International Black Speculative Writing Festival kicks off on February 2

The International Black Speculative Writing Festival runs physically in London, United Kingdom, and virtually from February 2 – 4, 2024.

The International Black Speculative Writing Festival, founded by British-Sierra Leonean writer and literary activist Kadija Sesay, will celebrate Black British and international speculative writers at Goldsmiths University, London in February. Those who attend will be treated to keynote addresses, panel discussions and conversations, readings, film screenings, an open mic, workshops, storytelling, scheduled networking sessions, and loads more in a physical and virtual program.

Some of the panels are “Publishers, Editors, Agents. What they are looking for?”, “Decolonisation of Literature and Publishing Black British Speculative Fiction”; “Research on Black Speculative Fiction: doctoral students present and discuss their research projects”, “Turning oral history into speculative fiction”; “Short fiction versus long between: the challenges”; and “What Is Speculative Fiction?”

Some of the participants who will take part in the physical program will be Heather Goodman, Ama Josephine Budge, Reynaldo Anderson, Yvonne Apiyo Brändle-Amolo, Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, M. H. Ayinde, Marve Anson, Sarah Shaffi, Courttia Newland, Luan Goldie, Pete Kalu, Naomi Kalu, Steven Moffat, Margaret Drabble, Akila Richards, Florence Okoye, Temi Oh, Tade Thompson, Gerald Vreden, Dr Toyin Agbetu, Henderson Mulli, Patrick Vernon, Karen Lord, Anni Domingo, Usifu Jallow, Julianknxx, Alby James, Ellah Wakatama, Troy Onyango, Calah Singleton, Emmanuel Omodeinde, Patience Agbabi, Aisha Phoenix, Ayikwei Nii Parkes, Ioney Smallhorne, Ronnie McGrath, Michael Chikoloa (Open Mick), and Tim Fielder.

The online program will feature among others Kelley Page Jibrell, Gemma Weekes, John “Titi” Namai, Sheree Renee Thomas, Alinah Azadeh, Georgina Parke, Pauline Rutter, Ekemini Pius, Tlotlo Tsamaase, Mama Bougouma Dene, Woppa Diallo, Muli Amaye, Koye Oyedeji, and Joshua Idehen.

Those who are in London are asked to make time for this three-day event; the same applies to those who can participate in the event virtually. More information about the festival, supported using public funding by Arts Council England and with the support of Prof. Deirdre Osborne and the Dept. of English and Creative Writing at Goldsmiths University, can be found by clicking here.