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. Around 1000 authors appear in over 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

    John Bryden & Lesley Riddoch

    Checking Out the ‘Nordic Model’

    Friday 18 August 10:00am - 11:00am

    John Bryden & Lesley Riddoch
    Petroleum activities have played a key role in the development of today’s welfare state in Norway. When the first production licences were awarded in the mid-1960s, hardly anyone realised what a huge impact the industry would have on the Norwegian...
    Sold Out

    Ten at Ten

    Friday 18 August 10:00am - 10:10am

    Ten at Ten Sold Out
    Why not try? Garth Greenwell & Eimear McBride Garth Greenwell & Eimear McBride How to Read a Novel Mon 14 Aug 11:00am - 12:00pm

    A Piece of You

    Friday 18 August 10:00am - 5:30pm

    A Piece of You
    A Piece of You is an intimate performance for up to three people at a time; a private chamber concert for you and your friends or family. Award-winning performance artist, cellist and composer Greg Sinclair turns your innermost thoughts into your very...
    Changed

    Xan Brooks & Hannah Kent

    Dark, Then Light

    Friday 18 August 10:15am - 11:15am

    Xan Brooks & Hannah Kent
    Xan Brooks, named as one of the Observer’s New Faces of Fiction 2017, presents an assured debut, The Clocks in This House All Tell Different Times, a social-realist fairytale that explores the dark underbelly of 1920s Britain. Darting from the hidden...
    Sold Out

    Celebrating Nan Shepherd

    On the Money

    Friday 18 August 10:30am - 11:30am

    Celebrating Nan Shepherd Sold Out
    Why not try? Kayo Chingonyi & Adam O'Riordan Kayo Chingonyi & Adam O'Riordan Elegant and Essential Poetry Sat 19 Aug 7:00pm - 8:00pm

    Writing Animals

    Timeless Characters in Children's Books

    Friday 18 August 10:30am - 11:30am

    Writing Animals
    From Peter Rabbit to The Wind in the Willows and The Gruffalo, our children’s books are packed with kittens in frocks and talking toads. Join Emer Stamp, creator of the very funny and gently anarchic Diary of Pig series of illustrated novels and Kat...

    Stephen D King

    An Uncertain Economic Future?

    Friday 18 August 10:30am - 11:30am

    Stephen D King
    Is globalisation now a busted flush? Senior economic adviser at HSBC, Stephen D King certainly believes that it is no longer the inevitable force it once appeared and that the rise of nationalism, Trump and Brexit are signs that the public’s patience...

    Doctor Book

    All Ages

    Friday 18 August 10:30am - 3:30pm

    Doctor Book
    Tell us what you like and Doctor Book will write you a prescription for some wonderful and inspiring new books to read. A simple medical procedure to cure your reading woes for babies, teens or even parents, courtesy of Edinburgh City Libraries.
    Sold Out

    Tanya Landman on Gone with the Wind

    Reading Workshop

    Friday 18 August 11:00am - 12:30pm

    Tanya Landman on Gone with the Wind Sold Out
    Why not try? Elizabeth Reeder on Skating to Antarctica Elizabeth Reeder on Skating to Antarctica Reading Workshop Thu 24 Aug 11:00am - 12:30pm

    Out of the Box

    All Ages

    Friday 18 August 11:00am - 2:00pm

    Out of the Box
    Join paper engineer and founder of BrilliantBuilds, Jemma Westing for an innovative and exciting recycled craft session. Take a simple cardboard tube and transform it into your own colourful patterned owl.

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