IAIN BANKS AND KIM STANLEY ROBINSON IN CONVERSATION

Saturday 09 June 2012 15:30 -  18:00

London Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR

The Sci-Fi, Comic & Fantasy Art Extravaganza – Sat 19th & Sun 20th May 2012 (10.00am – 5.00pm) is being held at the Masonic Hall, 12 Orchard St, Bath BA1 1JU and is an absolute must to visit for all fans of Science Fiction, Comic or Fantasy.

JIM BURNS the internationally known Sci-Fi artist and book illustrator is Guest of Honour and will be exhibiting some of his fabulous work on both days. The exhibition, hosted by Roundstone Framing, gives visitors the opportunity to see art at its finest or to purchase some of this exceptional work.  Other well known names taking part are:

• Graham Humphreys from London who is currently working for Hammer Horror on various projects
• Andy Bigwood from Trowbridge – Sci-Fi digital artist and book illustrator
• James Ledger from Bristol – Digital concept artist
• Jennie Glybllad – Swedish freelance comic-book artist and illustrator
• Andy York  from Melksham – Fantasy photographer
• John Nankivell – Incredible fantasy artist
• Sam Goddard & Michael Henderson – Steam Punk & Sci-Fi Sculptures
• Sean Hewitt – Cornish Artist

Sci-Fi Books available for Sale – Comic Books – Art Demonstrations

FREE ENTRY TO EXHIBITION

Website: http://www.roundstoneframing.co.uk/news

The Birmingham Science Fiction Group’s May meeting is proud to host a visit from Stephen Hunt, SF and Steampunk author. Stephen is recognised for his fantasy Steampunk Jackalian series and has recently been writing a continuing series of SF novellas (Sliding Void, Transference Station). Stephen is also the publisher of the on-line magazine SF Crowsnest. Stephen is a recognised innovator of on-line technology.

So why not come and meet him at our meeting? Stephen is sure to give a fascinating talk and insight into his work and on-line publishing.

The meeting is on 11 May 2012 at the Briar Rose Hotel on Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham; this venue is just 5 minutes walk from New Street Station and handy for all bus routes. The meeting opens its doors at 7:30 pm.

The group itself has many members of all ages, and between them the membership has an enormous wealth of knowledge of literary SF, as well as films, television, etc. If you want to know about a particular author or book, the BSFG is unlikely not to be able to help you! Just let us know you are a first timer when you turn up and any member will be happy to introduce to the committee and make you feel as welcome as we can…

If you live anywhere in or around the West Midlands, the BSFG is the group for you! For further information, and a copy of our monthly newsletter, please:

Email:
BHAMSFGROUP@YAHOO.CO.UK

ALSO, DO VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:
www.birminghamsfgroup.org.uk

On 15 – 17 June 2012 the National Media Museum, Bradford will devote itself to all things macabre and fantastical for a weekend of horror, SF and fantasy cinema like no other at the 11th Fantastic Films Weekend.

Spread across the Museum’s Pictureville and Cubby Broccoli cinemas and its unique TV Heaven viewing rooms, Fantastic Films Weekend has a reputation for welcoming diverse guests like The Wicker Man‘s Robin Hardy, Flash Gordon director Mike Hodges, An American Werewolf In London‘s Jenny Agutter, and creator of the outrageous Birdemic, James Nguyen. Every year retro classics rub shoulders with contemporary cult previews and hits, and the Museum becomes a hub for horror and fantasy fans from across Europe. The Fantastic Films Weekend is programmed by fans of the genre for fans of the genre.

This year they have set their sights on some of the biggest names in horror and SF film. Watch this space for all the latest news about guests, previews, retro classics and fantastic events.

