If feel I aught to as it is only 35 miles away, but its £30 for a one day event. If it were £60 for a 2 dayer I would probably balk at that as well.
The website is awful and as vague as ever. The only names I recognise are the Newmans and Jen Williams.I have books to get signed by Emma and Jen, but it's would have to be more impressive than it looks to command that sort of money to get in at the moment. So convince me Lor why should I go to this one?
Link if anyone is interested. http://www.bristolcon.org/
Because BristolCon is the most welcoming, inclusive and fun little con going. No one is treated as an outsider, the panels are great fun and really interactive, there are reading and kaffeeklatsches and what have you for seeing authors reading, but everyone mingles in the bar. There are so many wonderful British writers there, more so than just the Newmans and Jen Williams, I'm really surprised you don't recognise more on the list. The dealers' room and the art room always have gorgeous and interesting pieces to browse round, and the games room has fun stuff to jump in and play.
The programme is always jam-packed too, the only time there is nothing planned is the hour lunch-break so the staff can eat too! It's due out soon, I'm excited to see what I'm involved in.
But really, if you think £30 is too much, nothing I say is going to change your mind. Which is mad, considering how much people will pay for cons in London.