YOU ARE THE HERO at Dragonmeet 2014

I can't believe that it's three months since Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014, where YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks was launched, and I realised yesterday, whilst at the 15th Dragonmeet convention, that it was two years since I launched the Kickstarter* to fund the creation of the book in the first place.

What was great about yesterday was the number of YOU ARE THE HERO backers and Fighting Fantasy Fest attendees who stopped by my stable to say (a) how much they had enjoyed the book, and (b) asking if there would be another Fighting Fantasy Fest in 2015.

Several people who have already read YOU ARE THE HERO also persuaded their friends to pick up a copy on the day. As to the other matter, discussions will be taking place in the new year...

I always enjoy attending cons because it's a chance to catch up with friends in the gaming community (in the case of Dragonmeet) and it was good to see Tony Hough, Graham Bottley, James Wallis, Dom McDowall, Jamie Fry, Stuart Lloyd, Daniel Gooch, Sarah Newton, Mark Crew, Helena Nash (check out her new Choose Your Own Adventure style story here) and many others. It was also good to properly meet Chris Birch (who, along with his team, did a great job of organising his first Dragonmeet), Michele Howe**, Pete Wood, Sam Ockham and Andrew Harman, who was wowing everyone with Frankenstein's Bodies.***

Dr Frankenstein (a.k.a. Andrew Harman) and his latest test subject.

I also met Pookie, who posted this recent review of YOU ARE THE HERO online. And the most unlikely meetings of the day was with Alex Day off of YouTube (who was promoting his Sopio Cards), and the Krankies, who had parked next to us in the car park! (I don't think they were attending Dragonmeet, but I could be wrong.)

Ian and Steve stopped by after their Top 10 games talk, to sign books (including a couple of copies of YOU ARE THE HERO), which was nice, and they were joined by ace artist Tony Hough.

Steve, Ian and Tony signing for the FF fans.

Thanks to all the organisers, everyone who stopped by my table, as well as Linda, Nimrod and Thea who kept the Greens company during the day (and an eye on all our stuff from time to time). Here's to Dragonmeet 2015!

My stand and my minions. (They're actually getting quite useful now.)

* Talking of Kickstarters, I might be running another one next year. Watch this space...

** A special thank you to Michele's friend (I'm sorry but I don't remember his name) who told me a great fact about reindeer that will have to go in a future edition of Christmas Explained. 

*** Talking of which, I really need to get my Steampunk dice game sorted out.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014

It is almost three months since the world's first international Fighting Fantasy convention was held in London but two videos from the day have just been uploaded to YouTube by Fighting Fantasy Fest attendee, and YOU ARE THE HERO Kickstarter backer, James Aukett.

The first is Steve and Ian's excellent talk with Philippa Dickinson and Geraldine Cooke about the origins of Fighting Fantasy. The second is the Art of Fighting Fantasy panel that I hosted.

If you were there, they will doubtless bring back fond memories of the day. If you weren't this is the moment you've been waiting for. Enjoy.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014

So, Fighting Fantasy Fest... This time three weeks ago (as of writing*) I was unloading a carload of stuff** at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, ready for the first ever, dedicated, Fighting Fantasy convention. Almost twelve hours later, I was getting back into said car to return home. The bit in between was a bit of a whirl.

Jonathan Green, Geraldine Cooke, Zagor the Warlock, Steve Jackson, and Ian Livingstone at Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014.

It really came home to me that Fighting Fantasy Fest was actually happening when all the traders started to turn up and unload very professional-looking display cabinets and the like. And it was the presence of Otherworld Miniatures, Leisure Games, FightingFantasy.com, Snowbooks, Arion Games, All Rolled Up, Scriptarium, Tin Man Games, Inkle Studios, Gothic Manor, and Legend Photography that really helped to make what started out as a book launch into a proper con.

Otherworld Miniatures' Zagor miniatures in special FFF blister packs.

