FLIGHTS OF (SF AND) FANTASY
Genre stars Joe Hill, Joanna Harris and Ben Aaronovitch prepare to invade GollanczFest17...
Forget third time’s the charm – GollanczFest’s fourth year looks set to be its biggest and best yet as it returns to Foyles’s flagship store on Charing Cross Road in London. Tickets are on sale now for the award-winning lit fest, which is back on 4 November with a host of awesome sci-fi and fantasy authors, including special guests Joe Hill, Ben Aaronovitch and Joanne Harris, plus writing activities.
“It’s phenomenal to be able to run an annual festival which lets us talk directly to readers and writers at all stages of their careers,” says Gollancz publishing director Gillian Redfearn. “Nothing beats the energy in the room when we get started.” Foyles events coordinator Hannah Ludbrook adds, “We’re looking forward to even bigger and better things in 2017.” She’s not kidding. There will be live reader’s events with panel conversations, and a writers’ workshop with more than 25 different genre authors and industry professionals. GollanczFest17 will also be taking over the Phoenix Artists’ Club, where it will host its very own Festival Writers’ Day. “We have always encouraged new writers so I’m thrilled that we’re able to offer a bespoke event focused on helping them to build their craft,” says Redfearn. “We’ve developed a programme of practical and inspiring talks from genre-leading authors, and debut novelists, as well as industry-leading agents and editors.” Other authors in attendance include Mark Alder, Christopher Priest, Elizabeth May, James Barclay, AK Benedict, Catriona Ward and Jon Wallace. Grab tickets fast – last year’s event attracted more than 500 attendees, so you’ll need to secure your spot soon! And look out for further digital events around the festival – a full online line-up will be in the offing in a few months’ time. Oh, Gollancz, you spoil us.
Visit www.gollanczfest.com for info.