The Crusty Exterior Ride Again!

The Crusty Exterior is a group of friends, united in their love for the horror genre, books and, of course, a good curry.  The core of the group - James Everington, Phil Sloman, Steve Harris and me - met up for the first time at Andromeda Con in 2013 (see my report here), though Steve & I go back much further, first corresponding in the late 90s when he ran a newsletter called The Inner Circle.

On Saturday, the Crusty Exterior rode again with a few new members as we met up in Leicester.  As well as the original four, this time the ranks included Stephen Bacon and John Travis (who made the mini gathering for Steve H’s birthday last year), Jay Eales, Tim Jarvis and Linda Nagle.

In The Ale Wagon, from left - me, Tim Jarvis, James Everington, Phil Sloman, Jay Eales, Steve Bacon, John Travis

I parked at Highcross and met a completely lost Steve B at the clock tower near Haymarket.  After hugs and a quick catch-up, we wandered along to meet the rest of the party and picked up John on the way, then Jay directed us to The Ale Wagon pub, where Phil, James and Tim were waiting.  As we waited for Steve H and Linda, we caught up, talked writing and books, drank, laughed and effectively set the template for the day.  Jay went off to find the stragglers, the rest of us went outside to wait for them and there were more hugs when we finally saw them.  Plus Linda had made us cupcakes, which went down well with everyone.

Phil points out some titles as Steve checks for them on his database.
John doesn't look at all convinced...

We walked through the centre and had lunch at Holly’s Coffee Shop on St. Martin’s Square and decided to walk as we ate, though as each of us got served we went outside and starting eating waiting for the others.  My club sandwich was fantastic but, of us all, Phil clearly showed his cosmopolitan roots by having crayfish!  Our hardy band went up New Walk (where we spotted one happy chap wandering down wearing rabbit ears) and, at the museum, stopped to enjoy Linda’s cakes, which were delicious.  We also got to tell the Andromeda stories - that we couldn't find a curry house in the middle of Brum (and so had an Italian) as well as the excellent "yeah, Steve broke a seat": "I really didn't..." tale which, I swear, gets funnier every time I hear it.  

After a short break - and zigzagging between rugby fans heading to the Tigers ground - we kept moving up the hill.  Steve B & I walked at closer to my normal pace and soon found ourselves ahead of the group and we chatted about my thriller novel, which he recently read to critique.  Once we’d reformed, we cut across Victoria Park and the group broke off into various changeable iterations, as we found ourselves chatting with just about everyone.  Tim told James & I about his teaching Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to his students - all three of us loved the story and that led us onto Stephen King’s Danse Macabre, where James & I had each first discovered mention of it.

Outside the Help The Aged bookshop with the Steve's and Linda

Phil with one of his purchases, the cover of which
I suggested looked like Mr Benn on drugs...

By now, we’d reached Queens Road and the two great secondhand bookshops there - Age UK and Loros.  We hit the former first and all of us picked something up, suggesting titles to one another and chatting about our finds.  Steve H, who collects hardback first editions, found a couple of likely candidates but decided not to buy them after checking his database on his phone.  Yes, Steve has a book database and you know what, it sounds like a terrific idea to me.

We then trooped across the road to the Loros, where there was plenty more chat (and James found the Futura edition of Danse Macabre I have, though it was in much better shape than mine, which has been read and re-read almost to the point of being killed).  More purchases, more suggestions, more laughter and then we left, heading back across Victoria Park towards town.  As is my wont, I’d been taking photos all day but then asked a young woman walking her dog if she’d take a group one.  On Facebook a while back, James pointed out that none of my blog reports include comments about the poor unwitting passersby I co-opt into taking pictures, so that’s why I’m mentioning her (wish I’d asked her name now).  It’s also because, as we stood there posing, John offered to hold her dog for her.

Jay led us to the Marquis Of Wellington pub on London Road where, because it was a lovely afternoon and we were seating nine, we sat out in the beer garden.  We took the end booth, pulled over a couple of chairs and that was us for two hours, enjoying the weather and company as we drank and talked.  Conversation ranged across the board, there was a lot of laughter and plans were hatched for future meet-ups.

