(concept by Jan Muehlig, with a little help from the team)
We are living in a time of fast, systemic change—technological, ecological, political. This creates uncertainty, but also a growing desire for orientation: for ways to think about the future that go beyond fear, collapse, or simple answers.
Stories have always shaped what we consider possible. As Ursula K. Le Guin wrote, we shape the world through the stories we tell. Yet there is a widening gap between this need for meaningful futures and the ways in which stories are created, distributed, discovered, “consumed” and discussed.
Many people who are deeply interested in the future do not see themselves as readers of science fiction or fantasy. They do not look for answers in bookstores—and often not in books at all. At the same time, the storytelling ecosystem itself is shifting: traditional publishing models are under pressure, while new formats, platforms, and technologies are emerging.
Let’s assume there is demand for speculative fiction. The question then is: How can we connect stories to the people who are looking for them — and how do we make that connection sustainable for those involved?
From Publishing to Systems Thinking
We believe that addressing this challenge requires more than individual experiments. It requires thinking in terms of systems – or an Operating System: an interconnected framework that enables the creation, translation, distribution, discovery, and sustainability of stories about possible and desirable futures.
Such a system would not replace existing structures but connect and extend them. It would:
• reach audiences beyond traditional readerships,
• enable new formats and modes of storytelling,
• support fair and sustainable economic models,
• facilitate translation and cultural exchange across Europe and beyond,
• create feedback loops between creators, audiences, and communities,
• encourage experimentation instead of fragmentation,
• and last but not least: create public spaces where the exchange about futures is enabled.
A European and Global Opportunity
Europe, with its diversity of languages, cultures, and perspectives, is uniquely positioned to contribute to such a system. This richness is an enormous creative resource—but often limited by language barriers, fragmented markets, and unidirectional flows of content (English to X).
If we want to unlock the full potential of European speculative fiction, we need to build pathways that allow stories to move across languages, cultures, and audiences—without flattening what makes them distinctly themselves.
A Collective Process – Starting Now
This cannot be designed in a single workshop, nor by a single group. Instead, we invite to a collective, open process:
• starting now,
• bringing together authors, publishers, translators, booksellers, researchers, technologists, and communities,
• identifying key challenges and opportunities,
• and exploring concrete approaches and experiments: “How might we do XYZ, and how can we find out if it works?”
In the months leading up to EuroCon Berlin, we aim to initiate conversations, form working groups, and begin outlining the components of such an “operating system.”
EuroCon Berlin as a Convergence Point
At EuroCon Berlin, we want to bring these strands together:
• to consolidate ideas,
• to connect and wire existing initiatives,
• to identify gaps and next steps,
• and to articulate a shared direction.
The goal is not to finish the work—but to make it visible, tangible, inviting and actionable. We invite you to participate:
• by contributing your perspective, experience, and ideas,
• by joining or initiating conversations in the coming months (“taking ownership”),
• and by helping to shape a shared framework for the future of storytelling.
If we believe that stories shape the futures we can imagine, then we share responsibility for the systems that make those stories possible. That’s not a small thing. Come help build it.
Several people are already involved and busy preparing all this. Please send your questions, ideas, or simply your intent to take part to coordinator Jan Muehlig: muehlig [at] mailbox.org
Kim Stanley Robinson said „we are now living in a science fiction novel that we are all writing together”, but maybe it is an anthology of wildly different, exciting stories, a speculative treasure trove. In any case: Let’s write and disseminate it together!
Whatever will have been accomplished by the end of June, the following three program items are planned for EuroCon Berlin:
Panel “Let’s do it together: Crossing Borders, collaborations & translation efforts”
This panel presents existing initiatives, projects, and collaborative efforts. Based on these examples, they talk about challenges, opportunities, and possible ways to do more: reach more people, start more projects (and see them through!), find more avenues, platforms, funds … The possibilities are endless, but what has actually worked so far – and what might work in the future?
Crossing Borders: meetup and workshop for European translators, creators, and collaborators
Workshop time/space in which participants can shape and develop their ideas. Suggested topics: translations between different European languages to reach new audiences & exchange perspectives, crossing distribution channel boundaries, crossing genre boundaries, crossing writer/reader boundaries … You can join the preparations ahead of time, or take over a workshop topic by dropping Jan an email. The goal for this is to come away with concrete plans & lasting, productive connections.
… which leads us to
Panel “Crossing Borders: results & invitation to become part of the cult initiative”
The panel presents the results from the previous day’s workshops, identifying milestones and gaps, and invites the audience to join newly-minted or ongoing projects. They will present all the ways in which YOU can help & collaborate.
There will be a number of further program items that revolve around the themes of translation, collaboration, the (present and) future of stories, of publishing, of cons & fandom.