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We reveal what you can look forward to at the upcoming stellar science fiction and fantasy bash [updated!]...

There are just days to go until SFX Weekender 3 gets underway, so we thought the time was right to reveal how you're going to be spending the ultimate weekend of sci-fi and fantasy enjoyment – the elves have been busy. But enough of our yakking: here are the schedules for Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February. Enjoy...

Click on an image to go big (they should print at A4 size) and visit the official forum to discuss or ask questions. There's also a Facebook page where you can meet other people who're coming to enjoy the fun!

The SFX Weekender 3 is just eight days away, but if you thought you’d heard the last of our guest announcements then think again, because we’re delighted to confirm a further two huge genre stars will be joining in the fun in Prestatyn: Merlin/Buffy’s Anthony Head and the sixth Doctor Colin Baker. Wizard!

This announcement is also slightly bittersweet, because we we’re very sad to have to report that Alex Kingston, aka Doctor Who’s River Song, has been forced to pull out due to shifting production dates changing her commitments on Upstairs, Downstairs. But Anthony Head! And Colin Baker!

Whether you know him as level-headed Giles, hot-headed Uther Pendragon or that smoothie off the coffee commercials, one thing remains the same about Anthony Head – he’s a bonafide SF legend (freeze dried coffee is sort of sci-fi, right?) Never one to aim low, Anthony began his career with a series of acclaimed stage and television performances, but his most famous role was yet to come – loveable librarian Rupert Giles in Joss Whedon’s seminal ’90s series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, a character which he played for seven years (and possibly more if the Ripper spin-off ever happens). The role won him adoration the world over and he hasn’t looked back since – guesting in Doctor Who, Spooks and Little Britain; taking the lead (and proving “Once More With Feeling” wasn’t just a fluke) in cult favourite Repo! The Genetic Opera; and appearing as Camelot’s volatile king in the first four series of Merlin.

Colourful, controversial and utterly unforgettable THE Colin Baker may have started his genre career with a guest appearance in a 1980 episode of Blake’s 7, but he earned his ticket into the sci-fi hall of fame when he stepped into the pin-stripe slacks of the Sixth Doctor. Baker lent the role a refreshing air of humour at a time when the show was becoming increasingly serious, and though his tenure as the Time Lord only stretched to eight stories on the small screen, Baker has gone on to be one of the most popular Doctors for Big Finish, starring in over 60 audio adventures since 1999.

Anthony Head and THE Colin Baker will be appearing at the SFX Weekender 3 – Anthony on Friday 3 February and Colin on Saturday 4 February. They join a whole galaxy of stars at the event, including another Doctor (Sylvester McCoy), companion Ace (Sophie Aldred) and Torchwood’s Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles). We’ll also be welcoming both incarnations of Red Dwarf’s Holly (Norman Lovett and Hattie Hayridge), the one-and-only Brian Blessed, and Craig Charles, who returns to DJ on the Saturday night.

Throw in dozens of top authors, comic book artists, panel discussions, screenings, the Blastermind quiz, 2000 AD’s 35^th birthday party, the Imaginarium cabaret show, the Maskerade Ball, a Cosplay Competition and the presentation of the SFX Awards 2012 and you’re looking at the only place any self-respecting science fiction fan would want to be.

The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at Prestatyn Sands holiday camp in North Wales on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012. Residential tickets are completely sold out but day passes are still available. Make sure you get yours before it's too late! Book now by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

With just a fortnight to go, we're proud to announce more authors who'll be participating in panels, signing sessions, drinking at the bar and other top convention activities.

Black Library writer Graham McNeill worked on projects for Games Workshop such as the Tau, Necrons and Space Marines codices before becoming a full time novelist. His fantasy novel Empire won the 2010 David Gemmell Legend Award for best fantasy novel. His 2010 book A Thousand Sons, a Horus Heresy novel written in sync with one by Dan Abnett, not only reached the top of the UK science fiction charts (displacing Charlaine Harris), but also hit the New York Times bestseller list.

Author and editor Ian Whates first published stories in the late 1980s in small press magazines and in 2006 launched independent publisher NewCon Press. His first two completed novels are City Of Dreams And Nightmare via Angry Robot and The Noise Within from Solaris. In addition to his publishing and writing, Ian is currently a director of both the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) and the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA).

And don't forget that Gollancz author Suzanne McLeod, author of the Spellcrackers series, will also be attending. Her fourth book in the series, The Shifting Price Of Prey, will be out in June although before then you can read a Spellcrackers short story in the March anthology Home Improvement: Undead Edition.

For a full list of guests please visit the official SFX Weekender site. Alas tickets to the whole event have now completely sold out but please call 08700 110034 to find out about day passes.

The SFX Weekender 3 might only be a matter of days away, but that hasn’t stopped us confirming even more top notch guests.

First up we have Pat Kelleher, who is currently making waves with his No Man’s World series. The story of a First World War infantry battalion that finds itself transported to a strange planet, the series currently consists of Black Hand Gang and Ironclad Prophesy.

Ex-cop and journalist turned writer Paul Finch will also be joining in the fun at the Weekender 3. The prolific author has penned three novels, twelve collections of short stories and five Doctor Who adventures, four for Big Finish and one new-series novel.

Next up we have Simon Bestwick, whose novella, The Narrows, was shortlisted for the British Fantasy Award and reprinted in Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year. His next book, The Faceless, will be released on pre-party day (that’s the 2nd February), just in time for you to grill him with questions at the bar.

Also joining us is Gareth L Powell, author of critically acclaimed short story collection The Last Reef and SF novels Silversands and the Recollection. Currently working on a new novel for Solaris called Ack-Ack Macaque, he is a member of both the British Science Fiction Association and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. When he isn’t writing, Gareth is a PR manager for a children’s charity, freelance copywriter and music journalist.

Jonathon Green, a freelance writer who as more then 35 books to his name, is also joining the fray in sunny North Wales. He is well known for his work on the Fighting Fantasy game book range, and his novels set within Games Workshop’s world of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000. He’s also written for such varied properties as Doctor Who, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and even Sonic The Hedgehog. He is also the creator of the steampunk Pax Britannia line published by Abaddon. In early 2012 his next Doctor Who title, Terrible Lizards, will be released as a part of the Monstrous Missions collection written with renowned Who-author Gary Russell.

One of the UK comic scene’s rising stars and a 2000AD regular, Al Ewing has also written a number of novels for Abaddon including I, Zombie, El Sombra and Gods Of Manhattan. A multi-talented man, he also has a fantastic beard.

Andy Diggle is one of the leading lights in UK sci-fi. The former editor of 2000AD has had over two dozen graphic novels published by Marvel, Vertigo and DC, including Astonishing Captain America, Daredevil, Shadowland and Rat Catcher. His graphic novel was made in to a movie in 2010, and he is currently working on Snapshot with long time collaborator Jock.

Gaie Sebold fulfilled a lifelong ambition in 2010 with the publication of her first novel Babylon Steel. She’ll accomplish another ambition by joining the illustrious list of authors taking part at the SFX Weekender 3.