In Victoria Park, with Steve B, Phil, Jay, John, me, Linda, Steve H, Tim and James (with thanks to the nice lady walking her dog)

Since we wanted to eat in plenty of time for Phil to catch his train, Jay took us up to the Rise Of The Raj restaurant on Evington Road and as we’d managed to beat most of the rugby crowd (who’d gridlocked the London Road junction) we got a table upstairs without any trouble.  As we settled down, the laughter picked up straight from the pub, conversation was breezy and the food was excellent.  Steve B and I had the same starter, which had more of a kick than I’d been expecting, the main courses were quick and tasty and the time flew.  We covered a lot of topics, as ever and it was nice to discuss The House Next Door (which I wrote about here) with horror fans (only James & I had read it), as we talked about books that weren’t necessarily explicity supernatural but which contained a sense of mounting dread.  Some intriguing titles came up that it'll be fun to explore.

All too soon, it was time for Phil to catch his train - everyone exchanged hugs and handshakes, then he was gone.  The rest of us left not long after, Tim taking off quicker as his train was due first and the rest of us gathering at the station as we said goodbye to James and John.  Jay headed off to get his car and I led Steve B, Steve H (still carrying the few remaining cakes from earlier in the day) and Linda back to the Highcross car park.  More hugs, then Steve B & I went up to floor 6 (we’d parked across an aisle from each other without realising it) and said our goodbyes. 

In the Rise of The Raj, with Phil, James, Linda, Steve H, Tim, John, Steve B, me & Jay

The day went really well, everyone got on brilliantly and the conversation and laughter flowed easily, plus all of us picked up some decent books.  As gatherings go, you can’t ask for much more than that.  Roll on the next one!

p.s. Just in case you were wondering (as Tim, John and Linda all were - we told them in the Raj), the name of the group was explained in the previous Crusty post here.

Fox Spirit Press Writers Evening (at Leicester Library)

James Bennett, Hardeep Sangha, me, K T Davies

Last night saw the inaugural Fox Spirit Writers evening at Leicester Central Library, organised by FS Head honcho Adele Wearing.  I was chuffed to be asked and appeared on the panel with James Bennett and K T Davies (both of whom I’m friends with, though it was the first time we’d been at the front together) and Hardeep Sangha, a surrealistic poet who I was meeting for the first time and whose debut book “The Velocity Of Constant” was being launched.  Thanks to traffic (nice work, Leicester City road planners), I got there late, so just time for quick handshakes all round (nice to see Ewan, K. T.’s partner, again along with Jay Eales & Selina Lock) and then we were in front of the audience (which wasn’t a bad size).  As a nice touch, we were in the kids section of the library so everytime I looked over at James, I could see the Very Hungry Caterpillar cavorting on top of a bookcase.

After an introduction by Adele, James did the first reading, which went well and K. T. followed him, standing up and delivering it so well that the next person (in this case me) had a tough act to follow.  I read the first few pages of “The Mill”, which seemed to go down well and Hardeep followed me.  Adele then opened the floor to questions and got the ball rolling with a few of her own, that were smart and open-ended enough that they provoked plenty of discussion (and allowed K. T. to compare writing fantasy with living in a house that smelled of cat pee!) and led to more from the audience.  I had a great time, listening to my fellow panellists and getting the chance to air my own thoughts.

James tucks in, whilst Adele models her Foxy hat...

The time whisked by and when the Q&A was over we mingled, tucking into the delicious fairy cakes Adele had provided.  I chatted with Jay & Selina about future projects, then discussed character and people watching with Ewan, James and members of the audience, before catching up with Hardeep (and I got him to sign his book for me too).

After promising to meet up for a meal - we writer-types do like getting together - with everyone when James was back in town, it seemed as though half the group went on to the Phoenix Theatre for an Angry Robot-associated event whilst Adele & I walked back to our cars (we were both parked in Newmarke Street) and caught up.

"Let's take a selfie," I said
To her credit, rather than say "What, wait until we get the glamour of the car park?", Adele just said, "Shall I put my hat on?"

All in all it was a great evening, which I was really pleased to be a part of and I hope it’s the first of many!  Great fellow-panellists (and it’s always a treat to do a reading), great crowd, great organisation - what more can you ask for?

