The 2023 Speculative Fiction Festival was held at Writing NSW on Saturday 24 June, and was a sold out event attended by over a hundred people.
Curated by festival director Alan Baxter, the program boasted some of Australia’s best fantasy, sci-fi and horror authors, discussing everything from craft and inspiration to publishing and industry.
“I’ve attended a few festivals this year and found there to be a real lack of support – even a kind of disdain – for SFF writers and their aspirations. It was refreshing to go to an event and actually take notes, instead of leaving with a blank page.” — Festival guest
On the morning of the festival, attendees came to Callan Park along with excellent weather and joined us for a day of panels, book signings, conversations with fellow writers and spec fic fans, and kaffeeklatsches where they could ask our bestselling authors for insight and advice.
“It was really fantastic to hear from Garth Nix, given that his career is so impressive and he was so happy to share his insights into many aspects of the industry that he knows first-hand.” — Festival guest
Due to covid restrictions in 2021, this was the first time the biennial Speculative Fiction Festival was able to be held in four years, and the hunger for these opportunities for writers and fans of speculative fiction was prevalent in the enthusiastic energy felt by attendees, speakers, and staff alike.
“It was fantastic being with people who utterly love writing, love wild and exciting ideas, and who love being fans of the genre, as well as meeting people who write, and who love, spec fiction (and who are really great about talking to fans about it).” — Festival guest
Throughout the day, book hauls were bought from our festival bookseller Better Read Than Dead, and after our final networking drinks on the verandah to wind down the exciting day, many folks went home with thrilling reading material to get them through the festival come-down.
The Writing NSW team is already looking forward to the next Speculative Fiction Festival in 2025, and we hope to see you all at our Boundless Festival events later this year – program announcements to come soon.
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