BFS Online: World Fantasy Convention 2025

Saturday 21st June 2025, 10am to 6pm BST

World Fantasy Convention is in the UK this year, for the first time in over a decade. At this event showcase, meet some of our guests, attendees and organising team, and get a taster of what’s to come in Brighton. Let us introduce you to our themes and learn what to expect from this special SFFH event. Plus, we’ll give you the skinny on our dual celebration with Fantasycon.

Introduction & welcome (10–10:10am)

Reading (10:10–10:25am): Rachel V Green

Panel 1 (10:25–11:10am): 50 years of Fantasycon and the British Fantasy Society. After its founding 1971, the BFS held its first Fantasycon in 1975. We take a look back at the traditions and changes of the last 50 years. Join Ramsey Campbell, Debbie Bennett, Allen Ashley, and moderator Karen Fishwick to discuss their memories of the society and its prestigious annual event.  Find out more about our panel here.

Reading (11:10–11:25am): Anna Smith Spark

Guest spotlight & reading (11:25–11:55am): Ramsey Campbell, interviewed by Allen Stroud.

Break (11:55am–12:10pm)

Reading (12:10–12:25pm): Russell Smith

Brighton Q&A (12:25–12:45pm): Karen Fishwick answers your questions about WFC’s location, the beautiful Brighton.

Reading (12:45–1pm): Liam Hogan

Lunch (1pm–1:30pm)

Welcome back (1:30pm–1:40pm): A wee refresh from the morning’s activities and a chance to tell everyone what you ate for lunch.

Panel 2 (1:40–2:25pm): Worlds of Fantasy. Imagined worlds are often inspired by real-world locations, people and circumstances. Fantasy writers draw from experience to create new realities, populated by strange and familiar creatures and characters. Join moderator Shona Kinsella and panellists Suniti Namjoshi, David Green, and Anna Smith Spark as they chat about their favourite fantasy worlds and how they approach creating them.. Find out more about our panel here.

Reading (2:25–2:40pm): Allen Stroud

Guest spotlight & reading (2:40–3:10pm): Suniti Namjoshi, interviewed by Farah Mendlesohn.

Break (3:10pm–3:25pm)

Reading (3:25–3:40pm): Melissa Ren

Panel 3 (3:40–4:25pm): 21st Century Horror. A quarter way through this century and it’s time for a review! How has horror changed since the coming of the Millenium Bug? What has stuck? Join moderator Allen Stroud and panellists Sarah Pinborough, C.C. Adams, and Stephen Gallagher to discuss their works, their inspiration and their dark pleasures. Find out more about our panel here.

Reading (4:25–4:40pm): Garrett Boatman

Break (4:40–4:55pm)

Guest spotlight & reading (4:55–5:25pm): Sarah Pinborough, interviewed by Ann Landmann.

Reading (5:25–5:40pm): Jendia Gammon

WFC Chat plus Q&A (5:40–6pm): All the information you need about WFC and chance to ask any questions.

Find more information on our fabulous readers and where to buy their books by clicking here. And you can find all our guest spotlighters and their interviewers 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