Leicester Comic Con!

Dude & I will be attending this on Saturday and we're both really looking forward to it.

Fox Spirit head honcho Adele Wearing will be there (I'm part of the skulk, having appeared in "Tales Of The Nun & Dragon") and it'll be good to see her again, along with everyone else.

The Silver Arcade is in the centre of town and has been modernised nicely (Dude & I usually sit in there to have our lunch - which we buy from Toast) but in it's earlier, shabbier and grubbier form it is a key location for a particularly unpleasant death in "The Lost Film" novella.

If you're there and see me, come over and say hello!

From the Con's Facebook group page

Leicester Comic Con 2014 - Everything You Need To Know

Date: Saturday 21st June 2014
Time: 11am (10am with VIP wristband) to 5pm
Price: FREE (£5 for VIP wristband)
Location: The Silver Arcade & The Cookie, Leicester

THE EVENT

Leicester Comic Con 2014 is a one day festival of comic book related events, stalls and activities for all ages.

On Saturday 21st June, Leicester Comic Con takes over the newly refurbished Silver Arcade with stalls by comic book dealers and creators, talks, cosplay, a craft area and more. The Cookie on High Street will also feature an art exhibition and after show party.

VIP WRISTBANDS

Entry to Leicester Comic Con 2014 is FREE from 11am. However, a £5 VIP Wristband entitles you to a goodie bag, early entry to stalls at 10am, priority seating at talks, entry to the after show and automatic entry to prize draws.

There is a very limited number of tickets available. Purchase online at http://www.gigantic.com/leicester-comic-con/the-cookie/2014-06-21-10-00

When you arrive please go to the The Cookie wristband exchange (open from 9am) to swap your ticket for a wristband.

VENUE ADDRESS

- The Cookie, 68 High Street, Leicester LE1 5YP
- Silver Arcade, Silver Street Leicester LE1 5FA

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Leicester Comic Con 2014 is an ALL AGES event.

- The Cookie (High Street) - All ages welcome, children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

- The Silver Arcade (Silver Street) - All ages welcome, children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. VIP ticket holders do not need a ticket for children under 12 accompanying them.

LEICESTER COMIC CON SCHEDULLE

The Cookie (High Street)
- 09:00am VIP Wristband Collection
- 12:00pm Leicester Illustrators Group Exhibition Opens
- 07:30pm After Show Party

The Silver Arcade - Ground Floor
- 10am VIP Entry to Exhibitor Stalls
- 11am to 5pm Exhibitor Stalls General Admission
- 11am to 5pm Craft Corner

The Silver Arcade - Top Floor
- 11:30am Matt Brooker & Ian Edginton Talk
- 01:00pm Dan Abnett Talk
- 02:30pm AnimeLeague Cosplay Q&A

Cank Street/St Martin's Square
- Cosplay throughout the day, including AnimeLeague Meet Up

Also check out...
- Forbidden Planet (Silver Street) 9:30am to 5:30pm
- Games Workshop (Silver Street) 10:00am to 6:00 pm
- Illustration & Graphic Design Exhibition (St Martin's Sq) 10:00am to 6:00pm

EXHIBITORS*

Speakers/Hosts
- Alasdair Stuart
- Dan Abnett
- Ian Edginton

Publishers/Creators
- Borderline Press
- Time Bomb Comics
- Geeky Kid Comics
- Fox Spirit
- Murky Depths
- Factor Fiction

Individual Creators
- Rachael Smith
- Matt Brooker
- Sally Jane Thompson
- Al Davison
- Lloyd and the Bear
- Chris Geary
- Kat Nicholson
- Jason Cardy
- Marc Ellerby

Artwork
- Reckless Hero
- Barry Bulsara
- The Retro Draughtsman

Comic Dealers
- Hush's Comic Book World
- Lucky Target Comics

Shops/Events
- The Astral Gypsy Shop
- Geek is Chic
- RetroActive
- AnimeLeague

Craft Corner
- The Creation Station
- Soft Touch
- Leicester Comic Con Craft Team

*subject to change

More tales of fatherhood

Dude & I enjoy going to Leicester (it has Forbidden Planet, some decent 2nd hand bookshops, a decent toyshop, our friend Joe's great retro toyshop and a wonderful food place - a hole in the wall called Toast, which is lovely) but Alison isn't so keen so we tend to go on our own.

