GollanczFest returns to celebrate 10th anniversary with Aaronovitch, Harris, Nix and more

Gollancz has announced GollanczFest will return for its 10th anniversary edition on Saturday 16th March 2024, bringing attendees the opportunity to meet more than 25 authors including Joanne Harris, Garth Nix and Ben Aaronovitch.

The festival will take place in central London as a full day of panels, workshops, signings, interactive activities, proof drops and more, showcasing some of the most globally renowned names in the genre. Other authors confirmed include Victoria Aveyard, Joe Abercrombie, Natasha Pulley, Joe Hill, Aliette de Bodard, Dhonielle Clayton, Alastair Reynolds and Sarah Hawley.

Waterstones will be GollanczFest’s main bookselling partner.  They will have a bookshop on site, where readers will be able to meet authors and get their books signed.

To allow more space to meet demand, in a departure from its former bookshop venue, the festival will occupy multiple floors of the Leonardo Royal Hotel, where guests will enjoy a “jam-packed” schedule of themed panel events, masterclasses, author meet-and-greets, book clubs, watchalongs, giveaways, quizzes, raffles, craft stalls, challenges and industry talks.
All ticket options will include all-day complimentary refreshments and a goodie bag featuring an exclusive proof of an upcoming Gollancz debut. VIP packages will grant ticket-holders meet-and-greet opportunities with select authors plus bonus goodie bag items, while the creative writing package includes one-to-one sessions with an agent and editor of the purchaser’s choice as well as an exclusive talk with multiple author mentors. There are also discounted ticket options for students and low-income attendees.

Jenna Petts, publicity manager for Gollancz said: “I’m really excited at the return of GollanczFest, bigger and better than ever before! GollanczFest 2024 speaks directly to the future of Gollancz: showcasing all voices in SFF, empowering a new generation of SFF writers by allowing them to speak directly to our incredible authors and editors, and providing an insight into the publishing industry with behind-the-scenes activity.”

Lucy Cameron, marketing manager for Gollancz, said: “GollanczFest is back! We’ve worked hard to fuse the best elements of bygone festivals with the dynamic nature of our current and future publishing. From romantasy panels to book clubs, flower crown-making to recording your own audiobook, it’s an interactive convention that will entertain, delight and make you hungry to read for your whole journey home. One of Gollancz’s biggest strengths has always been its community and it’s absolutely central to the day – bringing authors, readers, influencers, editors and aspiring writers together to create truly unforgettable bookish magic.”

Anna Valentine, managing director of Orion, added: “Gollancz has always led the way in science-fiction and fantasy, so I’m delighted that GollanczFest is returning more ambitiously and creatively than ever before. The SFF community is incredibly loyal and tight knit, with readers eager to connect with each other, share their experiences and discover new authors and stories. We are delighted to partner with Waterstones for this festival and to connect audiences with our rich and diverse SFF publishing and authors, off screen and in real life.”

Tickets will be available from Friday 6th October here.