Meet leading SF and fantasy authors at the live SFX event in February 2012 [UPDATE: MORE AUTHORS ADDED!]
Ambassador, with these best-selling authors you are spoiling us! Yes, that's right, some of the most recognisable names in our genre are set to join other authors, actors and comic creators at the SFX Weekender in February. These stellar names (Stephen Baxter, Ben Aaronovitch, Al Reynolds, Sam Sykes, Sarah Pinborough and Joe Abercrombie) are from the Gollancz stable, like previously-announced writer Jaine Fenn . Last month we also added Paul McAuley and today we can announce that Suzanne McLeod will also be coming along.
Tomes Of The Undergates was published in April 2010, eight years after Sam Sykes began writing it at the age of 17. The book drew considerable praise from SFX and other sources, earning Sykes comparisons with Joe Abercrombie; fantasy author Stephen Deas described the book as a "wildly descriptive slaughter-fest with a surprising pathos". Black Halo , the second book in the Aeons Gate series was released earlier this year and attracted similar praise. The third volume in this series, entitled The Skybound Sea , is due for release in April 2012. Sam has also collaborated with Diana Gabaldon on a story for The Dragon Book anthology.
Hailing from SFX 's home town and known locally for his dominance of the Risk board, Joe Abercrombie released his first novel, The Blade Itself , in 2006 as the first volume of The First Law trilogy. The second and third volumes were published by Gollancz in 2007 and 2008, and Abercrombie was a finalist for the John W Campbell award for best new writer. He has since written two further books in the same world, Best Served Cold and The Heroes. The latter title was released in January this year and reached number three on the Sunday Times Hardcover Bestseller List, as well as picking up five stars from SFX . He also wrote the short story "The Fool Jobs", featuring characters from The Heroes , for the anthology Swords And Dark Magic edited by Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders.
Of course you can also expect actors, artists and other guests , plus parties, costumes and plenty of beer. The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at the Prestatyn Pontin’s on the first weekend in February. Weekender tickets are now sold out but there may still be a few day tickets available - find out by calling 08700 11 00 34 or head to www.sfxweekender.com for updated information.
