FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FANTASYCON 2011 IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE YA FANTASY SUPERSTAR CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI AS SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR!

American author CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI will be making a rare visit to the UK this September prior to the launch of his eagerly anticipated new novel INHERITANCE, the fourth and final title in the epic fantasy sequence "The Inheritance Cycle", which is published by Random House on November 8th.

Christopher’s previous novels, ERAGON (filmed in 2006), ELDEST and BRISINGR, have been international publishing sensations. The first three books in "The Inheritance Cycle" have sold more than 25 million copies world-wide, including more than 4 million copies in the UK alone. All three previous books in the series are reissued this July with cover designs that breathe new (dragon) fire into John Jude Palencar’s stunning artwork.

Please note that Christopher Paolini will be attending FantasyCon 2011 ONLY on the Saturday, where he will be participating in programming and signing books.

Christopher joins an impressive line-up of already-announced Guests of Honour at the UK's premier fantasy, horror and SF literary convention, celebrating its 35th year:

*Best-selling fantasy author JOE ABERCOMBIE (THE BLADE ITSELF, BEFORE THEY ARE HANGED, LAST ARGUMENT OF KINGS).

*World Fantasy, Arthur C. Clarke and Philip K. Dick Award-winning author and critic GWYNETH JONES (DIVINE ENDURANCE, BOLD AS LOVE), who also writes as acclaimed children's author "Ann Halam" (THE HAUNTING OF JESSICA RAVEN, DR. FRANKLYN'S ISLAND).

*Swedish horror writer JOHN AJVIDE LINDQVIST (HANDLING THE UNDEAD, HARBOUR), author of the best-selling LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, which has been filmed twice, in Sweden and America.

*British-born novelist (MORNING STAR, BIG THUNDER) and Hollywood screenwriter (HELLRAISER II-IV, WISHMASTER) PETER ATKINS, who will be launching his new collection of short stories at the convention.

*Special Guest of Honour BRIAN ALDISS OBE (HOTHOUSE, FRANKENSTEIN UNBOUND, THE "HELLICONA" TRILOGY), the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of more than eighty novels and countless short stories, both mainstream and science fiction.

*Mistress of Ceremonies SARAH PINBOROUGH, the British Fantasy Award-winning author of A MATTER OF BLOOD, THE SHADOW OF THE SOUL and the "Torchwood" novel LONG TIME DEAD, who also writes YA fantasy as "Sarah Silverwood" (THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD).

Other professional writers, artists, editors and publishers already registered as attending FantasyCon 2011 include: Guy Adams, Scott Andrews, Ben Baldwin, James Barclay, Simon Bestwick, Anne Billson, Ramsey Campbell, Mike Carey, Vincent Chong, Simon Clark, Peter Crowther (PS Publishing), Joseph D'Lacey, Meg Davis (Ki Literary Agency), Stephen Deas, Ian Drury (Sheil Land Associates literary agency), David Anthony Durham, Les Edwards, Steven Erikson, Jaine Fenn, Jo Fletcher (Jo Fletcher Books), Tom Fletcher, Christopher Fowler, Barry Forshaw, Will Francis (Janklow and Nesbit (UK) Ltd literary agency), Stephen Gallagher, Marc Gascoigne (Angry Robot), Simon R. Green, Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Lee Harris (Angry Robot), Will Hill, David J. Howe (Telos Publishing), Matthew Hughes, Stephen Jones, Paul Kane, Jasper Kent, MD Lachlan, Tim Lebbon, Tony Lee, Tom Lloyd, Dorothy Lumley (Dorian Literary Agency), Ian R. MacLeod, Stephane Marsan (Bragelonne), Terry Martin (Murky Depths), Juliet E. McKenna, Suzanne McLeod, Gary McMahon, Michael Molcher (Abaddon Books/Solaris), Russell Morgan, Mark Morris, Adam LG Nevill, Kim Newman, Marie O'Regan, Jonathan Oliver (Abaddon Books/Solaris), Reggie Oliver, Philip Palmer, Christopher Priest, Lucy Ramsey (Quercus Publishing), Tina Rath, Gillian Redfearn (Orion Books), Nicholas Royle, Raymond Russell (Tartarus Press), Robert Shearman, Mike Shevdon, Gavin Smith, Sam Stone, Simon Taylor (Transworld Publishers), Adrian Tchaikovsky, Christopher Teague (Pendragon Press), Cath Trechman (Titan Books), Steve Tribe (BBC Books), Lisa Tuttle, Steve Upham (Screaming Dreams), Nicholas Vince, Stephen Volk, Ian Whates (Newcon Press), Charlotte van Wijk (Quercus Publishing), Barbie Wilde, Conrad Williams, Rio Youers and many others.

FANTASYCON 2011 IS BEING HELD OVER THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 30th TO OCTOBER 2nd 2011 AT THE ROYAL ALBION HOTEL, BRIGHTON, THE VENUE FOR THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL WORLD HORROR CONVENTION 2010.

The cost of a WEEKEND MEMBERSHIP is still only £65.00 (£60.00 to British Fantasy Society members), and the DAY RATE (Saturday only) is £40.00.

Details of about how to get tickets for the prestigious BRITISH FANTASY AWARDS BANQUET on the Sunday afternoon are now available on the convention website -- but hurry, places are strictly limited!

To buy Memberships and Awards Banquet tickets, or to find out more information about the programming, launch parties, special events and our esteemed Guests of Honour, please visit the website at: www.fantasycon2011.org


FantasyCon 2011
www.fantasycon2011.org