with a battery life shorter than Mungo but apparently that's evil. Am wondering if I park up at Slough and train it in. Any insider tips for that sort of thing?
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Post by andrewwright on Sept 6, 2024 4:56:42 GMT
I drove in and parked somewhere last time, but now I will be clobbered by the pleb tax, given I will be using fewer of the planet's resources by not buying a Tesla with a battery life shorter than Mungo but apparently that's evil. Am wondering if I park up at Slough and train it in. Any insider tips for that sort of thing? It's a 15 minute walk from either Ealing Broadway or South Ealing train stations. No idea about parking, sorry.
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Post by CharlesX on Sept 6, 2024 8:13:21 GMT
I have a number of questions about FF5 which you may or may not be able to answer, I have not been at FF Fests before.
I've heard Steve Jackson is ill with Parkinson's, presumably this means he will not make an appearance (not even via Zoom or something) let alone be signing? My event e-mail mentions Sir Ian and Iain McCaig will be doing book signatures. Will other FF names be doing so as well, whether more famous ones such as Jon Green, Dave Morris etc.? Would it be too cheeky to ask for a signature for a star author's non-FF works?
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Post by hallucination on Sept 6, 2024 8:21:37 GMT
I have a number of questions about FF5 which you may or may not be able to answer, I have not been at FF Fests before.
I've heard Steve Jackson is ill with Parkinson's, presumably this means he will not make an appearance (not even via Zoom or something) let alone be signing? My event e-mail mentions Sir Ian and Iain McCaig will be doing book signatures. Will other FF names be doing so as well, whether more famous ones such as Jon Green, Dave Morris etc.? Would it be too cheeky to ask for a signature for a star author's non-FF works?
Yeah, unfortunately Steve won’t be there. Yep: other authors (and artists too) will be doing signings - for names and times, see the schedule posted earlier in this thread. Unfortunately, sounds like Keith P Phillips is out.
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Wildy
Wanderer
Posts: 52
Favourite Gamebook Series: Fighting Fantasy
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Post by Wildy on Sept 6, 2024 9:35:49 GMT
I saw that Keith P. Phillips isn't coming in the end so that's one less opportunity for getting books signed/dedicated. I've actually made a small cheat sheet to select which books to bring to get it signed by which author at what time. My Stamp-Rally/Pokemon addiction is kicking in! In bold are the books that can be signed by multiple attendees. I haven't added all the extra books like Riddling Reaver and other roleplaying supplements (Example: Out of the Pit, Titan). 10:30-11:00 | Dave Morris | Jamie Thomson |
| The Keep of the Lich-Lord | Talisman of Death Sword of the Samurai The Keep of the Lich-Lord
| 11:00-11:30 | Malcolm Barter
| Tony Hough |
| The Forest of Doom | Spectral Stalkers Night Dragon Knights of Doom Bloodbones | 11:30-12:00 | Geraldine Cooke | Marc Gascoigne |
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| Battleblade Warrior | 13:00-15:00 | Sir Ian Livingstone | Iain McCaig |
| Too long to list! | City of Thieves Deathtrap Dungeon
Cover only: Forest of Doom Island of the Lizard King | 13:00-15:00 | Jonathan Green |
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| Spellbreaker Knights of Doom Curse of the Mummy Bloodbones Howl of the Werewolf Stormslayer Night of the Necromancer |
| 14:00-14:30 | Paul Mason | Steve Williams |
| Slaves of the Abyss Black Vein Prophecy The Crimson Tide Magehunter | Slaves of the Abyss Black Vein Prophecy | 14:30-15:00 | Peter Darvill-Evans | |
| Beneath Nightmare Castle Portal of Evil Spectral Stalkers | | 15:00-15:30 | Alan Langford | Duncan Smith |
| Island of the Lizard King Sword of the Samurai Creature of Havoc Battleblade Warrior Portal of Evil Spellbreaker | Scorpion Swamp |
I wonder what people ask Geraldine to sign? The Warlock of Firetop Moutain? Less than 24 hours left!
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