Once again, Fantasy Faire emerges from the magical mists of time. The tenth Fantasy Faire Literary Festival, our celebration of fantasy in the form of story, wakes from a dream-filled sleep. This year, our home is Samsara, a lost city deep in the jungles of a half-forgotten land, only just beginning to be rediscovered and explored.
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 adventurous fantasy – in other words, fantasy that involves adventures – perhaps the discovery of a lost city, a forgotten land, or even a lost world. This can range from satires such as Gulliver’s Travels or Erehwon, to the ninteenth century yarns such as The Lost World or She, and even encompass films such as the very early work of Georges Méliès – pioneer of adventurous fantasy in cinema – to the more recent Raiders of the Lost Ark, the work of George Lucas.
To check in on all the events we have to offer this year, you will be able to visit our Literary Festival Calendar on our Schedule page!
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 Samsara, 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 Susan Hanniford Crowley is the author of very popular young adult fiction, frequently with vampires, and sometimes with dragons! You can read more about her work – sweet and steamy, she says – on the Special Guest page. She will be interviewed by Saffia Widdershins at 3pm on Thursday 2nd May at 3pm, and this will be followed by a Vampire Ball at 4pm. She will also be reading from a selection of her works on Friday 3rd May at 4pm – you can see more on the calendar.
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 2023
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 