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CYMERA New festival celebrates fantasy, science fi ction and horror
From Game of Thrones to The Expanse, TV shows with a strong genre premise have been capturing imaginations for years now. So isn’t it about time we celebrated their literary counterparts and, in fact, the books behind many of these hit shows? New Edinburgh-based book festival Cymera aims to do just that.
Scotland’s fi rst festival championing fantasy, science fi ction and horror writing is launching with a bang in June. Cymera has over 80 speakers – including big names like VE Schwab (pictured) and Ben Aaronovitch – across a packed programme of more than 50 events. Ann Landmann, the driving force behind the event, founded Cymera as a place to showcase three incredibly popular genres that are often overlooked when it comes to programming and academic discussion.
From nothing but an idea to a fully formed festival in under two years, Cymera has found fertile ground. ‘We’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic and incredibly supportive responses from publishers and authors, and the interest this has sparked around the world,’ says Landmann.
Expect international authors like Zoraida Cordova, Dhonielle Clayton, Sarah Maria Griffen and Aliette de Bodard as well as plenty of local talent. There will be a focus on new voices as well as workshops for honing writing skills and even a cosplay ceilidh. If you’re looking for scares, wild sweeps of imagination or some serious interrogation of the future in your books, get yourself along and join in the action. (Lynsey May) ■ The Pleasance, Edinburgh, Fri 7–Sun 9 Jun.
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82 THE LIST 1 Jun–31 Aug 2019