Co-Organiser Helen Marshall writes to tell us that the Toronto SpecFic Colloquium, hosted by the Chiaroscuro Reading Series, will be returning for its second year on 15 October 2011. The one-day event’s theme will be “Modern Mythologies”, and it will feature a special talk from supernatural detective author and comic book powerhouse Mike Carey.
Marshall says “Speculative fiction forges the mythologies that explain who we are today and what we might be tomorrow. We want the Colloquium to bring together authors and readers to build up Toronto’s writing community and get a sense of where the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror are headed.” Presenting a series of talks and readings, the Colloquium will consider the importance of the stories that define humanity in the present age from the aliens hiding among us to the gates of Hell ripping open in our backyards.
The Colloquium will also host a round-table discussion on the state of the field with ChiZine Publications co-publisher Sandra Kasturi, HarperCollins Director of Publicity Rob Firing, authors Peter Watts, Lesley Livingston, Daniel Heath Justice, Emily Pohl-Weary, and Daniel Rabuzzi, editor Monica Kuebler, and others (the full list is on this page).
The Colloquium will take place on Saturday 15 October 2011 at the Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina Avenue near Queen Street West). Registration (currently C$30, and C$25 for students) is now available on this page.