Phew, that’s it. Eight new names to add to your list of people you’ll want to meet at the Weekender. Check out the full guest list, and don’t forget to start work on costume right now. The clock is ticking… The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at Prestatyn Sands Pontins from the 2nd-5th February. Residential tickets are now all sold out but to see if there are any day passes going call 08700 11 00 34.

Not long to go until the SFX Weekender now! The SFX in the name is from market-leading sci-fi title SFX magazine of course - but are you familiar with it? Whether you've been a subscriber for 16 years or you only read your first copy last week, we'd like to see you at the event to get your opinions of the mag.

We're putting together a short focus group about SFX magazine one morning at the SFX Weekender. If you'd be willing to help and answer some questions then please email the editor at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it this week, and we'll let you know where and when.

Thanks!

The residential event is technically sold out, but there's still just time to get day tickets for the ultimate sci-fi event.

This third year is going to be a record one for the SFX Weekender, the ultimate sci-fi and fantasy get-together. With a month still to go, the residential tickets have completely sold out!

That's thousands of people filling the halls of Prestatyn Sands holiday park from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 February, enjoying autograph sessions, actor Q&As, panel games, late night films, author discussions, music and more.

Alas if you were hoping to come and spend the weekend on site you're out of luck. Sorry, maybe you'll join us next year. However some individual day passes (valid until midnight and not including accommodation) are still on sale, so if you can get yourself to north Wales and want to come in to visit the dealer room or watch movie screenings then call 08700 11 00 34 now or visit www.sfxweekender.com/tickets and select the day pass option.

The SFX Weekender is the only event of its type. It's a festival of activities for people who love science fiction and fantasy, hosted by SFX, the world's best sci-fi entertainment magazine: TV and film guests, interviews, Q&A sessions, comic workshops, videogaming, music, author discussions and plenty more. It's about bringing like-minded people together for a weekend that includes workshops, parties, quizzes and more. As well as around 50 authors and comic creators, there's also the chance to meet Alex Kingston, Brian Blessed, Eve Myles and Sylvester McCoy. Discover more pictures and meet some of your fellow sci-fans over at the official Facebook page. See you in February!

Three time Hugo award winner and hugely popular SF artist Jim Burns will be joining in the fun at the SFX Weekender 3 this February.

Massively prolific and well respected by his peers and fans alike, Burns – who in recent years has illustrated the covers for fellow attendee Peter F Hamilton’s Void series – will be heading down to Prestatyn where as well as being able to meet him you'll be able to see (and buy) some of his canvas prints.

The upcoming SFX Weekender will be taking place a Pontin’s Prestatyn Sands on the 3 to 5 February 2012. The galaxy’s greatest multi-media sci-fi event, guests can expect a packed line-up of star guest, interviews, Q and A sessions, workshops, videogaming, book readings and DJs, authors, quizzes, film and TV previews, and a packed programme of entertainment tailored to provide the ultimate science fiction and fantasy experience.

What are you waiting for? Sign up for tickets now! More information can be found by calling 08700 11 00 34.

You can expect signings, book launches, art and of course bargains in the dealer area at SFX Weekender 3! We've concentrated on the big guest names in recent announcements, but an SFX Weekender festival is about more than just actor autographs and discussion panels.You could just choose to stay in the bar all weekend with their (new) friends, or watch film after film in the Screening Zone. You could listen to your favourite author talk on stage then go for a walk on the beach. All of this is fine - although the beach is cold in February - and some people spend many happy hours not venturing into the busy dealer area of the venue. But you should, because there's loads to see and buy.

For a start Forbidden Planet will have a big stand there as they have done in the two previous years. Not only is it a great place to pick up collectables but they'll also be selling books, and hosting certain author signing sessions throughout the weekend. So if you want Ken MacLeod or Sarah Pinborough or China Miéville's latest novel and you want to meet them to get an autograph, this will be the place to do it. (Remember, you do not need to buy a signing pass for author autographs.)

There will also be top authors appearing at other booths too, because Angry Robot, Black Library, Solaris and Abaddon, Wayne Simmons and more all have their own tables. The House Of Murky Depths will also be there, showcasing their new YA imprint Murkee and launching Queen Rat, a steampunk story from the pen of rising star Kim Lakin-Smith.

"For almost as long as Murky Depths has been in print its publishers have been considering producing a series of YA or children's books," explains attendee Terry Martin. "Now they are intent on making an impact with the teenage reader and consequently have launched a new imprint called Murkee. The first book will be launching at the SFX Weekender in February 2012 and is a steampunk story called Queen Rat. Whereas most steampunk stories feature dirigibles, Lakin-Smith's story is set in the submersible world of the Free Ocean."

Talking of steampunk, you'll also be able to see the Victorian Steampunk Society there. And gamers will be able to see the latest tabletop action from Cubicle 7 and Esdevium Games.

Not enough for you? There are loads more yet to be confirmed but highlights include Genki Gear t-shirts, Phoenix copper art, mobile massage, and the art of Jim Burns. Watch this space for more announcements, get your ticket quick by calling 08700 110034, and start saving your pennies now.

2000 AD is celebrating three and a half decades of Thrill-power at the SFX Weekender, with its one and only official 35th birthday party. Tharg will be blowing out the candles in style surrounded by fans and the cream of 2000 AD’s creative talent.

Amongst those marking this incredible moment in comics history will be the co-creators of Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog, John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, appearing together for the first time in several years. Along with a glittering array of galactic talent, there’ll be a special Friday night bash and the 2000 AD team will be ensuring that the next 35 years gets off to a flying start. Join Tharg the Mighty and his droids as they mark 2000 AD’s birthday, only at the SFX Weekender!

The SFX Weekender 3 will be taking place a Pontin’s Prestatyn Sands on the 3 - 5 February 2012. The galaxy’s greatest multi-media sci-fi event, guests can expect a packed line-up of star guest, interviews, Q&A sessions, comic workshops, videogaming, music, book readings and DJs, bands, authors, quizzes, film and TV previews, and a packed programme of entertainment tailored to provide the ultimate science fiction and fantasy experience. What are you waiting for? Sign up for tickets now!

For the third year running, Toby Whithouse will be attending the galaxy’s greatest multimedia sci-fi event, the SFX Weekender.

Best known for creating BBC Three’s peerless supernatural drama Being Human – which returns with its fourth series in 2012 – Whithouse earned his sci-fi spurs writing episodes for Doctor Who (including "The God Complex" and "The Vampires Of Venice") and Torchwood.

Whithouse joins the already stellar line-up for the SFX Weekender 3, which includes Alex Kingston, Eve Myles, Brian Blessed, Craig Charles and many, many more. Taking place on the 2 to the 5 February 2012 at Pontin’s, Prestatyn Sands, visitors can expect to see big-name guests, interviews, Q&A sessions, comic workshops, videogaming, music, book readings and DJs, bands, authors, quizzes, film and TV previews and a packed programme of entertainment tailored to provide the ultimate science fiction and fantasy experience.

Joining fellow authors from the Gollancz stable, author Paul McAuley will meet readers at the third SFX Weekender event.

His first novel, Four Hundred Billion Stars, bagged Paul McAuley the Philip K Dick Award in 1988. He continued to keep his trophy cabinet stacked with Fairyland (recipient of the 1996 Arthur C Clarke Award and the 1997 John W Campbell Memorial Award) and Pasquale's Angel (which nabbed the Sidewise Award for Alternate History).

