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4 months ago
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He is one of the world’s most famous fantasy authors.
But Game of Thrones author George RR Martin has revealed a science fiction event in Glasgow snubbed his offer to host a panel.
The 75-year-old said he wrote to officials at The World Science Fiction Convention to discuss details of an official appearance but was told he would have to submit a formal application to appear on the programme.
Mr Martin said he plans to turn up at the event at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) on August 8 regardless.
He said ‘it is not for lack of trying’ that organisers have failed to respond to his emails despite the first being sent in January.
Game of Thrones author George RR Martin offered to make a formal appearance at the Sci-Fi convention in Glasgow next month
Writing on his blog, Mr Martin said: ‘I will be in Glasgow, attending the con, but whether you’ll see me, I don’t know. I am not on any programming.
‘It is not for lack of trying, though. I wrote the con’s programming chair back in January, and again in February, asking for his phone number so we could discuss the details.
'No phone number was forthcoming, alas, just a form letter with a link to an application and a warning that while I was welcome to apply, I could not be guaranteed a place on the programme.’
The event attracts a global audience and features orchestra renditions of famous science fiction soundtracks, pipe bands, special guests, discussions and an evening at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
The author pitched several events to the organisers, including hosting a Wild Card writers’ event that has ‘always drawn a big crowd’ and a memorial panel for Howard Waldrop, a fellow American fiction legend who died in January.
Mr Martin said: ‘Several other friends of Howard will also be at Glasgow and said they would be delighted to be part of such a panel. Alas, no reply to that one either.’
He said he plans to ‘check out the art show, as I always do, maybe attend some bid parties, and I will be wandering the dealer’s room (the huckster’s room, as us old timers call it)’.
Mr Martin's Game of Thrones books were turned into one of the most watched television series of all time, featuring actors including Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke
He added: ‘The rest of the time I guess I may hang out in the bar, drinking with friends both old and new, toasting Howard and Gardner and all the other friends we lost.’
The World Science Fiction Convention said: ‘Our programme team is still busily working away to map various participants to potential programme items. This is a lengthy and complex process.
‘Therefore, we are unable to comment on individual participation. The full programme will be released in late July.’
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