Easter is here, which can only mean . . .
Eastercon! The Gollancz Gang is going to be hanging out, attending panels, heckling panelists, browsing in the dealer’s room, in the bar and more at the Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford, throughout Easter . . . so here’s our quick guide to all the Eastercon action. Check back daily to be sure you know what’s on and what’s up for Gollancz!
Friday 29 March
17.00 Author Readings: Cory Doctorow and Jaine Fenn.
Join Jaine Fenn, and Cory Doctorow, as they read from their recent work. Jaine says: ‘I’m sharing with Cory Doctorow. I’ll let him decide who goes first, and probably read one of the stories from Downside Girls.’ Be there, in the Hwathorn room, and don’t miss out!
17.00 PS Publishing Launch Event.
Yorkshire’s very own specialist publisher will get Eastercon underway with an event to launch five new books the UK’s leading SF and Fantasy writers. The titles include two by fabulous Gollancz authors: Universes by Stephen Baxter and A Very British History by Paul McAuley, alongside Starship Seasons by Eric Brown, Martian Sands by Lavie Tidhar and Growing Pains by Ian Whates. Do head over to show your support, in the Conservatory.
19.00 Advice for Writers: Characterisation.
A discussion combining practical experience and professional observations on writing believable and interesting characters. Our own Gillian Redfearn moderates Sarah Ash, Jacey Bedford, Gareth Powell and Ian Watson. Share your thoughts, in the Boardroom.
19.00 Genre Get-Together: Fantasy.
Your chance to get-together with authors and get your stuff signed! Gollancz authors (including Christopher Priest), Paul McAuley, Simon Ings, Jaine Fenn and Stephen Baxter will sign almost anything in exchange for a drink, or even if you just ask nicely.
Saturday 30 March
11.00 Sensory Overload.
Why stop at five senses? There are many other senses in the natural world, more available through technology, and even more in SF and Fantasy. Our panel explore. With Simon Ings, Dr Bob, Roz Kaveney, Paul McAuley, and Walter Jon Williams. Have your say, in the Main room.
12.00 Non-Western SF and Fantasy.
Anglophone writers and books by westerners still dominate the bookshelves, but Japan, China and India (to take three examples) also have thriving SFF traditions. The panel look at the trends outside the Anglophone and western worlds. Rochita Loenen-Ruiz moderates Aliette de Bodard, Stephane Marsan, Sarah Newton and Gillian Redfearn. Get involved, in the Main room.
12.00 Alexander Bogdanov.
A talk about the true founder of modern SF, from author Simon Ings who says: ‘Alexander Bogdanov, science fiction pioneer, philosopher, physician, Lenin’s friend and rival, explored the idea of automating society. The West calls this cybernetics and it fuels consumer culture. But in the Soviet Union, Bogdanov’s philosophy was discredited and suppressed. With pictures, video, short readings, and no small amount of hand-waving, I’ll explain why Bogdanov, not Wells, is the true founder of modern SF’. Come along and learn something, in the Rowan room.
13.00 The Far Future.
Let’s not waste time: we should get on with solving the problems facing us in five or ten billion years’ time (crashing galaxies, red giant Sun, possible gamma bursts . . .). If we make it that far, what will our civilisation have grown into? Will we be ready when the stars go out? Our panel look to the future. Fran Dowd moderates Stephen Baxter, Stephanie Saulter, Ian Watson and Walter Jon Williams. Join in, in the Main room.
17.00 Advice for Writers: How and Why
A discussion combining practical experience and professional observations on shaping and narrating your story and plot. Our own Marcus Gipps moderates Nina Allan, Tony Ballantyne, Gary Gibson and Sharon Reamer. Share your thoughts, in the Boardroom.
19.00 Genre Get-Together: Science Fiction.
Your chance to get-together with authors and get your stuff signed! Gollancz authors (including Christopher Priest, Paul McAuley, Simon Ings, Jaine Fenn, and Stephen Baxter) will sign almost anything in exchange for a drink, or even if you just ask nicely.
20.00 The Mirror Mirror Ball, featuring Witching Hour.
What’s so special about the Mirror Ball? First, there will be live music from goth duo Witching Hour. Second, this is a Mirror Mirror Ball – come as your counterpart from a parallel dimension! With an interval disco courtesy of Jaine Fenn(or possibly her mirror universe double). Get involved, in the Main room.
21.00 Five Years: The End of the World Panel.
Recent apocalypses have been a disappointment, but what would happen if there was a guaranteed, proven end-of-the-world coming
in five years. What would happen to society? Nigel Furlong, Chris Beckett, Janet Edwards, Paul McAuley and Philip Palmer discuss the consequences. Have your say, in the Rowan room.
Sunday 31 March
11.00 Where Is The New Wave Now?
In the 1960s, the New Wave of SF introduced sex, drugs and experimental formalism to SF. SF has never been the same since: but nor
is it a continuation of the New Wave style. Our panel ask what SF has kept from the New Wave, what it has dropped, and what it should be
bringing back. Kev McVeigh moderates Jo Fletcher, Farah Mendlesohn and Christopher Priest. Be part of the conversation, in the Hawthorn room.
13.00 Cityscapes.
The great cities of fiction: Trantor, Cities in Flight, Ankh-Morpork. Who lives in them, how do they work, how do you write them? With Jaine Fenn, CE Murphy, Ian Whates and Walter Jon Williams. Join in, in the Main room.
13.00 Advice for Writers: Setting.
discussion combining practical experience and professional observations on writing believable and detailed environments. Our own Darren Nash moderates Chris Beckett, Aliette de Bodard, Simon Morden and Gaie Sebold. Get involved, in the Boardroom.
17.00 Patrick Moore.
People who knew or were inspired by Patrick Moore discuss his life and works. Includes a talk from long-time collaborator Dave Hardy, and contributions from Dev Agarwal, Stephen Baxter, Vince Docherty and Jaine Fenn. Share your thoughts, in the Rowan room.
18.00 Near Earth Asteroids Say Bang!
Last month saw a large asteroid pass closer to the Earth than the Moon, and a smaller one hit the ground in Russia. How long before we have a serious space accident? Is there anything we can do to stop it, or is it not politically important? Jen Delaney moderates John Coxon, Jaine Fenn and Sharon Reamer. Have your say, in the Main room.
21.00 The SF in Games.
How does science fiction work in a gaming environment (video, board or RPG)? Does the science and setting have to take second place to the rules? Are there games with SF good enough that it should be seen elsewhere too? John Dallman moderates Dr Bob, Jaine Fenn, Gareth Kavanagh and Kin-Ming Looi. Join in, in the Main room.
Monday 1 April
10.00 Gerry Anderson: Anything Can Happen . . .
Gerry Anderson died last December, but his influence endures. His many TV programmes are discussed by Margaret Austin, Stephen Baxter, Tony Keen, Mark Slater and David Wake. Be part of the conversation, in the Main room.
Stuck for something to do in between panels? Why not drop by the dealer’s room and have a browse, or come by a panel or the bar and say hi to the Gollancz gang!