Event:

Speculative Fiction Festival 2019

Saturday 29 June, 10am-6pm

Writing NSW, Callan Park

Speculative fiction is the stuff of dreams and nightmares, encompassing science fiction, fantasy and horror in all its guises: near-future dystopia, far-flung space exploration and alien encounters, tales of magic and wizardry, bone-chilling urban horror and the madness of the surreal.

The Speculative Fiction Festival 2019 will be held on 29 June this year, and will be packed with insightful explorations. You’ll learn practical advice on writing, marketing and publishing, and hear inspirational discussions of radical concepts that will fuel your imagination.

The Festival will showcase some of Australia’s leading speculative fiction writers who are known for their curiosity, innovation and imagination. Our program includes award-winning authors such as James Bradley, Mitchell Hogan, Catherine McKinnon, Margaret Morgan and Kaaron Warren.

Festival director Keith Stevenson is well-versed in all things spec fic due to a career spanning decades as an author, editor, publisher, reviewer and podcaster.

Our friends Better Read Than Dead are our bookseller partners for the festival, and will be there on the day for all your spec fic book needs.

Bookings are open now.

 

*Festival Update*

Kaaron Warren will be replacing James Bradley on the first panel of the day – That Was Then, This is Now.

Download the program here>>

This event has already taken place.

Program

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9 am
10 am
11 am
12 pm
1 pm
2 pm
3 pm
4 pm
5 pm
6 pm
Patrick White Room
Patrick White Room
Registration opens
9:30 am - 10:00 am

Writing with Passion
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Deborah Abela talks to Belinda Murrell about the highs and lows of Deborah’s career, her passions, inspiration, writing process, and being part of a writing community.

That Was Then, This Is Now
10:00 am - 11:00 am
With Shankari Chandran, Sam Hawke (chair), Robert Hood, and Kaaron Warren

We all have gateway novels that introduced us to the amazing worlds of fantasy, sci-fi or horror. Our panel discusses the books that got them hooked on the genre and how those works stack up today. Do they come across as racist or sexist? Do they still function as stories? How has writing changed for today’s readers and what are the must haves and taboos in contemporary SF/F/H storytelling? With Shankari Chandran, Sam Hawke (chair), Robert Hood, and Kaaron Warren.

World Building 101
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
With Mitchell Hogan, Catherine McKinnon, Mykaela Saunders and Keith Stevenson (chair)

The best speculative fiction creates immersive worlds that feel both realistic and filled with wonder. But building an imaginary universe can be daunting. Just how far should you go? Our panel shares their tricks and tips for breathing life into the fictional. With Mitchell Hogan, Catherine McKinnon, Mykaela Saunders and Keith Stevenson (chair)

Kaffeeklatsches
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
With James Bradley, Shankari Chandran, David Henley, Dionne Lister, Catherine McKinnon, Abigail Nathan and Kaaron Warren

Sign up on the day for an intimate chat with our knowledgeable guests and ask them your burning questions about writing practice, getting published, and the business of being a writer. With James Bradley, Shankari Chandran, David Henley, Dionne Lister, Catherine McKinnon, Abigail Nathan and Kaaron Warren.

Lunch
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

Don’t Worry! Self-Publishing Doesn’t Mean ‘Do It Yourself’
1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
With Mitchell Hogan, Dionne Lister, Abigail Nathan and Keith Stevenson (chair)

Self-publishing is a great way to get your work out there but you don’t need to do it all by yourself. Hear authors, editors and service providers talk about the most effective paths to self-publishing and discover the essentials to building your self-publishing team. With Mitchell Hogan, Dionne Lister, Abigail Nathan and Keith Stevenson (chair).

Science Fiction Now
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
With Shankari Chandran, Margaret Morgan, Shauna O’Meara and Cat Sparks (chair)

Our panel of science fiction authors explain why they love writing sci-fi, who inspires them, what themes and issues they focus on in their work, and discuss the current state of the industry and the art. With Shankari Chandran, Margaret Morgan, Shauna O’Meara and Cat Sparks (chair).

Break

Ideas Generator
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
With Elise Bohan, James Bradley, Michael Gillings and Margaret Morgan (chair)

There’s a strong connection between science and speculative fiction. Writers use theories and ideas at the cutting edge of scientific study and technology to inform their stories. Our panel of writers and scientists takes you on a journey of extrapolation to fire your creative imaginings about what the future will be like. Elise Bohan, James Bradley, Michael Gillings and Margaret Morgan (chair).

Judith Wright Room
Judith Wright Room
Registration opens
9:30 am - 10:00 am

The Art Of The Deal
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
With Brendan Fredericks, Sam Hawke, David Henley (chair) and Tiffany Tsao

Authors discuss their journeys to publication — the ups and downs, the must dos and definitely don’ts. Do you need an agent? If so, how do you get one? What about rights, advances and royalties? Just what is the art of the deal? With Brendan Fredericks, Sam Hawke, David Henley (chair) and Tiffany Tsao.

Kaffeeklatsches
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
With James Bradley, Shankari Chandran, David Henley, Dionne Lister, Catherine McKinnon, Abigail Nathan and Kaaron Warren

Sign up on the day for an intimate chat with our knowledgeable guests and ask them your burning questions about writing practice, getting published, and the business of being a writer. With James Bradley, Shankari Chandran, David Henley, Dionne Lister, Catherine McKinnon, Abigail Nathan and Kaaron Warren.

Lunch
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

The Creeping Dread, The Frightful Scare
1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
With Aaron Dries, Robert Hood (chair), Kyla Ward and Kaaron Warren

Our panel of seasoned horror writers eviscerate the craft of writing true horror. What keeps them from sleep or wakes them in the middle of the night, how do they translate their worst fears onto the written page and what techniques do they use to truly frighten their readers? With Aaron Dries, Robert Hood (chair), Kyla Ward and Kaaron Warren.

The Real And The Not Real
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
With Hannah Donnelly, Aaron Dries, Catherine McKinnon (chair) and Tiffany Tsao

‘Write what you know,’ they say. But how does the act of fitting our lived experience into a narrative framework change what we think we know? Our panel discusses what they’ve learned through the process of transforming the real into fantastical, speculative and horrific works. With Hannah Donnelly, Aaron Dries, Catherine McKinnon (chair) and Tiffany Tsao.

Break

Verandah
Verandah
Kaffeeklatsches
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
With James Bradley, Shankari Chandran, David Henley, Dionne Lister, Catherine McKinnon, Abigail Nathan and Kaaron Warren

Sign up on the day for an intimate chat with our knowledgeable guests and ask them your burning questions about writing practice, getting published, and the business of being a writer. With James Bradley, Shankari Chandran, David Henley, Dionne Lister, Catherine McKinnon, Abigail Nathan and Kaaron Warren.

Lunch
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

Break

Drinks
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Speakers


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