The time is almost upon us, and Glasgow is beginning to swell with geekdom. Yes, Worldcon starts on Thursday, and the BFS will be represented by myriad members from all over the country (and beyond!). Want to live vicariously through them? Or tap them on the shoulder in a queue IRL? Keep an eye out for these people…
Note: this is not an exhaustive list of BFS members in attendance at Worldcon. We put a call-out in the member Discord, Facebook group, and on various social media sites, and these are the people who answered. They’re presented in no particular order (apart from how quick they were to respond!).
Official BFS goings-on
- Come and visit our table – we’re there all con!
- Join us as we host a joint meet-up with the BSFA on Saturday night (venue tbc).
- Join Jenni Coutts as she hosts a meet-up for artists and illustrators interested in submitting work to BFS publications in Hall 4 on Monday at 10am.
Who’ll be there
Name: David Green
Dates you’re attending: Thursday until Sunday
What you do: Fantasy writer; Secretary of the BFS
Social handles: Twitter @Davidgreenwrite; everything else @Davidgreenwriter
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Excited for the BFS/BSFA meet up!
Talk to me about: Anything Lord of the Rings or neurodiverse related!
Name: Anna Stephens
Dates you’re attending: Thursday afternoon to Sunday lunchtime
What you do: Epic fantasy author
Social handles: normally @annasmithwrites, website is anna-stephens.com.
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Running a worldbuilding workshop on Thursday 4pm.
Talk to me about: Our Flag Means Death or Discworld.
Name: Katie Bruce
Dates you’re attending: Friday to Monday
What you do: writer; virtual assistant to authors and podcasters.
Social handles: on BlueSky as katieauthorassist.bsky.social and katietree.bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Meeting all the fabulous people I know only in the digital space!
Talk to me about: Labyrinth. Or Baking. Or Labyrinth and baking!
Name: Tristan Gray
Dates you’re attending: Wednesday to Sunday
What you do: Author
Social handles: @tgraywrites most places – @eidyngray.scot on bluesky
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: The ‘How to Make Your Table More Inclusive’ panel!
Talk to me about: Narrative-driven video games and LGBT+ rights
Name: Laura Bennett
Dates you’re attending: Saturday and Sunday
What you do: Agent
Social handles: Losbennett on everything
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Seeing people!
Talk to me about: Publishing
Name: Stew Hotston
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Sunday
What you do: Writer; Treasurer of the BFS
Social handles: stewhotston on bluesky and threads, facebook and insta
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: parties!
Talk to me about: sff books, movies and tv you love, science, economics and anything you love
Name: Lucy McLaren
Also known as: Lucy A. McLaren
Dates you’re attending: Saturday to Sunday
What you do: dark fantasy writer (The Commune’s Curse series)
Social handles: IG & threads @lucy_a_mclaren
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: meeting fellow fantasy writers, readers, players & watchers, and spending way too much money on new books
Talk to me about: Robin Hobb, LOTR films, OFMD, Legend of Zelda, nerdy tattoos, and writing!
Name: Iain Grant
Dates you’re attending: Wednesday to Monday
What you do: Stupidly prolific novelist, mostly comedy adjacent stuff. Just finished first proper fantasy novel in a long time.
Social handles: @iainmarcgrant on Facebook/Insta
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Looking forward to learning from experts and alternative voices
Talk to me about: your current project
Name: PS Livingstone
Dates you’re attending: Thursday am until Dead Dog
What you do: Editor, ghostwriter and author of fantasy and speculative fiction; online events officer for the BFS
Social handles: Twitter – @ps_livingstone, Bluesky – @pslivingstone.bsky.social, Threads/Instagram – @pslivingstone
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: The GSFWC Gallus launch, BFS/BSFA meet-up, seeing all you lovely people!
Talk to me about: Whatever you fancy. I like books (obvs), everything about books (obvs), animals, movies, gardening, and karaoke.
Name: AK Faulkner
Dates you’re attending: All of them – but largely confined to the Dealer’s Hall.
What you do: I write queer urban fantasy!
Social handles: @poopraven
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: The vibe, the experience, the tatties and neeps!
Talk to me about: Queer Shit! Also: DS9, Doctor Who, Lower Decks, Farscape, Pet Shop Boys, Centaurworld, and destroying fascism.
