The Organisers

Gem L Preston

Gem is a bestselling fantasy and romance author, community builder, and unapologetic book obsessive from South Wales. She is a disabled creative and is known for crafting emotionally devastating stories, complex characters, and romances that leave readers feral.

She founded Readers & Rebels to put Wales on the map for reader events, and build a convention that puts readers, authors, and genuine community first.

Founder & Fantasy/Romance Author

Rhianne Williams

Rhianne is a fantasy author from Somerset, England, who lives with her husband, daughter and two cats. 

She started writing in her late teens and grew up on a steady diet of books and tv shows feeding her imagination. When not writing, Rhianne can be found reading a book, watching Netflix, playing video games, spending too much time on TikTok or going to the theatre.

She helped build Readers & Rebels as a bold new convention where readers, authors, and the wider book world can connect, celebrate, and geek out together.

Co-founder & fantasy author

Marnie L Norton

Marnie L Norton is a fantasy author, creative, and co-founder of Readers & Rebels. A lifelong storyteller and passionate fantasy reader, her love of books began young and was shaped by an enduring obsession with epic fantasy and immersive worlds.

A neurodivergent creative with a background in Creative Writing, Marnie returned to her passion for storytelling in 2021 and has since become a published author, with work featured across multiple publications. She helped create Readers & Rebels to build the kind of bold, community-driven book event readers and authors truly deserve.

Co-founder and fantasy author