Paracon UK 2014

I heard about Paracon UK through their presence on Facebook. I think it’s really important for authors to attend such events, not only to sell books but to network. SCARdiff had been a real success last month and I was eager to put my name down for a few more events over the coming months. Paracon UK sounded like perfect exposure for my first two paranormal novels, The House on Poultney Road and It Found Me so I contacted Matt Hall (the main organiser of the event) and expressed my interest. I was almost put off of Paracon UK – people seemed really negative during the weeks leading up to the event on social media sites like Facebook regarding the line up and who was going to be attending but I am pleased that I chose to ignore those who felt the need, and see for myself what the fuss was about. I think it’s hard for anyone when they are first starting out and the same applies for events.

The team worked really hard leading up to the weekend and during it to. They even accommodated the fact that I could only attend on the Saturday. I went up to Derby with my Mum, Yvonne and good friend Amy. We didn’t really know what to expect but I knew that Richard Felix was going to be there and I was really looking forward to meeting him.

We arrived just after 9am and checking-in was seamless. Matt introduced himself and showed us through to the main room and to our table. We had a great spot next to Brian Cano (who was swarmed with young girls most part of the day) and were opposite a great little oddities stall which my Mum ending up buying out of house and home!

There was a great mix of exhibitors from paranormal investigators (I got to meet MJ from PACT Paranormal and am hopefully doing a hunt with them in January), oddities, people with POT dolls (haunted dolls), old and unique book dealers, to name just a few. Footfall was pretty decent but I think most people were there for the speakers. This was fine but meant that I didn’t get to chat to as many people as I would have liked. Speakers on the Saturday were :

Amy Goodwin

Taz Thornton

Jason Love

Brian J. Cano

Gary Heseltine

We left early as my Mum didn’t feel so good, so I didn’t get a chance to meet Richard Felix (which I was gutted about) but I managed to get a copy of The House on Poultney Road to him which he has since told me (via Twitter) that he intends to read and will contact me once he has, so I’m looking forward to that.

Overall I thought the team, especially Matt, did a really good job and hopefully next year people will have a little more faith and get involved. It was a great day, a fair of money was raised for the charity TROOP AID – it was lots of fun and I got to meet a few interesting people who were all really welcoming. I will definitely take part in Paracon UK 2015 and I think you should too.