But of course the day wouldn't have been what it was without the presence of the host of Fighting Fantasy guests who made their way to Ealing especially for Fighting Fantasy Fest. There were the artists Chris Achilleos, Malcolm Barter, John Blanche, Leo Hartas, Tony Hough, Russ Nicholson, writer Peter Darvill-Evans also made it, along with very special guests Philippa Dickinson and Geraldine Cooke (who just made it in the nick of time to rapturous applause from the audience). But none of us would have been there in the first place if it hadn't been for our very special Guests of Honour, Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone.

Just part of the much marvelled at FF Exhibition.

Jamie Fry of FightingFantasy.com.

I am grateful to Neil Rennison for kicking off the talks with a presentation  about Tin Man Games and the company's plans for the Fighting Fantasy apps, which was followed by the headline act of the day, as it were - Steve and Ian in conversation with Philippa and Geraldine (eventually).

One of the goodie bags given away on the day, plus contents.

Just some of the highlights of the day

• Meeting so many FF fans and backers of YOU ARE THE HERO.
• Meeting the Demonic Three (a.k.a. Mark Lain, Steve Leicester and Jam Hirons).
• Seeing a Goblin patrolling the queue attempting to register on the day and berating them generally.
• The FF Exhibition.
• Damien Sparkes' FF miniatures.
• People asking me to sign original copies of Spellbreaker and Knights of Doom, along with my other gamebooks at the mass signing.
• The FF Auction (with Ian Livingstone working the room like a pro).
• Getting the band back together. (All of the WARLOCK level backers who went for lunch with Steve and Ian back in June 2013 were there.)
• Thomas Nielsen winning the costume competition dressed, appropriately enough, as Zagor the Warlock.
• Facebook friends and Twitter adventurers meeting in person for the first time.
• My Skill, Stamina and Luck t-shirt.
• Having my photo taken by Legend Photography alongside Ian and Steve.
• The positive atmosphere and happy con-buzz (which still hasn't left me).

Who let that Goblin in?

Pure Evil Miniatures' take on some Fighting Fantasy classics.

The Downside

• Timings going a little out the window (but thank goodness the hotel let us stay on for an extra hour).
• Not getting my own copy of YOU ARE THE HERO signed by all of the guests.
• Not having enough time to speak to anyone beyond saying "Hello, thanks for coming" in some cases.

The creators of Fighting Fantasy, Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson, and the author of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, Jonathan Green.

FFF 2014 would not have run so smoothly without the help of my family and best friend Andy, so a massive thank you to them***. But the biggest thanks has to go to all those who attended. If you hadn't stumped up for a ticket or two, the event could not have happened.

There are already rumblings regarding FFF 2015. I think it's safe to say that if we do do it again, it won't be quite the same as this year, put I will also be sending out a questionnaire, in due course, for attendees of FFF 2014 to give their feedback and have their say regarding what they would like to see at the next Fighting Fantasy Fest.

If you missed the event, the exclusive Zagor the Warlock miniature that was given away in the event goodie bag is now available to buy from Otherworld Miniatures. And if you'd like to see some more photos from the day, you can do so here.

Because of all the work involved in preparing for (and promoting) Fighting Fantasy Fest, I completely failed to blog about Bex Levene's Smiler's Fair book launch, or even what I got up to at Loncon 3 (which including accidentally saying "Hi" to George R R Martin). However, I'm back on the blogging horse now and would like to let you know about some other events that I shall be appearing at in the run up to Christmas.


MCM Comic Con London
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October 2014
I'll be at MCM two out of the three days it's running, selling my Steampunk Pax Britannia novels as well as bringing along YOU ARE THE HERO this year.

Kilburn Literary Festival
Sunday 2nd November 2014 (2.00pm-3.30pm)
I shall be at the North London Tavern, talking about how my History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks came to be, giving you the story of the book, as it were (rather like the 'Making of...' documentaries you get on DVDs).

