Convention news

Here's a brief update on a convention being held in France. If anyone wants the full flyer, email me at baryon@bellsouth.net. It runs 15 pages and is fully illustrated. Convention contact information is at the end of the update. It sounds like an interesting convention. Too bad I can't afford to go.

A Meeting of the Imagination in Epinal, France

Fantasy and Historical Fiction are the top billings

From May 14th-17th 2009, more than 100 authors, not only from France, but also the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Poland will participate in the 8th edition of Les Imaginales, the festival of imaginary worlds organized by the city of Epinal, France.

During these 4 days, the entire universe of the imagination (fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction, is welcomed to Epinal, the «cite des images», which is a warm and lively area that blends tradition of images and innovation.

From May 14th-17th 2009, more than 100 authors, not only from France, but also the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Poland will participate in the 8th edition of Les Imaginales, the festival of imaginary worlds organized by the city of Epinal, France.

During these 4 days, the entire universe of the imagination (fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction), is welcomed to Epinal, the «cite des images», which is a warm and lively area that blends tradition of images and innovation.

4 Days, 100 Authors, 40 Live Readings and Round Tables

Since 2002, Les Imaginales has promoted the discovery of new genres in the Imaginary field. The Festival invites authors from all different backgrounds, including big names in the fantasy genre alongside with regional authors. Among them appearing this year ‘s 2009 edition include: Anne Robillard, Hal Duncan, David Anthony Durham, Pierre Bordage, Anne-Marie Garat, Georges-Olivier Châteaureynaud, Andreas Eschbach, Céline Minard, Andrzej Sapkowski, and Barry Cunningham, publisher of ‘Harry Potter. Les Imaginales, by the active participation from authors, translators, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, distributors, and prescribers, has become the major gathering place for all professionals of the literary process.

The event has grown to such a size that the city has now invested several buildings, parks, and community centres in downtown Epinal to accommodate the booksellers, authors, publishers, illustrators and, of course, all the fans. For 4 days, Epinal hosts the largest book sale of imaginative literature in France. Several parks and clubs in Epinal welcome literary cafes, conferences and roundtables. At Les Imaginales, the public can passionately discuss their interest in imaginative literature with the authors themselves. Illustrations, storytelling, comic books, art, games ... all are encompassed in Les Imaginales in order to reach new readers.

Five prizes are Awarded, two of which decided by Students.

Les Imaginales offers a glimpse into the enchanting worlds of imaginative authors in order to share their passion for literature with others. Our education system understands that this event is a great opportunity to broaden students’ interests in reading and to get them more involved with the literary world. Les Imaginales High School Award, and new this year, Les Imaginales Middle School Award, allow young people to read, discuss, and debate their favourite literature of the imagination.

Other awards are: Award Imaginales (which was won last year by Thomas Day for his book The Throne of Ebony and also by Scott Lynch for The Red Blood Horizons). Other Awards include: the Prize for Another Earth and the Claude-Seignolle Award.

All events are free open to the public (except film showings).

The Original Festival of imaginary worlds can be identified by only one name: Imaginales.

Here, adventure literature, such as fantasy, science fiction, and suspense are celebrated. Also, fiction literature related to real life events, such as historical fiction and legends, are also an important part of our festival as well. But the heart of the festival circulates around literature that appeals to the vast majority of fiction readers – fantasy and historical fiction.

Open to all non-realistic forms of literature, the Festival of Imaginary world focuses strongly on historical themes or on themes of centuries past that we like to call historical fiction. The celebration of historic themes and fantasy at our festival comes naturally due to its’ strong following and great popularity among readers around the world.

The Guests… Authors From All Over the World !

(Current list)

FORIEGN GUESTS

Roderick GORDON & Brian WILLIAMS (United Kingdom), Barry CUNNINGHAM (United Kingdom), Hal DUNCAN (United Kingdom), David Anthony DURHAM (USA), Andreas ESCHBACH (Germany), Bernhard HENNEN (Germany), Adriana LORUSSO (Italy), Bruce Holland ROGERS (USA), Anne ROBILLARD (Canada), ANDRZEJ SAPKOWSKI (Poland), and Jean-Louis TRUDEL (Canada)

FRENCH GUESTS

Élise FISCHER, Élise FONTENAILLE, Pierrette FLEUTIAUX, Laurent GENEFORT, Anne-Marie GARAT, Henri GOUGAUD, Alain GROUSSET, Johan HELIOT, Grégoire HERVIER, Gérard HUBERT-RICHOU, Jean-Philippe JAWORSKI, Michel JEURY, Florent KIEFFER, Laurent KLOETZER, Ève LAGARDE, Marianne LECONTE, Nathalie LE GENDRE, Roland LEHOUCQ, Philippe LEROY, Patrice LOUINET, Pierre MAGNAN, Jean-Luc MARCASTEL, Ménéas MARPHIL, Danielle MARTINIGOL, Roger MAUDHUY, Patrice LOUINET, Pierre MAGNAN, Jean-Luc MARCASTEL, Ménéas MARPHIL, Danielle MARTINIGOL, Roger MAUDHUY, Xavier MAUMÉJEAN, Jean-Marc MAURICEAU, Maïa MAZAURETTE, Céline MINARD, Dominique PAQUET, Pierre PELOT, Pierre PEVEL, Patrice PLUYETTE, Michel ROBERT, and Simon SANAHUJAS SIRE CEDRIC.

ILLUSTRATORS, COMIC STRIP AUTHORS, DIFFERENT ARTISTS

Krystal CAMPRUBI, Alexis FERRIER, Gilles FRANCESCANO, Michel KOCH (illustrateur 2009), Laurence PÉGUY, Magali VILLENEUVE, and Pascal YUNG.

Information and Reservations

Katrina Kolb (English Speaking) International Relations, Tél. : 06 47 32 71 89 (internationally : 01 16 47 32 71 89), katrina.kolb@gmail.com, www.imaginales.com