His new book, In the Mouth Of The Whale, is due in January 2012.

Come along and see Paul McAuley, who'll be signing books and taking part in panel discussions, along with many other authors at our live sci-fi event in just a couple of months' time. We're also pleased to announce that fellow Gollancz author Suzanne McLeod will be joining us too. Other writers on the guest list so far include China Miéville, Tony Lee, Jaine Fenn, Paul Cornell, Sarah Pinborough, Peter F Hamilton, Robert Rankin, Juliet E McKenna and Dan Abnett, so he's in good company. Of course as usual expect actors, artists, workshops, screenings and more. The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at the Prestatyn Pontin’s on the first weekend in February. VIP tickets have sold out but there are still many other options available – book now by calling 08700 11 00 34 or visiting the official Weekender ticket page!

Our stunning literary line-up continues with Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Ken MacLeod, Michael Cobley and Benedict Jacka joining our live festival of SF and fantasy in February 2012

Four more top authors are scheduled to appear at the SFX Weekender in February, this time from the stable of publishers Orbit. Ken MacLeod, who has contributed on occasion to SFX's own Book Club column, is an influential and high respected figure of contemporary SF. He's the author of the Fall Revolution series, which began in 1995 with the Prometheus Award winner The Star Fraction. The second volume in this series won the same award two years later, with the fourth winning the BSFA Award in 1999. Cosmonaut Keep, the first volume of MacLeod’s Engines Of Light trilogy, was nominated for the Clarke and Hugo Awards. Learning The World: A Novel OF First Contact won the Prometheus Award in 2006, as well as being nominated for Hugo, Locus SF, Campbell and Clarke Awards, and The Night Sessions won the Best Novel BSFA Award in 2008. The Cassini Division, Newton’s Wake: A Space Opera and The Execution Channel were all nominated for BSFA Awards, with the last two also earning Campbell Award nominations. Find out more about MacLeod at his blog.

Michael Cobley's fantasy trilogy Shadowkings was published in the early part of the century but he turned to SF with Seeds Of Earth, the first volume of the Humanity’s Fire trilogy, in 2009. This trilogy continued with the release of a second volume, The Orphaned Worlds, in 2010. The final volume, entitled The Ascendant Stars, is due for release in November of this year. "I wanted the Humanity’s Fire books to have a European flavour while keeping the pace and tension kicking along. I also wanted to do something different with the notion of hyperspace," Cobley says of this series. Cobley’s diverse influences include authors such as Frank Herbert, Iain Banks and Vernor Vinge and television series including Babylon 5, Firefly, Farscape and Battlestar Galactica. He took part in our Waterstone's discussion on the nature of TV and literary science fiction last year. Cobley also maintains a blog.

It may not be a name you're familiar with yet, but Benedict Jacka began writing at the age of 19, and continued between travelling, working in the Civil Service, studying philosophy at Cambridge, working as a bouncer and experimenting with various sports and hobbies. His Ninja books were published by Simon and Schuster earlier in the century, but it's his three urban fantasy novels we're excited about, due for release next year from Orbit – Fated, due in March, is the first of this series about Alex Verus, a series which continues in June with Cursed and later in the year with Mage Wars.

Jon Courtenay Grimwood first rose to fame in the late '90s with his book neoAddix following a career as a freelance journalist. Since then he has made a name for himself with in the SF world with his Arabesk Trilogy and subsequent novels. He has been nominated for the Arthur C Clarke award twice and for the British Science Fiction Awards for his last eight books, winning on two occasions; for his novels Felaheen, the third in the Arabesk Trilogy, and End Of The World Blues. His latest book, The Fallen Blade was published by Orbit Books in April 2011. Set in historical Venice, it features vampires, werewolves, assassins and pirates. It is the first in his new Vampire Assassini Trilogy.

Come along and see all four authors, along with panels, signings, workshops, screenings and more, at the live sci-fi event in just over three months' time. Other writerly guests confirmed for the event include China Miéville, Tony Lee, Jaine Fenn, Paul Cornell, Sarah Pinborough, Peter F Hamilton, Robert Rankin, Juliet E McKenna and Dan Abnett. Of course, as usual expect actors, artists and more. The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at the Prestatyn Pontin’s on the first weekend in February. VIP tickets have sold out but there are still many other options available – book now by calling 08700 11 00 34 or visiting the official Weekender ticket page! .

Read all our guest announcements in the SFX Weekender 3 Hub.

Buy SFX Weekender Tickets.

If you haven't got your ticket yet for February's SFX Weekender event in Prestatyn, can we tempt you with some more great authors, this time from our chums at Angry Robot? Stablemates Dan Abnett, Adam Christopher and Guy Haley have already been confirmed, and they'll be joined by these high class writers. [Please note, Peter Crowther is no longer able to attend.]

Anne Lyle grew up in 1970s Nottinghamshire with a fascination for English history, folklore and swashbuckling heroes. Having been forced to study sensible subjects such as science and languages, she now spends the majority of her time writing and planning fantasy fiction about swordsmen and spies in imaginary pasts and parallel worlds.

Andy Remic’s first novel Spiral was published in 2003 by Orbit books, and has recently been released in ebook form, along with its two follow-ups Quake and Warhead. For Angry Robot, he's written The Clockwork Vampire Chronicles, consisting of Kell’s Legend, Soul Stealers and Vampire Warlords, which will be re-released in an omnibus edition in March 2012.

Gav Thorpe has written over a dozen novels for Black Library and Angry Robot. Gav spent 14 years as a developer for Games Workshop on the worlds of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 before going freelance in 2008. It is claimed (albeit solely by Gav, frankly) that he is merely a puppet of a mechanical hamster called Dennis that intends to take over the world via the global communications network. When not writing, Gav enjoys playing games, cooking, pro-wrestling and smiling wryly.

Lavie Tidhar grew up in Israel, and has since lived in South Africa, the UK, Asia and the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. Angry Robot published his debut novel, The Bookman, in 2010. 2011 has seen the release of two further novels, with two more due to follow next year – one on the Thursday of the SFX Weekender! Lavie won the inaugural Clarke-Bradbury competition in 2003, and was nominated for the Sturgeon Award in 2011.

David Tallerman has written around a hundred short stories as well as comic scripts, poems, reviews and articles. He has been writing since the age of six, when his work drew comparisons to Enid Blyton. Angry Robot will publish his first novel, Giant Thief, on the first day of the Weekender (look out for a review in SFX 218) with two sequels to follow.

In addition to these great authors, Angry Robot's publishing director Marc Gascoigne, himself a legend, will be joining us - he's edited, written or co-written more than 50 books including various Warhammer titles, the original Games Workshop Judge Dredd roleplaying game and more. Lee Harris, editor, will be there too; you'll know him from Hub magazine and blogging for non-other than us here at SFX.

This throng of great authors join a number already confirmed, plus of course Alex Kingston, Eve Myles, Sylvester McCoy, Brian Blessed and more. It takes place in Prestatyn, North Wales, on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets have already sold out, but there are many other great options available. Make sure you get yours by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

Read all our guest announcements in the SFX Weekender 3 Hub.