Steampunks in Space
Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th November 2014
I will be at the National Space Centure in Leicester for a weekend of Steampunk splendidness. So why not come along and pick up one of my Pax Britannia novels while you're there? After all, Dark Side is set in space as well as on the Moon!

Dragonmeet
Saturday 6th December 2014 (10.00am-6.00pm)
I'm going to have a table at Dragonmeet this year, so come along and pick up one of the last hardbacks of the first edition of YOU ARE THE HERO and get it signed at the same time!


Maybe I'll see you at one of the above...



* 7.00 a.m.

** Goodie bags, Kickstarter backer copies of YOU ARE THE HERO, bottles of water...

*** It's been particularly gratifying to read other people's kind comments about how hard my wife worked on the day, and even one attendee remarking how much he enjoyed embarking upon an AFF adventure with my sprogs.

FIGHTING FANTASY FEST 2014... IS HERE!

Your adventure begins at 10.30am this morning...

... May your STAMINA never fail!

Today is your last chance to buy tickets for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014!

Tickets are on sale until one minute to midnight tonight, and then that's it! Zagor can't wait to meet you...

Buy your ticket now, and get your copy of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, signed by a host of special guests and contributing artists!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - Featuring Damien Sparkes of Pure Evil Miniatures

 One of the guests attending Fighting Fantasy Fest on Sunday is miniature sculptor Damien Sparkes, of Pure Evil Miniatures.

FFF 2014 will be the first time Damien reveals the results of the project he has been working on for the last year with Ian Livingstone, and as one of those lucky individuals who has already had a sneak peak I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

FF fans and dedicated miniatures collectors are not going to want to miss this... So buy your ticket today, before they run out!

Fighting Fantasy Fest Costume Competition

I know that some of those attending Fighting Fantasy Fest are already preparing what they're going to wear for the day, and I have it on good authority that will we see at least one Zagor the Warlock!

It's not too late to put together your own FF-themed outfit for the day. Indeed, anyone dressing up for FFF 2014 will be able to take part in a costume competition, the winner being decided by the other attendees on the day. The prize? A framed, signed  poster of Ian Livingstone's Blood of the Zombies book cover!

So what are you waiting for? Get out that needle and thread and get sewing! (And buy your ticket here.)

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - Food and drink

Going to Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 on Sunday? Wondering what you're going to do for food and drink?

Well have no fear, because the event has its own bar for the day - The Black Lobster Tavern - and the DoubleTree Hilton has a cafe, literally just across the foyer from where we'll be celebrating all things Fighting Fantasy. Even better, a lunch hour has been factored into the schedule for the day.

Of course, you could also spend that hour perusing the stalls in Port Blacksand and Darkwood Forest. Among the traders are:

• Otherworld Miniatures - who have produced the highly collectible Zagor miniature that will be in every attendee's goodie bag.
• Leisure Games - purveyors of only the finest board games.
• Snowbooks - publishers of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks
• FightingFantasy.com - Jamie Fry will have FF gamebooks both old and new for sale on his stand.
• Arion Games - publishers of Advanced Fighting Fantasy Second Edition.
• All Rolled Up - suppliers of gamebook gaming accessories, who will have some very special, bespoke items for sale.
• Scriptarium - French publishers of Advanced Fighting Fantasy.
• Legend Photography - who will take your FF-themed portrait, props included.

Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased here.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - One week to go!

A week today, at 10.30am, the doors will open on the world's first ever convention dedicated to Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks. Here's what's in store for those attending Fighting Fantasy Fest...

10.30am - Event opens – Registration begins

11.15am – Welcome

11.30am – Tin Man Games presentation, with the first look at the Caverns of the Snow Witch app, and a glimpse of what they have in store for The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.

12.00pm – The History of Fighting Fantasy (Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, with Philippa Dickinson)

1.00pm – Lunch – Why not join us for a pint of ale back at the Black Lobster Tavern?

