Fest Blog: Books Festival Preview

Posted 9 months ago by Nick Garrard

The Edinburgh Book Festival, which runs from August 11-27, is the largest literary festival in the world. Founded over 20 years ago, it's ongoing success can be put down to a willingness to mix and match: Among the headliners featured this year are a coterie of names such as local heroes Iain Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith and Iain Banks, who stand side by side with international names such as that legendary literary magus, Norman Mailer.


Elsewhere, eclecticism rules: the usual ménage of pub tours and readings sit comfortably alongside a deluge of workshops and panel discussions, all of which are united by a series of themes. This year, issues such as science, society and slavery are all under discussion. Since 2001, authors in attendance have been encouraged to take part in debates upon the presiding issues of the day. This year, heavyweight thinkers like Richard Dawkins and Edward De Bono will be among those engaging in intellectual battle.



Away from the big-name draws, a number of workshops will focus upon the technical skills needed to hone creative work, as well as the more practical, business-minded facets of the publishing world, such as approaching agents and signing that crucial contract. Tickets are selling fast and those who find their interest piqued are encouraged to leap at this rare opportunity.


Another strand of the festival focuses entirely on the needs and interests of young people. The children's programme offers a showcase for children's authors and illustrators and brings all manner of entertainments to the festival, from book signings to story-telling. A similar wave of events will be aimed at the teenage reader and look at such topics as the growing popularity of the comic book.


So, descending for a moment into outright cliché (the sort of thing a workshop or two might drum out of any aspiring writer), there really is something for everyone this year. Events are, as always, run from Charlotte Square Gardens, a registered World History Site which lies in the Georgian New Town area of the city. Each year, the gardens are transformed into a sea of tents, thronging with upwards of 200,000 visitors. As well as the multitude of events on offer (and this year there are upwards of 660), the Gardens are home to a heaving independent book trade, the proceeds of which all go towards funding next year's events. So, if you don't make your way home with your brains fully sated, there is at least a chance to line one's pockets with new reading matter.