We’re still confirming some of the final logistics, but here are some of the amazing things we hope to have on offer:
11:00 am: Chai & Chill
We’re aiming for a gentle arrival, so come through with ease and grab some snacks and chai while you explore the stalls, meet the team and get into the sci-fi mood!
11:30 am: Opening Plenary - Introducing Glowing in the Dark with ROT and Blaft
Join members of the organising team from ROT Collective and Blaft Publications as they discuss why they wanted to bring this event to life, the role of speculative fictions in imagining otherwise and the possibilities work like this can open up for our communities.
12:00 pm: Workshop 1 - Speculating Together with Niharika
A participatory workshop with Niharika from ROT. We’ll be exploring different themes, ideas and approaches to speculative fictions through collaborative writing prompts, creating our own pieces of short fiction together!
12:00 pm: Workshop 2 - Exploring Anticaste Creative Practice with Rakesh and Rashmi
The founder and editors of Blaft Publications join us online to discuss the challenges and triumphs of managing an independent publishing house. From the commissioning process to navigating ad-hoc translation and dealing with the granularity of funding and recompense, Rashmi and Rakesh bring more than 15 years of DIY spirit and excellent taste to the table!
1:00 pm: Lunch
We’re excited to provide a hot lunch! More details to follow.
2.00 pm: Workshop 3 - Co-Reading Anti-Caste SF and Curricula with RT Samuel
Join the co-editor and lead commissioning editor of The Blaft Book of Anti-Caste SF for a group co-reading session exploring the stories and themes in the book alongside some anti-caste curricula. Get into facilitated discussions about what this means for your creative practice and intellectual development! Books will be available to buy on the day.
2.00pm: Workshop 4 - Sci-Fi Story Circle with Migrants in Culture
Listen to Joon-Lynn, Francesca, and Gamze from Migrants in Culture share their adventures into sci-fi writing, followed by a Q&A with Nishma from ROT. Guided by writer and activist Hanna Thomas Uose, they spent 6 months exploring the questions: What if borders were creatures? What kind of creatures would borders be - what would they look like? What technologies, rituals or practices could defeat them? Who would wield that technology?
4.00pm: Closing Plenary
[More information coming soon]
5.00pm: Unwind with Us
The topics of the day will be inspiring, engaging and challenging. Let’s close the day out together with some joy through music, dancing and getting to know each other!
Follow our social media pages (here and here) to learn more about all the offerings and our amazing speakers!