2.00pm – The Art of Fighting Fantasy (The Fighting Fantasy artists, with Jonathan Green) 

3.00pm – Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks and YOUARE THE HERO mass signing

4.00pm – Fighting Fantasy Costume Competition, followed by the Fighting Fantasy Auction (with auctioneer Ian Livingstone) 

5.00pm – Your adventure ends here… Event closes

A host of other activities will be taking place throughout the day... 

• Arion Games will be running a number of Advanced Fighting Fantasy gaming sessions throughout the day.
• Inkle Studios will be running a Swindlestones tournament – simply visit the Inkle Studios table to take part. 
• You will be able to have your fantasy-themed portrait taken by Legend Photography. 
• Award-winning film-maker Martin Gooch, who has written the script for the Deathtrap Dungeon movie, will be in attendance.
• Sean Riley, the man behind Turn to 400, the fantastic Fighting Fantasy documentary, will be along with his video camera, hoping to interview fans about FF and FFF.
• See the Fighting Fantasy Exhibition, and meet the Fighting Fantasy artists.
• Peruse the markets of Port Blacksand and share fond memories of FF with other seasoned adventurers over a flagon of Cloud Ale (or something similar) at the Black Lobster Tavern?

It's not too late to buy a ticket for Fighting Fantasy Fest. Get yours today!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - All Rolled Up

Among the traders attending Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 is All Rolled Up. All Rolled Up produce unique accessories for gamers, called ARUs.

"ARU offers an innovative, flexible and all-in-one solution for bringing your gaming to the table. A game roll that combines pocket, pen tidy and dice bag into a single accessory - so that when you're All Rolled Up you're ready to game. But, it's not just for gamers... All Rolled Up can carry dice, eraser, index cards, sticky notes, beads, writing gear, drawing kit, board game components, trading cards, wargame miniatures, stationery, make-up and more."

All Rolled Up have produced a number of special ARUs especially for Fighting Fantasy Fest, featuring some classic FF cover art and Martin McKenna's cover painting for YOU ARE THE HERO.

To see more pictures, click this link. To buy your ticket to Fighting Fantasy Fest, click here.

YOU ARE THE HERO - Making the News!

YOU ARE THE HERO, along with Fighting Fantasy Fest, has hit the big time - the book has been mentioned on the BBC News magazine website.



People have been contacting me all day, asking if I've seen the piece. If you've not seen it yet, you can do so by clicking this link. And if you've not bought your ticket for Fighting Fantasy Fest yet, where YOU ARE THE HERO will be launching, you can do so here.

YOU ARE THE HERO on sale in the bustling markets of Port Blacksand

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wander the markets of the infamous City of Thieves, whilst being jostled by Troll Guards, wary of pickpockets as you peruse the unusual wares on offer? Well you can experience something like it (minus the guards and the pickpockets) at Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014.

There are a number of traders coming along to tempt you with their fine wares, so best make sure there are plenty of gold pieces in your backpack on the day. Among the traders are:

• Otherworld Miniatures - who have produced the highly collectible Zagor miniature that will be in every attendee's goodie bag.
• Leisure Games - purveyors of only the finest board games.
• Snowbooks - publishers of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks
• FightingFantasy.com - Jamie Fry will have FF gamebooks both old and new for sale on his stand.
• Arion Games - publishers of Advanced Fighting Fantasy Second Edition.
• All Rolled Up - suppliers of gamebook gaming accessories, who will have some very special, bespoke items for sale.
• Scriptarium - French publishers of Advanced Fighting Fantasy.
• Legend Photography - who will take your FF-themed portrait, props included.

You will also be able to chat to Martin Gooch about his plans to turn Deathtrap Dungeon into a live action movie, as well as the Tin Man himself, Neil Rennison, about Tin Man Games' plans for future FF apps, not to mention Inkle Studios about their Steve Jackson's Sorcery! apps.

