The Book of Beasts at The Festival of Fantastic Film

 Sorry for the lack of updates, but it's been a strange and busy time recently. The Book of Beasts was officially launched at the Festival of Fantastic Film on Sunday 22nd July 2023 and it was amazing experience - my first ever book launch!

I arrived on the Saturday at the venue, The Pendulum Hotel in Manchester, and didn't really know what to expect. I had previously been a guest at the Nigel Kneale events in London and Derby organised by Jon Dear to mark the centenary of Kneale's birth, but these had been day long events as opposed to an entire weekend. I needn't have worried as I was made so welcome by everyone from the organisers, attendees and fellow guests that I forgot to take many photographs of events! Thankfully my friend Rob Taylor and many other attendees did. 

Jane Wymark, who appeared in the Beasts episode Baby, attended and was an absolute joy! She threw herself into the event completely and after her interview she joined the Beasts panel which followed screenings of Jane's episode and During Barty's Party. 

Headpress had a store at the event and did brisk business, even selling out of copies of The Book of Beasts before the signing the next day. They had to arrange for an emergency delivery of copies and it was touch and go for a while, but the books did arrive with just half an hour to spare. And then they sold out at the signing!

The event ended with a curry and quiz on Sunday evening with Steve Volk acting as the quizmaster. Our team did terrible and I think we may have even come last. I'm not sure as by then I'd had several beers. It really was a fantastic weekend meeting old friends, online friends and new friends. Unfortunately at some point during the weekend I contracted COVID (third time is the charm). It was a particularly pernicious strain and I spent most of the following weekend wiped out. 

I'd like to thank the Festival of Fantastic Film and Headpress for arranging the event and making me so welcome. Also thanks to Jane Wymark for attending and being so generous with her time and energy the entire weekend. And a special mention to Toby Hadoke and Andy Murray, who took part in the panel discussion, for being so supportive of the book and launch event.