Buy SFX Weekender Tickets.

Ambassador, with these best-selling authors you are spoiling us! Yes, that's right, six of the most recognisable names in our genre are set to join other authors, actors and comic creators at the SFX Weekender in February. These stellar names (Stephen Baxter, Ben Aaronovitch, Al Reynolds, Sam Sykes, Sarah Pinborough and Joe Abercrombie) are from the Gollancz stable, like previously-announced writer Jaine Fenn. Last month we also added Paul McAuley and today we can announce that Suzanne McLeod will also be coming along.

Regular SFX contributor Stephen Baxter’s first short story was published in 1987, with his first novel arriving in 1991. He's now written over 40 books including The Time Ships, an authorised sequel to HG Wells's The Time Machine to mark the hundredth anniversary of its publication. He also collaborated with Arthur C Clarke on the Time Odyssey trilogy. Baxter is president of the British Science Fiction Association and a vice-president of the HG Wells Society. He has won various awards, including the Philip K Dick Award, the John W Campbell Memorial Award and the British Science Fiction Association Award, and has been nominated for the Arthur C Clarke Award, the Hugo Award and Locus Awards, amongst others. Upcoming works include next year’s Iron Winter, Doctor Who: Wheel Of Ice and Proxima and Ultima, two hard SF dramas, which will be published by Gollancz in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

You know how you're looking forward to seeing Sylvester McCoy at the Weekender? Well novelist Ben Aaronovitch is the man behind of "Remembrance Of The Daleks", the opening story of Doctor Who's 25th anniversary season, and "Battlefield" the following season. Following his work on the TV series, he novelised the first of these stories and contributed three novels to Virgin's Doctor Who: The New Adventures range and more recently he's contributed to Big Finish's Who and B7 Productions' Blake’s 7 adventures. But he's now making waves with his own series of supernatural police procedural novels for Gollancz, starting with the excellent Rivers Of London, and Moon Over Soho. A third volume, Whispers Under Ground, is due out in March.

Alastair Reynolds worked as an astrophysicist at the European Space Agency until leaving to become a full-time writer. His first novel Revelation Space was published in 2000 and shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke Award, as was Pushing Ice. His second, Chasm City, won the British Science Fiction Award in 2002. Revelation Space, Absolution Gap, Diamond Dogs and Century Rain were also shortlisted for the British Science Fiction Award. His tenth novel, Blue Remembered Earth is due for release in January 2012 and will be the first in a three book sequence, not to mention the first book as part of his amazing million pound deal with Gollancz. He's also penning Doctor Who novels for 2013, the show’s fiftieth anniversary year.

Tomes Of The Undergates was published in April 2010, eight years after Sam Sykes began writing it at the age of 17. The book drew considerable praise from SFX and other sources, earning Sykes comparisons with Joe Abercrombie; fantasy author Stephen Deas described the book as a "wildly descriptive slaughter-fest with a surprising pathos". Black Halo, the second book in the Aeons Gate series was released earlier this year and attracted similar praise. The third volume in this series, entitled The Skybound Sea, is due for release in April 2012. Sam has also collaborated with Diana Gabaldon on a story for The Dragon Book anthology.

Sarah Pinborough is the writer of the excellent Dog-Faced Gods series, beginning with A Matter Of Blood - the series has now been optioned for TV. She's also written two Torchwood novels – Into The Silence and Long Time Dead - and as Sarah Silverwood she wrote The Nowhere Chronicles for young adults, the third volume of which – The London Stone – is due for release next year. She has written short stories for a number of anthologies, and has a horror screenplay in development. In 2009 she won the British Fantasy Award for Best Short Story, and has been short-listed for Best Novel three times. Her novella The Language Of Dying was short-listed for the Shirley Jackson Award and won the 2010 British Fantasy Award for Best Novella. She has also been short-listed for a World Fantasy Award.

Hailing from SFX's home town and known locally for his dominance of the Risk board, Joe Abercrombie released his first novel, The Blade Itself, in 2006 as the first volume of The First Law trilogy. The second and third volumes were published by Gollancz in 2007 and 2008, and Abercrombie was a finalist for the John W Campbell award for best new writer. He has since written two further books in the same world, Best Served Cold and The Heroes. The latter title was released in January this year and reached number three on the Sunday Times Hardcover Bestseller List, as well as picking up five stars from SFX. He also wrote the short story "The Fool Jobs", featuring characters from The Heroes, for the anthology Swords And Dark Magic edited by Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders.

Weekender tickets are selling better than ever so if you want to come and see these top authors then be sure to book soon. Of course you can also expect actors, artists and other guests, plus parties, costumes and plenty of beer. The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at the Prestatyn Pontin’s on the first weekend in February. Arrange your stay by calling 08700 11 00 34 or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

The SFX Weekender is full of chuckles. Who couldn’t help but laugh as a member of Team SFX floundered on stage in front of 2000 people while interviewing “super famous celebrity X” (well, we couldn’t). But the Weekender just got at least twice as funny because we’re delighted to announce Red Dwarf’s two Hollies – Norman Lovett and Hattie Hayridge will be brining their unique comedy stylings to Prestatyn, where the SFX Weekender 3 will be unleashed on the world from 3-4 February 2012.

SFX readers will know the pair best from their time as the deadpan AI with an IQ of 6000 (same as 6000 PE teachers), but in the years since Red Dwarf docked they’ve forged successful careers in the world of stand up comedy, in particular their unique Double Header tour dubbed “exquisite stand up comedy” by The Guardian. And they take comedy seriously. Lovett and Hayridge will be performing their riotous stand up acts live on stage, as well as taking part in a joint Q&A on Saturday 4 February and spending time in the signing area.

The SFX Weekender takes place at Prestatyn holiday camp in North Wales on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets are already almost sold out but there are still other options available. Make sure you get yours before it's too late! Book now by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

For more Weekender 3 announcements check out SFX Weekender 3 channel.

There were lots of things wrong with Doctor Who in the ’80s – the ropey monsters, the fact it aired midweek and Colin Baker’s dress sense to name three – but one thing ’80s Who most definitely got right was the Seventh Doctor’s plucky companion Ace.

And the good news is Sophie Aldred, who appeared regularly as Ace from 1987 to 1989, will be travelling though time and space to join us in Prestatyn for the SFX Weekender 3 from 3-4 February 2012. Both pre- and post-Doctor Who, Aldred has had a successful career in children’s television, even providing the voice of Dennis The Menace in the 2009 Dennis And Gnasher cartoon. But we all know her best as the “professor’s” baseball-bat-wielding companion (real name Dorothy), who stood by Sylvester McCoy’s side for two full seasons from ”Dragonfire” to “Survival” (the last episode of Classic Who), and reprised the role for the 1993 Children In Need special “Dimensions In Time”. Aldred is a fan-favourite on the convention circuit and has kept the character alive in the intervening years by appearing in a number of Big Finish audio adventures.

