Hundreds of writers from all over the world will gather this month for the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2022. For 17 days from Saturday August 13 to Monday August 29 around 550 authors, thinkers and musicians are expected to attend the Scottish event at the Edinburgh College of Art in the heart of the city's Old Town.
A registered charity, the Scottish book festival is a non-profit organisation bringing together leading and emerging writers which offers great opportunity to see favourite authors and discover new ones. Highlights of the festival include the Writer's Retreat where leading authors give insights into their books and also the craft of writing.
There is also plenty of reading workshops on offer with the First Book award offered for debuting writers. Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, 'Grown Ups' writer Marian Keyes and British academic writer Alexander McCall Smith are among just some of the names set to appear at the event.
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There will also be book signings, performances, interactive events and discussions, giving the public an opportunity to exchange views with writers and experts on a wide range of issues. Themes of this year's events cover a wide range of literary and cultural social issues with titles such as Lost in Music, The Business of Books, Black Joy and Queer Love and Relationships.
After recently announcing a re-union tour, Pulp singer Jarvis Cocker will be discussing his journey through music in a conversation Yorkshire writer Heather Parry on Thursday August 18. Singer songwriter PJ Harvey, a poet herself, will also makes an appearance with Scottish poet Don Paterson on Saturday 20 August.
Vogue columnist and author of Trivial Pursuits Raven Smith will be discussing the Magnetism of Men on Wednesday August 17 and equalities activist Simon Woolley, creator of Operation Black Vote in 1996, will also be telling his inspiring story on Thursday August 18.
The festival is also a great way for families and school pupils to spend their day with events for teenagers and children. There's a chance for children to meet Julia Donaldson’s the Gruffalo with non-for-profit organisation Dads Rock providing songs, games and stories.
The Book Festival’s Baillie Gifford Children’s programme of author events, activities and workshops is produced for young audiences of all ages from babies to teenagers. The independent Book Festival bookshop will also be stocking a wide range of titles for adults and children located in the old Fire Station building on Lauriston Place. It is open daily from 9:30–21:30.
Founded in 1983, the festival has seen famous writers as such Margaret Atwood and even Hollywood superstars such as Helena Bonham Carter and Allan Little attend. A large number of this year's events will also be live streamed online.
To find out more about the event, make sure that you visit the Edinburgh International book festival website. All profits generated go back into the running of the event.
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