See you at Nineworlds GeekFest

This weekend sees the first Nineworlds GeekFest convention in Heathrow, and Gollancz authors – and staff – are there for the whole weekend. Nineworlds is a “large fan-run multi-genre geek event in London”, with strands dedicated to books, comics, gaming, Doctor Who, Tolkien, Steampunk, Game of Thrones and many many more.

Here’s a breakdown of where and when you can find us (cheerfully stolen from the Nineworlds website at www.nineworlds.co.uk). Do come and say hello if you’re there, or tweet @gollancz with your thoughts on the programme, our contributions, or just in general! The Gollancz authors and staff are bolded below, but the entire book track – nay, the entire programme – looks fantastic, and that’s lots to discover for yourselves.

Ben Aaronovitch, Paul Cornell, Gavin Smith, Jaine Fenn, Den Patrick and Stan Nicholls are there on the authorial side, and Marcus Gipps (editor) and Jon Weir (Publicist) are there from the Gollancz team. Hope to see you there!

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

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

 

11:45 – 13:00 Doctor Who: The Ones You Love To Hate
Nothing’s more fun than a really hissable villain, and Doctor Who’s had more than its fair share of dastardly dudes and dames over the years. What makes a perfect villain? Is it the megalomaniac schemes? A catchphrase? Or just a natty line in sinister clothes? We talk all about the nastiest people in history.
With Jonathan L Howard, Adam Christopher, David A. McIntee and Ben Aaronovitch

 

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

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

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

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