So don't delay. There are barely two weeks to go. Buy your ticket today.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - The Schedule!

Here at is at last, what you've all been waiting for, the schedule for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014, taking place on Sunday 7 September at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Ealing, West London.

~ ~ ~

10.30am – The event opens and Registration begins.

11.15am – Welcome to the event you've all been waiting for...

11.30am – Tin Man Games presentation - A very special preview of some of Tin Man Games' forthcoming FF apps.

12.00pm – The History of Fighting Fantasy - A talk by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, with Philippa Dickinson, their editor on the original FF gamebook, The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.

1.00pm – Lunch - Join us for a flagon of Cloud Ale at the Black Lobster Tavern.

2.00pm – The Art of Fighting Fantasy - The Fighting Fantasy artists, in conversation with Jonathan Green.

3.00pm – Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks and YOU ARE THE HERO mass signing.

4.00pm – Fighting Fantasy Costume Competition, followed by the Fighting Fantasy Auction (with auctioneer Ian Livingstone).

5.00pm – Your adventure ends here… The event closes.

~ ~ ~

During the day you will also be able to enjoy Advanced Fighting Fantasy gaming sessions, courtesy of Arion Games, take part in a Swindlestones tournament, with Inkle Studios, and have your fantasy-themed portrait taken by Legend Photography.

Traders who will be there on the day include Otherworld Miniatures, board games specialists Leisure Games, FightingFantasy.com, French AFF publishers Scriptarium, purveyors of gaming accessories All Rolled Up, Pure Evil Miniatures, and Snowbooks, publishers of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks (which will also be launching on the day).

If you've not bought your ticket yet, you can do so here.

Good news! Tickets for Fighting Fantasy Fest will remain on sale until the end of August!

A number of people have let me know that they would still like to attend Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014, but are unable to commit a month before the event actually takes place. As a result, I have taken the decision to commit to making the maximum number of goodie bags and leaving tickets on sale until the end of the month.

So, if you've not bought your ticket yet, you have until 11:59pm on Sunday 31 August 2014 to do so. If you have bought your ticket, please also continue to plug the event and tell all your friends to buy their tickets too. If you are unable to attend, please let everyone else know about Fighting Fantasy Fest anyway.

Thank you.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - Grab your ticket today!

Today is the last day to buy your ticket for Fighting Fantasy Fest and secure your exclusive goodie bag, including goodies to the value of £50!

The 'Adventurer's Backpack' contains...

• A Fighting Fantasy gamebook
• A Pax Britannia novel
• A download code for a Tin Man Games app
• A limited edition poster
• A commemorative convention programme
• And a 32mm miniature of Zagor the Warlock, especially sculpted for this event by Paul Muller and cast by Otherworld Miniatures

Don't delay, buy your ticket today!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - Hitting the Headlines!

Well, the geek press anyway.

YOU ARE THE HERO and FIGHTING FANTASY FEST both get a mention in the latest issues of SFX and SciFiNow magazines.

In SFX, FFF 2014 appears in the 'Event Horizon' part of the mag*, while SciFiNow features a full interview and six-page article with Messrs Jackson and Livingstone**.

Ian Livingstone on Blood of the Zombies, Fighting Fantasy Fest, and Karen Gillan. Obviously.

Perhaps you've stumbled across this very blog because of the aforementioned magazines. Well, have no fear, tickets for FIGHTING FANTASY FEST are still on sale here, and you will soon be able to pre-order your very own copy of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks (all 270 pages of it!), which now has an official publication date of Sunday 7 September - the same day as FIGHTING FANTASY FEST!

YOU ARE THE HERO in big, bold letters. Cool. 

Curse of the Mummy features one of the ten nastiest deaths in Fighting Fantasy, apparently. 

* Although the piece was written by the work experience girl and features one glaring inaccuracy.

