And finally to the last convention report of the year – a different perspective, this time, from 2014’s Fantasycon. Being based in the North East, attending genre cons often means a minimum 3 hours travel time for me. So the news that this year’s Fantasycon would be in York was a nice surprise. And after the rigours of a London Worldcon, what better time to give this Redcoat – or in this case, Redcloak * – lark a try?
Redcloaking would turn out to be immensely fun – and more than just an interesting opportunity to peek behind the curtain of one of Britain’s longest running literary cons. Lots of hard work to boot: Though Fantasycon is only three days, we got into it virtually on arrival – preparing goodie bags and registration. However, what most con-goers don’t realise is that Redcloaking isn’t only a physically demanding job. It’s one that requires a lot of common sense, some self-regard, and a wee dose of silliness to make it through.