Around the World | Edinburgh International Book Festival 2015

As you may know Edinburgh International Book Festival is one of the largest and most widely acclaimed book festivals in the world. With more than 800 writers, speakers, actors and professionals from all over the world coming together for 18 days in August for talks, discussions and workshops. This year the book festival have…

“set out on a voyage of discovery, in search of some of the most engaging authors and vital ideas from across the planet.” 

There are writers visiting from all over the world talking about everything from their latest books to world issues. With themes of the festival including Trading Stories, Human Rights Now and Talking Translation.

It is a festival for everyone there are hundreds of children and family friendly events, set in a square in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. With free entry to the square and lots to do including places to eat and a bookshop where many book signings occur. It is a great place to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere even if you are not going to one of the events.

There are many, many amazing authors going including Sally Gardner, David Levithan and Patrick Ness and I am very lucky to live close enough to Edinburgh that I can visit the book festival when it is running (although it might be a few pennies on train fares) and thanks to some teaming up with Kayleigh and an alarm clock forcing me to get up early we have managed to get tickets to go and see…

Sally Gardner and David Levithan

Join two of the best authors writing for young people today. From the US, David Levithan joins us to discuss his new novel Another Day, the follow-up to the acclaimed Every Day. Sally Gardner’s latest book The Door That Led to Where features three friends on a journey to unravel mysteries of the past. Join them to hear about brilliant stories that give a voice to young people

The Disappeared with Cat Clarke & Kat Ellis

The Lost and the Found by Cat Clarke is a disturbing account of the abduction of 6 year old Laurel. Thirteen years later a teenage girl turns up, disorientated and clutching Laurel’s old teddy. In Blackfin Sky Kat Ellis tells the tale of Skylar, who falls from Blackfin Pier and drowns. Three months later she reappears as if nothing has happened. Secrets, lies and broken realities by two exceptional writers.

Stepping Away From the Edge

Male suicide has increased significantly since 2007. UK self-harm statistics are the highest in Europe, and a quarter of the population will experience some kind of mental health problem. Join writer-illustrator Debi Gliori, who has illustrated a memoir of her own depression, author Matt Haig, whose book Reasons to Stay Alive is a visceral account of his breakdown, and psychologist Rory O’Connor from Glasgow University (www.suicideresearch.info) to discuss the issues and how we can better support those who need it. Chaired by Richard Holloway. The event will be followed by a special clinic in the Baillie Gifford Imagination Lab for those with a specific issue or question

Roy Gill & Paul Magrs

Roy Gill and Paul Magrs discuss their latest novels Werewolf Parallel and Lost on Mars. Together they chat about creating other worlds through fiction, as well as the influence of classic children’s literature and Doctor Who on their writing. This is the perfect event for sci-fi lovers and budding writers, as these two top authors offer helpful hints and tips for creating stories.

I felt a little kid making their Christmas list looking through all the events but finally managed to narrow it down to four that I am very excited to attend especially to go see one of my favourite authors David Levithan! Who knows, I might go to another one as well we will see. Tickets are on sale today at edbookfests website. They are going fast with big events like Ian Rankin’s talks and Scottish politicians already selling out.

Let me know below if you are going to the festival, is so what events are you going to? Or if not, what about an author or someone going to the event that you like and want me to see? I love to learn about books that I have never heard of or experience new events, is there any book festivals near you that you go to?

*All paragraphs and quotes in Italics were taken from the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2015 Programme that they kindly sent me.