Three internationally renowned fantasy authors to attend Comic Con Baltics 2026 sponsored by Samsung for the first time

Many of the popular culture worlds we see today in films, TV series, and video games were first born on the pages of books. Literary works such as “The Lord of the Rings”, “Harry Potter”, and “The Witcher” have become global cultural phenomena, inspiring entire communities from cosplay and music composition to game development. For this reason, “Comic Con Baltics 2026 sponsored by Samsung” is introducing a dedicated Authors’ Zone this year, where visitors will have the opportunity to meet internationally acclaimed creators of fantasy and young adult literature.

Three international stars of fantasy literature

This year, the festival will host three globally recognized authors of fantasy and young adult fiction: Alwyn Hamilton, Adrienne Young, and Laini Taylor. Their books have earned the acclaim of tens of thousands of readers worldwide and have appeared on the “New York Times” bestseller lists.

Alwyn Hamilton’s debut young adult fantasy novel “Rebel of the Sands” became a “New York Times” bestseller and won the “Goodreads Choice Award”. Her desert-inspired fantasy trilogy has attracted significant attention from readers both in Lithuania and internationally.

Adrienne Young is an internationally acclaimed fantasy author known for her atmospheric, poetically dark, and mythology-infused storytelling. Among her most notable works are the bestselling novels “Fable” and “The Unmaking of June Farrow”.

Laini Taylor is considered one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary fantasy. She rose to prominence with the globally celebrated series “Daughter of Smoke & Bone”, as well as the epic saga “Strange the Dreamer”. Her work is distinguished by vivid language, dreamlike worlds, and richly layered characters.

Literature as a driving force of popular culture

Many of the most iconic fantasy characters and worlds first originated in books, with their stories later expanding into other formats, including screen, games, and stage. Social media and active reader communities have helped position books as a vital part of contemporary popular culture: readers follow their favorite authors, create content inspired by books, and author meet-and-greets become cultural events in their own right. It is no coincidence that an increasing number of festivals worldwide are dedicated specifically to authors and their work, while many major comic con events are integrating writers into their programs.

According to the organizers of “Comic Con Baltics 2026 sponsored by Samsung”, this is a natural evolution of the event.

“Our team includes a wide range of readers—from those who enjoy a book with a cup of coffee to active members of reading communities. What unites us all, however, is a shared love for stories and literature. We wanted to give visitors the opportunity to experience books up close, meet the authors behind popular fantasy series, learn about the writing process, and discover their next favorite story,” say the festival organizers.

During the festival, visitors will be able to receive free author autographs, and organizers encourage attendees to bring their own books. Books will also be available for purchase on-site.

Currently confirmed guests for “Comic Con Baltics 2026 sponsored by Samsung” include voice actors Benjamin Byron Davis (Dutch van der Linde) and Peter Blomquist (Micah Bell) from Red Dead Redemption 2; Tim Downie (Gale Dekarios) and Samantha Béart (Karlach) from the popular video game Baldur’s Gate 3; and Elsie Bennett (Zoe) and Kaja Chan (Mio) from Split Fiction. The festival will also feature actors Mark Pellegrino (Supernatural, Lost), DJ Qualls (Breaking Bad, Lost), and American actor and director Nathan Kress, widely recognized as Freddie Benson from the iconic series iCarly.

“Comic Con Baltics 2026 sponsored by Samsung”, now in its eighth year, is a new-generation entertainment festival that annually brings creators and actors from cult films, TV series, comics, and video games to Vilnius. From May 22 to 24, visitors will have the opportunity to try out the latest and already iconic video games and play them alongside top influencers in the Baltics Gaming Expo zone. The Meet Lithuanian Film Industry program will offer meetings with Lithuanian filmmakers and presentations of the latest films. The festival will also host its traditional international Cosplay and K-Pop dance competitions. A dedicated Family Zone will be available for the youngest attendees.

The festival is partially funded by the Vilnius City Municipality.