Presently in the midst of writing a paper for a Short Story conference in the UK. Pitched the following abstract:

Ray Bradbury: The Martian Storyteller
Ray Bradbury is widely known for the cult novel, The Martian Chronicles (1950), published originally in the UK under the title of The Silver Locusts (1951). This collection of short stories on the colonisation of Mars explores more than Sci-fi themes of the day and still speaks to readers today. Exploring the themes in Bradbury’s work: technology, distrust, racism, dystopia and subtopia, the paper will try to readdress the balance between Bradbury the pulp novelist and Bradbury the master story teller. Discussing why Bradbury’s genre work has been overlooked by Creative Writing Academics and writers in the UK.

Hopefully this work will be included in a book published by a University Press later in the year. Any supporting material or ideas, discussions around the themes would help - I want to do Ray Bradbury the justice he deserves he has been overlooked in UK Academia for too long.

Hi Andrewo,

and greetings from another UK academic. I happen to be researching for a paper or two on Bradbury myself at the moment. (My topic is Bradbury in adaptation to visual and audio media.)

Which conference will you be presenting at?

You could have at least responded to my e-mail phil. I don't think you should make promises that you do not intend to keep.

[...phil, who has been away for Easter, goes off to check his email to see what has upset Robot Lincoln...]

Hi Phil,
It will be the Edge Hill Short Story Conference at Edge Hill College of HE. 13th May 2006.

Which Uni are you at Phil. Maybe we should talk more. So few cover him in the UK.

Hi Phil, Don't take me or this board as seriously as I do sometimes. The mix up is all me, I just thought e-mail superceded posting on a board. As far as talking about it on the board, it won't happen again, although what an immediate response. As far as the audio books go, please don't sweat it, I've found a more reliable source. Sorry, and thanks again.

Andrewo,

I thought it might be Edge Hill. Maybe I should come along - it's relatively cheap as academic conferences go. But how odd to hold it on a Saturday!

I'm at Wolverhampton. I teach video and film production, and am currently researching adaptation. Feel free to email me if you'd like to discuss more: bradburymedia@yahoo.co.uk