Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveller’s Wife, will deliver the inaugural PEN/H.G. Wells Lecture on Friday, August 15 at Loncon 3.

The new annual lecture series honors former PEN President, sf author, and human rights campaigner H.G. Wells.

PEN International is a writers’ organization active in over 100 countries “advocating freedom of expression, peace and friendship.”

The full press release follows the jump.

Audrey Niffenegger to deliver PEN/H.G. Wells Lecture at Loncon 3

MEDIA RELEASE #29

Loncon 3, the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention

14-18 August 2014 at ExCeL London

http://www.loncon3.org

[email protected]

Audrey Niffenegger to deliver PEN/H.G. Wells Lecture at Loncon 3

London, 8 July 2014 – Bestselling writer and artist Audrey Niffenegger will deliver the inaugural PEN/H.G. Wells Lecture on Friday 15 August at Loncon 3, the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention being held at London ExCeL from 14-18 August.

The lecture will be the first in a series of annual lectures held in honour of a former PEN President, the author, visionary, and human rights campaigner H.G. Wells, whose works of fiction include The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, and The Invisible Man, and who also wrote the non-fiction treatise World Brain. The PEN/H.G. Wells Lecture will showcase visionary writing and new thinking, embodying the spirit of the pioneering writing and activism of H.G. Wells.

Niffenegger’s debut novel The Time Traveller’s Wife sold more than seven million copies worldwide, has been translated into forty languages, and was placed at number 11 in the Daily Telegraph’s readers’ poll of the Top 50 Books of All Time. Niffenegger is also the author of two novels-in-pictures, The Three Incestuous Sisters and The Adventuress, both published by Cape. Her graphic novel The Night Bookmobile was serialized in the Guardian and published on the Cape Graphic list.

PEN was formed in London in 1921 to emphasise the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture, to fight for freedom of expression, and to act as a powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned, and sometimes killed for their views.

One hundred places will be available to PEN members and supporters, with the remainder available to attendees of Loncon 3.

For information on how to join the more than 7,000 fans of science fiction and fantasy who have already signed up to attend Loncon 3, please visit http://www.loncon3.org/memberships/.

ENDS

For more information please contact [email protected]

ABOUT THE WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION

Founded in 1939, the World Science Fiction Convention is one of the largest international gatherings of authors, artists, editors, publishers, and fans of science fiction and fantasy. The annual Hugo Awards, the leading award for excellence in the fields of science fiction and fantasy, are voted on by the Worldcon membership and presented during the convention.

Loncon 3 is the trading name of London 2014 Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England, company number: 7989510. Registered Office: 176 Portland Road, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 1DJ, UK.

“World Science Fiction Society”, “WSFS”, “World Science Fiction Convention”, “Worldcon”, “NASFiC”, “Hugo Award”, the Hugo Award Logo, and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Trophy Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.