Name: SJ Groenewegen
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: author of SF stories and non-fic. Elected committee member of the Society of Authors in Scotland.
Social handles: Bluesky @sjgroenewegen.bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Everything – catching up with old friends, meeting new friends, Glasgow, the panels…
Talk to me about: Dr Who, LGBTQIA rights, neurodiversity, writing, the Highlands.
Name: Trudie Skies (aka Tru)
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: Indie author of gaslamp fantasy, I also read and review indie books.
Social handles: Bluesky: @trudieskies.bsky.social; Instagram: trudieskies
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Meeting online friends for the first time and spending my life’s savings.
Talk to me about: Indie fantasy books, self-publishing, video games, indie video games, cloud spotting, cats.
Name: Adri Joy
Dates you’re attending: all of them
What you do: Co-editor and reviewer at online fanzine Nerds of a Feather, Flock together, up for our 6th (I think) Hugo this year!!!
Social handles: adrijjy@bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: PANELS, FRIENDS, BRUNCH, HUGOS
Talk to me about: books, dogs, video games, scuba diving, cool animals
Name: Cameron Johnston
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Sunday
What you do: Author of epic fantasy
Social handles: @Camjohnston or @CameronJohnston.bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Meeting all the incredibly cool people!
Talk to me about: books, video games, cats, archaeology, folklore, history, Historical European Martial Arts
Name: Finn McLellan
Dates you’re attending: Thursday evening to Monday morning
What you do: Author of queer Gothic gaslamp fantasy
Social handles: bsky.app/profile/house-of-five.bsky.social / wandering.shop/@house_of_five
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: All of it! Though, since it’s my first in-person Worldcon, I’m particularly looking forward to getting to do some singing at the filk circles
Talk to me about: Books, writing, the Gothic (especially Dracula and The Woman in White), LARP, RPGs, queerness in SFF (especially transmasculinity)
Name: Neil Williamson
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: Writer and editor, SFFH
Social handles: Bluesky neilwilliamson.bsky.social / Facebook NeilWilliamsonbooks
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Everything!
Talk to me about: Scottish SF. Come to my Table Talk and I will give you one great Scottish writer who you will love.
Name: Janet Forbes
Dates you’re attending: all days
What you do: I am a SFF writer (still hustling for novel publication), RPG writer (Dark Crystal RPG, Kobold Press et al) and professional worldbuilding consultant. I also run World Anvil!
Social handles: You can always reach me @/worldanvil or DM me on Discord!
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: learning more about BFS and you guys! I’m super new and just hyped to be here.
Talk to me about: how you get involved with BFS and what you’re loving at World Con! I also love fantasy, history, archaeology and food!
Name: Chris Hawton
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: Podcaster; reader; occasional writer
Social handles: caravanawesome on them there Twitter
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: I’m excited about the various performances like Dune The Musical.
Talk to me about: Doctor Who. I have also been making my way through the Hugo novels though won’t have read them all.
Name: Matt Palmer
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: Reader, Fan, Geek, writer querying my first novel.
Social handles: matthewspalmer.bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: meeting new people and discovering new things to read
Talk to me about: self publishing vs traditional, the fiction you enjoy the most.
Name: Sarah Jackson
Dates you’re attending: Friday to Sunday
What you do: SFFH writer, Inner Worlds magazine editor
Social handles: sarahijackson@wandering.shop on mastodon and @innerworlds.bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: The general experience as it’s only my second con! All the panels. Meeting people from the internet IRL. Moderating a panel about Steven Universe and feelings on Saturday.
Talk to me about: ghosts, robots, feelings, Inner Worlds, Star Trek
Name: Shellie Horst
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: Fantasy and SF writer, journalist, critic, (Reviews/Interviews/Content for SFFWorld.com and BSFA Review ), organiser of HumberSpeculativeFiction.co.uk, writing tutor.
Social handles: Twitter/BlueSky/Facebook/web all here
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Catching up with and discovering new friends/things
Talk to me about: Hopepunk, ARCs & reviews, Fantasy, Grimdark, small presses, Yorkshire SFF (no it doesn’t always involve #tea, but it helps), disruptive publishing, All The Things!