Sophie Aldred will be appearing at the SFX Weekender 3 on Friday 3 February where she’ll be live on stage for a Q&A, introducing a screening of Classic Who and spending time in the signing booth. The SFX Weekender takes place at Prestatyn holiday camp in North Wales on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets are already almost sold out but there are still other options available. Make sure you get yours before it's too late! Book now by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

For more Weekender 3 announcements check out SFX Weekender 3 channel.

Fan of the written word? Then prepare to be blown away at the next SFX Weekender! As always the event will be attended by a number of top novelists and screenwriters, taking part in lively discussion and signing books. Perhaps your favourite will be there in February 2012? We have many more to announce, and today we're honoured to be able to confirm two authors from the Angry Robot stable (with more to follow soon):

Although he was at last year's live SFX event, Adam Christopher's return in 2012 will mark a very special occasion for him - his debut novel from Angry Robot will have only just come out. Empire State – a science fiction noir with superheroes – is due for release in January 2012, with a second novel Seven Wonders following later the same year. Adam’s short fiction has already appeared in Pantechnicon, Hub, and Dark Fiction Magazine, and he has been nominated for the British Science Fiction Association, British Fantasy Society and Parsec awards. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but in 2006 moved to the North West of England. In 2010, as an editor, Adam won a Sir Julius Vogel award, New Zealand’s highest science fiction honour. And you can meet him to chat about all of this at the third SFX Weekender event in Prestatyn in February.

Guy Haley began his career in 1997 at none other than our very own SFX magazine. Here he rose to power as deputy editor but eventually moved on to edit the magazines White Dwarf and Death Ray. In 2007 he started to write short fiction and now, through Angry Robot, has released his first novel. Reality 36 is the cyberpunk tale of Richards and Klein, an AI and cyborg detective partnership. They’re security consultants in the 22nd century where finding a killer is no simple task as criminals hide not in other countries but in artificial realities. Haley is currently working on a sequel, Omega Point, to be released in spring 2012 and Baneblade, a novel for Black Library.

Dan Abnett, already confirmed as one of Black Library's authors, is also published by Angry Robot. Watch this space for further details of Angry Robot authors who'll be attending; you'll be able to meet top Angry Robot chaps Lee Harris and Marc Gascoigne, themselves familiar faces from the convention circuit and formidable editors, writers and publishers in their own right.

These two writers join confirmed guests like Alex Kingston, Eve Myles, Sylvester McCoy, Brian Blessed and more. It takes place in Prestatyn, north Wales, on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets are already going fast, but there are many other options available. Make sure you get yours by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

Visitors to next February's fantastic SFX Weekender event in Prestatyn can look forward to an outstanding line-up of literary talent. Today we're proud to announce that three of Tor's finest will be taking part in panels and book signings there.

China Miéville has been to every SFX Weekender so far and remains one of our readers' favourite authors. Anybody who's seen him participate at other events knows how charismatic and interesting he is. A multi-award winning writer, Miéville's work is influenced by the likes of JG Ballard, Michael Moorcock and HP Lovecraft. His Bas-Lag novels, including Perdido Street Station and The Scar, are rightly considered classics. The City & The City won him the 2010 Arthur C Clarke award (his third, a record) and his latest book Embassytown hit shelves back in May. Find out more at China Miéville's blog.

Adrian Tchaikovsky is a man of many interests, having studied zoology and psychology and practised law; he is also a keen live role-player and amateur actor and has been trained in stage-fighting. Our kind of guy! After 15 years of trying to get published, his fantasy novel Empire In Black And Gold was picked up for publication by Tor - this was the first volume of his excellent Shadows Of The Apt series, the seventh of which, Heirs Of The Blade was recently released. The eighth volume, The Air War, is due for release in 2013. The series has received extensive praise in the pages of SFX. There is more about the series at Tchaikovsky's website.

Mark Charan Newton began his career behind the scenes, working for Black Flame and then Solaris. His first novel, The Reef, was published in 2008. It was followed a year later by Nights Of Villjamur, the first novel in the Legends Of The Red Sun fantasy series. This continued with City Of Ruin in 2010 and The Book Of Transformations in 2011. Newton's work has been praised by newspapers including The Guardian and The Times and fellow authors, including Peter F Hamilton and Mark Chadbourn. Jeff VanderMeer described Newton as a "promising new writer whose prose is dynamic and whose imagination is often startling." Read more about him at markcnewton.com.

They will join fellow Tor authors Peter F Hamilton and Paul Cornell for signings and panels throughout the weekend. The Weekender already boasts a line-up that includes actors, writers and comic creators. It takes place in Prestatyn, North Wales, on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets are already going fast, but there are many other options available. Make sure you get yours by calling 08700 11 00 34, or click the button at the top of this page for more information.

As the pace picks up for the next SFX Weekender – less than four months to go! – we’re very proud to announce that Jaine Fenn will be joining us in Prestatyn.

Growing up in a house with no books, Fenn sought out Doctor Who novels and episodes of Star Trek to fuel her imagination. Her first novel was written on her father’s typewriter – and illustrated in felt tip pen - at the age of seven, and at nine A Wizard Of Earthsea introduced her to the world of fantastical literature. At the age of eleven, she decided to become a writer of "unlikely stories." She studied Linguistics and Astronomy at university before beginning her career as an IT consultant. Fenn has had several short stories published in various magazines and anthologies. Bringer Of Light is the fourth volume in her Hidden Empire series, which began with Principles Of Angels in 2008. Queen Of Nowhere, the fifth novel in the series, is due for release in 2012. Follow these links for her personal website or her entry on the Gollancz website.

She'll be in good company: the Weekender already boasts a line-up that includes actors (including a former Time Lord), writers and comic creators. It takes place in Prestatyn, North Wales, on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets are already going fast, but there are many other options available. Make sure you get yours by calling 08700 11 00 34, or click the button at the top of this page for more information.

The SFX Sci-fi Awards 2012 aren’t the only coveted prizes we’ll be dishing out at the SFX Weekender 3. No, we’re not talking about the goodies handed out to the winners of our fiendish Blastermind pub quiz - we’re delighted to announce that our chums at Pornokitsch will be popping along to Prestatyn to hand out their third annual Kitschies on Friday 3 February.

For those not in the know, the Kitschies exist to reward books that “elevate the tone of geek culture” – books that are progressive, intelligent and entertaining. What makes them different to Genero-blog Award X is that Kitschies aren’t handed out willy-nilly. There are only two regular prizes – The Red Tentacle (the novel which best fulfils the above criteria) and The Golden Tentacle (for a debut novel). A special award, The Black Tentacle, is handed out to a piece of work which doesn’t fit the Kitshies criteria, but deserves recognition, at the discretion of Pornokitsch editors Anne Perry and Jared Shurin. The 2011 awards will also see the introduction of The Inky Tentacle, celebrating the year’s finest cover art. The judging panel for the 2011 Red and Golden Tentacle awards include Perry, Shurin, Zoo City author Lauren Beukes and writer Rebecca Levene.

In other words, the Kitschies - which are sponsored by Kraken Rum - are a big deal for SF fiction. We're honoured to partner with the much-admired site Pornokitsch to announce them as part of the Weekender, and it reflects our ongoing intention to support the wider SF community.

