READ ALL THE THINGS.
Originally named SFF Literature, we renamed this stream when it became clear there were other things we wanted to talk about too, like YA and Horror Fiction, as well as Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Browse our guest list below or download our programme for a look at all the exciting events we've got to offer!
FRIDAY
17:00 - 18:15 CAKE OR DEATH: DISCUSSING PLOT, PACING AND CHARACTER DEATH. CAKES PROVIDED!
Some authors want to be nice to their characters, some don’t. And some just murder them all. Come celebrate the opening of the Nine Worlds Books track with tea and cake, and a discussion on writing conflict, danger and character death with some of science fiction and fantasy’s finest authors.
Zen Cho, Paul Cornell, Charles Stross, Liz de Jager, Marcus Gipps (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
18:45 - 20:00 HOW TO HELP YOUR BOOK FIND AN AGENT
Agent Juliet Mushens and Gollancz fantasy author Den Patrick talk you through the publishing process from both sides. Den will share his writing tips, suggestions for preparing to submit to agents, and insights into the process from finishing your book to publication. Juliet will explain what she looks for in submissions, how to catch an agent's attention, and how her role continues far beyond when the deal is inked.
Juliet Mushens and Den Patrick
Renaissance Hotel - George I
20:30 - 21:45 LAUNCH PARTY: RAISE A GLASS OF MEAD TO SWORDS OF GOOD MEN AND THE GLASS REPUBLIC
Snorri Kristjansson and Tom Pollock launch their fantasy novels Swords of Good Men and The Glass Republic at Nine Worlds. Swords of Good Men is a rousing historical fantasy novel (with Vikings!) about two young men caught in the middle of the clash between opposing gods. It is the debut novel from author, stand-up comedian and teacher Snorri Kristjansson. The Glass Republic is the second in the Skyscraper Throne series from Tom Pollock, which brings a hidden London to vivid life. Tom and Snorri invite all Nine Worlders to join them at the launch for merriment, mead (why not?), and a celebration of the fantastic fantasy literature coming from Jo Fletcher Books in August.
Renaissance Hotel - George I + Lounge
22:15 - 23:30 NEW VOICES SLAM SESSION: FRIDAY EDITION.
Come listen to short readings from nine of 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!
Liz de Jager, Stephanie Saulter, Adam Christopher, Rochita Loenen-Ruiz, Emma Newman, Barry Nugent, Danie Ware, Jennifer Williams, Lou Morgan, Hannah Chutzpah (emcee)
Renaissance Hotel - The New Room, ground floor
SATURDAY
10:00 - 11:15 HEROES VS. VILLAINS: THE DEBATE!
We kick off Saturday with the ultimate showdown: heroes vs. villains! Two authors argue that villains are the best, two argue for heroes, the audience decides once and for all. Who will it be? Katniss or Catwoman? Frodo or Darth Vader? Starks or Lannisters? There will be room for audience members to speak on the floor, so come prepared to shout, argue and scream for your favourite side.
Kate Griffin, Stan Nicholls, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Zen Cho, Anne Perry (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
11:45-13:00 THE PUBLISHING PANEL: Q&A WITH EDITORS AND AGENTS
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? We talk to seasoned editors and agents from the science fiction and fantasy scene.
Juliet Mushens, Amy McCulloch, Marcus Gipps, Ian Drury, Jared Shurin (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
13:00-13:30 CORY DOCTOROW LAUNCHES HOMELAND
Help Titan Books celebrate the launch of Cory Doctorow's upcoming novel, Homeland, with coffee and fortune cookies in the bar. Homeland is the thrilling follow up to Cory's New York Times bestselling novel Little Brother. Cory will be signing books and performing a short reading.
Renaissance Hotel - DUO Bar
13:45-14:45 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? Who better to decide than four authors who spend their time thinking about the future, and who better to vote on the winning team than you, the audience?
Charles Stross, Jaine Fenn, Tricia Sullivan, Cory Doctorow Tom Hunter (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
15:15 - 16:30 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.
Lou Morgan, Ben Aaronovitch, Kate Griffin, Barry Nugent, Jo Fletcher (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
17:00 - 18:15 LIFE BEYOND WESTEROS: WHAT DOES GAME OF THRONES MEAN FOR THE FANTASY GENRE?
HBO’s Games of Thrones series has thrust fantasy into the mainstream – there’s no denying it. But what does that mean for the genre? Epic fantasy authors discuss the current state of fantasy fiction, George R. R. Martin's influence on the genre and where to get your next fix of dragons, sorcery and
blokes with cloaks.
Adrian Tchaikovsky, Stan Nicholls, Anne Lyle, Francis Knight, Rebecca Levene (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
18:45 - 20:00 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?
Roz Kaveney, Tricia Sullivan, David Tallerman, Rochita Loenen-Ruiz, Jon Weir (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
20:30 - 21:45 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? Most importantly, how long can the panellists go without mentioning the Twilight series?
Liz de Jager, Tom Pollock, Cory Doctorow, Catherine Banner, Amanda Rutter (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
22:15 - 23:30 NEW VOICES SLAM SESSION: SATURDAY EDITION
Your chance to listen to short readings from nine more of science fiction and fantasy's most promising new authors. Bring your drinks, bring your friends, contrast and compare these authors to Friday's authors (but not too loudly).
Tom Pollock, Laure Eve, Snorri Kristjansson, Benedict Jacka, Den Patrick, Zen Cho, Catherine Banner, Francis Knight, Tade Thompson, Paul Cornell (emcee)
Renaissance Hotel - The New Room, ground floor
SUNDAY
9:00 - 9:45 WHAT MAKES 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 the readers who collect every action figure and make their own fanworks. Some books don't. What does it take to make a fandom? Our panel decides.
Danie Ware, Adrian Tchaikovsky, James Swallow, Iona Sharma, Paul Wiseall (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
10:00 - 11:15 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 going to the stars? How have real-world concerns about the reality and practicality of space travel affected the genre?
Charles Stross, Adam Christopher, Jaine Fenn, Ian Whates, Gavin Smith, Stephanie Saulter (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
11:45-13:00 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.
Stephanie Saulter, Zen Cho, Rochita Loenen-Ruiz, Tade Thompson, Anne Perry (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
13:30-14:45 NIGHTMARE FUEL: HOW TO SCARE YOUR AUDIENCE FOR FUN AND PROFIT
We invite you to 'enter freely and of your own free will' and find out how these creators manage to terrify readers with and without the benefit of CGI and buckets of red corn syrup.
Kim Newman, Ben Aaronovitch, Rebecca Levene, Will Hill, Deborah Hyde, Jonathan Oliver (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
15:15 - 16:30 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 the advice they'd give to authors who are just starting out.
Den Patrick, Benedict Jacka, Francis Knight, Emma Newman, David Tallerman (moderator)
Renaissance Hotel - George I
