The art and science of writing science fiction: Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), Wales

Highlights

• An immersive weekender in November where you will explore the art and science of writing science fiction.
• Develop compelling science fiction narratives: Learn the key elements of world-building, character development, and plotting from established authors.
• Harness the science of creativity: Hear from New Scientist’s comment and culture editor Alison Flood and former editor-in-chief Emily Wilson, who will reveal how the latest science can unlock your creative potential.
• Hone your craft in interactive workshops and network with fellow sci-fi enthusiasts.

Meet the expert

Adam Roberts is the author of 25 science fiction novels, and many non-fiction and academic works, including a History of Science Fiction (2nd ed Palgrave 2016). His most recent novels are The Death of Sir Martin Malprelate (Datura 2023) and Lake of Darkness (Gollancz 2024). He is a professor of nineteenth-century literature at Royal Holloway, University of London, and lives a little way west of London. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Tade Thompson

Alison Flood

Alison is New Scientist’s comment and culture editor. She has a degree in English Literature from Cambridge University and was previously books writer for the Guardian. She chairs the British Book Awards’ crime and thriller award, is judging the Orwell prize for political fiction, and has also judged the Costa first novel award and the McIlvanney prize. She has contributed essays and forewords for titles including Poor Souls’ Light, a collection of stories inspired by Robert Aickman, and Literary Landscapes.

Emily Wilson

Emily is the former Editor-in-Chief of New Scientist magazine. Previously she worked at The Guardian, where she served as features editor, website editor, and editor-in-chief of the newspaper’s Australian edition, as well as running the paper’s science, technology, health and environment coverage. Her first novel, Inanna, is set in ancient Sumer, the world’s first known civilisation, was published in August 2023. 

Alongside her journalism career, she has always had a deep interest in prehistory and the earliest days of recorded history, and has attended digs, including one of a Bronze Age city in the east of Crete. She lives in Cerne Abbas where in her spare time she explores the Dorset countryside hunting for prehistoric stone tools.

Martin Griffiths is a senior lecturer in space science at the University of South Wales. He has been an astronomer for over 40 years and is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Martin previously worked for NASA’s Astrobiology Institute, which looked at the origins, evolution, distribution and future of life in the universe. He is currently the director of the Brecon Beacons Observatory and has written six books and published more than 100 papers.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Two nights accommodation
• Two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners
• All activities as stated
• Guest talks, workshops and walks
• Onsite parking
• 24-hour onsite support

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Travel insurance
• Single supplement
• Room upgrades
• Additional nights at Craig Y Nos Castle. Available for a supplement.

HOW TO GET THERE

This short break is hosted at Craig Y Nos Castle located adjacent to Craig Y Nos Country Park. The nearest town is Ystradgynlais.

By road: The castle is located just off the A4067 between Ystradgynlais and Sennybridge. The postcode is SA9 1GL.

By rail: The nearest train stations are Swansea and Neath. There are direct trains from London Paddington Station to Neath or Swansea. If arriving from Manchester/Birmingham, you will need to change at Cardiff. From Swansea or Neath, you will need to take a taxi to the castle which will take about 30 minutes.

You are responsible for making your own way to and from the accommodation at the beginning and end. 

START AND END TIMES

The event will begin at around 5pm on Friday and finish at around 4pm on Sunday. You can check in from 1pm on the Friday.

Should you wish to arrive a day earlier and/or stay day later, just scroll down to the 'add-ons' section when you book your tickets.

We will send full instructions including directions to the hotel a few weeks prior to the event. 

AGE RESTRICTIONS

Children are welcome, but must be aged 12 or over and accompanied by a parent or guardian. If aged 16 or 17, adult supervision is not required but a written note from a parent or guardian must be supplied to us before arrival.

Please bear in mind that the level of the talks and activities are aimed at adults.

Accommodation

Craig Y Nos Castle, Brecon Road, Pen-y-cae, Swansea, Wales

In the heart of Wales near the Brecon Beacons, Craig Y Nos is a unique Grade II* listed hotel and venue housed in a fully restored 1840s gothic castle. The castle and country park sits alongside the upper river Tawe on the edge of the Black Mountain and was owned by 19th-century opera singer Adelina Patti. 

There are two main room types within the castle grounds. The Nurses Block, which is just next to the castle, has the more cost-effective rooms. They are private twin, double and single rooms with shared lockable men's and women's facilities.

In the castle, all the rooms are doubles with ensuite facilities and some have additional beds to fit groups of three or four. If you wish to book three or four people into a room, please email us at tours@newscientist.com.

There are tea and coffee-making facilities in each room.

There is ample free parking at the castle.