Existence is Elsewhen launch at Mancunicon

Artwork by Alison Buck
Artwork by Alison Buck

Over the Easter weekend, the Manchester Hilton Deansgate was taken over by Eastercon (known this year as Mancunicon). Among the various panels and events was our launch of Existence is Elsewhen. Of the twenty authors of stories in this (excellent and wonderfully imaginative) anthology, nine were at Mancunicon, along with Alison who designed the cover and the fleurons inside the book. We held a launch party in the Presidential Suite on the 22nd floor.



View from 22nd floor at launch of Existence is Elsewhen just before sunset
View from 22nd floor at launch of Existence is Elsewhen just before sunset

We were supposed to start at sunset, but got underway a little late – but we still had good views out over the city. Each of the authors present read a short extract from their own story – just enough to whet the appetite of the audience who were very attentive, in spite of (or perhaps thanks to) the wine and beer that was also being consumed. And of course there were flying saucers to be eaten as well as small chocolate eggs.

View from the 22nd floor at the Launch of Existence is Elsewhen after sunset
View from the 22nd floor at the Launch of Existence is Elsewhen after sunset


Pete started with an introduction and then read Christopher Nuttall’s extract from The Girl in Black for him, as Christopher was busy soothing his one-year old who had just decided he didn’t like the room being so full.

Pete reading from Christopher Nuttall's The Girl in Black at the Existence is Elsewhen launch (while Christopher was busy trying to soothe his one-year old son outside the room!)
Pete reading from Christopher Nuttall’s The Girl in Black at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
(while Christopher was busy trying to soothe his one-year old son outside the room!)


Siobhan McVeigh read from her story Face the Music:

Siobhan McVeigh reading from Face the Music at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
Siobhan McVeigh reading from Face the Music at the Existence is Elsewhen launch


Susan Oke read from her story Hide and Hunt:

Susan Oke reading from Hide and Hunt at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
Susan Oke reading from Hide and Hunt at the Existence is Elsewhen launch


Peter R. Ellis read from his story In the bleak Long Winter:

Peter R. Ellis reading from In the bleak Long Winter at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
Peter R. Ellis reading from In the bleak Long Winter at the Existence is Elsewhen launch


Dave Weaver read from his story The Copy:

Dave Weaver reading from The Copy at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
Dave Weaver reading from The Copy at the Existence is Elsewhen launch


J.A. Christy read from her story Inside and Out™ V.5:

J.A. Christy reading from Inside and Out™ V.5 at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
J.A. Christy reading from Inside and Out™ V.5 at the Existence is Elsewhen launch


Tej Turner read from his story The Last Days:

Tej Turner reading from The Last Days at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
Tej Turner reading from The Last Days at the Existence is Elsewhen launch


Edwin Hayward read from his story Ambrosia:

Edwin Hayward reading from Ambrosia at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
Edwin Hayward reading from Ambrosia at the Existence is Elsewhen launch


Andy McKell read from his story Homo Sapiens Inferior:

Andy McKell reading from Homo Sapiens Inferior at the Existence is Elsewhen launch
Andy McKell reading from Homo Sapiens Inferior at the Existence is Elsewhen launch


Everybody had a good time, authors and audience alike. It was a very pleasant start to Saturday evening!