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Hundreds of events for adults, teenagers and children feature authors, illustrators, musicians, poets, policians, thinkers, prize-winners and rising stars every August.

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    Browse this year's themes
     

    Scotland's Stories Now

    Saturday 20 August 13:00 - 14:00

    Scotland's Stories Now Book
    • Attend in person
    • Watch online
    • BSL interpreted
    • Captioned
    Everyone has a story to tell; through stories we can make sense of our world. Earlier this year writers Andrew O’Hagan, Eleanor Thom, Ryan Van Winkle, Mae Diansangu, Roseanne Watt, Bea Webster and Siân Bevan collaborated with community groups across...
    Cancelled

    Close Read: Joy Williams on Wood Sorrell House by Zach Williams

    Saturday 20 August 13:00 - 14:30

    Close Read: Joy Williams on Wood Sorrell House by Zach Williams (Cancelled) Book
    Why not try? Workshop: Daniel Hahn on Translation Workshop: Daniel Hahn on Translation Mon 15 Aug 17:00 - 19:00
     

    Gill Arbuthnott: Our Invisible Enemies

    Age 8-12

    Saturday 20 August 13:30 - 14:30

    Gill Arbuthnott: Our Invisible Enemies Book
    • Attend in person
    Since the beginning of human history, we have been at war with an invisible enemy: microbes. These tiny organisms can spread terrible diseases and change the course of history. Join Gill Arbuthnott, former science teacher and now beloved children’s...
     

    Alex Hyde & Claire Keegan: All Things Great and Small

    Saturday 20 August 13:30 - 14:30

    Alex Hyde & Claire Keegan: All Things Great and Small Book
    • Attend in person
    • Watch online
    Two gripping novels full of insight and empathy explore the complexities of family life and parenthood. Alex Hyde’s Violets is about two mothers: one who decides to give her baby up for adoption and another who chooses to adopt. Claire Keegan’s...
     

    On the Trail of a Tale: Macastory's Meadows Mysteries Walking Tour

    Families & 6+

    Saturday 20 August 14:00 - 15:00

    On the Trail of a Tale: Macastory's Meadows Mysteries Walking Tour Book
    Why not try? Workshop: Listen and Draw Sona Sharma with Chitra Soundar Workshop: Listen and Draw Sona Sharma with Chitra Soundar Age 6-10 Sun 28 Aug 10:00 - 11:00
     

    Jasmine Richards & Louie Stowell: Loki-motion

    Age 9+

    Saturday 20 August 14:15 - 15:15

    Jasmine Richards & Louie Stowell: Loki-motion Book
    • Attend in person
    Calling all tricksters! It’s your Loki day! Join Norse myth superfans Louie Stowell, author of Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good and Jasmine Richards, author of The Unmorrow Curse to learn the truth about your favourite god of mischief. Expect...
     

    Songwriting Workshop with Christine Pillainayagam

    Age 12+

    Saturday 20 August 14:30 - 15:30

    Songwriting Workshop with Christine Pillainayagam Book
    • Attend in person
    Singer-songwriter Christine Pillainayagam introduces her hilarious YA debut novel, Ellie Pillai is Brown. Hear about Ellie’s disastrous experiences navigating first love, strict parents, friendships and a dramatic personality. Bring a notebook and...
     

    Richard Holloway with Alison Watt: This One’s From the Heart

    Saturday 20 August 14:30 - 15:30

    Richard Holloway with Alison Watt: This One’s From the Heart Book
    • Attend in person
    • Watch online
    • Captioned
    Book Festival regulars need no introduction to Richard Holloway: he has spoken at the Festival every August for the past 23 years. He joins us this time to discuss The Heart of Things – a collection of his favourite poems and quotations, knitted...
     

    Reading the World

    Saturday 20 August 15:00 - 15:30

    Reading the World Book
    • Attend in person
    Can writers give us a fresh perspective on global and local issues? Each afternoon a leading writer discusses books, research and ideas confronting this time of uncertainty and change.
     

    Omar Musa & Monika Radojevic: How Much Freight Can a Soul Bear?

    Saturday 20 August 15:30 - 16:30

    Omar Musa & Monika Radojevic: How Much Freight Can a Soul Bear? Book
    • Attend in person
    Malaysian-Australian poet Omar Musa’s international influence is soaring. His new collection, Killernova, is an ode to the island of Borneo, honouring his uncle and ancestors. He is joined by Monika Radojevic, winner of the New Writers’ Prize at...