Science fiction author Matthew De Abaitua leads a creative writing workshop in the dark and dystopian atmosphere of the nuclear bunker.

Matthew De Abaitua’s debut novel The Red Men was shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke Award and published in the US for the first time in November 2017. His science fiction novels IF THEN (Angry Robot, 2015) and The Destructives (Angry Robot, 2016) were described as “Extraordinary visionary… the most intriguing and disturbing near-future speculations published for some years.” (Andy Sawyer, Strange Horizons).

His next book is Self & I: A Memoir of Literary Ambition (Eye Books, 2018) about his time as Will Self’s amanuensis in the 1990s. He lectures on creative writing and science fiction at the University of Essex and lives in Hackney.

harrybravado.com    @MDeAbaitua

ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL AT THE BUNKER
SUNDAY 25 MARCH
10.00am – 4.30pm

This event is part of Essex Book Festival’s Science & Invention weekend, which includes a whole day at the Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker.

Join us for a day of exciting author events, panel discussions, workshops and more as we take over Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker, the Government’s chilling Cold War ‘hideaway’. This unique and unusual space was operational from 1952 right through to 1994, and is now a fascinating underground museum open to all.

Working with a whole array of partners, authors, organisations and individuals, Essex Book Festival presents an exciting programme all inspired by the Bunker’s history, its ‘raison d’être’, and the thoughts and feelings it provokes. Taking place throughout disused rooms, stairways and corridors, from the Canteen Common Room, to the Bunker Plant Room, through to the Prime Minister’s Bedroom, we invite you to a truly immersive experience.

PRICING

Talks, panel discussions and the writers’ workshop during the day are individually priced. Please note they DO NOT include the admission price for the bunker, which is payable on the door.

Entry to the Bunker:

Adults: £7.50
Children: £5.50 (5-16 Years)
Family: £18.00 (2 Adults + 2 Children)
Group Discount 15+ Adults £7.00, Children £5.00

The Bunker is unable to accept credit or debit cards, so please bring cash to pay for your admission. For more information visit secretnuclearbunker.com/entry

Essex Book Festival at the Bunker is part of the Festival’s Science and Invention weekend in Chelmsford and Kelvedon Hatch’s Secret Nuclear Bunker. Click here for a list of all events taking place during the weekend.