** And Curse of the Mummy even gets a mention!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 featuring the official launch of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks

There are now just 3 days left in which you can purchase your ticket for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014, which is attracting guests from all over the UK and beyond.

The event will feature the official book launch of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, which in turn features the artwork of numerous famous Fighting Fantasy artists. The softback edition of YOU ARE THE HERO will be out in September, and the first place it will be available is Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - 1 month to go!

There is just 1 month to go until  FIGHTING FANTASY FEST 2014 takes place at the DoubleTree Hilton in Ealing, West London, and 4 days left to buy your tickets.

For those attending we have all of the following on offer:

6 Fighting Fantasy artists - including Russ Nicholson, John Blanche, Chris Achilleos, Malcolm Barter, Tony Hough and Leo Hartas.

3 Fighting Fantasy authors - Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, co-creators of the Fighting Fantasy series, and Jonathan Green, author of seven FF gamebooks.

An extremely collectible goodie bag, including a Fighting Fantasy gamebook, a poster, a novel, a Tin Man Games download app code, and a ZAGOR THE WARLOCK miniature, only available to those FF fans attending FIGHTING FANTASY FEST and based on this piece of artwork by Russ Nicholson!

A talk on the early days of Fighting Fantasy by Steve and Ian, with special guest Philippa Dickinson, the editor who first worked on The Warlock of Firetop Mountain.

Arion Games running Advanced Fighting Fantasy sessions throughout the day.

Tin Man Games talking about and demonstrating their latest FF apps.

Inkle Studios talking about their Sorcery! apps.

Various others traders, offering books for sale, wargaming miniatures, dice and gaming equipment, and more!

The official book launch of YOU ARE THE HERO - A History of Fighting Fantasy Gamebooks, written by Jonathan Green and supported by hundreds of FF fans through the Kickstarter crowd-funding website.

An exhibition of never-before-seen and highly-collectible items from FF's history.

An auction of rare Fighting Fantasy memorabilia from the vaults of the Warlocks of Firetop Mountain themselves.

And if all that wasn't enough you'll be able to have a drink with the creators of Fighting Fantasy at the Black Lobster Tavern, from Port Blacksand, City of Thieves, themed bar!

If you've not bought your ticket yet you can do so here. Please tell all your friends via social media and any other means at your disposal (such as telephone, email, carrier pigeon, smoke signals, sorcery...) and we'll look forward to seeing you in September!

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 - Featuring Legend Photography

There are now just 6 days left in which you can buy tickets for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014...

One of a guest traders at the event will be Legend Photography, who specialise in fantastical photographic portraits. The company will be bringing various props with them on the day, so if you've always wondered what you'd look like as a contestant about to enter Deathtrap Dungeon, or an Analander heading into Kakhabad, wonder no longer. Just come along on the day and let your imagination run wild.

You may, of course, want to come in costume for the day. This is absolutely fine and, indeed, welcomed. There has been so much interest in dressing up as a Fighting Fantasy adventurer, or one of your favourite villains from the books, that we've introduced a brand new event to the schedule for the day.

Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 is going to feature a costume competition, voted for by those attending, and with the prize of a framed, signed Blood of the Zombies poster on offer.

So what are you waiting for? Purchase your ticket for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 and start preparing your Zagor costume today!

Attend Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 and appear in a Fighting Fantasy gamebook app!

There's now just 1 week left to purchase your ticket for Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014...

One of the guests attending Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 will be Neil Rennison, the Tin Man's flesh avatar from Tin Man Games.

As well as very generously donating a free download code for everyone attending FFF 2014, Tin Man Games are giving YOU the chance to appear in a future Fighting Fantasy gamebook app.

Everyone attending Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 will be entered into a prize draw, and those lucky people who have their names drawn out of the hat will appear as characters in a forthcoming FF app.

Imagine that - being immortalised in one of your favourite FF gamebooks and becoming a part of Fighting Fantasy history yourself!

So don't delay, buy your ticket today!