"I'm On What Panel?"

So I telephoned Christian the other day (Black Library's editor) to check on my latest script submission, as well as when I could expect to see the comp copies of the Tales From The Ten-Tailed Cat graphic novel.

"So you're on a panel at the November Comics Festival, then?" he said.

"Er, not as far as I know," I replied.

But, according to the website, I most certainly am.

It's not completely out of left field mind. I contacted Kev Sutherland a month ago about securing a ticket for the first winter Comics Festival, and updated him on what I was working on at the moment to justify why he should hand over a free ticket to a hapless spod like my goodself.

He wondered whether I would be interested in taking part in the New Writer's Pitchfest panel, where anyone with a barnstorming idea for a comic, character or short story could risk ritual evisceration in front of a live audience and a panel made up of industry professionals.

I was flattered to be asked, but realistic enough to accept that he was probably asking anyone and everyone who emailed him for freebies. However, since I'm still finding my feet, I politely emailed Kev back to let him know that I didn't feel comfortable (or even remotely qualified) to pass judgement on someone elses work.

And that, I thought, was that.

Until Christian dropped that brown-trouser-inducing nugget of info on me. I repeated my lack of qualifications, but Christian dismissed them and suggested I should do it, and could drop in tips on how to bribe an editor. Apparently Sojourn's writer, fellow Brit Ian Edginton, sent Christian a Curly-Wurly as a way of currying his favour.

Bloody hell! I've been spending a fortune putting together photocopied booklets of some of my recent work to send out to editors. But if it only takes a chocolate bar to get their attention...

Ah well, guess it might be an idea to put together some cue cards for the panel so that I can at least sound like I know what I'm talking about.