There’s just one week to go until the legendary Worldcon kicks off in Glasgow! Taking place between August 8-12 2024, if you’re not aware of what Worldcon is, it’s one of the biggest in-person conventions celebrating sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books, as well as cinema and video games. If it’s speculative, it’s happening! And oh wow is it happening. There are literally over NINE HUNDRED events happening across this year’s Worldcon, including panels, workshops, signings, the Hugo awards, dancing, and more! And if you can’t make it to Glasgow, you can watch most of the panels online. Find out more on the official Worldcon Glasgow 2024 website.
While there will be many traditional published fantasy and sci-fi authors in attendance, they’ll also be lots of indie authors taking part in panels and mingling around the convention. We wanted to showcase some of the indie authors that’ll be in attendance and any panels they may be appearing on.
I asked each author one question: What are you looking forward to at Worldcon?
A. K. Faulkner
This will be my first ever Worldcon, so I’m looking forward to the experience, the vibe, and being surrounded by fellow nerds. I hope to make new friends, as well as catch up with ones I’m already incredibly fortunate to have, and I’m excited to do all of this in Scotland, with all the unique cultural influences just waiting to be infused into this juggernaut!
Author of Jack of Thorns and the Inheritance series. Visit their website to learn more. Find A. K. Faulkner in the dealers hall!
Emma L. Adams
I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of cool people from online in person for the first time!
Author of Death’s Disciple, Relics of Power, the Changeling Chronicles, and more. Visit her website to learn more.
J. E. Hannaford
I’m looking forward to meeting all the people who I have not had an opportunity to meet in person before.
Author of The Skin and SPFBO semi-finalist Gates of Hope. Visit J. E. Hannaford’s website to learn more. She will be appearing on the following Worldcon panels:
- The Purpose of Dragons: Saturday, 10 August @ 17:30
- Jurassic Park: Extinction Rebellion: Monday, 12 August @ 14:30
- She will also be launching her new cozy fantasy novella, Unfamiliared, on Thursday, 8 August @ 17:30
Krystle Matar
Meeting my friends! Having a small author hang-out last year taught me the value of getting the chance to spend time with other authors. There’s something really special about so many wonderful creative people coming together, and it always seems to restore my passion for my community and for the crazy business we call publishing.
Author of SPFBO finalist Legacy of the Brightwash. Visit their website to learn more.
Lucy A. McLaren
I’m most looking forward to meeting fellow authors and readers. This is my first WorldCon but from other cons I’ve been to, I’ve enjoyed meeting people the most because we’re all there with shared interests.
Plus, of course, buying all the books in the dealers’ room.
Author of Awakening: The Commune’s Curse. Visit Lucy’s website to learn more. Lucy will be appearing on the following Worldcon panels:
- Loneliness and Grief in Children’s and YA Fiction: Saturday, 10 August @ 20:30
- The Chosen Everyone: Sunday, 11 August @ 10:00
Phil Williams
I’m looking forward to reconnecting with and discovering anew a veritable gold mine of amazing people; DublinCon 2019 was the first convention I’d been to and, after decades of mostly writing alone, one of the first times I’d been in amongst other SFF-enthusiasts, which was a revelation. Then we had lockdown and all that jazz so there’s plenty of people I’m hoping to see/catch-up with/meet/hunt down from all over the world who I’ve simply not had a chance to be near since 2019 – if ever. It’s just a fantastic opportunity to bring people together.
Author of SPFBO semi-finalist However Many Must Die and Dyer Street Punk Witches, and more. Visit Phil’s website to learn more.
S.L. Dove Cooper
I’m looking forward to so many things. Mostly to meeting (sometimes for the first time!) friends I’d otherwise never get a chance to meet because distance and the chance to be a geek and nerd with people who really get it. I’ve never been to a con this big or with so many panels before. I’m both terrified and so so excited!
Author of Heart of the Covenant and many more. Visit S.L. Dove Cooper’s website to learn more. They will be appearing on the following Worldcon panels:
- The Rise of Cosy Fantasy and Science Fiction: Saturday, 10 August @ 14:30
- Love, Sex, Agency & Intimacy in Baldur’s Gate 3: Saturday, 10 August @ 19:00
- She will also be hosting an Ace Spectrum Meetup on Saturday, 10 August @10:00
Tessa Hastjarjanto
Meeting friends is my top priority but no vacation is complete without eating good food. And one thing I always do when I’m in the UK is buy a shit ton of books and tea. If you happen to see me, approach with caution. I’m easily startled and will run away when I feel threatened. Like a real introvert.
Author of Tales of Lunis Aquaria, BBNYA semi-finalist Undine’s Blessing, and the Infernal Contracts series. Visit Tessa’s website to learn more.
Trudie Skies
Yes, I too will be heading to Worldcon!
This will be my first ever Worldcon, and there was no way I’d miss it when it’s practically on my doorstep! I’m looking forward to meeting and mingling with other indie authors, viewing some insightful panels, and spending all my money in the dealers’ hall. Can’t wait to see you there!
Author of SPFBO finalist The Thirteenth Hour. Visit Trudie’s website to learn more. They will be appearing on the following Worldcon panel:
- Let’s Kill and Dethrone God: the History of JRPGs: Sunday, 11 August @ 13:00
Who else is coming?
Here are some other indie authors you may recognize at Worldcon:
Ben Galley (Moderating It’s Aliiiive! Sentient Inanimate Objects in Genre Fiction and hosting an autographing session), David Green (Host of the British Fantasy Society and British Science Fiction Association Worldcon meetup on Saturday), Dyrk Ashton (Moderating Angels, Demons and Modern Tales and hosting an autographing session), L. L. MacRae, Kerstin Espinosa Rosero, Palmer Pickering, Patrick Samphire, P.L. Stuart, Rachel Rener (Appearing on the Introduction to Romantasy panel and hosting an autographing session), Rob J. Hayes (Appearing on the Boardgaming for SFF Fans panel and hosting a book launch), Ryan Cahill (Appearing on How the Rise of Self-publishing Is Changing the SFF Landscape panel, Stroll with the Stars, and hosting an autographing session), Tim Hardie, and Virginia McClain. Did we miss any? Let us know!
Are you heading to Worldcon Glasgow or planning to watch any panels online? Which panels or authors are you excited for? Drop us a comment!
