Programme

5:00 pm6:00 pm

Panel: New to World Fantasy Convention

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Workshop: Writing a Community, Not a lone hero

How we might approach writing narratives that steer away from the hero’s journey?. In this workshop, we will explore techniques to handle a rich cast of characters to reflect community voices, and how to create tension and conflict without villains. Sign up with the form link here: https://forms.gle/z267Nhs7P8FiXDdo9

Chair:

Nature Writing and Fantasy

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Workshop: Fountain Pens and Stationery

A meetup for lovers of fountain pens and stationery. All are welcome, we will have supplies for everyone, from those who are just starting out to the ink experts! Sign up with the form link here: https://forms.gle/Cx1mnDkinvMqP3XT7

5:00 pm6:00 pm

Multimedia Writing

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6:00 pm7:00 pm

British and Irish Folk

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6:00 pm7:00 pm

Welcome to World Fantasy Reception

Join us for the opening of the convention. Chair, Karen Fishwick will introduce our guests.

The Audio Panel

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6:30 pm8:00 pm

Talk: Bleeding, Burns, and Broken Bones – A Crash Course to Writing Injuries in Fantasy

Sign up with the form link here: https://forms.gle/BPw9hSbiBUKSDzx29 Ever wondered what happens when you’re shot by an arrow, or catch the bubonic plague? Medicine and the macabre can elevate the stakes in any story, but it’s often hard to know where to start. Join NHS doctor Jenni Coutts for a whistlestop tour of writing injuries […]

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Writing Confidence Through Curiosity

Sign up with the form link here: https://forms.gle/VECbqmNKktFbDZs48 There may be seven basic plots – but there are infinite original voices. Much of our job as authors is getting out of our own way to where the fun in writing is, and knowing how to keep getting ourselves there. Author, writing and confidence coach, creative […]

7:00 pm10:30 pm

Open Mic

Sign up with the form link here: https://forms.gle/bgkTxVMPpNvhsyKRA A chance for writers to showcase short work. Your host for the open mic session will be Ann Landmann.

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7:00 pm8:00 pm

The Immortal Villain

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Agent Pitching Session with Stephen Kozeniewski and Kayleigh Dobbs

Check our website (frenchpresspub.blogspot.com) to secure your timeslot or swing by and see if we can fit you in. We are actively acquiring (completed!) novels, novellas, and collections. Sit down with one of our editors for five minutes and give us your best pitch. French Press Publishing has so far published 16 books, including the […]

8:00 pm9:00 pm

The Roleplaying Games Panel

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9:00 pm10:00 pm

Animals in Fantasy

From the anthropomorphic in the work of Brian Jacques and Richard Adams, to the contemporary amalgamations of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Shadows of the Apt, or Pullman’s daemon familiars. The depiction of animals in fantasy are varied and interesting to explore. Join us in doing so.

9:00 pm10:00 pm

Satirical Fantasy

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Flash Fiction Workshop

Join Apex Magazine managing editor Rebecca E Treasure for a class on elements of flash fiction. Discuss plot, character, setting, theme, and more. Sign up to participate at the Registration desk.

Dealing with the Media Workshop

Interacting with the press as a rising creative artist or writer can be intimidating and hard to get right. In “How to be Interviewed,” Randee Dawn offers a how-to in understanding the media, the role of the reporter, and how you can use the press to get your idea or project out there over, and […]

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10:00 am11:00 am

Epic Pooh and the Style of Fantasy Prose

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10:00 am11:00 am

Mapping in Fantasy

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11:00 am12:00 pm

Horror Laureate Interview

Lisa Tuttle interviews Ramsey Campbell.

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12:00 pm1:00 pm

Launch: The Slab Press

Hiding Under the Leaves is an anthology of original folk horror short fiction, seeking beyond the boundaries of this fascinating sub-genre. From lonesome moors to dark woods, and the mysterious ocean depths, these stories explore the ghostly and the savage; the monstrous faerie and the beast within; the ritual and the obsession. New stories of […]

12:00 pm1:00 pm

After the End of the World

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12:00 pm1:00 pm

Fantasy and Horror in Translation

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1:00 pm2:00 pm

Launch: Brigids Gate Press

Ballad of River Bones is the sequel to Alex Beaumont’s Dissonance of Bird Song, which was named Distinguished Favourite in the 2025 Independent Press Awards. Join us for the launch of the sequel and hear a few of the haunting folkloric ballads that inspired the world sung by the author herself.