The SFX Weekender takes place at Prestatyn holiday camp in North Wales on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. Plenty of authors are already signed up to take part in talks and panels, so if literary SF is your thing, our third Weekender is the place to be. VIP tickets are already almost sold out but there are still other options available. Make sure you get yours before it's too late! Book now by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

As a debut novelist, making an impression in a market flooded with dozens of talented new writers every year isn’t easy. Helps if Neil Gaiman has described your book as a “powerful work of the imagination” though, which are the exact words you’ll find on the cover of Maria Dahvana Headley’s debut novel Queen Of Kings. This might go some way to explaining why we’re rather excited to announce that Maria will be joining us for the SFX Weekender 3 in February 2012.

A former playwright, Dahvana Headley’s name may be familiar to some from her memoir The Year Of Yes. Her debut novel Queen Of Kings is a very different prospect though, a “…headlong adventure with a ferocious and bloodthirsty heroine (who happens to be Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt), soul-selling, witches, hungry gods, classical monsters, sex, violence, and the Roman Army.” As Dahvana Headley put it in a recent interview with SFX.

Maria Dahvana Headley, published by Transworld who are also the home of Terry Pratchett and Steven Erikson, will be joining in the fun at the SFX festival of sci-fi at Prestatyn holiday camp in North Wales in February. It's already quite the literary affair, with a number of top authors scheduled to appear for panel discussions, book signings and more. The dates are 2-5 February 2012 and VIP tickets are already almost sold out - there are still other options available, so make sure you get yours before it's too late! Book now by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

Literature fans will be well served by 2012’s SFX Weekender festival in North Wales. Taking place 2-5 February, this is the third Weekender and as before we’re celebrating the written word as much as comics or TV. We’re very pleased to announce that Juliet E McKenna will be there this year. Juliet is a fantasy author whose first novel, The Thief’s Gamble, was published in 1999. She’s written three complete series of books: The Tales Of Einarinn, The Aldabreshin Compass and The Chronicles Of The Lescari Revolution, as well as many short stories and articles – you can read a blog from Juliet on the SFX site here. The Hadrumal Crisis is her latest series, beginning with Dangerous Waters which came out this year.

Juliet has a website and you can discover more about her involvement in publicising fantasy fiction at The Write Fantastic website. She will be joining other recently announced authors who’ll be making the Weekender ring with the sound of lively debate and good humour: writer guests so far are Tony Lee, Paul Cornell, Peter F Hamilton, Robert Rankin, Dan Abnett, Chris Wraight and Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Of course as usual expect actors, artists and more. The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at the Prestatyn Pontin’s on the first weekend in February. VIP tickets are in short supply but there are still many other options available – book now by calling 08700 11 00 34 or click the button at the top of this page!

Science fiction novelists Peter F Hamilton and Paul Cornell (also famous for his screen and comics writing) will be at the SFX Weekender in February!

As the pace picks up for the next SFX Weekender – just a few months to go now! – we’re very proud to announce the return of two fantastic authors. Both Peter F Hamilton and Paul Cornell were with us for the very first Weekender and now, as we approach the third event, they’re joining us again.

Peter F Hamilton is the king of the space opera and Britain’s biggest SF author. SFX magazine recently ran a cover design competition based around his upcoming collection of stories, Manhattan In Reverse, but his pedigree goes back to the 1990s when he took the publishing world by storm with his Greg Mandel books. Most recently we’ve been thrilled by his Void trilogy, set in the same universe as his earlier Commonwealth series but over 1,000 years later on. Find out more about him at Facebook.com/PeterFHamilton.

Paul Cornell‘s first novel for Tor will be out next year! But SFX readers will be very familiar with his work – not least because we once wrote a column for the magazine. A much-loved comics writer (his Stormwatch and Demon Knights are out now from DC), he is also well known for his TV script work on Doctor Who and Primeval. Paul currently contributes to the SF Squeecast podcast alongside other authors such as Seanan McGuire and blogs at www.paulcornell.com.

These two top authors will be on hand for signings, Q&A sessions and panels throughout the weekend, and they’ll be in good company: the Weekender already boasts a line-up that includes actors, writers and comic creators. It takes place in Prestatyn, North Wales, on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets are already going fast, but there are many other options available. Make sure you get yours by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

Fables and Doctor Who artist Mark Buckingam will make his first appearance at an SFX Weekender event in February 2012! Since 2009 the live Weekender events have been your chance to mingle with actors, artists, writers, fans and more. The next event, 2 to 5 February 2012, will be no exception and we’re pleased this week to add another figure from the world of comics to our line-up.

Mark Buckingham has been the regular artist on Fables for DC Comics for nine years, working with its writer and creator Bill Willingham, for which they have earned numerous comic industry awards. He has also illustrated Willingham’s Down The Mysterly River prose novel released this summer by Tor books. In addition Mark is also the regular cover artist on IDW’s Doctor Who comic and is currently working with Neil Gaiman on a comic strip for the Brilliant Book Of Doctor Who 2012 for BBC Books.

Mark’s first major work was as inker on DC Comics Hellblazer in 1988. From there he went on to work with Neil Gaiman as artist on Miracleman (now Marvelman) as well as other Gaiman written works such as Sandman and Death. Along side this he also developed a successful career as one of DC’s top inkers, especially at Vertigo, and also produced painted artwork for 2000AD on Tyranny Rex. In the mid ’90s Mark moved to Marvel where he inked Generation X and Ghost Rider 2099 before focusing on developing his pencilling career on titles such as Dr Strange and Star Trek Unlimited. In 1997 he returned to DC as a full time penciller, initially working on Batman: Shadow of the Bat, followed by a relaunch of super team The Titans. In 2000 he began a successful two-year reinvigoration of the Spider-Man titles for Marvel on Peter Parker: Spider-Man with Paul Jenkins, as well as guest appearances in other Marvel books such as The Fantastic Four. Since 2002 Mark has been the regular artist on Fables, created by writer Bill Willingham, for Vertigo/DC Comics. Fables has proven to be both a commercial and critical hit, earning numerous comic industry awards. In 2008 he illustrated the World Book Day edition of Neil Gaiman’s children’s book Odd And The Frost Giants.

He’ll be joining other recently announced Weekender guests including Eve Myles and Sylvester McCoy, and comics fans will want to see Dan Boultwood, Tony Lee and Dan Abnett too. The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at the Prestatyn Sands holiday camp in north Wales on the first weekend in February. VIP tickets are almost sold out but there are still many other options available – book now by calling 08700 11 00 34 for more information.

Rapidly becoming a phenomenal occasion for fiction fans, the annual SFX Weekender has attracted many authors and publishers in its first two years. Readers will enjoy the third SFX Weekender festival (taking place 2-5 February) just as much by the looks of thing, with a great line-up of writers emerging and more yet to announce.

Today we’re very pleased to confirm that David J Howe, owner of Telos Publishing and author of over 30 books about Doctor Who will be joining us there, as will award-winning horror novelist Sam Stone. She’s the author of four published novels – the fourth was recently launched at the Asylum Steampunk event in Lincoln – and a short story collection, with a fifth novel on the way.

