Luna Dinner - Our Annual Family Tradition
Luna Dinner 2016
The Luna Family celebrated its first birthday at Hanam's Kurdish Restaurant, in Edinburgh.
What a magnificent evening we had. I cannot imagine spending Luna's first birthday in any other way, except surrounded by wonderful and talented people. In fact, we were all so busy talking (and eating and drinking) that no one took a picture of the dinner!
Senior Editor Robert S Malan and I, had the pleasure of dining with Montague Chambers, Barbara Stevenson, Anthony Laken, Simon Walpole, Joseph Degand and James Agombar, some of our talented writers and artists and their lovely sisters, brothers and partners. We took over a large table at Hanam's, on the Royal Mile, sampling tasty Kurdish food and middle-eastern desserts. Truly a treat. Afterwards, we moved the party to an old style Scottish establishment, The Kings Arms, where we did remember to take a picture, though by then we had lost a few members.
We had such a good time that we re-started the party this morning - feeling a bit delicate I must admit - and concluded the celebration with a last lunch together.
Luna Dinner 2017, Le Di-Vin.
Luna's second birthday was a splendid evening at Le Di-Vin, on Saturday 18th of February. Robert S Malan and I celebrated with David S Malone, Jay Johnstone, Kat Harvey, Barbara Stevenson, Peter Andrews, Anthony Laken, Joe Degand, Simon Walpole, Nina Oram and their relative and friends. Rob and I toasted to all our authors and artists who could not join us for the evening - they were never too far from our minds. The family is growing!
C/w from left: David S Malone, Jay Johnstone, Kat Harvey, Peter Andrews, Barbara Stevenson, Anthony Laken, RS Malan, Joe Degand, Simon Walpole, FT Barbini, Nina Oram.
C/w from left: David S Malone, Jay Johnstone, Kat Harvey, Peter Andrews, Barbara Stevenson, Anthony Laken, RS Malan, Joe Degand, Simon Walpole, FT Barbini, Nina Oram.
Luna Dinner 2018, Le Di-Vin.
We survived the third Luna Birthday Dinner! Just like last year, they had to 'nudge' us out of the doors in the early hours. The Luna family know how to party, obviously!
Jay Johnstone, Francesca T Barbini and Robert S Malan.
From bottom left: Steph Bianchini, Francesca T Barbini, Lizzy Priest, Simon Walpole, Nina Oram, Barbara Stevenson, Leigh Kennedy, Kim Lakin-Smith.
Karl Eklund, David Steven Malone and Del Lakin-Smith.
Jay Johnstone, Francesca T Barbini and Robert S Malan.
Luna Dinner 2019, Le Di-Vin.
We survived the fourth Luna Birthday Dinner! The British Fantasy Award made its appearance and was lifted World-Cup style! Delighted to have so many amazing authors to celebrate!
Robert S Malan and Francesca T Barbini
Helen Sansum, Francesca T Barbini and Ian Whates
Barbara Stevenson and Francesca T Barbini with a couple of gorgeous little Luna - our beagle mascotte!
Robert S Malan and Francesca T Barbini
Luna Dinner 2020, Le Di-Vin.
The fifth Luna Birthday Dinner marked an important moment in the life of our small press. As well as inviting the Luna family (our authors, artists and freelancers), we also invited those who have supported Luna from before it even existed: colleagues from works, publishers, friends and family.
Unfortunately Storm Dennis decimated our numbers, but we still had over 20 in attendance. It was a great night and we are so blessed to be surrounded by such loveliness!
Karl Eklund (Luna Cover Design) and Noel Chidwick (Shoreline of Infinity)
Anna Milon (Luna writer Fiction & Academia Lunare) and Vassilis Galanos (Academia Lunare contributor)
Michael and Elizabeth (guests) and Jay Johnstone (Luna artist).
Karl Eklund (Luna Cover Design) and Noel Chidwick (Shoreline of Infinity)
Luna Dinner 2022, Le Di-Vin.
The seventh Luna Birthday Dinner marked another important moment in the life of our small press, because we were able to celebrate the Best Independent Press Award, from the British Fantasy Society. Authors, artists, editors and colleagues of the industry - a lovely party, 20 strong - and after skipping 2021 due to Covid, it was SO GOOD to be with the Luna Family again!
 Behind me, Ann Landman, Director of Cymera, and author Steph P Bianchini. |  From the left, authors Rhiannon Grist and Cat Hellisen. |  The beacons are lit! |
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 From the left, authors Lorraine Wilson, Jane Alexander, and Geoff King. |  Not sure what I was on about... Anyhow, that's author Dorcas Wilson to the right, secretary of the Edinburgh Writers' Club. |  With musician and author Suna Dasi (centre), and musician Madbh, from Crow and Erin Bennett Band. |
 A toast! |  |