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

    Unknown Underdogs with Martin Brown

    Age 7-10

    Sunday 25 August 12:15 - 13:15

    Unknown Underdogs with Martin Brown
    Iconic illustrator of the Horrible Histories series, Martin Brown sheds light on the hidden corners of the animal kingdom in Lesser Spotted Animals 2. With his signature stylised illustrations and irreverent humour, Martin teaches you about the...

    Mel Darbon on The Inheritors

    Reading Workshop

    Sunday 25 August 13:00 - 14:30

    Mel Darbon on The Inheritors
    For our workshop today author Mel Darbon explores William Golding’s 1955 novel The Inheritors. It is a startling recreation of the lost world of the Neanderthals, written from their point of view and depicting a frightening vision of the beginning of...

    Bear's Big Band with David Litchfield

    Age 3-6

    Sunday 25 August 13:15 - 14:00

    Bear's Big Band with David Litchfield
    Enter the jazz lounges of New Orleans with a cast of talented animal musicians in a tender, accessible story about jealousy. David Litchfield’s charming sequel to his award-winning The Bear and the Piano teaches us that good friends and good music are...

    Sandy Sandwiches with Philip Ardagh & Elissa Elwick

    Age 4-7

    Sunday 25 August 14:00 - 15:00

    Sandy Sandwiches with Philip Ardagh & Elissa Elwick
    Little Adventurers are brave, honest and kind to nature. Does that sound like you? If so, come along and hear all about their latest escapades at the seaside with Roahl Dahl Funny Prize-winning author Philip Ardagh and illustrator Elissa Elwick. Get...

    Mike Berners-Lee

    Disaster Planning

    Sunday 25 August 14:00 - 15:00

    Mike Berners-Lee
    Warnings of looming environmental catastrophe rain down on us with increasing frequency, and only the most ardent climate change sceptics deny we live at a crucial point for the Earth's future. Join sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee in conversation...

    The Politics of Prizes

    Rightful Winners?

    Sunday 25 August 14:15 - 15:15

    The Politics of Prizes
    This year marks the centenary of the James Tait Black Prizes, Britain’s oldest literary awards. Does the list of winners reflect the greatest novels of the century? Two literary prize organisers discuss what it takes to win, and why some great writers...

    Make Magical Moon Dragon Masks

    All Ages

    Sunday 25 August 14:30 - 16:30

    Make Magical Moon Dragon Masks
    Drop in to decorate a magical moon dragon mask, inspired by the beautiful illustrations in Katie Harnett’s charming picture book, Franklin and Luna Go to the Moon. Katie is on hand to give her top dragon-creating tips, so get stuck in and create a...

    Lights Out with Emily Haworth-Booth

    Age 4-7

    Sunday 25 August 14:45 - 15:45

    Lights Out with Emily Haworth-Booth
    What would happen if a little boy who's afraid of the dark became king? In Emily Haworth-Booth's illuminating tale, we find out why a world kept awake in constant brightness is a lot scarier than the dark. See Emily bring her striking debut picture book...

    Alistair Moffat

    An Abandoned Mythical Land

    Sunday 25 August 15:15 - 16:15

    Alistair Moffat
    Former director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and founder of Borders Book Festival, Alistair Moffat turns his attention to the mythical sphere of Lindisfarne in To the Island of Tides. Now an area for calm retreat and spiritual renewal,...

    Andrew Crumey

    Holding it Together

    Sunday 25 August 15:30 - 16:30

    Andrew Crumey
    Acclaimed Scottish writer and critic Andrew Crumey talks to Stuart Kelly about The Great Chain of Unbeing – his collection of short stories that journey across space and time, taking readers from the Renaissance to the atomic age and off into...

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