ConSYDeration: Saturday

ConSYDeration 2026 is the inaugural speculative writers con for Western Sydney and beyond. Sydney Speculative Scribes and WestWords have partnered to provide an event for speculative fiction writers (science fiction, fantasy and its subgenres), offering panels, workshops and presentations.

Doors open 9am for a 10am start.

Guest of Honour Siang Lu in conversation with Parramatta Laureate Eda Gunaydin

Siang Lu is the Miles Franklin-winning author of Ghost Cities and ABIA-winning author of The Whitewash. He is the co-creator of The Beige Index and the creator of #sillybookstagram.
Ghost Cities was shortlisted for eight additional awards, including the ALS Gold Medal, The Voss Literary Prize and The Age Book of the Year. In 2026, Ghost Cities will be published with Simon & Schuster’s Summit UK and US imprints, and in 26 territories in translation thereafter. Siang is based in Brisbane, Australia, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Eda Gunaydin is a Turkish-Australian essayist, critic and short story writer from Western Sydney. She has published over 20 works, including her critically acclaimed, award-winning debut essay collection Root & Branch: Essays on Inheritance, and stories in publications such as HEAT, Meanjin, Cordite, Liminal, and The Sydney Review of Books. She is the current Parramatta Laureate in Literature, and lives on Wangal land.

Panel sessions are 50 minutes each

• 11am: Getting Graphic | On writing for comics, manga and graphic novels
• Noon: Spec Lit | On the emergence of literary techniques and craft in speculative fiction
• 2pm: Old Tales Reimagined | On retelling fairy tales, folk tales, myths and legneds
• 3pm: YA Speculative Fiction | On writing spec fic for young people
• 4.30pm: Blending Genres | On how to successfully combine two or more genres
• 5.30pm: Book Launch (authors to be announced!)

Workshops available (additional cost)

• 11am: Edit Like An Expert with Zena Shapter
• 2pm: Comic and manga scriptwriting for beginners with Karen Beilharz
• 4.30pm: From the Page to the Stage with Adam Richard

See full program

Cost is $64.50 for a day pass (workshops are +$30.50 each)

Buy through Sydney Fringe OR if you want to come to other events at ConSYDeration, read this guide first.

Please note a 'yes' RSVP does not secure your place. You must book and pay for a ticket via Sydney Fringe.

Photo credits: Siang Lu by Kirsty Iltners