Below is a post about this year’s GBLTQ UK meet which will be held in Brighton, United Kingdom. Not that they need any publicity because the meet’s fame has gone viral 😆 since it started 3 years ago however, when Clare London asked me to help publicize it I was very happy to do so.
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September 14th – 16th 2012 will see the third annual UK Meet for readers/writers/reviewers/fans of GLBTQ fiction. There will be a full day of 
programmed events on Saturday 15th, plus optional social events on Friday evening and Sunday morning.
Expect events and networking and good old-fashioned fun! The programme has been developed from feedback from readers, writers and reviewers so there’s something to interest ALL fans, not just authors.
From its modest beginnings in 2010, when a group of the most respected British and European authors in m/m romance got together in a library in Ely, this convention has already doubled in size, developed panels and guest speakers, thrown out links to publishers, editors, writers and fans alike, and looks set to become a major player in the field of GLBTQ fiction in the UK.
In 2012 we aim to be bigger and better yet.
Set at the elegant Mercure Brighton Seafront hotel, this year’s convention will feature talks by top authors, panel discussions on hot topics in the field of GLBTQ fiction, such as BDSM, Shifters, Beta readers, Online Interaction, Adapting fanfic, US settings, Self publishing, 1-to-1s for budding authors and more, while a separate room is available for chilling out, socializing with your favourite authors/pitching to publishers and agents etc.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Jordan Castillo Price
We’re really excited to announce our keynote speaker will be Jordan Castillo Price, award-winning author of the PsyCop and Channeling Morpheus series, and owner/publisher of JCP Books.
SPONSORS:
Including so far: JMS Books, Andrews UK, Dreamspinner Press, Riptide Publishing, Silver Publishing, Storm Moon Press, Total E-Bound Publishing, Xcite Books.
SUBMISSIONS CALL:
Anyone attending is invited to submit a story for this year’s anthology: “Lashings of Sauce.” Full details of how to format your story and where to send it are available here.
We welcome yet-to-be-published authors just as warmly as established authors.
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WE’D LOVE YOU TO JOIN US in September….
For full programme see the website.
To book a place at the convention go here.
Cost of attendance: £35 (rising to £40 if bookings are made after 30th June), to include all panels, buffet lunch, coffee, tea & snacks throughout the day, and USB stick filled with free fiction.
To book a room at the hotel for Friday and/or Saturday night tel: (+44)844/8159061 or email: 061rs@jupiterhotels.co.uk
Special rate for delegates: £85 per night, booking code available on the UK Meet website (or you are very welcome to visit just for the day or arrange alternative accommodation elsewhere).
To keep up to date with the latest news visit our blog.
It was so lovely to soak in the fun, love and laughter of like-minded people – 2011 delegate
You have no idea how excited I am about this event – even though it’s five months to go. Already we’re getting an awesome line up of attendees, including some of the best gigglers in the business.
“best gigglers” Oh my. I can’t wait to find out who that is.
I think I’m more of a cackler, I’m afraid O_O. Well, Tam would know … LOL
Full bodied laugh I’d say. 🙂 Definitely not giggles.
I think I’m in the top ten (sometimes can’t breathe for laughing) but there are some other champeens, too…)
Really looking forward to meeting all my UK friends here… socialising FTW 😎 … with this and the Silver author’s retreat I am not sure my September can get any more exciting! 😀
RJ X
I can’t wait to be there!! It’s going to be such fun!! 🙂
I’m so excited! I can’t wait!!! It will be my first overseas trip.
It’ll be a trip to remember, Jordan. You’ll go home an honorary Brit!
I must get a t-shirt made for that … 🙂
You brave woman! And facing the UK Meet as part of that adventure *lol*. Don’t worry, we’ll look after you, we treasure you :):)
Looking forward enormously to seeing Charlie and RJ again and to meet Anne Brooke and SO MANY OTHERS! Also our keynote speaker!!
Last year was a blast. If anyone can make it please give it a go. You’ll have fun. 😀
I can’t believe this has become such a big thing in only three years. I remember when it was a few authors meeting in a library back room and now look at us 🙂
It’s a testament to how quickly the genre has grown in popularity – on both sides of the Atlantic. I don’t think any of us could have predicted that – although I seem to remember we had enough food last year to feed around 150! 😉
Who’d have thought, eh? But even then, we had plenty to say for ourselves, we happily filled that modest little room with fun and chat 🙂
This is going to be a real leap from that first year, isn’t it?! I hope we’ll be able to keep the same friendly intimacy of the Ely library days 😀
I’m gutted I missed the first one, had my hotel booked and everything *sigh* but I don’t plan to miss ANY of the others!