1:00 pm2:00 pm

Politics in Fantasy

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1:00 pm2:00 pm

Reincarnation: A Talk by Ali Sparkes

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2:00 pm3:00 pm

Launch: Angry Robot

Blending Indian mythology and classic space opera, Project Hanuman is a bold new science-fiction novel from Stewart Hotston.

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2:00 pm3:00 pm

The Board Games Panel

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3:00 pm4:00 pm

Andrej Sapkowski in Conversation with David French

Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher series is a global phenomenon with over thirty million copies sold and has been translated into over forty languages. Crossroads of Ravens is a new standalone novel following fantasy’s most beloved monster hunter, Geralt of Rivia, on his first steps towards becoming a legend. Andrzej will be interviewed by David French, the English translator […]

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4:00 pm5:00 pm

Remembering Tanith Lee

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4:00 pm5:00 pm

The Agents Panel

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4:00 pm5:00 pm

Launch: Caezik SF & Fantasy

Book Launch for Not the Nine-O’Clock News writer Richard Sparks. This will be the third book in his fantasy series and is called New Rock, New Rules.

Hidden Treasures

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5:00 pm6:00 pm

Blending the Genres

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5:00 pm6:00 pm

Launch: PS Publishing

PS Publishing are launching: Three new Absinthe novellas, edited by Marie O’Regan, Dwimfolk by James Brogden, Visions of Grace by Alison Littlewood, The Society of Vegetarian Cannibals by A.M. Muffaz, Wings of the Night by Reggie Oliver, New Writing of Horror and the Supernatural Volume 3 edited by Stephen Jones, New Writings of Horror and […]

6:00 pm7:00 pm

Launch: Newcon Press

Newcon Press are launching two exciting titles: Futures to Live By, Ana Sun and Blood in the Bricks edited by Neil Williamson with cover art from Vincent Chong.

7:00 pm8:00 pm

Launch: Flame Tree Press

Come and celebrate the books, anthologies and short story collections of our wonderful authors and contributors. A chance to meet, swop stories and experiences. Drinks and bites provided!

Poetry Corner

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Chair:
10:00 pm12:00 am

Dungeons and Disorderly

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10:00 am11:00 am

Guest of Honour Interview: Vincent Chong

Vincent Chong interviewed by Ian Whates.

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10:00 am11:00 am

Spreadsheets and Spells

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11:00 am12:00 pm

Launch: Elsewhen Press

Two very different books from two accomplished authors, one set in a near future, the other in a distant future. Both authors will be reading excerpts and answering questions, accompanied by refreshments. Alex Makepeace will be reading from Canaries. Set in a credible near-future Britain where a new government sweeps to power with a radical […]

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11:00 am12:00 pm

Writing Fighting

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11:00 am12:00 pm

Marmite Characters

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12:00 pm1:00 pm

Launch: Maya

MAYA: Seed Takes Root is the first novel of a planned trilogy. The Divya Trials have been announced. Billions will compete. One will ascend to godhood. In every future predicted by Maya’s vast network, the outcome is certain: the garuda scion Tarkash will win. The Divya cannot allow this. Kshar has rehearsed the assassination a […]

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1:00 pm2:00 pm

Launch: Black Crow & The Broken Binding

Black Crow Books and The Broken Binding Publishing invite you to celebrate and raise a glass in the Main Room at 1-2pm on Saturday, 01 November, with goodie bags (while stocks last) with each book purchase, plus signings!

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1:00 pm2:00 pm

Inspired by Tolkien

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2:00 pm3:00 pm

Creative Lives

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2:00 pm3:00 pm

Guest of Honour Interview: Suniti Namjoshi

Suniti Namjoshi interviewed by Farah Mendlesohn.

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3:00 pm4:00 pm

Launch: Wizard’s Tower Press

Wizard’s Tower Press are launching: The Green Man’s Holiday by Juliet E. McKenna, Of the Emperor’s Kindness by Chaz Brenchley and Wiz Duo Book 3 by Ruthana Emrys & Andrew Knighton.

