Many of us are still getting over those Worldcon shenanigans, and have things like Edgelit looming, but we at the BFS are firmly focused on our annual flagship event: Yes, Fantasycon is almost here! And it’s not just our guests of honour (Stephen Aryan, Priya Sharma, and Bella Pagan) who are getting prepped.
A joyous weekend jam-packed with information, debates, awards, discussions—and, of course, “barcon” and all those hours socialising and catching up—but it can be overwhelming for the uninitiated. That’s why we asked those members who frequent the BFS’s private Discord server for their tips on how you can make the most of Fantasycon. Their tips are below, but a word of warning: this lot can be a bit cheeky, and you might want to take some of these tips with a pinch of salt…
Give your own tips and tricks by leaving a comment at the end of this article, or jump back into Discord to get involved. Are you a member but not yet in the BFS Discord server? Contact us to request your invite.
And grab your Fantasycon tickets from here—day tickets will go on sale soon, too!
Featuring contributions from:
- Helen Thwaite | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
- Laura Bennett | Website | Twitter | Instagram | BlueSky
- Katie Bruce | BlueSky
- David Green | Website | Twitter | BlueSky | Facebook
- Matthew Palmer | BlueSky
- Sarah Elliott | Website | BlueSky | Instagram
- Oliver Arditi | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Mastodon
- PS Livingstone | Website | Twitter | BlueSky | Instagram | Facebook
Helen Thwaite:
2024 is my first Fantasycon, but I’ve done many conventions and conferences, so I have a few tips. First is to pack light; that way you have room for books/merch. Second; take a small bag/backpack for snacks and drinks: snacks are super important, as is staying hydrated! Third tip is to monitor your social battery – especially us ADHD/autistic folks – and make sure your taking breaks to keep from overstimulation. Finally, enjoy! If you’re new, you won’t be the only one. And writers are a friendly bunch!
Laura Bennett:
My advice would be to try not to worry. Fantasycon is full of wonderful people who will give you a lot of grace in social situations, because we’ve all been there. Don’t be afraid to talk to a stranger, as they may well become a new friend.
Make friends!
Katie Bruce:
If it’s your first time, definitely go to the ‘first fantasycon’ thing, it’s a great way to learn about the con and meet new people. Wear something that proclaims your interest, a nerdy t-shirt or pin badge or tote bag etc. Great way to start conversations. Look at the schedule in advance, highlight all the things you’re interested in, but don’t schedule yourself too rigidly. Things change, you need breaks, you get chatting to someone, barcon hits, you’re in the mood for a different panel than you thought, you’re hungry. Leave yourself flexibility. Make sure you have a drink on you at all times!!! Also snacks. Also find me and ask me for cake/cookies. Hi I’m your friend now and also your convention mum. Here’s a cookie, when did you last have water? Understand that you will say ‘I should probably go to bed’ at least three times before actually doing so. Barcon lures you in and does not want to let go. Make time for the dealers room, it’s the best and yes you will absolutely need a second bag to take all those new books home! Also, if you’re worried about not knowing anyone, join the BFS, get on the Discord, make friends before you go, we’re all lovely weirdos!
(Photo by Alexandre Debiève on Unsplash)
David Green:
My advice would be don’t be afraid to go up and talk to people. There are many amazing people who attend Fantasycon, and they’re accepting and welcoming. I arrived at my first one in 2021 and was soon invited into a conversation with an author I long admired, and people who I now think of as friends. (edited)
Matthew Palmer:
In terms of Fantasycon advice, I think the one thing I would say is to buying books early is a must. I’ve missed out a couple of times by leaving my shopping too late.
Oh, I just thought of another piece of advice regarding this years Fantasycon: Chester is a lovely city with a wide variety of restaurants, but it is also very busy, especially at the weekends. If any one wants to go out for a sit down meal I’d strongly advise booking a table in advance!
Drop your mask
Sarah Elliott:
Check out who the special guests are and the panel members. If you have a book by them, bring it so you can get it signed!
Also, I’d say – drop the masks! This is SO the place to be totally yourself. Your nerdiest, weirdest most wonderful you! Chances are, all those worrying thoughts rampaging through your head have cloned themselves and are running through someone else’s head too! You’re guaranteed to find your people here! Kick the expectations to one side and enjoy!
(Photo by Susie Burleson on Unsplash)
Oliver Arditi:
- Get stuck in a lift on your way to the ‘first Fantasycon’ session. You’ll definitely meet several people, and they will all be fascinated to discover what you smell like after running back to the hotel from…
- Hotel food is terrible. When it’s lunchtime, strike out on your own in a random direction in a strange city, and walk until you find a food chain you like that’s just closed.
- Networking is what this is all about. With that in mind, make sure to spend a lot of time in a chaotically noisy bar grinning and nodding at strangers who are actually there for a pharmaceuticals sales conference, but who you think are fantasy nerds because you can’t hear what they’re saying. Buy them several rounds at £10 a pint.
- Write down all the panels and other programme events you’d like to go to. They will all be at 3pm on Saturday. Spend so long dithering over which one to go to that you forget to go to any of them.
- When you finally screw up the courage to go back to the bar, identify an editor for a major publisher (you can research this while you wander the corridors looking at people’s name badges in order to avoid making eye contact). Do not tell them about your WIP—they don’t care. Tell them they have beautiful eyes. They’ll buy you drinks on expenses all night.
- When it’s time to go, you won’t be able to remember what happened after the big-shot editor bought the 10th round, but you know it won’t have been good, so it’s best to slip away without saying goodbye to anyone. When you get home, delete your social media accounts.
PS Livingstone:
My best piece of advice is just to go say hello to people. At my first Fantasycon, Shona Kinsella was one of the first people I was brave enough to talk to. I was so nervous and felt I didn’t belong – so much imposter syndrome. But I look back now and realise that was the start of something very cool indeed. Now I’m helping out at the BFS and part of a community. Can’t ask for better.
And a few bonus tips from the BFS Facebook group:
Kit Whitfield: “Bring sandwiches. Several sandwiches.”
Benjamin Kurt Unsworth: And don’t buy drinks from the hotel bar unless you fancy taking out a second mortgage.
Eloise Mac: Hang out in the bar—I didn’t know anyone at my first Fantasycon but got talking to loads of interesting people over the course of the weekend.
What tips do you have for Fantasycon newbies? Let us know in the comments ⬇️
One response to “Fantasycon is Coming: We Asked Members How You Can Make The Most of It”
Here’s mine:
While you’re listening, try to think of a good question to ask the panel, or the readers, in case no one else does, and write it down so that you know it’s fully formed and can just be read out rather than waffling your way towards it. Remember that the goal is to give the panel an opportunity to say interesting things.
If moderating, make sure you have a watch or a timer on the desk in front of you, so you can pace your panel properly and don’t use up the time the next panel needs to get set up and settled in. If you’re a guest on a panel, don’t get drunk beforehand!