Sam Stone began writing aged 11 after reading her first adult fiction book, The Collector by John Fowles. “I’d never read anything like it. It was terrifying – but so exciting … that’s when I realised I liked to be scared,” she admits. Sam’s writing has appeared in nine anthologies for poetry and prose. Her first novel won the Silver Award for Best Horror Novel in ForeWord Magazine’s book of the year awards in 2007. In September 2008 the novel was re-edited and republished by The House of Murky Depths as Killing Kiss. The sequels, Futile Flame and Demon Dance went on to become finalists in the same awards for 2009/2010.

David J Howe has been involved with Doctor Who research and writing for over 30 years. He has been consultant to a large number of publishers and manufacturers for their Who lines, and is author or co-author of over 30 factual titles associated with the show. He also has one of the largest collections of Doctor Who merchandise in the world and is a journalist contributing articles and reviews to a wide variety of magazines. He edited the bi-monthly newsletter of the British Fantasy Society in the 1990s – he is currently Chair of the BFS, and edited their 40th anniversary anthology, Full Fathom Forty, published this month. In addition he is Editorial Director of Telos Publishing, a UK based independent press specialising in horror and science fiction novellas, crime novels, and guides to a variety of film and TV shows.

These two authors are in good company: the Weekender already boasts a line up that includes Sylvester McCoy, Eve Myles, Brian Blessed and a small army of writers and comic creators including the likes of Peter F Hamilton and Robert Rankin. It takes place in Prestatyn, north Wales, on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. Checkout is the morning of Sunday 5 February. VIP tickets are already going fast, but there are many other options available. Make sure you get yours by calling 08700 11 00 34...

Black Library writers Dan Abnett and Aaron Dembski-Bowden are confirmed for the February 2012 event! UPDATE: Chris Wraight can no longer attend.

Plans for the SFX Weekender are well and truly under way now, and today’s good news is that we can proudly announce that two of Black Library’s finest authors will be joining us in February 2012. Readers of SFX magazine will be familiar with Aaron Dembski-Bowden and Dan Abnett from articles this summer, and they’ll be at Prestatyn Sands with us for the third Weekender event. These top authors will be on hand for signings, Q&A sessions and panels throughout the weekend. Alas fellow author Chris Wraight can no longer join them.

Dan Abnett is a novelist and award-winning comic book writer who’s well known to Warhammer 40,000 fans, having penned many a bestselling novel including the acclaimed Gaunt’s Ghosts series. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s a renowned comics writer, having worked on everything from the Mr Men to the X-Men, and he was the writer behind last year’s Space Marines film Ultramarines. You can visit his website here: www.danabnett.com

Aaron Dembski-Bowden‘s greatest hits include the novels Soul Hunter, Helsreach, The First Heretic and Throne Of Lies. His latest book is Blood Reaver, out now from Black Library, which is a sequel to Soul Hunter – it’s an epic tale from the Warhammer 40,000 universe in which the Night Lords unite with the Red Corsairs to attack the fortress-monastery of the Marines Errant in search of the chapter’s gene-seed. Aaron was interviewed in SFX magazine as recently as issue 213 and you can find out more about him at http://aarondembskibowden.wordpress.com

These authors are in good company: the Weekender already boasts a line up that includes Torchwood‘s Gwen Cooper, a Time Lord and the Prince of the Hawkmen. It takes place in Prestatyn, north Wales, on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets are already going fast, but there are many other options available. Make sure you get yours by calling 08700 11 00 34, or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

STOP PRESS! Torchwood’s Gwen Cooper and the seventh Doctor join us for our third annual sci-fi extravaganza!

For a show which has Wales running through every strand of its DNA, there are few things more Welsh about Torchwood than the lovely Eve Myles. Who better then to help us launch the SFX Weekender 3 as we move shop to Prestatyn in North Wales for the first time in 2012?

Born in Powys and earning her acting stripes with nine years on the BBC One Wales drama Belonging, Myles is a veteran of the small screen. As well as appearances in Doctor Who and Merlin, Myles will be instantly recognisable to viewers on both sides of the Atlantic as Torchwood’s Gwen Cooper. With her characteristic Welsh accent and no-nonsense attitude Gwen has been keeping Jack in check for four years and ranks as the only mortal member of the team to have survived all the way to Miracle Day, a testament to the popularity of her character. You voted her best actress at the SFX Awards 2010, but she makes her live Weekender debut at the SFX Weekender 3 where she’ll appear onstage for a Q&A and spend time at the signing table.

There are few roles on TV tougher than Doctor Who. After all, you’re following in the footsteps of the greats. Spare a thought for the Doctors of the past 15 years then, who have all had the unenviable task of following in the wake of Sylvester McCoy’s unforgettable performance as the seventh Doctor. He starred in “Remembrance Of The Daleks”, one of Who’s best stories, survived Bonnie Langford, and he’ll be joining us for the SFX Weekender 3 on Friday 3 February.

The last of the classic Doctors, Sylvester McCoy is technically the longest serving televisual Timelord having occupied the TARDIS between 1987 and 1996. In the years since, he’s kept the seventh Doctor alive by recording dozens of audio books and numerous appearances at conventions all around the world, where he is praised for his way with the fans and passion for the show. Not a Doctor Who fan? Then you might recognise him from appearances in Tiswas, Jackanory and many, many more. Lord Of The Rings fans also have cause to get excited – because Sylvester will be portraying wizard Radagast The Brown in The Hobbit. What better opportunity to hear first hand about Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth? Sylvester McCoy will be conducting an on stage Q&A, introducing a classic Doctor Who story in the screening room and will take part in a signing session on Friday 3 February only.

The announcements don’t stop there though, because we’re thrilled to reveal Robert Rankin will be returning for his Weekender hat-trick in 2012, alongside comic book creators Tony Lee and Dan Boultwood; the crew of 2000AD; and authors from Abaddon, Solaris, Black Library, Tor, Orbit, Gollancz and more.

The SFX Weekender takes place at Prestatyn holiday camp in North Wales on Friday 3 February and Saturday 4 February 2012, with our pre-party on Thursday 2 February for the early birds. VIP tickets are already almost sold out but there are still other options available. Make sure you get yours before it’s too late! Book now by calling 08700 11 00 34, or click the button above for more information.

Some familiar faces are set to return to the SFX Weekender in February 2012. By popular demand, back for their second year after one of 2011′s most interesting and vibrant comics talks, we’re thrilled to welcome bestselling comics and audio drama writer Tony Lee (Doctor Who, The Baker Street Irregulars) and artist Dan Boultwood (The Gloom, Agent Mom).

It’s just over five months now until the UK’s greatest festival of sci-fi kicks off in Prestatyn – that’s 2-5 February 2012 to be exact – and our eagle-eyed readers will spot we’re making more announcements about who’ll be there.

