Melinda Salisbury is the bestselling author of young adult novels, her newest being the political fantasy State of Sorrow and its sequel, Song of Sorrow. She joins P. M. Freestone, author of lush scent-based fantasy, Shadowscent. Together, they will discuss the potions, poisons, and alchemy of cooking up new worlds.

Find out more about: Melinda Salisbury and P. M. Freestone!

Chaired by Laura Lam

Running time: 60 minutes

Tickets £8/ £6 concession

Venue: Upper Hall

From the author of the award-winning science fiction novel Altered Carbon comes an atmospheric tale of corruption and abduction set on Mars. In Thin Air, ex-corporate enforcer, Hakan Veil, is forced to bodyguard Madison Madekwe, part of a colonial audit team investigating a disappeared lottery winner on Mars. But when Madekwe is abducted, and Hakan nearly killed, the investigation takes him farther and deeper than he had ever expected…

Richard Morgan was (until his writing career took off) a tutor at Strathclyde University in the English Language Teaching division. He has travelled widely and lived in Spain and Istanbul. He is a fluent Spanish speaker. Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke, John W. Campbell and Philip K. Dick Awards, his books are published around the world.

Find out more about: Richard Morgan!

Chaired by Peter Sutton

Running time: 60 minutes

Tickets: £10/ £8 concession

Venue: Bar

Join L. J. MacWhirter, Elizabeth May, and Laura Lam as they discuss their work, which blends historical research with fantasy. L. J. MacWhirter is the author of Black Snow Falling, set in 1952. Elizabeth May has written the Falconer Trilogy, set in an alternate Victorian Edinburgh, and Laura Lam drew from Victorian Scotland to craft her magical circus in Pantomime. Laura and Elizabeth have also co-written a book called Seven Devils, which (though science fiction) draws from research about ancient Rome.

Find out more about: L. J. MacWhirter, Elizabeth May and Laura Lam!

Chaired by Eris Young

Running time: 60 minutes

Tickets: £8/ £6 concession

Venue: Upper Hall