#which isn't on the birmingham or liverpool lines

[weedle-testaburger]

brits: hey can we just take trains from the east to the west without going through londo-

the train companies:

[petermorwood]

I think this may have been one of the Eastercons in the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool. I'm guessing Sou'WesterCon in 1994, and if there was a drawing or autograph from Barbara Hambly, that would confirm it.

*****

As for signings, yup, @dduane's list is mine too:

There's advertising but no promo material and no extra books to sign, so the shop stock runs out and there's nothing for anyone else. (Cardiff - though the aftermath involved a far busier return engagement where I got my first writer's cramp since Final exams.)

The shop gets the date wrong so there's no advertising and nobody knows you're there ("But the signing's next weekend! Isn't it?") despite the air-ticket - which the publisher sent you - being for this weekend. (Birmingham - though the aftermath involved being taken out for some of the best Indian food I've ever eaten in my life.)

The extra stock and promo stuff is there, the advertising posters are up, and even then nobody but regular customers come into the shop. (London - though the aftermath involved being given a stack of rare and original SF3D model kits which I still have.)

And so on and so forth.

*****

On the flip-side,we had one memorable session at Worldcon 1995 in Glasgow, the only convention my Mum ever attended.

That was where she saw with her own eyes - though its significance had to be explained later, I think by @su-whisterfield - that for four minutes by my watch - Four Whole Minutes! - DD's and my signing line was bigger than Terry Pratchett's at the very next table...

Balance was soon restored, of course, but I still remember the Voice From Under The Hat saying, in tones of mock outrage: "'Ere, have you two been passin' out bribes?"

Ah, good times, good times. :-D