Once again, Fantasy Faire emerges from the magical mists of time. The ninth Fantasy Faire Literary Festival, our celebration of fantasy in the form of story, wakes from a dream-filled sleep. This year, our home is Fungalmire, a forest steeped in legend and myth, where ancient trees and giant mushrooms tell tales of times past. Winding paths lead to hidden nooks where visitors might stumble upon forgotten artifacts or catch a glimpse of a mystical creature or two. As night falls, the forest seems to come alive with the sound of rustling leaves and whispers on the wind, a place where stories both old and new are waiting to be told..
The LitFest offers many ways to experience the stories of the Faire and inspire your own tales of journeys, wonders, and adventures.
This year, our theme is anthropomorphic fiction – in other words, fiction where animals (often displaying decidedly human traits) form an important part of the narrative. This can range from Aesop’s Fables or Beowulf, to oriental legends, to well-known children’s books such as The Wind in the Willows, Winnie the Pooh and Charlotte’ Web, to the medieval tales of Reynard the Fox or the the trickster tortoise and the hare in West African tales.
To check in on all the events we have to offer this year, you will be able to visit our Literary Festival Calendar!
As ever, there will be plenty to see, hear, and do. We invite you to ride out with us as we tour the Fairelands, discovering their marvels and secrets. Learn more about the Tours and what adventures are in store by visiting the LitFest Tours page.
At our home in Fungalmire, join us in writing circles and open mics, in readings of poetry and prose, and talks by special guest authors and storytellers.
Our Guest of Honour this year is Anne Louise Avery, author of Reynard the Fox, the beautiful novel that draws upon medieval sources. Anne also creates the much-loved Twitter vignettes that tell stories of a wonderful world where animal and humans live together in harmony and love, sometimes tinged with sadness (and cook wonderful dishes). You can find these on Twitter at @AnneLouiseAvery.
We’ve expanded our LitFest Film Festival, grounded in Second Life and featuring virtual fantasy films. Here you can watch and learn, perhaps picking up your virtual camera to enter the film competition.
Keep an eye on the Literary Festival and Film Festival Schedule, to find details of what’s on. Highlights will appear on the main page of the Fantasy Faire site for news and announcements.
Our History
The first Literary Festival appeared in the Fairelands in 2015. We have featured speakers and workshops, authors and poets, special guests and region tours. We have celebrated the storied worlds of Ursula LeGuin, Terry Pratchett, William Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkien and George RR Martin with special days of events. Curious? Explore Litfests of previous years
Literary Festival 2022
Literary Festival 2021
Literary Festival 2020
Literary Festival 2019
Literary Festival 2018
Literary Festival 2017
Literary Festival 2016
Literary Festival 2015
Fantasy Faire 