3:00 pm4:00 pm

The Weird Fiction Panel

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4:00 pm5:00 pm

Launch: Dead Ink Books

Join Dead Ink as they launch two new anthologies: Writing the Magic and Unquiet Guests.

4:00 pm5:00 pm

The Role of Reviewers

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Embodying the Non-Human

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5:00 pm6:00 pm

Fantasy and Horror: Playing for Laughs

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5:00 pm6:00 pm

Launch: Telos Publishing

Launching the Terror Tales of Chaos anthology, including the special WFC hardback edition, edited by Paul Finch. Also launching Raven Dane’s new novel Bailfire and Brimstone and the hardback of The Jinx Chronicles by Sam Stone. We will also have copies of the new non-fiction Island of Terror (SciFi/Fantasy Film Book) as well.

The Academic Hour

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6:00 pm7:00 pm

MC Interview: Joanne Harris

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Monster vs Monster

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Charity Raffle Draw

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7:30 pm9:00 pm

British Fantasy Awards & The Aldiss Award.

With the British Fantasy Society and Tim Aldiss

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9:30 am11:00 am

British Fantasy Society AGM

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10:00 am11:00 am

Gods and Faith in Fantasy

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10:00 am11:00 am

Solaris Party

From Scottish Gothic to dark Cornish Folklore via wild science fantasy, come celebrate the launch of three fabulous new Solaris titles – The Needfire, Ragwort & The Salt Oracle. Authors MK Hardy, Sam K Horton and Lorraine Wilson, along with other Solaris authors, will be talking about their new books, and sharing bookish goodies and […]

11:00 am12:00 pm

History Inspired Horror

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11:00 am12:00 pm

Images of Fantasy

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11:00 am12:00 pm

British Urban Fantasy Settings

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12:00 pm1:00 pm

Terry Pratchett and the Discworld

The unique writing of Terry Pratchett in one of the most popular fantasy worlds ever written. Our panel examine the prose of this exceptional series and share memories of his work and how he inspired others.

12:00 pm1:00 pm

Sword Lesbians: Discuss

Sword lesbians are a recognised and popular trope in fantasy. How do we think about heroic positions and expansive gender expression in genre? How do queer people position ourselves in relationship to traditional masculinity and its phallus/sword continuum? Do we reclaim roles like knight/cavalier/Jedi, or do we find different ways for women/femmes to fight? Are […]

12:00 pm1:00 pm

Fantasy Economy

Scratch the surface of some fantasy stories and you realise the worlds your heroes live in don’t work. How do characters earn a living? How is food grown, transported and traded? How important is a realistic fantasy economy to you?

1:00 pm2:00 pm

Writing for that Popular Tabletop Wargame…

with Space Marines and such. Writing for the Black Library is a unique experience. Our panel discuss their work on Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar and how Games Workshop manage to maintain the sprawling and epic narratives of their fictional worlds.

1:00 pm2:00 pm

Religion in Horror

Traditionally, religion has been the tool of the priest saviour coming to banish the wicked, but new writing explores theology differently, causing us to question our assumptions for good and for evil. From The Nightmare Girl, to The Boys in the Valley, Join our panel to discuss new approaches to religion in the genre.

Disposable Bad Guys

In folk tales, the villains were misunderstood rejects from society. Later, in Epic Fantasy, the enemy became exotic and mysterious civilisations who lived by different rules and values. Spare a thought for the henchmen and the stooge, or even for the thwarted evil genius. Is there more we can understand about how we make villains?

1:00 pm2:00 pm

Music as Expression

In fantasy and horror, there are ways in which music becomes part of the creation. Our panel will discuss the creative role original music plays in the building of stories in the genres. Bring your creations along!

2:30 pm4:00 pm

World Fantasy Awards

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5:00 pm6:00 pm

World Fantasy Awards Judges Review Panel

The judges of the 2025 World Fantasy Awards discuss their insights and challenges in determining the recipients of this year’s awards. They will reflect on their process, on standout entries they read, and trends they noticed during this months-long journey reading hundreds of submissions to honor the most compelling voices in fantasy and horror