A convention report on Exeter Uni SF Society's latest meeting, with Pat Cadigan, Doctor Who author Nick Walters and Feminist SF scholar Michelle Parslowe.
Exeter University SF Society have been running their annual convention since 1982.
This year, American SF writer Pat Cadigan admitted that Year's Best Fantasy & Horror editor Ellen Datlow normally interviews her at conventions, "but as Ellen isn't here," she said, "I'll have to interview myself!" So she did, to the obvious delight of the audience, and concluded by talking of her love of SF. "Never stop reading for pleasure," she said. It's advice every reviewer should remember when they're feeling jaded.
Doctor Who novelist Nick Walters opined that 'The Doctor is a A Buffoon,' hiding behind a protective colouring of clownish clothing and behaviour to persuade his opponents he's no threat. Profane and passionate, Walters was never less than entertaining.
Feminist SF scholar Michelle Parslow took the convention through a history of feminist SF from the 17th century onwards, including the establishment of specifically feminist SF literary criticism.
Jo Hall presented 'A History of Apocalyptic Fiction' with extracts from Ballard's 'The Drought,' and Cormac McCarthy's prizewinning 'The Road.'
Finally, Guest of Honour Steve Green gave a fascinating lecture on conventions from the 1980s onwards, much of which can't be reprinted......
