The heart of the literature zone beats stronger than ever – check out this year’s attractions!

25 May 2026

International Guests – who will visit the Literature Zone this year?

This year, the Literature Zone will host acclaimed fantasy and sci-fi creators from all over the world. Our guest lineup features authors of bestselling sagas, laureates of prestigious literary awards, and writers whose books have been topping bestseller lists and capturing readers’ hearts for years. At Pyrkon, you’ll be able to meet creators of epic, mythology- and history-inspired fantasy, authors of dark young adult stories, as well as sci-fi writers building expansive, futuristic universes. It’s a unique opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at their writing processes, character and world-building, as well as to score autographs and chat with authors whose stories inspire millions of readers worldwide. The invited guests include:

• Kevin J. Anderson – a bestselling sci-fi and fantasy author, known for his novels set in the Star Wars universe (some co-written with his wife Rebecca Moesta), sequels to Dune created alongside Brian Herbert, and books in the Star Trek, StarCraft, and The X-Files universes.
• Maggie Stiefvater – the author of bestselling fantasy and YA novels, such as The Raven Cycle, The Dreamer Trilogy, and The Wolves of Mercy Falls series, praised for her atmospheric stories full of magic and mystery.
• Danielle L. Jensen – the bestselling author of fantasy and romantasy, including The Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and The Malediction Trilogy series, as well as A Fate Inked in Blood and A Curse Carved in Bone from the Saga of the Unfated.
• Fonda Lee – a multi-award-winning fantasy author, best known for the Green Bone Saga, which won readers over with its brilliant blend of gangster drama vibes and epic fantasy inspired by East Asian culture.
• Cinda Williams Chima – the author of popular fantasy and YA series, such as The Seven Realms, The Shattered Realms, and The Heir Chronicles, known for her intricate world-building and vivid characters.
• Taran Matharu – the author of the bestselling Summoner and Contender series, whose work blends dynamic action, magic, and RPG-inspired motifs.
• John Gwynne – the author of epic fantasy novels, such as The Faithful and the Fallen and The Bloodsworn Saga, inspired by Norse mythology and Viking legends.
• Victoria Holmes – a writer best known as the co-creator of the bestselling Warriors series, published under the pen name Erin Hunter.

Polish Guests – who will make an appearance at Pyrkon 2026?

The Literature Zone’s programme will also be packed with Polish authors specializing in fantasy, Slavic fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction. Fans of Slavic beliefs and folklore will get to meet creators drawing inspiration from ancient legends, myths, and traditions, while fans of futuristic visions will find authors exploring new technologies, post-apocalyptic worlds, and cyberspaces. Pyrkon will also host historical fiction writers who transport readers to the worlds of ancient kingdoms, forgotten civilizations, and the events that shaped history. Let us introduce our fantastic Guests:

