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Loncon: returning home
Aug. 17th, 2014 09:28 pmYesterday I realised that Kim Stanley Robinson was down to do a signing today and that mater would love to have a signed copy of Shaman, so I set about trying to find a hardback copy. Unable to find one in the hall itself, I scrapped my plans for this morning in favour of a quick tour of west end bookshops.
In need of bit of exercise we walked from Chalk Farm, through Primrose Hill and Regent's Park, splitting up in Fitzrovia to allow J to catch the bus home while I went on to Charing Cross Road. Never having done the journey on foot before, I was surprised at how short it was — only a little over 4 miles — something that J says is an artefact of the distortions in Harry Beck's map, intended to make the suburbs appear closer and the centre to seem more spread out.
My luck was in and I found a copy in the first place I tried — Foyles, because they opened for browsing slightly earlier than the rest — and caught the tube to Bank and the DLR on to ExCel. I arrived in perfect time to join Robinson's signing queue, placed next to Al Reynolds and across the passage from Gail Carriger across the way. Carriger's fans were noticeably better dressed than the hard SF people, with a much higher number of hats — several of them toppers.
I got talking to a dealer in the queue who'd spent his time scouring charity shops for first editions, which he would then get signed to increase their resale value. He was a bit peeved that George RR Martin had limited himself to signing only one book per person and only 200 in the entire session — although it's easy to see why: without some sort of limit poor GRRM would've been inundated with requests and, having been in Edinburgh until recently, he must be well and truly signed out! The guy didn't exactly help himself by failing to recognise Stan Robinson waving hello to his fans as he came over to start the session, although I suppose he never claimed to actually be a fan. By cunningly letting the dealer go first — he was through in no time at all, wanting nothing but an autograph — I was able to get my book dedicated and signed by Robinson, to enthuse about how much I liked his work, how I'd enjoyed yesterday's panel on climate change narratives, and just how good I thought his scientists were — I constantly notice Robinsonian traits in my colleagues and, if I'm honest, in the mirror — and he was very nice about it!
Which means that I've succeeded in getting signatures from two of my very favourite authors — Elizabeth Bear and Kim Stanley Robinson — exceeding my target by 100 per cent!
After pottering around for the rest of the afternoon I took my leave and caught the DLR back to Canning Town, the Jubilee line to Waterloo, Bakerloo to Baker Street and Hammersmith and City to Paddington — where there was no access to Bakerloo due to escalator upgrades — arriving in good time to catch my train back to Exeter. The journey was smooth and quiet — the Intercity 125s used on the FGW routes are so much quieter than the newer Voyagers used by CrossCountry to Birmingham — and I got home in good time.
Although I've enjoyed myself, I'm looking forward to going to bed early and eating food that doesn't come from a concession stand...
In need of bit of exercise we walked from Chalk Farm, through Primrose Hill and Regent's Park, splitting up in Fitzrovia to allow J to catch the bus home while I went on to Charing Cross Road. Never having done the journey on foot before, I was surprised at how short it was — only a little over 4 miles — something that J says is an artefact of the distortions in Harry Beck's map, intended to make the suburbs appear closer and the centre to seem more spread out.
My luck was in and I found a copy in the first place I tried — Foyles, because they opened for browsing slightly earlier than the rest — and caught the tube to Bank and the DLR on to ExCel. I arrived in perfect time to join Robinson's signing queue, placed next to Al Reynolds and across the passage from Gail Carriger across the way. Carriger's fans were noticeably better dressed than the hard SF people, with a much higher number of hats — several of them toppers.
I got talking to a dealer in the queue who'd spent his time scouring charity shops for first editions, which he would then get signed to increase their resale value. He was a bit peeved that George RR Martin had limited himself to signing only one book per person and only 200 in the entire session — although it's easy to see why: without some sort of limit poor GRRM would've been inundated with requests and, having been in Edinburgh until recently, he must be well and truly signed out! The guy didn't exactly help himself by failing to recognise Stan Robinson waving hello to his fans as he came over to start the session, although I suppose he never claimed to actually be a fan. By cunningly letting the dealer go first — he was through in no time at all, wanting nothing but an autograph — I was able to get my book dedicated and signed by Robinson, to enthuse about how much I liked his work, how I'd enjoyed yesterday's panel on climate change narratives, and just how good I thought his scientists were — I constantly notice Robinsonian traits in my colleagues and, if I'm honest, in the mirror — and he was very nice about it!
Which means that I've succeeded in getting signatures from two of my very favourite authors — Elizabeth Bear and Kim Stanley Robinson — exceeding my target by 100 per cent!
After pottering around for the rest of the afternoon I took my leave and caught the DLR back to Canning Town, the Jubilee line to Waterloo, Bakerloo to Baker Street and Hammersmith and City to Paddington — where there was no access to Bakerloo due to escalator upgrades — arriving in good time to catch my train back to Exeter. The journey was smooth and quiet — the Intercity 125s used on the FGW routes are so much quieter than the newer Voyagers used by CrossCountry to Birmingham — and I got home in good time.
Although I've enjoyed myself, I'm looking forward to going to bed early and eating food that doesn't come from a concession stand...
