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Fantasycon 2026: A Message From The BFS Chair
Newly-seated Chair of the British Fantasy Society David Green reflects on the weekend that was in Glasgow…
Pictured: David Green and Shona Kinsella at the 2026 AGM
That was some weekend.
Where should I start? There’s only one place, really. That’s with Shona Kinsella. This year’s AGM, held at Fantasycon in Glasgow, saw our leader of five years step down for a well-earned break and for the chance to concentrate on her burgeoning creative career. The sheer amount of work Shona funnelled into the British Fantasy Society was beyond incredible. She lived and breathed our community, striving each and every day to make the place more diverse, more professional, more inclusive and, crucially, more fun than ever before.
I think she more than achieved her aims.
She leaves big shoes to fill, and it’s my honour to have been elected as her successor. I’ve worked closely with Shona over the years and know what is important to her. I plan to respect these but, of course, I have my own ideas and aims. Inclusivity, diversity, professionalism, growth and fun are all central to these and initiatives along these lines will be rolled out in due course. But this blog isn’t about that. It’s about Shona’s last gift to us.
It’s about Fantasycon 2026.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this was not only my favourite Fantasycon but also the best convention I’ve ever attended. The vibrancy around the Crowne Plaza was palpable. So much work goes into these things. Those who have been behind the scenes at a con know that. It’s often well over a year of planning (in fact, Shona and I had our first meeting regarding Fantasycon 2026 before the 2024 event in Chester), and the effort that goes into the weekend is mind boggling. Shona led that. Though it wasn’t her alone. We’re indebted to the entire committee (both the exec and sub committee) of the British Fantasy Society. The team of Red Cloaks, who we could never do without. The dealers. Our Art Show team. All of the participants. The hotel staff and, I daresay, the city of Glasgow on this particular occasion.
But we’re also indebted to you. All of you.
Our community. This weekend truly highlighted something I already knew but was truly moved to see in action: our society is already the welcoming and inclusive group of people we strive to be. This year saw an influx of Fantasycon debutants. They literally filled the Main Room on Friday afternoon. And every single one I spoke to not only enjoyed the panels, the workshops, the karaoke, the dealer room… they enjoyed the people. So many felt welcomed. They found a place they belonged.
That’s because of you.
I’m proud to Chair this society. To be elected was one of the high-points of my life. And that’s also because of all of you. It’s easy for these societies and events to become closed shops, designed for the few and not the many. That’s not the way the overwhelming majority of the British Fantasy Society’s members act. Your acceptance of new people, your enthusiasm to welcome those giving us their valuable time (and money) and their trust this weekend made it into a memorable one for so many.
Thank you.
Fantasycon returns in 2027. Tickets are available. Like me, the upcoming convention has big shoes to fill. Together, I reckon we can do it.
Go raibh maith agat,
David
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