I am so looking forward to it. If everyone could please send some psychic messages to the airlines to lower their prices I’d be very grateful. 🙂 I’ve booked my hotel, paid my fee, told my kid I’m going, I’m all set. Oh, that submission thing. I started, honest, I did. 🙂
It’s going to be so fun and I can’t wait to meet all the Brits and some of the Europeans who will come over as well.
Sending psychic messages right now, Tam! I’m getting in there early, hoping that way I might be able to afford to get to GayRomLit in 2013 too 😉
We’re all really looking forward to reading the anthology submissions – last year, some of the most exciting stories came from first-time authors, so I’d encourage everyone to give it a go! 🙂
Very much looking forward to this. Last year was pretty amazing already, and this year can only get better. Go for Brighton!
Message to everyone: I managed to get the first few Attendee bios up on the site today, so if you *are* coming to the Meet and would like to introduce yourself in advance – send me a blurb 🙂
Clare
What I would like to know is – how far is Brighton from London and how does one get there? Is there a train that runs several times a day? I might be in London in September (not sure yet) but if I am I would like to stop by (after I pay my entrance fee). 🙂
Wow, that’d be great!
Brighton is only about 60 miles from London. It takes just over an hour to drive (well, for *me* to drive LOL) and the train journey from central London station Victoria is less than an hour. There’s also a fast service from Gatwick airport. Trains run several an hour, I can always check that nearer the time for anyone who needs the info.
That’s good to know. I think I’ll have a meeting in London Friday morning, then whip out to Brighton in the afternoon. All our flights go into LHR though. Still, train downtown and out.
Call me nearer the time and I can work out the best route for you :). Hubby’s never happier than when given 2 locations, a timeframe, a book of maps and a train timetable!
I have a feeling there are airport links by coach as well (maybe National Express?)
Yes, definitely. Sounds like it’d be useful to pop another page on the website with travel advice…
The train service between Brighton and London is excellent – it’s well linked to Gatwick airport too. Heathrow is a little more hassle by train as you need to make a couple of changes, but there’s a direct coach link.
Would be great to meet you if you can make it over, Wave! 😀
Thoroughly enjoyed the Meet last year, and am looking forward to seeing everyone again and have a blast 🙂
:wave: Yoohoo. I will be there too. This meeting needs more readers!
Isn’t Brighton the capital of henparties and such things?
Brighton is the capital of everything – hen parties, stag parties, mods and rockers punch ups. (That dates me!)
And yes, more readers would be great. (Still time, though…)
Looking forward to meeting you Ingrid – and everyone else.
Yay Ingrid!!! I know Leontine is planning on coming and hopefully Janna and maybe Lis if she’s back from down under.
My flight back from down under is the 10th of september. It’s almost guaranteed I’ll be there!!
Larissa
You’re so lucky. I don’t think I’ll make it to London this year so I may have to go to GRL in Albuquerque. 🙂 Have a wonderful time.
Fantastic! It’s great to hear so many people are signing up now. I look forward to meeting you, Larissa 😀
Brighton is the party capital – and definitely the gay capital – of the UK. It’s a great town to spend the weekend in!
I couldn’t get along to this the last couple of years but I’m *seriously* tempted this year. ::counts pennies::
Please do come along, Fiona – it would be lovely to meet you! I missed the conference last year (was at Glyndebourne, yikes!) but the 1st one the year before was fab-u-lous! And just so amazing to put faces to names within our genre 🙂
Awww, thanks Anne – I’d love to meet you too!
I’m so excited about this year’s Meet – it will be fabulous to meet up with old friends again, and I’m thrilled to be able to finally get to hook up with all those wonderful friends I’ve made online. Jordan and Tam – prepare to have the stuffing hugged out of you!