Tony Lee is one of the UK’s most respected comic creators and a #1 New York Times Bestselling List Writer. He’s won fans on both sides of the Atlantic with his work on X-Men, Spider-Man, the ongoing Doctor Who comic series and various stories for 2000AD. Lee’s also renowned for his graphic novel adaptations of Pride And Prejudice And Zombies and a series of Anthony Horowitz novels, on which he collaborated with popular artist Dan Boultwood. Together the pair created MTV’s The Gloom and Agent Mom (with Stargate‘s Alaina Huffman), Sherlock Holmes: The Baker Street Irregulars and Danger Academy. Readers of SFX's sister title Comic Heroes will be familiar with Tony Lee’s San Diego Comic-Con report in the latest issue. It was at Comic-Con that Tony Lee announced he was writing a comic based on Lee David Zlotoff’s classic TV show MacGyver. Outside of comics he’s also written Fifth Doctor, Turlough, Tegan, Nyssa and Bernice Summerfield audio adventures for Big Finish.

Tony and Dan will take to the stage (“We already have an idea of a talk that involves making people act out a show that we put together like a comic…” they reveal, mysteriously) and sign autographs at our massive residential sci-fi event in February. They’ll be joining other recently announced Weekender guests including Eve Myles, Sylvester McCoy and Robert Rankin, plus Brian Blessed and Craig Charles. The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at the Prestatyn Sands holiday camp in north Wales on the first weekend in February. VIP tickets are almost sold out but there are still many other options available – book now by calling 08700 11 00 34 or head to www.sfxweekender.com/tickets for more information.

There's a chance to win a VIP chalet for four people at the SFX Weekender when you vote in the SFX Sci-Fi Awards 2012! Yes, dust down your gladrags and order an industrial vat of Bollinger. The annual SFX Awards walk among us once more, and it’s up to you – yes, you hiding at the back there – to ensure that the coveted Golden Rayguns end up on a truly deserving, frequently dusted mantelpiece.

Last year Christopher Nolan’s mind-frazzling Inception strolled off with Best Film while Doctor Who waltzed away with Best TV Show. Steven Moffat turned up in person to accept your applause. Terry Pratchett was given a special award for outstanding achievement.

This year promises to be a titanic scrap between rival superhero franchises – Thor vs Green Lantern! X-Men: First Class vs Captain America! – while breakthrough TV smash Game Of Thrones is surely spoiling for a fight on the small screen. Who will win Best Actor? Which book will bag Best Novel? What was the Biggest Disappointment? Only you can decide! It’s democracy in action! Look on and weep, fascist dictatorships!

For your chance to participate in this gleaming gong-fest, simply head over to our online voting form (www.sfx.co.uk/awards2012) where you’ll see the list of categories. The period of eligibility is 15 December 2010 to 19 October 2011, and we’ve included some handy, memory-jogging suggestions to help you decide – although of course there are spaces for you to type in your own nominations.

We’ll tot up the results and declare the winners, as well as revealing our own team choice awards, at SFX Weekender 3. Robert Rankin is lined up to present on the night, where music will again be provided by Craig “Red Dwarf” Charles on the decks.

Get voting! A Few Terms And Conditions…

By taking part in the prize draw, you agree to be bound by the prize draw terms and conditions at http://survey.futurenet.com/prizedrawtandcs2011. To enter the prize draw for tickets you must vote in the SFX Sci-Fi Awards at www.sfx.co.uk/awards2012 between 12.01am on 24 August 2011 and 11:59pm on 19 October 2011. Winners will be selected at random from all the entries received between the relevant dates and will be notified within 28 days of the closing date. The overall winner of the VIP chalet will be required to give names and addresses for all four people attending the Weekender. Day passes for the weekend end at 12 midnight. Physical tickets will not be issued, it is a paperless event. One day pass includes day and evening access for one person to the SFX Weekender at Pontin’s Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park (Wales, UK) on 3 and 4 February 2012 and does not include travel or accommodation of any kind. Full terms and conditions are available on the voting site. Unless otherwise stated, SFX competitions are only open to UK residents of 18 years and over, except employees of: (a) Future Publishing Limited ; (b) any third party appointed by Future Publishing to organise and/or manage the Competition; and (c) the Competition sponsor(s). By entering this competition, you consent to Future Publishing using your personal details to send you information about products and services of Future Publishing which we think may be of interest to you. If you do not want to receive this information, please (un)tick the appropriate boxes on the voting website.

Yes, the rumours are true: Robert Rankin is back by popular demand. The best-selling novelist, and wife Rachel, will be back to present the awards at next year’s SFX Weekender in Prestatyn. The Saturday nights awards - for which voting is open until 19 October - have in previous years amassed over 200,000 votes. They remain a popular part of the event and Robert Rankin has twice proved to be a highlight of the proceedings.

“The lovely wife and I are thrilled to be invited to host the SFX Awards ceremony next year,” Robert told us. “It is an absolute honour to do this and the Weekender is definitely one of the all-time high points of our year. Wonderful people. Wonderful fun. Simply wonderful. Thank you all for asking us back!”

Taking place from 2 to 5 February 2012, the Weekender has moved on from its usual haunt to the new bigger and better location of Prestatyn Sands, North Wales. Boasting a packed line-up of events including The Maskerade Ball, Blastermind Quiz and The Imaginarium, along with Craig Charles once again taking to the decks it’ll be another geekend to remember.

VIP, Gold Plus and Gold tickets are selling fast, so book tickets now to avoid disappointment - details at the top of this site.

Gordon’s alive! And so’s the SFX Weekender, which returns for its third action-packed geekapalooza in February.

Never ones to shy away from making as loud a noise as possible in the name of sci-fi, we’re pleased to announce that Flash Gordon’s saviour, Jar Jar Binks’s exiler and a man who never, ever needs a microphone, Brian Blessed, will be attending his first festival of sci-fi. Meanwhile, by popular demand, Craig Charles will be returning with his Funk and Soul Show to keep the SFX massive dancing into the witching hour.

Brian Blessed needs no introduction – literally, you can hear him three towns over. Starting out with small roles in telly classics The Avengers and Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased), Blessed has gone on to forge a hearty career on stage and screen – his sonorous tones perfect for countless Shakespeare adaptations and the occasional cult space opera.

Craig Charles – best known round these parts as Dave Lister, the last surviving member of the human race – is a Weekender veteran having been on the business end of a mixing deck at this year’s event. Charles’s DJ set was one of the highlights of the last weekend for many.

Those who have attended our previous events will also notice that the Weekender has a new home, Prestatyn in North Wales, which boasts newly renovated buildings and bigger rooms for squeezing in the ever-expanding SFX collective. A new home, but the same mission: offering fans of sci-fi and fantasy the chance to immerse themselves in a galaxy of culture for the weekend.

As in previous years the event will be structured around four huge pillar events: the enchanting Imaginarium cabaret, the sweeping Maskerade party, an expanded Blastermind quiz and the epic SFX Sci-Fi Awards Show 2012, where we’ll be revealing the people, movies and show’s who’ve won this year’s coveted Golden Rayguns. All in the company of like-minded sci-fi fanatics. Also expect screenings, panel discussions, autograph sessions and more. Remind yourself of what a laugh the last event was with this highlights video.

The SFX Weekender 3 takes place at Prestatyn Holiday Camp in North Wales between Thursday 2 February and Sunday 5 February 2012, including our pre-party for the early birds on the Thursday. Tickets are on sale now – but hurry: VIP tickets are selling fast! Call 08700 110034 for the current deals or click the button at the top of the page...