Event overview
Take the opportunity hear from and work with important writers, directors, & workshop leaders in this field such as Leone Ross, Courttia Newland, Tade Thompson, Patience Agbabi
The International Black Speculative Writing Symposium and Festival is a 3 day event which includes workshops, readings, speakers panels, interviews, discussions, bookclubs, advice sessions, book launches and performances. From fantasy to gaming, reimagining’s of classics to creations of decolonised worlds, Afrofuturism is the core. The Festival is designed to attract all age groups.
Writers including Karen Lord, Leone Ross, Courttia Newland, Tade Thompson and Patience Agbabi are among those people who will be speaking at the Black Speculative Writing Festival, 2nd-4th February 2024.
The Booksellar writes:
The festival, founded by Kadija Sesay, will celebrate Black British and international speculative writers from the US, Caribbean, Africa and Europe. The aim is to provide writers with resources to "develop excellence in this genre" and to encourage new readers through discussions, workshops for writers, readings and networking.
Invited international guests include Reynaldo Anderson, co-founder of the Black Speculative Arts Movement and professor at Temple University, US, who will be interviewed by Patrick Vernon, Yvonne Apiyo Brändle-Amolo, as well as Gerald and Steven Vreden. Renowned director Alby James will lead discussions about film. Legendary editor Ellah Wakatama, Chair of the Caine Prize for African Writing will lead masterclass workshops.
Panel sessions will be held throughout the weekend with postgraduate researchers of speculative fiction, one of whom has graduated from the MA in Black British Literature at Goldsmiths just recently. Current and alumni students of the MA in Black British Literature will run bookclubs to introduce readers to the genre.
The 2023 Caine Prize for African Writing winners,winners of The Caine Prize Mame Bougouma Diene and Woppa Diallo will give readings from their work.
The festival includes a one-day online festival on 4th February, with priority bookings for people who cannot attend an in-person festival due to distance or disability.
This is the first time in the UK that an event has been dedicated to the newly emerging field of Black British Speculative literature - so do not miss out on this landmark event.
Dr Kadija Sesay MBE, HonFRSL, FRSA is an honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths College.
Partners are NPO literary organisations, publishing & cultural organisations – Comma Press, Spread The Word, New Writing South, Writing East Midlands, TLC, Writing Our Legacy, Peepal Tree Press and Yaram Arts, to provide resources for writers to develop excellence in this genre and to encourage new readers. The authorised bookseller is This is Book Love.
This festival could not have taken place without the support of Arts Council England and the support of Prof. Deidre Osborne and the Dept. of English and Creative Writing at Goldsmiths University.
Photo credit: Yaram Arts
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 2024 | 9:00am - 9:00pm | |
| 3 Feb 2024 | 9:00am - 9:00pm | |
| 4 Feb 2024 | 9:00am - 6:00pm |
Accessibility
If you are attending an event and need the College to help with any mobility requirements you may have, please contact the event organiser in advance to ensure we can accommodate your needs.