Name: Jonathan Laidlow
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: writer of short fiction, planning to move up to novellas soon. Reviewer of short fiction at https://supernova.reviews/
Social handles: jonlaidlow.bsky.social, https://jonlaidlow.com/, @burtkenobi on twitter and insta
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Seeing old friends and meeting people I only know online. My first Worldcon so I expect to be massively overwhelmed
Talk to me about: short stories and why I need to write more, genre conventions and breaking them, the end of the world, how my first-time DS9 watch-through is going, the work of Gene Wolfe… anything at all
Note: I’m partially deaf and use hearing aids, but they’re not perfect, particularly in crowded noisy environments where they amplify everything. Forgive me if I don’t follow everything or ask you to repeat yourself…
Name: Mairi White
Dates you’re attending: All
What you do: Writer of mostly fantasy (unpublished) also fanfic
Social handles: blane_firewing on Twitter, Alliandra on AO3
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Hopefully getting to meet Arkady Martine, buying even more books
Talk to me about: Ask me about dragons, show me pictures of your pets (especially cats) or generally talk SFF, I am a massive nerd (extra points if you bring up LARP)
Name: Oliver Arditi, answers to Oli
Dates you’re attending: all of them
What you do: I draw maps, invent languages, build a world, and write stories—I also seem to be volunteering for a lot of stuff, including running the Freebies Library at Worldcon
Social handles: @paracyclops on Instagram, @oarditi@mastodon.social, also on Facebook
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: running the Freebies Library, and basically going to a Worldcon!
Talk to me about: SFFH+ fiction, comics, old school TTRPGs, libraries, conlanging, Tolkien, music, tequila, cooking, videogames, anarchism, and ALL THE THINGS
Name: Gagan Kaur
Dates you’re attending: all of them
What you do: Reader/Reviewer
Social handles: @afantasysky (Instagram)
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Listening to panels and meeting people
Talk to me about: diverse SFF books, bookstagram, Doctor Who, tea and knitting.
Name: Siân O’Hara
Dates you’re attending: All (Monday TBD)
What you do: aerospace engineer by day, writer of SFFH when time/spoons allow
Social handles: @sianoh.bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Panels! Chats! It’s my first worldcon, and first con bringing the family, so I’ve no idea what to expect really
Talk to me about: anything you’re interested in (other people’s interests are fascinating!), dragons (esp from Pern), cats, space, cheese…
Name: Lyndsey Croal
Dates you’re attending: All (but leaving Monday late morning)
What you do: Work in climate-related things, and soon to be author part time (sci fi, fantasy, Scottish folklore, and horror)!
Social handles: all socials here!
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: It’s my first big con so really excited to just experience that! Looking forward to meeting up with writer friends, as well as meet online writer pals who I’ve not met in person yet! And so many fun events I’m overwhelmed trying to pick which ones to go to! Also, the ceilidh, of course!
Talk to me about: Scottish folklore, cats, space, horror, ghosts (I’m in a ghost society…), nature and weird nature things, the sea, video games (BG3, The Long Dark, and Stardew current go tos!), books, LoTR, short stories, board games, embroidery…and whatever cool things you enjoy!
Name: M V Melcer (Mel)
Dates you’re attending: All
What you do: I write science fiction novels and short stories
Social handles: @mvmelcer.com on Bluesky and melcermv on FB
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: catching up with friends! Meeting new people! Launching my new novel!
Talk to me about: books you love, science you love, cats, space, writing about cats and space…
Name: Annabel Campbell
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: Write – my debut “The Outcast Mage” published by Orbit comes out in January.
Social handles: Twitter @annabelcwrites, Instagram: @annabelcwrites
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: The chance to see and talk to lots of writers and readers, going to panels by my favourite authors and chatting all things books at the bar. Also having WorldCon on my doorstep is amazing.
Talk to me about: Magic, Dragons, your favourite wizard mentor. I also love board games and video games.
Name: Omar Kooheji
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: I’m just here to pad out the numbers… I read a lot of SFF and Fantasy, and dabble in writing, but often get distracted by shiny things, a bit like a magpie?
Social handles: Twitter: @ohmz, Bsky: @ohmz.bsky.social (I’m elsewhere, but not much maybe Instagram @ohmzar because someone had already taken @ohmz)
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Catching up with old friends, and making new ones. I’m just here for the chat, and to support my wife who has a book coming out soon.
