Join Iain M Banks for the launch of the new Culture novel

To celebrate the launch of his new book The Hydrogen Sonata the top SF author is appearing at Bath's Topping & Company Booksellers in October

One of our favourite fictional cultures is, um, The Culture, the creation of SF author Iain M Banks. The announcement of a new book from the Scottish writer is always a thrill so brace yourself for 2012's The Hydrogen Sonata , which he'll be discussing when he comes to Bath in October.

Yes, you read that right. Iain will be visiting SFX 's home town on Thursday 4 October, courtesy of Topping & Company Booksellers. Locals may have seen him there before, since this is not his first trip to the area, so you'll know that you can expect an incredible reading, lively Q&A and an informal book signing. The Hydrogen Sonata is set to be a "tour de force of storytelling from a true master". Don't miss this chance to hear him talk about the creative process in person. Once again SFX is proud to be associated with the author's visit and between now and then you'll be able to read more about Iain M Banks in the pages of the print magazine.

This is a big year for Iain M Banks. For the first time ever he's also releasing a non-SF book as Iain Banks in the same year as a new science fiction work. And this year marks the 25th anniversary of the first Culture novel, Consider Phlebas . Including him in SFX 's list of the top 100 SF authors ever we said, "The influence of [ Consider Phlebas ] and its sequels shouldn’t be underestimated: Banks helped point the way to a new kind of space opera, an epic hard SF that nevertheless embraces the Ballardian idea of exploring inner space."

Iain M Banks

The author of nearly 30 books (including those published as Iain "no-M" Banks) will be at the venue from 8pm (doors open at 7:45pm) on Thursday 4 October 2012. Tickets £8 with £8 off The Hydrogen Sonata - that falls to £7 if you book in person at the bookstore (do tell 'em we sent you).

For more information about the event and others taking place at the Bath book shop, visit the official website today.

SFX Magazine is the world's number one sci-fi, fantasy, and horror magazine published by Future PLC. Established in 1995, SFX Magazine prides itself on writing for its fans, welcoming geeks, collectors, and aficionados into its readership for over 25 years. Covering films, TV shows, books, comics, games, merch, and more, SFX Magazine is published every month. If you love it, chances are we do too and you'll find it in SFX.