All Events

There are events for just about every age and interest at the Book Festival, bringing readers and writers together for inspiration, entertainment and discussion. Over 900 authors appear in around 800 events, including novelists, poets, scientists, sportsmen, illustrators, comics creators, historians, musicians, biographers, Nobel and Booker prize-winners and many more besides.

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    Browse this year's themes

    Unbound with Edinburgh Gin

    Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers

    Friday 23 August 21:00 - 23:00

    Unbound with Edinburgh Gin
    It’s been another astonishing year for the most well-read, well-written rock’n’roll band. The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers have hit new heights with radio and festival appearances over the last few months, even taking to the stage at Glastonbury....

    Ten at Ten

    Saturday 24 August 10:00 - 10:10

    Ten at Ten
    A small yet perfectly formed reading from one of our Festival authors to start your day. Check the screen in the Entrance Tent to see who's reading today.

    Nicola Davies: Country Comforts

    Age 8-12

    Saturday 24 August 10:00 - 11:00

    Nicola Davies: Country Comforts
    Nicola Davies is the multi award-winning author of beautiful, informative stories about the natural world, including CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal-longlisted Perfect and The Pond. Today, she takes you on a romp into the wild with fun activities and...

    John Lanchester

    A strangely familiar future

    Saturday 24 August 10:15 - 11:15

    John Lanchester
    How close is our society to dystopia? One of Britain’s most eloquent authors comes to the Book Festival to offer some imaginative clues. John Lanchester slides effortlessly between novels and non-fiction, but his latest book The Wall is a...

    Gary Northfield: From Zeus to Zebras

    Age 6-9

    Saturday 24 August 10:30 - 11:30

    Gary Northfield: From Zeus to Zebras
    Julius Zebra is back – and this time he’s grappling with all things Greek! Author and illustrator of the action-packed and hysterically funny Julius Zebra series, Gary Northfield shares lots of Greek facts from his latest book with you, before you...

    No Homework Reading Group

    Reading Workshop

    Saturday 24 August 11:00 - 12:30

    No Homework Reading Group
    Do you secretly find it a chore doing the reading for your book group? Come and enjoy hearing author Eleanor Updale read a selection of prose and poetry associated with this year's Festival themes, and then discuss what you have heard. The texts may...

    Bring Out Your Inner Artist

    All Ages

    Saturday 24 August 11:00 - 13:00

    Bring Out Your Inner Artist
    Drop into Story Box throughout the day to get crafty and creative with lots of colourful, arty activities. Be inspired by the many wonderful picture books in the programme and put your artistic skills to the test. There will be lots of craft materials...

    Keith Hartley & Typex

    Looks a scream

    Saturday 24 August 11:00 - 12:00

    Keith Hartley & Typex
    ‘There is only surface, with nothing underneath’: see Andy Warhol’s glib self-assessment interrogated by comic artist Typex and Keith Hartley, chief curator at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Typex’s Andy is a colourful graphic...

    Melvyn Bragg

    What Will Survive is Love

    Saturday 24 August 11:45 - 12:45

    Melvyn Bragg
    Writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg returns to the Festival with a fresh take on a classic love story. Novelist Arthur travels to Paris to retell the tale of Heloise and Abelard, 12th century lovers whose affair was doomed. The surprise appearance of...

    David Almond & David Litchfield: War is Over

    Families & 10+

    Saturday 24 August 12:00 - 13:00

    David Almond & David Litchfield: War is Over
    Everyone tells John he’s at war with the Germans, but the little boy he meets doesn’t feel like the enemy… Multi award-winning author of Skellig, David Almond reads from his vivid new story about the end of the First World War. With elegant live...

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