Talk to me about: Books, boardgames, ADHD, shawarma, diversity in SFF, computers, procrastination, video games, fountain pens, terrariums, and long lists separated with commas. I’ll be looking after a wee baby, come say hi to him too.
Name: Phil Williams
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Sunday
What you do: Author & Editor
Social handles: @fantasticphil (twitter/bluesky)
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: meeting/catching up with lots of great people
Talk to me about: anything book/publishing related; I lean more towards dark fantasy/horror but like to mix things up with all genres. Also dogs, travelling, swimming
Name: Shona Kinsella
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: fantasy writer and editor; Chair of the BFS
Social handles: Bluesky: shonak.bsky.social / Instagram: shona.kinsella / Facebook: ShonaKinsellaAuthor / Twitter: shona_kinsella
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: catching up with friends and BFS members, old and new.
Talk to me about: BFS, fantasycon, all things Scottish fantasy.
Name: Robin Duncan
Also known as: Robin CM Duncan
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: I write SF detective novels starring Quirk & Moth, fantasy shorts (way hay!), fantasy novel in the pipeline; I review for the BFS, write articles for BSFA Focus Magazine; Glasgow 2024 Presents Deputy Area Head (retired).
Social handles: Twitter- hell no, Bsky- @robinski.bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: honestly, I’m already overwhelmed – being in the vendors hall, various panels that relate to WIP or upcoming projects, seeing friends I dont’ see much at all, buying some books, the art show, participating in GSFWC’s launch of the Gallus anthology.
Talk to me about: anything, seriously, anything, but mainly the things that you love.
Name: Beth / E.M. Faulds
Dates you’re attending: Weds pm to Mon pm.
What you do: writing, BFS web stuff
Social handles: linktr.ee/bethkesh or emfaulds.com
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Seeing everyone, including people I have never met face-to-face before!
Talk to me about: I will natter to folks about just about anything. Irreverently.
Name: Jen Hannaford
Also known as: J E Hannaford
Dates you’re attending: I’m attending for the entire event!!
What you do: I’m the author of the folklore fantasy duology, Black Hind’s Wake, epic fantasy trilogy, Aulirean Gates, and am launching a cosy novella,Unfamiliared, on Thursday in the group launch!
Social handles: Twitter is hannaford_jenny / Instagram jeh.book / Facebook /blazingwrenbooks
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: It will be my first WorldCon, and I can’t wait to meet more people who I’ve only met online, see friends I’ve made in the community over the last few years, and obviously, I’m looking forward to the book launch and being on a couple of panels. Plus the Ceilidhs!!
Talk to me about: anything, really. But if you need a starter- I’ve probably got scales on my face I’ve got tattooed scales on my back, or you could broach the topics of selkies or dragons. If all else fails simply show me a picture of your dog! The more dog photos I see, the better.
Name: Tiffani Angus
Dates you’re attending: Thursday (afternoon) until Tuesday (morning)
What you do: I write various subgenres of SFF/H (novels, novellas, short fiction) and non-fiction SFF/H writing guides. I am also a freelance editor, proofreader, and formatter/typesetter.
Social handles: I am easy to find under my name in most places and am @doc_tiff on IG/Threads
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Seeing my friends I don’t see but once or twice a year, teaching the Writing Folk Horror workshop on Saturday, and just soaking up the vibe!
Talk to me about: what we’re reading or writing right now, your fave recent film, TV (Bridgerton, Interview with the Vampire), and historical clothing.
Name: Ellis Saxey
Also known as: E.Saxey
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday (all dates)
What you do: I write short weird queer fiction, and (so far) one historical/Gothic/folk horror novel.
Social handles: @esaxey on BlueSky
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: A bunch of nerds interacting with the gorgeous environment of Glasgow, getting inspired by the museums, botanical gardens and university quads. I hope to join the guided ‘steampunk walk’ on Saturday morning at 11.00.
Talk to me about: Why is dark academia so popular right now? I’m genuinely interested, and I also need to plagiarise ideas for my panels. And a photo, please!
Name: Sultana Raza
Dates you’re attending: Wednesday to Tuesday
What you do: I’ve published numerous poems/short fiction/CNF in 200+ journals, including in Focus, Vector, Star*Light, Apex & Abyss, Penumbric, Columbia Journal, London Grip, Amon Hen (TS), and Aothen. An awarded artist, I’ve received Honorable Mentions in various Photo & Digital Art Competitions. Also exhibited in Europe, the USA & S. Korea (future). Artworks published in numerous journals including on covers of Focus, 3elements Review & Rigorous.
