Tales of the Weird: An Autumnal Festival

Tales of the Weird: An Autumnal Festival 

As the Autumn mists descend, join us for a strange and most uncanny day at the British Library as we celebrate weird fiction in all its chilling glory. 

A packed day of talks and readings (11:30 - 18:00) ending with a macabre-comedy cabaret curated and hosted by the incomparable Elf Lyons (19:00 - 20:30). In person day tickets are now sold out, but tickets to watch sessions online (live or for the next 7 days on catch up) are still available *. 

Separate tickets for The Tales of the Weird Cabaret are available and may be booked here.

Our remarkable line up of speakers includes some of the most exciting names in UK writing. Folk horror worlds are unearthed by Andrew Michael Hurley, introducing his new novel Barrowbeck, and Daisy Johnson, whose latest, Hotel, set on a possessed plot of land, is the successor to the uncanny classics Fen and Sisters. They are in conversation with weird fiction aficionado, comedian and writer Stewart Lee.

Weird bodies and more are explored by Eliza Clark (Boy Parts, Penance and new collection She’s Always Hungry) and Lottie Mills (Monstrum), hosted by Julia Armfield (Our Wives Under the Sea, Private Rites).

Our closing panel sees special guests including Reece Shearsmith (League of Gentlemen, Inside No.9), film director and screenwriter Peter Strickland (Berberian Sound Studio, The Duke of Burgundy) and writer AK Benedict (The Beauty of Murder, Jonathan Dark or The Evidence of Ghosts) join Johnny Mains on a journey into their weird fiction favourites.

Plus unveilings of the latest British Library Tales of the Weird editions Deadly Dolls and Halloweird introduced by Elizabeth Dearnley and Johnny Mains respectively, and many strange goings on throughout the day featuring unsettling dance, clowning, puppetry, drag, and immersive theatre!

The day begins with an insight into the British Library Tales of the Weird series, as cultural historian and writer Travis Elborough talks to Elizabeth Dearnley and Johnny Mains, the editors of latest releases Deadly Dolls and Halloweird, and series editor Jonny Davidson.

PROGRAMME
 
11:30-12:45 Tales of the Weird: an uncanny literary phenomenon 
Elizabeth Dearnley, Johnny Davidson and Johnny Mains in conversation with Travis Elborough 
 
13:15-14:30 Weird as Folk 
Andrew Michael Hurley and Daisy Johnson in conversation with Stewart Lee  
 
15:00-16:15 Weird Bodies 
Eliza Clark and Lottie Mills in conversation with Julia Armfield. 
 
16:45-18:00 The Panel of Doom 
AK Benedict, Reece Shearsmith and Peter Strickland in conversation with Johnny Mains

The British Library’s Weird Weekend starts the night before with a remarkable live performance in the main Entrance Hall by Gazelle Twin, whose darkly magic electronic album Black Dog is re-imagined with London Contemporary Orchestra. With support by Laura Cannell and entry included to the exhibition Medieval Women: in their own words. Information and tickets here.  

* Viewing links for the online version will be sent out in the confirmation email you receive after booking.  

Captions are available for our online events and most in person events in the Pigott Theatre. If you have specific access requirements please email customer@bl.uk 

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The British Tales of the Weird series began in 2018 with the publication of five story collections, and it has been gathering a cult fanbase throughout the years since, reviving unjustly neglected stories from the realms of classic gothic, supernatural and horror fiction to terrorise and beguile the minds of modern readers. With single-author collections from masters of the macabre such as Ambrose Bierce, Eleanor Scott and Algernon Blackwood, and thematic anthologies on topics as disturbing and disparate as the botanical gothic, occult detection, uncanny mathematics and the edible weird, you’re sure to find something new to be afraid of in these striking volumes. Each anthology is adorned by original artwork and contains a newly commissioned introduction as well as fascinating notes by expert editors. 

In 2023 the British Library Shop launched a subscription service, and a strand of novels joined the expertly curated anthologies of the series. In June 2024 the British Library published the 50^th title in the series, the deliciously sinister Deadly Dolls, this Autumn, the Library’s explorations of the multifarious world of the Weird will reach new heights as it joins forces with another hugely influential proponent of the strange and uncanny, Weird Walk, to publish the rambling-themed anthology The Haunted Trail. Still enthralling new fans and delivering rare material to the devotees of classic uncanny fiction, the Tales of the Weird series is now a cornerstone of today’s weird publishing scene; its continuing success a testament to the enduring allure of the supernatural and macabre.