My favourite music critic, photographed
in London last year (he wasn't listening
to my singing at the time this was taken)

We went on Saturday morning and, between us, chose the first Queen greatest hits CD to accompany us.

He was singing along to the bits he knew and then we got to "Bicycle Race", which contains this couplet -

"You say shark I say hey man/Jaws was never my scene/And I don't like Star Wars" 

Dude looked at me and said "Surely he can't mean that..."

Later on, as we drove past the Ibis on the way to Highcross, he turned the CD off altogether. I asked what was up.

"It was just getting to me," he said.

"What, the song or my singing?"

He looked at me gravely. "I don't want to hurt your feelings," he said, "but both."

That's me told then.

What Gets Left Behind, Darker Minds, London and Exmoor (a round-up)

It’s been a while, sorry about that, so here’s an update.

Thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics, a superb display of both athletic prowess and behind-the-scenes organisation. Watching Jessica Ennis, Bradley Wiggins, Greg Rutherford, Mo Farrah and everyone else push themselves to their limits, speak frankly and honestly about their perceived forthcomings and deal with the whole experience with a sense of fairplay and good sportsmanship was wonderful. Dude & I watched the early evening show most nights and he loved the swimming and the cycling, especially since we’re biking a lot more now and swimming too. Great stuff.

me & Dude - astronuts!
Had our family holiday - a week of day trips which included the excellent National Space Centre in Leicester (which is well worth a visit) and a day in London where Dude pronounced the Shaftesbury Avenue Forbidden Planet as the “best shop ever”. Not because I did a signing in there, oh no, but because he picked up a handbook with full details of 640 Pokemon characters!

In Covent Garden
We spent a week at Doniford Bay, just down the road from lovely Watchet and the beautiful town of Minehead (if you go, try Mullions restaurant, we had a fantastic meal there). We all loved it there and made regular trips across Exmoor (Lynmouth was another West family favourite - both Dude & I loved the funicular railway) - I think, if I write any more seaside based tales, I will be using Minehead as the basis.

On Exmoor
In writing news, the Darker Minds anthology - edited by Ross Anthony Warren and Anthony Watson - has been published and it looks fantastic. A great Ben Baldwin cover, crisp design and beautiful production, it’s a real treat to be included in the ToC (with my story “Looking At Me, Seeing You”). The inestimable Jim Mcleod is ‘real-time reviewing’ it and has these kind words to say about my tale - “I love Mark West's writing, especially when he is writing stories like this. Where Gary [McMahon] is a master of brutal dark brutal horror, Mark is a master if quite soulful, and heartbreaking horror.”

In addition, I’ve been asked to contribute to an anthology (this one about demons) and have signed a contract for another (about things in the dark) and I’m still trying to work up my pitch for a new novel. Plus, of course, there’s the little matter of my Spectral Press chapbook - What Gets Left Behind - being published in September (and it’s been sold out for months - wahey!)

Architecture strikes again!

We went to Leicester on Saturday and used the old Silver Arcade to cut through from the market to Dominoes toy shop. The Arcade, Victorian terraced with glass bricks on the metal walkways, is now pretty much dormant - all of the upper tiers are closed off, with shops only occupying the ground floor area. I remember when Black Cat Books were in there, top floor, far corner - it was a cracking shop, full of old books and toys and other treasures, which fitted perfectly with the architecture around it. BC Books moved out a long while ago (and have now shut down, sadly, but still have an online service) and the shops dwindled until there were virtually none left. Apparently, the people who own the Arcade are planning to do it up and attract new shops, but we’ll see.

Anyway, as we walked through and I looked up and the sun caught the skylights and the glass bricks and Dude said “Wow”, it suddenly occurred to me that this could be the location for a set piece in my new novella. I don’t know how yet (though I do know at least one thing that will happen), but it feels good that things are starting to fall into place (as architecture, you see, inspires a lot of things in my writing).

And this is a picture I took, looking back towards the market.