BFS Online: Worldbuilding

“We don’t create a fantasy world to escape reality. We create it to be able to stay.” – Lynda Barry

Saturday 5th April 2025, 10am to 6pm BST

Every world is a complex network of systems, from the smallest organisms to the creatures that govern it and the rules that govern them. So, what does it take to build one from nothing? Idyllic paradise or dystopian nightmare, what makes or breaks a fictional world? Join us as we chat to SFFH worldbuilding experts to answer these questions.

Introduction & Welcome (10–10:10am)

Panel 1 (10:10–11:10am): Magic Systems. We see different types of magic in our fictional worlds, but which is best? Hard or soft? Should there be rules to magic? How do you go about defining the parameters of a supernatural process? Join moderator Sian O’Hara and panellists Annabel Campbell, Amy de la Force, and Katalina Watt as they discuss the ins and outs of structuring magical systems and how to convey them to readers. Find out more about our panel here.

Readings (11:15–11:45am):  Susan Maxwell  (11:15–11:25am),  Reitha Pattison (11:30–11:40am)

Break (11:45–12:10pm)

Author Interview (12:15–1:15pm): BFS Secretary David Green interviews Sunday Times and USA Today best-selling author Sarah Rees Brennan. Find out more about David and Sarah here.

Reading (1:20–1:30pm): Stephen Oram

Lunch (1:30–2pm)

Reading (2:15–2:25pm): Amal Singh

Panel 2 (2:30–3:30pm): Faith & Religion. With an estimated 10,000 distinct religions worldwide and a whole host of mythologies to choose from, how do we create the beliefs that influence our setting? One, none, or many gods? Is there freedom of faith? And how do we address the difference between faith and religion? Join moderator PS Livingstone and panellists Zamil Akhtar, Gareth Hanrahan, and Peter McLean for their insight on building a belief system in fictional worlds. Find out more about our panel here.

Reading (3:35–3:45pm): Elizabeth Broadbent

Break (3:45–4pm)

Panel 3 (4–5pm): Politics & Social Conventions. Anywhere you have people you have politics and society, so what system to choose? Monarchy or feudal? Republic or dictatorship? How does the governing system impact the story? The characters? Join moderator Lauren McMenemy and panellists Yvonne Battle-Felton, Justin Lee Anderson, and Tiffany Morris as they discuss the rules and rule-makers. Find out more about our panel here.

Reading (5:05–5:15pm): M V Melcer

Open mic (5:20–6pm): A get-together at the end of the day and an opportunity to catch up with all your writing community pals.

Find more information on our fabulous readers and where to buy their books by clicking here.

Please note: You should receive a confirmation email when you buy your ticket, plus a second email with the Zoom link to join. If you don’t, please contact Pam via email: onlineevents@britishfantasysociety.org