Yesterday I took the train to London’s Piccadilly branch of Waterstones for the launch of SFX’s Summer of SF reading. I found the store with surprising ease, as I normally get all turned around when I get to London and find that each tube station has a dozen different exits. But the gods of metal were with me and I arrived at the store far too early to be cool, but early enough to get this picture of where we were to be doing our signing.

Dan and I shared the table on the left, though we were prepared to knock others from their tables had the need arisen. An eager fan awaits our arrival.

By the time everyone turned up and we were ready to go, quite a nice little crowd had gathered, complete with rucksacks bulging with books and curious expressions. We had a fine stable of authors for the fans to pick from; myself, Stephen Hunt, Adam Roberts, China Miéville, Michael Cobley and last, but not least, Sir Dan of Abnett.

The stars come out. Dan and Mrs Dan, Nik Abnett.

Then the signings began, and I think I missed my calling as a salesman, as I managed to foist both our books on unsuspecting customers who were just passing and made the schoolboy error of making eye contact with me. It was a fun hour and a half, and lot of people said very nice things about both our books, so it was an evening of Win. At the end of it, I managed to sidle up to China Miéville and blag a signed copy of his latest novel, Kraken – which from the little I read on the way home, looks set to be a fantastic romp.

As we were the last to leave the signing area, I nattered away to him, complimenting him on his last novel, The City and the City, and trying not to sound like a dribbling fanboy. As we got our drinks, I mentioned how I’d gotten Evan to roll his first dice as a d20 saving throw for me (against being turned to stone) and he pointed out what a lovely metaphor that was. Evan’s arrival had been an event that saved me from the ossification of aging, an act that had made us young again. And given the TV we’re watching a lot of these days (Timmy Time, Tinga Tinga Tales and 3rd and Bird) I think he’s spot on. It was a cracking moment, and I promised him I’d make mention of it, so for that lovely observation, Mr Miéville, I thank you.

Me with China Miéville.

Then Dave Bradley of SFX called the panellists to heel to discuss the following conundrum: “Millions of people watch SF on TV and at the cinema – why don’t more people read SF books too?” I stood at the sidelines with Jon Green and watched as the debate unfolded, with everyone making good points with an acuity and articulation that made me glad I wasn’t up there with them, dribbling like a simpering numpty after two large glasses of the free red wine. More than one question came out about the BL/GW connection and my hand went up more than once to reply/refute what had just been asked, but Dave (probably wisely) went to other people for more questions rather than indulge me.

Terry Pratchett was there too (just to the right of the pillar), though I didn’t get a chance to do more than say hello to him. He was in fine form and looked like he was enjoying the panelists deliberations.

A lot of good points came out of the discussion from panellists and listeners; the merits (or otherwise) of SF cinema and the clear distinction that cinema is a different medium that deals in images and spectacle as opposed to the written form of SF, which is all about ideas. Not to say that they can’t cross over – of course they can – but SF novels can go far deeper than most cinema has the power, time or financial viability to do. Anyone here have any thoughts on the matter…?

Dan holds court on the panel.

Everyone on the panel acquitted themselves nobly, and though I was a tad intimidated by the idea of being amongst such interesting panelists, I think I could have held my own had I been up there too. Next time. Dave did a great job wrangling everyone, and when it was over, the room broke up into lots of nattering groups pondering upon what had been said. I chatted away to loads of people and was having a great time until I remembered I had a train to catch.

A nearby helpful soul told me it was quarter to nine, which was forty minutes before my train was due to leave St. Pancras. Plenty of time, right? Turns out their watch was slow, but by the time that was pointed out to me, it was 21.12 (coincidentally my favourite Rush album), leaving me thirteen minutes to get down six flights of stairs, catch a tube to St. Pancras and haul ass out of the tube station to the platform. Needless to say that didn’t happen, though I was outa there like I stole somethin’. After a bit of jiggery, and indeed, pokery, I found my way home via a different train and half-empty night bus that did a magical mystery tour of the midlands before I finally crashed back into the house at half one in the morning.

It had been a long day, but a great one, so thanks to all the guys at SFX; Dave, Ade and Stuart for making it such a great day and making us all feel so welcome. And thanks to everyone who came down for the day; Christos (I’ll be looking for that Look Of Destiny picture soon) Jenni, Jon, Joe, Mark, Simon, Alan, and the authors for coming down and really marking this day as the beginning of the Summer of SF reading.

So what are you doing reading this…go get some SF and start reading!