And remember the next scream you hear could be your own…

‘Putting the Science in Fiction’ Interfaculty Symposium on Science and Entertainment, University of Manchester
Wednesday 25th April 9:30am to 5pm

Interdisciplinary Workshop, organised by Geoff Ryman (EAS/Centre for New Writing) and David Kirby (CHSTM)

Many people look suspiciously at science in fictional media and may ask themselves: Why don’t the creators of fiction ever talk to real scientists? In fact, those who write novels, produce television shows, and create movies do speak with scientists on a regular basis. This workshop explores how science provides challenges and opportunities for the creators of fiction. By bringing together leading entertainment professionals, novelists, communication scholars, and scientists the workshop will forge new relationships between the scientific community and the arts/entertainment community. One goal of the workshop is to begin discussions about creating a ‘Science and Entertainment’ collaboration programme in the UK equivalent to the Science and Entertainment Exchange run by the National Academy of Sciences in the US.

Confirmed speakers include:
Stephen Baxter, Author of the Manifold trilogy and the Xeelee Sequence
Ken MacLeod, University of Edinburgh, Scholar and Author of the Fall Revolution series and the Engines of Light trilogy
Alastair Reynolds, Scientist and Author of the Revelation Space series,Pushing Ice and House of Suns
Geoff Ryman, University of Manchester, Scholar and Author of Air,The Children’s Garden, and The King’s Last Song
Ra Page, Founder & Editorial Manager of Comma Press
David A. Kirby, University of Manchester, Author of Lab Coats in Hollywood
Kirsten Shepherd-Barr, University of Oxford, Author of Science on Stage
Phil Manning, University of Manchester, Paleontologist, Science Consultant for Bizarre Dinosaurs and Fossil Detectives
Justina Robson, Author of Silver Screen, Natural History and theQuantum Gravity series
Simon Ings, Author of Editor of New Scientist’s Fiction Magazine Arc
Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester, Professor of Zoology
Tim O’Brien, Jodrell Bank, Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics

Putting the Science in Fiction is sponsored by the University of Manchester’s Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM), Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in the Arts, Faculty of Life Sciences, and Centre for New Writing.

There is no cost for the workshop, but spaces are limited so you will need to book a place by contacting scienceinfiction.manchester@gmail.com

Website: http://www.arts.manchester.ac.uk/cidra/events/cidracollaborations/putting-the-science-in-fiction/

Christopher Priest will be visiting the Birmingham Science Fiction Group in March 2012. Christopher is the author of twelve novels and numerous short stories. He has won the Arthur C. Clarke best novel award 2003 and the British Science Fiction Association best novel award 2002 (for The Separation) as well as the 1996 World Fantasy best novel award 1996 for The Prestige.

Christopher’s writing career spans an enormous breadth of subjects, published over a 40 year period (his first novel, Indoctrinaire, was published in 1970). The BSFG is very lucky to host to such a well respected author and Christopher’s talk is likely to give fascinating insights into his creative process.

The meeting is on 9 March 2012 at the Briar Rose Hotel on Bennett’s Hill, Birmingham; this venue is just 5 minutes walk from New Street Station and handy for all bus routes. The meeting opens its doors at 7:30 p.m.

The group itself has many members of all ages, and between them the membership has an enormous wealth of knowledge of literary SF, as well as films, television, etc. If you want to know about a particular author or book, the BSFG is likely to be able to help you! Just let us know you are a first timer when you turn up and any member will be happy to introduce you to the committee and make you feel as welcome as we can…

If you live anywhere in or around the West Midlands, the BSFG is the group for you! For further information, and a copy of our monthly newsletter, please email: bhamsfgroup@yahoo.co.uk

Or visit the website at: www.birminghamsfgroup.org.uk

Christopher’s website is at:  http://www.christopher-priest.co.uk/about/

Fabulous Films bring us a very special screening of Dan O’Bannon and John Carpenter’s anarchic cult classic, DARK STAR, along with LET THERE BE LIGHT: THE ODYSSEY OF ‘DARK STAR’  Ballyhoo Pictures’ in depth documentary on the making and legacy of this influencial movie.

Date: 20th January 2012
Venue: International Anthony Burgess Institute, Engine House, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester M1 5BY
Start Time: 7.30pm
Tickets: £6.50 (Plus booking fee)

http://grimmfest.com/grimmupnorth/category/events/

Saturday 21 January 2012 16:00 –   17:00

London Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR