Peter Coleborn writes that the British Fantasy Society has been having some trouble with their web site, so in parallel, he has created a blog at http://fantasycon-2009.blogspot.com/ for updates on Fantasycon 2009.
Along with that news, he writes of recently named Guests of Honour (following on this story, announcing the Jasper Fforde will be headlining).
Newly announced Guests of Honour include Brian Clemens and Gail Z. Martin, and Master of Ceremonies Ian Watson.
Clemens is “best known as the creative force behind The Avengers, for many of us epitomised by the image of Diana Rigg starring as Mrs. Emma Peel. After service in the Army, he worked in an advertising agency, during which he wrote a script which attracted the attention of the BBC. He later wrote the pilot episode of The Avengers, first shown in 1961, and also scripted TV shows such as Adam Adamant Lives, The Persuaders, The Professionals, and Thriller.”
Martin is the author of the Chronicles of the Necromancer series: The Summoner, The Blood King, Dark Haven, and Dark Lady’s Chosen (coming in 2010). “She discovered her passion for science fiction, fantasy, and ghost stories in elementary school. The very first story she ever wrote—at age five—was about a vampire. At age 14, she decided to become a writer, and launched a fanzine when she was in college.”
Watson is “a charming gent, who will maintain order all weekend. He spent time working abroad before becoming a full-time writer in the 1970s.” His first novel, The Embedding, won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Later works include The Power, The Fire Worm, Whores of Babylon, Miracle Visitors, God’s World, and The Gardens of Delight.