I booked my membership for the Dublin Worldcon when I came back from Paris in the autumn of 2017, so this con feels like it’s been a long time coming. At the centre of what has turned out to be a remarkably busy August, here is my schedule of events according to the programme:

Friday August 16th 12:00 Wicklow Room 1 – When Good Futures go Bad: dystopia as horror fiction

It’s not just for science fiction any more! How do horror dystopias differ from those in SF, and what are some examples, old and new, that we should be reading? {David Farnell, Pat Cadigan, Tim Major, Emil-Hjorvar Petersen.)

Friday August 16th 14:30 Point Square Stratocaster BC – Unwritable Stories

Every author has that perfect story that just refuses to be written. From wilful characters to wandering narratives and gaping plot holes, our panellists share the stories that would have even defied the Greek muses themselves. What made these stories so hard to write? What traps did they hold? And whatever happened to those old untold tales? Will they ever see the light of day or will they remain locked away in a hidden drawer? (Michael Swanwick, Karen Haber, Jacey Bedford, Jay Caselberg.)

Saturday August 17th 15:00 Wicklow Room 3 – What I Learned Along the Way

Writing is a many wondrous thing filled with highs and lows, but those lows can be really tough to navigate either after a great success or after a lack of success. Rejection is something every writer has to face, but how do writers keep writing in the face of failure? What lessons have they learned along the way? Our panellists share the ups and downs of a writing life. (Ian R. Macleod, Aliette de Bodard, George Sandison, Karl Schroeder.)

Saturday August 17th 20:30 Liffey Room 3 – Reading

I shall be reading from The Dollmaker – may contain elf queens…

My favourite convention to date has been the London Worldcon in 2014 and I’m certain Dublin 2019 is going to be its equal! The programme is looking excellent this year, with so much on offer for all segments of the science fiction community along every axis of interest. I am hoping in particular to get along to some of the ‘physics for writers’ panels, so I can stock up on hints and tips for future projects.

My first time in Dublin – my first time in Ireland, in fact – and I’m eager to check out some of the bookshops, museums and restaurants as well as catching up with SF ‘family’ and friends. If you’re around, please come and say hi. Here’s to the Irish Worldcon, and see you in Dublin!