Stories about small furry animals

Looking at the history of the character throughout books, cartoons, and films. We will examine the history of the series, why we still enjoy reading Tintin today and our favourite stories.

Join us in exploring Tintin on screen both animated and live.

Historically, comic books and graphic novels published in the English-speaking world have been overwhelmingly directed at a male readership. In North America the superhero genre has spent decades with an effective stranglehold over the medium, with only the recent explosion of imported manga titles showing any difference. Recent attempts by publishers such ...

'If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it...'

Science fiction and fantasy books feature prominently in the pantheon of banned books. Books that seem inoffensive to today's readers, such as The Wizard of Oz, were previously considered so dangerous that schools and libraries refused to hold them. Classics of the genre including Slaughterhouse Five and ...

Author readings

Genre fic is full of wacky names and pseudo language fragments. Do the writers ever say them aloud? Probably not. Join the group to reach a consensus on d'Xough*lahaq (bless you) and friends.

This panel is being moved to the 'not this year' category due to lack of a volunteer.

Game where the emcee reads out a title, author, and plot summary and specifies opening or closing sentence. Participants (panelists only? panelists + audience volunteers? audience teams?) write a plausible sentence for the book. The emcee reads the submissions, along with the actual one, and the audience votes for most likely (and/or most entertaining). ...

This genre has taken off in the last few years and swamped the romance section. From Anita Blake and her unnatural lovers, to Betsey, the high-maintenance monarch of the undead. How have representations of heroines and hero's changed?

Adult themes.

Join Michael Cogan over lunch to get together and discuss the books you read in order to meet the authors (authors are not invited). Bring your favourite books and share your thoughts then take them to the signing in the afternoon!

NB: Location: Hotel Restaurant

Between Diamond and Newspapers dropping comics left, right and center, the traditional methods of getting a comic printed are dying out. So why not put your work online? Join us as we discuss how to get your work online, why you should, some of the common pitfalls seen in online comics and some of the success stories.

Writer of awesome first contact trilogy Lilith's Brood (formerly Xenogenesis trilogy).

This is partially covered by the First Contact panel.

eg: Edwin Charles Tubb

Not enough votes to place this year.

Join Richard Morgan, International Guest of Honour, as he talks about his books and writing.

Poe Reading

The Bard has had influence over a lot more than just drama. Kate and Liz discuss Shakespearean ideas and how they have found their way into the SF world. Is this a light sabre I see before me, the handle toward my hand? A force, a force, my kingdom for a force!

Lois McMaster Bujold freeform role-playing (2 hours)

Participate at your own risk!

Smut readings held late at night.

Adult themes.

Traditionally, Space Opera is seen as Science fiction. This panel is to discuss whether this is indeed the case, or whether the genre would be better described as a form of Fantasy. This is to be a group discussion, led by the panelists. Specific examples will be looked at, which will include LMB's Vorkosigan universe, as well as Star Wars as a counterpoint.

Have you explored 'The Starry Rift'? Taken part in 'The Hunger Games'? Had a look at 'Shiny?' If not, then this is the panel for you. Ranging from picture books for the youngest 'readers' to the most challenging young adult novels, our panellists will survey the new books scene, recommend some outstanding titles and offer suggestions about where to find more ...

I'd love to see a presentation on this - and a reading list!

We've had a recent con devoted to this topic.

Robert Jordan is no more and book 12 is being written by Brandon Sanderson for publication in late 2009. HOW DO YOU THINK IT WILL END?

Guest of Honour Trudi Canavan will launch Jenny Blackford's historical novella The Priestess and the Slave, set in classical Athens and Delphi. There will be anachronistic ouzo and baklava.

http://www.hadleyrillebooks.com/Priestess.html

The Ultimate Guide to Modern Writers of Science Fiction and Fantasy is a comprehensive list of 2000 writers working in the field today. Just how tough is it to make the grade in today's spec fic marketplace? Is it all about talent, luck, who you know, geographic advantage or plain old psychotic persistence? Discuss.

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/02/...

What is it about these books? Some last the distance, some never had it (I never really enjoyed Alice), and some just don't last.

Is there something quantifiable or is it just our memories providing that sensation of the comfort and innocence (hah) of childhood? The Last Battle didn't last the distance for me, but Lizard Music and the King of the Copper ...

Codes of Conduct, Clans, Pilots, Healers, Dramliz, Terrans, Turtles, Sentient Trees, Spies, Scouts, Traders, Soldiers, Mercenaries, Juntavas, Gamblers, Scholars, Artists, Musicians, Romance and Wonder, Space Battles and Deepest Intrigue, Cultural Pioneering and Cats.

"Of the Great Houses, there are precisely 50. And then there is Korval"

"In ...

Book signings by our guests and other authors. This signing session will include:

Richard Morgan

Trudi Canavan

Martin Livings

Sonia Marcon

Pete Kempshall

Bevan McGuinness

Paul Kidd

Russell B Farr

Shane Jiraiya Cummings

K.A. Bedford

Laney Cairo

Join Trudi Canavan, National Guest of Honour, as she talks about her books and writing.

Book signings by our guests and other authors. This signing session will include:

Richard Morgan

Trudi Canavan

Lara Morgan (no relation to Richard as far as we know!)

Bevan McGuinness

Paul Kidd

Russell B Farr

Dave Luckett (aka L S Lawrence)

Jenny Blackford

Cat Sparks

Juliett Marillier

Stephen Dedman

Three per cent of writers ever manage to make a living out of it. 3 out of 5000 unsolicited manuscripts submitted to publishers make it across the line. However, Clarions, universities and community colleges are churning out more wannabe writers than ever, despite troubled times in the publishing industry and the collapse of traditional venues for short ...

With so many competing forms of entertainment today and so many publications folding, is there a point to writing short fiction any more? Is it a form for up and coming writers to hone their skills? Did the Internet kill short fiction or might it prove its saviour? Discuss.

Withdrawn for lack of panellists, may possibly merge in content of "2008 on ...