Scottish science fiction - Braveheart or Blowinghard?
01/08/2001 . Source: Jessica Martin 

Those jolly jocks at the The Edinburgh International Book Festival Box have come up with a stunning wheeze ... running a science fiction theme across the event so strong that it puts the guest list of many WorldCons to shame.

Said festival is running across the 11-27 August 2001 in Charlotte Square Gardens, Edinburgh.

For all lovers of exploratory, visionary literature, we're bringing you the SF side of the schedule, and crikes is it ever impressive. These details were correct when we got them, but do phone and check before you set out to deepest Jockland (contacts at bottom of the page)!

Brian 'A.I' Aldiss with Helen Lederer
Saturday 11th August at 10.00am

Lucky Brian - one of the more critically respected figures in British science fiction - gets to open the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2001.

Crusty old Brian has written over 40 novels and 300 short stories, one of which is the basis of Spielberg/Kubrick's movie AI.

Expect the unexpected as Aldiss is joined by comedienne Helen Lederer in a short play about what really happened to Hitler.

Simon Clark
Saturday 11th August at 12 noon

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of The Day of The Triffids, one of the early successes of the post-war science fiction scene.

Simon Clark, known as the "British Stephen King" for his previous blood-curdling horror novels, has created a sequel, The Night of The Triffids, in homage to John Wyndham's novel.

The new novel follows the fortunes of the original hero's son, in a world devastated by the Triffid infestation.

Stephen Baxter & Brian Aldiss
Saturday 11th August at 3.30pm

Two of science fiction's names come together in a double bill. Stephen Baxter, who is trained as a mathematician, engineer and physicist, has been described - by his mom - as "the future of science fiction" for his works.

He is due to natter with Brian Aldiss about mankind and the cosmos, and the ways in which SF writers imagine the future.

John Clute & China Mieville
Saturday 11th August at 7.00pm

John Clute - famous Interzone critic and luvvy - talks with writer China Mieville, who has made something of a name for himself since graduating from Cambridge in 1994 with his own strange brand of urban fantasy.

Perdido Street Station has been compared to Gormenghast in its depiction of an odd universe.

John Clute, editor of the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, will no doubt trot out his own vast display of SF facts'N'figures during this interview.

Rob Grant
Sunday 12th August at 12 noon

Better known as the creator and writer for the TV series Red Dwarf. His latest novel, Colony, is more of the same.

Things are going seriously wrong in the tenth generation of the crew of a spaceship captained by an irresponsible adolescent with a penchant for naming planets after unpleasant bodily functions. Can they all be saved by a head in a jar? And what about the fluorescent pink socks?

Iain M Banks & Ken MacLeod
Sunday 12th August at 3.30pm

Iain M Banks, one of Scotland's leading mainstream as well as SF authors, is best known to us fans for his Culture series of novels. His fellow Scot Ken MacLeod is also making a name as one of the more intelligent SF writers of recent years; "a nova has appeared in our sky" as Interzone trumpeted.

They chat about their work, SF as a genre, how to imagine the future - with probably a few good jokes along the way.

Doris Lessing & Brian Aldiss
Sunday 12th August at 5.00pm

More Aldiss. They converse about SF, its unique attractions for the novelist, and why they are drawn to the genre's visionary possibilities.

The Great Intergalactic Science Fiction Quiz
Iain M Banks, Ken MacLeod , Rob Grant and special guests
Sunday 12th August at 8.00pm

Quiz night - where you can test your knowledge of aliens, alternative universes, Triffids and time warps by pitting your wits against their expert panel. And if you come dressed as your favourite SF character, there will be a prize given for the best costume.

Terry Pratchett
Tuesday 14th August at 5.00pm

Wealthy Terry Pratchett's fantasy Discworld novels - as the size of his wad attests to - appeal to all kinds of readers of all kinds of ages.

On Tuesday you'll be able to see him perform skits and readings from the 26th novel in the Discworld series, The Thief Of Time.

Expect this puppy to be packed (e.g. book early, and turn up hours before it starts).

Ricardo Pinto
Saturday 18th August at 11.30am

Edinburgh-based writer Ricardo Pinto constructed the alternative universe featured in his Stone Dance of The Chameleon trilogy. His fantasy tale was twelve years in the making, and the final volume The Kissed is out this year.

Portugese-born Pinto might also be known to fans as a computer expert who has also designed a number of games.

Alastair Reynolds & Paul McAuley
Saturday 18th August at 1.45pm

Wow. Alastair Reynolds, an astrophysicist working for the European Space Agency, has been called the best British SF writer since Arthur C Clarke. His novel Chasm City has recently followed his first book, Revelation Space.

Paul McAuley, also a scientist and a former lecturer at the University of St Andrews, will be there to chat with him. The Secret of Life, Paul's latest work, blends classic space opera with the implications of biotechnology.

Looks good, guys and gals. If you want to go to any of these panels, you've got a week or so to contact them at ...

Tickets and Booking Information

Telephone: 0131 624 5050
Fax: 0131 228 4333
Web: edbookfest.co.uk

Or call 0131 228 5444 for a printed programme.