Social handles: facebook.com/sultana.raza.7
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: discovering and meeting all kinds of writers, artists, creators and listening to them talk about their craft.
Talk to me about: Who’s your fave writer or artist? Or, that’s a cool T-shirt!
Name: Lauren McMenemy (she/her)
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday (though we arrive in town on Wednesday night and leave on Tuesday!)
What you do: by day it’s writing, editing, proofreading, and coaching/mentoring; by night it’s writing gothic-influenced folk and occult horror and dark fantasy. I’m also Editor-in-Chief for Horror Tree’s Trembling With Fear weekly fiction zine, curator of the Writing the Occult event series, and, of course, the human behind the BFS’s PR, marketing and online content.
Social handles: Twitter: @novicenovelist / Insta and Threads: @lozthewriter / BlueSky: @laurenwrites / Mastodon: @spookygirl@mastodon.scot
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Honestly, seeing my husband (aka Chris Hawton, above) excitedly geeking out. But also, the usual: meeting digital people IRL, spreading the good word of the BFS to new potential members, attending panels and all that jazz. I’m actually really looking forward to all the climate fiction content.
Talk to me about: That great guest blog idea you’ve got for the BFS website or how you’d like to be a featured member. Failing that, tell me your experiences with the occult or your favourite folklore practise.
Note: My neurodivergence means I’m really bad at remembering faces and names, I’m easily distracted, I have social anxiety, and lots of sensory processing issues (especially with hearing conversation in loud rooms). Please be patient with me!
Name: Jenni Coutts (she/her)
Dates you’re attending: Wednesday to Monday
What you do: illustrator, artist, writer, GP
Social handles: Insta: @jenni_coutts or @jennicouttsart / Twitter: @jenni_coutts / Bluesky: @jennicoutts.bsky.social / TikTok: @jenni.coutts
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: seeing the artists work in the art show, especially Fangorn’s display and his talks
Talk to me about: anything within the Alien franchise – I am obsessed. Also say hello if you’re interested in hearing about art opportunities through the BFS!
Name: Ian Hunter
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Monday
What you do: Children’s author, poet, editor, reviewer
Social handles: Facebook – ian.hunter.58958 / X -ianhunterishere
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: Looking forward to meeting old friends, making new ones, surviving panels I’m moderating, going to interesting panels, tables talks, workshops and launches.
Talk to me about: “What are you drinking?”
Name: Alexandra Beaumont
Dates you’re attending: Thursday to Sunday
What you do: Folklore fantasy author: Dissonance of Bird Song is out 13th August
Social handles: @Abeaumontwriter (X/ Insta)
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: being on folklore, LARP and filk panels, talking about LARP and singing!
Talk to me about: folklore, LARP, castles, gothic literature, folk music
Name: Anna Smith Spark
Dates you’re attending: The entire event
What you do: I’m the author of the Empires of Dust trilogy The Court of Broken Knives, The Tower of Living and Dying and The House of Sacrifice; A Woman of the Sword; A Sword of Bronze and Ashes; and In The Shadow of Their Dying. I write grimdark and epic fantasy.
Social handles: Twitter @queenofgrimdark / Insta Anna Smith Spark.
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: I’m particularly looking forward to being a panelist on Grimdark With a Smile and Women in Military SFF, to Allen Stroud and Jenny Hannaford’s book launches, and to socialising with friends old and new.
Name: Ruth EJ Booth
Dates you’re attending: Full weekend
What you do: SF/Fantasy/Horror Author
Social handles: Bluesky – @ruthejbooth.bsky.social
What are you most excited about at Worldcon: The launch of Gallus – the new anthology from the Glasgow SF Writers’ Circle.
Talk to me about: Red Dwarf, MMORPGs – or the new issue of the BFS Journal on Fantasy and Gaming that I co-edited.
And don’t forget the official BFS events at Worldcon!
- Come and visit our table – we’re there all con!
- Join us as we host a joint meet-up with the BSFA on Saturday night (venue tbc).
- Join Jenni Coutts as she hosts a meet-up for artists and illustrators interested in submitting work to BFS publications in Hall 4 on Monday at 10am.