The inaugural Festival of the Gothic Imagination is set to take place in 2027 at Strawberry Hill House & Garden, home of Horace Walpole and widely considered the birthplace of the Gothic novel in the 18th century.
Chaired by Johnson & Alcock author Jody Cooksley, the festival takes places 21-23 May 2027 and will bring together established and emerging names to discuss historical Gothic fiction, and cutting edge themes such as the rise of body horror and Gothic in the age of AI. There will also be creative workshops on offer including Gothic life drawing and writing masterclasses.
Cooksley, herself the author of two Gothic historical novels, has convened authors across subgenres including folk horror, Victorian, supernatural, queer, and SouthernGothic. She said: “Every modern writer of dark, atmospheric fiction owes a debt to Strawberry Hill and it’s wonderful to have been part of putting this together. In politically and socially turbulent times, Gothic remains a highly relevant and popular genre and the festival will bridge its rich historic heritage with urgent modern themes such as AI, human monsters and body horror.”