Learn to play with speculative fiction, and explore ideas you didn’t know you had.

Speculative fiction isn't just about escaping; it’s about responding. It's a boundless frontier where your story can push back against global, racial, gender, and environmental challenges by creating a space where anything is possible. Join multi-award-winning speculative fiction author Eugen Bacon in experiencing writing as play. Be prepared to be astonished—there’s more than one story in you!

Format

This is an in-person workshop with a focus on writing craft; it will be held at State Library of Queensland. This workshop is held as part of GenreCon 2026: Inkling, and is aimed at speculative fiction writers of all levels and backgrounds. You do not need to be a GenreCon ticket holder to attend, however it is recommended - you can book here.

About Eugen

Eugen Bacon is an African Australian author. She is a Solstice, British Fantasy, Ignyte, Locus and Foreword Indies Award winner. She’s also a twice World Fantasy, Shirley Jackson and Aurealis Award finalist, and a finalist in the Philip K. Dick Awards, Victorian Premier’s Literary Award (for her novel Serengotti), and the Nommo Awards for speculative fiction by Africans. Eugen is an Otherwise Fellow, and was announced on the honour list for ‘doing exciting work in gender and speculative fiction’. Danged Black Thing made the Otherwise Award honour list as a ‘sharp collection of Afro-Surrealist work’. Visit her at eugenbacon.com.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info

Contact the host of Playing With Speculative Fiction with Eugen Bacon | GenreCon 2026: Inkling