I’m hoping we’ll have a fun cabaret show lined up in a Kemptown bar on the Saturday night – for those who are interested in that kind of thing. I’m warning you all now, I will be getting dressed up in a big way 😀
“I will be getting dressed up in a big way” I’m slightly afraid of what this means. LOL I perpetually under-dress. If jeans aren’t allowed I have been known to pout. 😉
Yikes – I won’t be dressing up! It terrifies me!! Please can I hide behind you, Jo? 🙂
PS I can be in charge of the Saturday night Quiet Zone for me and my fellow-wimps, if you like!! 🙂 🙂
Well, I like to go out and have a good time (ahem – hush Clare), I’m just not the dressing up type. Sneakers are my friend.
The rule last year was good – wear what you feel fab in. Gladrags or jeans, nobody cares.
Honestly, I don’t need anyone else to dress up. I’m quite happy being the outrageously dressed one. I just love a good excuse to get my glad rags on! :happydance:
Phew, that’s a relief! I’ll be glad to leave my Lieutenant Uhura costume behind (um, joke – honestly!!!)
🙂 🙂
I’m venturing down from the frozen north for this. I haven’t been to anything like it before and I’m really looking forward to it 🙂
It’s great that peeps are comig so far. Should be a cracking time (I’m booking good weather right now!)I
That sounds like a plan! As long as I get to take some home with me – don’t want those shandy-drinking, southern softies getting all the benefit 😉
Shandy drinking?! *splutters with outrage*
I’ll have you know I wouldn’t touch shandy. Only hard liquor and real beer passes these lips. I’ll drink you under the table, Nithu.
*Jo would like to point out that these days she’s a total lightweight when it comes to alcohol, but the spirit is willing even if the body now gives up and passes out*
Tee hee, I love shandy! Even though my mother’s a Geordie. I was even once asked to leave a pub because I asked for Dubonnet and lemonade 20 years after it was (vaguely) fashionable. 🙂
I am at least a very cheap date though!
Anne
xxx
I’m flying in Switzerland for the meet – will be good to be back in Blighty and what a wonderful excuse 🙂
Oh, and Jo’s caberet sounds fab! 🙂
Glad you think so! It’s actually Melanie Tushmore who needs to take the credit – she’s our cabaret impresario 😉
I’m really enjoying the selection of national flags we have appearing here today 🙂
Eek, it is all rather a way away from meeting up for a couple of hours in Ely library, isn’t it? I’ve been getting giddy & hyper about the meet already but now I’m starting to feel a little overawed… all these people! It was scary enough the first year with all the well-known authors who were there (and I’ve known Alex since before she was published so I really shouldn’t have been scared of meeting her!)…
I think I’ll just go hide & edit the hell out of my Lashings of Sauce submission to get it in in time 😀
*G* It was scary – I think it was scary for all of us, or at least it certainly was for me, as normally I’m terribly shy and introverted. But there’s something in the atmosphere of the meets that helps you get over all of that, I think. There’s a sort of shared euphoria that just makes it really easy to talk to people. I hope that will still be around now we’re getting bigger and slicker. I don’t see why it shouldn’t.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, Alex. Shared euphoria and buckets of ‘niceness’.
This is beginning to sound tempting…….I am usually reclusive but I think research is required now……… 😀
I hope you can, Raine – it should be great fun!
Oh you should come Raine. We need more readers, bloggers and reviewers at the event as well as authors.
I lived in Brighton for several years, near the Hove border. It’s where I had my introduction to gay lit while I was a student. What a great place to meet – have fun, everyone.
Ooh wonder if I can make it… sounds like fun!
It will be, Leslie – you should definitely come along 😀
For those of us who can’t afford to get over the pond to GayRomLit, this is a homegrown alternative!
Yes, do come, Leslie! That would be fabulous 🙂
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting loads of new faces.
I’ve registered, booked the hotel and I’m checking out travel possibilities – I’m nearly ready to go!
I’ll be keeping my running shoes handy in case Jo’s costume is too much for my wimpy self.
It will be great to see you again Mara – and I promise my outfit won’t be too scary!
I’m looking forward to meeting some of the folks I met last year for the first time. 😀 😀
I’ll be there and I can’t wait to meet up with everyone again. I had such fun last year. Plus this year I have my partner in crime, Tam, to lead me even further astray than Clare and Jo did last year :).
I’ve not been to Brighton before so I’m looking forward to making a weekend of it and doing some sightseeing too!
Uh oh. Clare and I did pretty good setting NOLA on fire last year, we add you and Jo to the mix Jen and the city may never recover. LOL Of course I’ll be a walking zombie by Sunday night with the jet lag, but hey, you can sleep when you’re dead as they say. 🙂