The 2022 Fan Convention took place on a wet, murky Sunday in September, but that didn’t stop this special GNS occasion being full of colour, fun and memories. Doors opened at 12 noon, and guests were given exclusive GNS stickers and a warm welcome upon arrival. Highlights included a raffle, an exhibition table (featuring treasures such as Guy’s beloved carved walking sticks and a kinky board game called Libido, which was discovered hidden away in the attic, probably – although not definitely – unused!), a merchandise table, and a GNS book stall (with many books signed by the Great Scribbler) as well as a GNS quiz and a delicious buffet.
Author and Sinister Horror Company publisher Justin Park (J.R. Park) gave us a fabulous reading of a few suitably gory excerpts from the novel Beheaded, much to the shocked delight of several rather elegant septuagenarian and octogenarian ladies in the audience! The novel was written as a collaboration between Justin and Guy and was Guy’s last book, published posthumously in 2021.
Beheaded, which was jointly written by Park and Smith and published by Park’s outfit Sinister Horror Company, through which the following GNS books can be found on Etsy and Amazon: Beheaded, The Dark Hours, Tales from the Graveyard, Sabat: The Return, Satanic Armageddon, Werewolf Omnibus,The Casebook of Raymond Odell and The Charnel Caves.
Next up was Joseph Freeman, author of works including Arcadia Lodge and The Cold Heart of Summer, who performed a reading of his terrifying short story Redfield’s Lane which had featured in the Hell of a Guy tribute anthology that marked Guy’s 25th FanCon anniversary. Joseph also proved to be a skilled and comedic auctioneer, as guests bid for various items ranging from Guy’s trademark deerstalker and black fedora hats to his X Factor Magazine collection (magazines about paranormal phenomena, not singing wannabees, you understand!) which contained a GNS article.
The concluding number on the programme was a reading of the first chapter of Night of the Crabs, Guy’s famous 1976 bestseller, by one of his own daughters, Tara Paulsson. Proceeds from the day raised £1,854 in total, an amount that was split 50-50 (as promised) between Black Hill Books Ltd and The Donkey Sanctuary. The donation of £927 was made to Guy’s favourite charity on his birthday, a fitting ‘present’ for a man who had himself cared for a number of sanctuary donkeys on Black Hill over approximately four decades.
What a fantastic, heartwarming day in memory of the late, great Guy N. Smith!
Thanks go to:
Jean Smith, who organised the generous buffet and contacted family and friends for the guest list; Angus Harvey-Smith, who managed sales/payments on the day; Rowan Robinson, who took photos and videos and helped with the quiz; Gavin Smith (BHB Director) for his advisory input; Chris Hall, who helped draw up the guest list and contact fans; Justin Park and Joseph Freeman for their superb readings; Shane Agnew and Hal C.F. Austell who provided some fiendish quiz questions; ‘Reverend’ Iain Daddy, who helped out on the day and provided Tara with her costume, including a most unusual and rather naughty pendant; Mike Bradbury for donating a signed copy of his Confessions of a Subbuteo Player – The History of the Staffordshire Subbuteo Association (a collaboration with Guy) as a quiz prize; and Kelly Freeman who (along with husband Joseph) was indispensable in helping to set up the stalls and run the show. And a huge thank you, of course, to all the friends, family and fans who brought along their love, appetite for fun and deep respect for Guy, the Godfather of Pulp.