An event celebrating speculative fiction in all its forms is to return to Beverley on Sunday 24th July.
The relaxed gathering will take place at The Kings Head in Saturday Market, Beverley, and it is hoped to be its permanent home.
Supported by The British Science Fiction Association and The British Fantasy Society, Humber Speculative Fiction paused regular get-togethers until recently. Fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror genres will be pleased to see events are back on the calendar from July.
With an aim to promote the genre, the social event enables people to celebrate their favourite authors, discover new reads and meet others with shared interests. Readers, authors, editors, reviewers, bloggers, creators and dreamers are all welcome.
“I’m pleased to return to Beverley,” said organiser Shellie Horst. “We’ve missed conversations with our friends. This time, The Kings Head will be able to impress with their fabulous offering of food and rooms for our guests to stay in.”
Past guests include Ramsey Campbell, Ren Warrom, R J Barker and Anna Smith Spark. With this being the first event since the pandemic, Humber Speculative Fiction will also promote the substantial local talent. Their guests will be Science Fiction and Fantasy editor and author Susan Oke, and fantasy author Carl F Northwood. Both writers are based in the East Riding and will be reading from their work and answering questions.
Susan Oke has had over 15 stories published, including ‘Blood Rose’ in award-winning Newcon Press’ anthology of Alien Fairy Tales. Susan is based in Hull and fits writing around her days as a private tutor. She is responsible for editing the British Science Fiction Association’s Review and is currently finalising her novel ‘Crystal Flight’.
Representing the quality that can be found in self-published novels, Humber Speculative Fiction’s second guest is all too fond of Dungeons and Dragons, and leafy east Yorkshire villages. Carl F Northwood launched his first novel, ‘The Darkness Rising’, in June 2021. The second book of The Maingard Chronicles has just been released.
Organiser Shellie added: “Humber Speculative Fiction has always been a space to explore the depth of genre talent in the area, so it’s a real honour to have Susan and Carl as our first guests since lockdown.”
The relaxed events are designed to celebrate this wide-ranging fiction genre, with Humber Speculative Fiction working with the British Science Fiction Association and the British Fantasy Society to bring more authors to the region.
Anyone who wants to attend can book a place either by email at humbersff@gmail.com or online at humberspeculativefiction.co.uke.