Utopias and dystopias, heroes and villains, reinventing mythology, writing horror, getting published and lots more will be covered in the ALL OF THE BOOKS track. We've a host of great authors to share knowledge and stories, and you can listen to new voices, discuss fandom, YA and space travel, as well as learning about racefail and LGBT+ issues. Check out the main track page for the big list of guest authors and full session descriptions, and hope to see you there!
THE BIG DEBATE: IS OUR FUTURE UTOPIAN OR DYSTOPIAN? SF AUTHORS DECIDE.
Science fiction writers present the evidence and debate our future – where are we heading, utopia or dystopia? Galaxy spanning empire or barren wasteland? Where are the signs, and what do we deserve?
NEW VOICES SLAM SESSIONS
On Friday and Saturday night, come listen to short readings from science fiction and fantasy's most promising new authors. Bring your drinks, bring your friends, you might find your next literary addiction. Get to know these guys before they sell out!
KILL YOUR DARLINGS: IS TORTURING YOUR CHARACTERS THE WAY TO KEEP READERS?
It can't all be kittens and rainbows – but it can't all be suffering and Whedonesque deaths either. When does hurting your characters keep readers reading, and when does it become simply a substitute for plot?
NIGHTMARE FUEL: HOW TO SCARE YOUR READERS FOR FUN AND PROFIT
We invite you to 'enter freely and of your own free will' and find out how our four horror authors manage to terrify readers without the benefit of CGI and buckets of red corn syrup.
THE PUBLISHING PANEL
Publishing: what's that all about? How does it work, what does it take to put out a book, how can you improve your chances of being picked up by a major publisher, and what are the pros hoping to find in the slush pile?
HEROES VS. VILLAINS: THE DEBATE!
Katniss or Catwoman? Frodo or Darth Vader? Starks or Lannisters? Two authors argue that villains are the best, two argue for heroes, the audience decides who wins.
CAN'T TAKE THE SKY FROM ME: SCIENCE FICTION AND SPACE TRAVEL
It's over fifty years since we sent the first humans into space. Are we still as excited about space travel? How have real-world concerns about the reality and practicality of space travel affected the genre?
IS THERE LIFE BEYOND GAME OF THRONES?
Epic fantasy authors discuss the state of the genre, where to get your next fix of dragons, sword fights and sorcery, and whether winter is ever really going to get here.
WHAT MAKES A BOOK INTO A FANDOM?
Some books have that spark, that skyrocket factor that launches them into the spotlight, that gets the TV deal, the film series and gets the readers who collect every action figure and make their own fanworks. Some books don't. What does it take to make a fandom?
RACEFAIL 101
Our panellists discuss colonialism, xenophobia and racism in science fiction and fantasy, recommending the best works discussing these issues as well as discussing the problems we face in writing and reading SFF, and what we can do about them.
NEW HOUSE, OLD GHOSTS: REINVENTING MYTHOLOGY AND THE SUPERNATURAL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Monster-making and mythbreaking: a panel discussing how and why we use myths, legends and folklore to tell stories about ourselves today.
TEENAGE KICKS: WRITING FOR YOUNG ADULT AUDIENCES
Authors and editors of young adult fiction discuss writing for teenagers: how is it different from adult fiction? What are the current trends? How long can the panellists go without mentioning Twilight?
SCIENCE FICTION DOUBLE FEATURE: GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN SFF
Panellists discuss the treatment of gender and sexuality in science fiction and fantasy literature. Are issues of representation getting better, or worse, and how can we improve?
MY FIRST TIME: DEBUT NOVELISTS DISH THE DIRT
What's it really like getting your first novel out there? First time novelists share their highs and lows, and what advice they'd give to authors who are just starting out.