• Andrzej Pilipiuk – one of Poland’s most popular fantasy authors, creator of the cult-classic Jakub Wędrowycz and the Kruszewski Cousins series, known for his signature humor and Slavic motifs.
• Justyna Hankus – the author of Grisaille o zwykłym osiedlu and two folk noir books: Dwie i pół duszy and Poświst, praised for her emotional storytelling and blending sensitivity with a vivid imagination.
• Joanna Laprus – an author of books exploring Slavic beliefs, spirituality, and women’s history, such as Boginie słowiańskich szeptów and Słowiańskie Boginie Ziół.
• Agnieszka Kulbat – the author of fantasy and romantasy novels like Mojra and Dziedzictwo stróża Nawii, which combine dark atmospheres with mythological and Slavic themes.
• Michał Gołkowski – a bestselling fantasy and sci-fi author, known for the Komornik and SybirPunk series, as well as books set in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe.
• Magdalena Salik – a sci-fi writer and publicist, author of Płomień and Wściek, which tackle social, technological, and environmental issues in a futuristic setting.
• Marcin Sergiusz Przybyłek – a sci-fi author and creator of the Gamedec series, which has been adapted into both a video game and a board game, known for his futuristic visions and philosophical reflections on technology.
• Rafał Kosik – a sci-fi author known for Cyberpunk 2077: No Coincidence and the bestselling YA series Felix, Net i Nika, highly regarded for blending futuristic visions with social and tech-related themes.
• Aleksandra Seliga – an author of fantasy novels inspired by Slavic culture and folklore, where magic, nature, and character relationships take center stage.
• Ewa Kassala – the author of bestselling historical novels inspired by the beginnings of the Polish state (the Słowiański szlak series), as well as ancient history and strong female historical figures, like her series on Cleopatra and Semiramis.
• Anna Brzezińska – an award-winning fantasy and historical fiction author, known for books like Wilżyńska Dolina, Córki Wawelu, Woda na sicie, and Saga o zbóju Twardokęsku, praised for her rich language and historical authenticity.
• Elżbieta Cherezińska – the author of bestselling historical novels such as Korona śniegu i krwi, Odrodzone królestwo, and Sydonia, known for her colorful depictions of Polish and European history.
• Filip Taterka – an Egyptologist, popularizer of ancient Egyptian history, and author of publications and lectures dedicated to the culture and beliefs of ancient civilizations.
• Radek Rak – the winner of the Nike Literary Award for Baśń o wężowym sercu, an author celebrated for his literary style, fairy-tale vibe, and masterful blending of history and fantasy.
• Tomasz Kołodziejczak – a writer, screenwriter, and editor, author of series like Ostatnia Rzeczpospolita and Dominium Solarne, deeply involved in the Polish fantasy fandom for years, and a long-time director of the comics and games division at Poland’s largest comic book publishing house.

Panels and lectures – Something to look forward to!

This year, the Literature Zone will once again be filled with panels and lectures dedicated to fantasy, sci-fi, history, as well as the behind-the-scenes of writing books and world-building. The schedule features discussions on the limits of imagination, genre-blending, building believable universes, and creating morally gray characters and antagonists. Attendees will also be able to join conversations about sci-fi or the phenomenon of the Slavic renaissance in literature and pop culture. There will also be plenty of items dedicated to history and ancient customs. The program will be rounded out by meetups and lectures held entirely in English.

One of the schedule’s absolute highlights will be a panel exploring the fascination with noblemen’s culture, the Wild Fields (Dzikie Pola), and the old Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Creators involved with the hit TV show 1670, the Dzikie Pola tabletop RPG, as well as historical and fantasy literature will discuss what constantly draws us to the Sarmatian vibe. The panelists will look at the topic from the perspectives of pop culture, history, and RPGs, with the whole thing hosted by Joanna Wołyńska-Gańszyniec. This meetup promises to be a real treat for fans of history, folklore, and stories set in the reality of old Poland.

What kind of attractions await you?

Discussion panels (in Polish):

• Hard SF vs. Soft SF: Does science or emotion have the upper hand?
• Worlds after the end of the world
• The Slavic Renaissance in literature and popculture – A trend or a need for finding our identity? And what does The Witcher have to do with it?
• How to kill a hero (and not lose your readers in the process)?

Panels in English:

• Laughter in the Shadow of Dragons
• Who Will Betray the Kingdom First?
• Limits of Imagination: When Genres Collide
• When the Villain Is Right
• Too Young to Be Heroes?
• That Never Existed: On Building Living Worlds

Lectures (held in both Polish and English):

• If you’re going to love, don’t do it individually – On marriages and non-marriages in the Middle Ages
• Admiral, Pirate, and Explorer – The Francis Drake we don’t know
• How to build a star fleet
• Murphy’s Law on editing an anthology
• The Myth of Pyramid Power

The Pyrkon 2026 Literature Zone will become a space for conversations about books that move us, worlds that pull us in completely, and characters who stay with us long after we turn the final page. Whether you lean more towards epic fantasy, Slavic legends, futuristic sci-fi, romantasy, or historical tales full of intrigue – you are guaranteed to find something for yourself in the schedule. It’s a unique opportunity to meet your favorite authors, discover new creators, and dive deep into your passion for literature alongside fellow fans. See you in the Literature Zone at Pyrkon 2026!