James Oswald is possibly best known for his supernatural crime novels set in Edinburgh, or the lovely pictures of cows he shares on his Instagram. But before he became a bestselling crime writer, James wrote a classic fantasy series, The Ballad of Sir Benfro. Inspired by the language and folklore of Wales, it follows the adventures of a young dragon called Sir Benfro who lives in a land where his kind have been hunted near to extinction by men. It’s a magical tale of adventure, friendship, and (most importantly) DRAGONS!

Find out more about: James Oswald!

Chaired by David Bishop

Running Time: 60 minutes

Tickets: £8/ £6 concession

Venue: Theatre

Ciamar a nì thu saoghal ùr sa Ghàidhlig? Ciamar a chruthaicheas tu facail leithid stèisean-fànais, luathas-teichidh no saibeirneatach? Thig còmhla ri Tim Armstrong agus Daibhidh Eyre, a bhios a’ còmhradh air ficsean saidheansail ùr sa Ghàidhlig is mar a thèid a’ ghnè a bhrosnachadh is a leasachadh san àm ri teachd.

How do you create a new universe in Gaelic? How do you come up with Gaelic words for ‘space-station’, ‘escape velocity’ or ‘cybernetic’? Join Tim Armstrong and David Eyre as they discuss the new wave of sci-fi writing in Gaelic and how they see the genre progressing in the future.

Simultaneous translation will be provided at this event for non-Gaelic speakers.

Find out more about: Tim Armstrong and David Eyre!

Running Time: 60 minutes

Tickets £8/£6 concession

Venue: Lomond Room

In his new book, An American Story, Christopher Priest offers a powerful meditation on loss and memory seen through the prism of 9/11.

Science journalist Ben Matson lost the woman he loved in the 9/11 attacks. Or rather, he thinks he did. No body has ever been recovered, and Lil shouldn't have been on that particular plane at that time. But he knows she was.

Now nearly 20 years later, the recovery of an unidentified plane wreck has reignited Ben’s investigation into what might have happened that day. But when Ben starts to track down testimonies from engineers, scientists, and pilots connected to 9/11 and Lil’s disappearance, he sets off a chain of events that causes him to question everything he thought he knew…

Find out more about: Christopher Priest!

Chaired by Lee Randall

Running time: 60 minutes

Tickets: £8/ £6 concession

Venue: Upper Hall

Helen Grant’s book Ghost is set on a remote Scottish estate. Rachel Burge is the author of The Twisted Tree, a chilling ghost story inspired by Norse legend. Claire McFall’s latest book is Outcasts, which will conclude the lauded Ferryman trilogy. Hear these three authors chat about their fantasy books that deal with love and loss and the ghosts that haunt us.

Find out more about: Helen Grant, Rachel Burge and Claire McFall!

Chaired by Sarah Broadley

Running time: 60 minutes

Tickets: £8/ £6 concession

Venue: Upper Hall

On an island at the edge of a country once known as Scotland, Griz has never met enough people to play a game of football. But he's never lonely – he has his family and his dogs. When a thief comes to the island and steals one of his dogs, Griz chases after him out into the ruins of the world. This is the story of A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World.

'Epic in scope, enthralling, and full of human warmth' – M. R. Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts

Find out more about: C. A. Fletcher!

Running time: 60 minutes

Tickets: £8/ £6 concession

Venue: Lomond Room

Hedera Felix is excited to bring Mycelia to the first Cymera Festival!

Mycelia is a Glasgow-based magazine dedicated to the weird and the eerie via weird fiction, experimental literature and visual art. The event will offer author readings followed by a Q&A, and conclude with a short discussion about setting up a new magazine.

We welcome everybody over the age of 16.

Hedera Felix will also have a table in the creator’s hall selling our wares and some of our authors will be bringing some interesting things along. Come and say hi! 

Tickets: £8/ £4 concession

Venue: Bar

Moira McPartlin’s latest book is Star of Hope, the third volume of the Sun Song trilogy, which is set in a dystopian 2089.

*Please note that London Shah unfortunately has had to cancel her appearance at #Cymera19. The event is going ahead with Moira McPartlin. Please contact us if you’d like to request a refund for your ticket for this event.

Find out more about: Moira McPartlin and London Shah!

Running time: 60 minutes

Tickets: £8/ £6 concession

Venue: Braid Room