The Ultimate Guide to Edinburgh International Book Festival
Table of Contents
Edinburgh International Book Festival is coming up in August 2024, giving those who live and study in Edinburgh, or those visiting during the summer break, the chance to celebrate the glorious written word.
It is a festival that brings together the best and the brightest, the leading lights of literature and the up-and-coming literary stars of the future.
There are events, talks and discussions, as part of an extensive programme of public events, so there is always plenty to explore and investigate for those of you with a passion for books.
With the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on during August, Edinburgh is a busy and interesting place to visit in the summer, with loads going on in a magical setting.
What is the Edinburgh International Book Festival?
It is a unique international event, showcasing authors and celebrating the written word, literature, and ideas. Scottish, British, and international authors are invited to come to the event to inspire each other, with the leading thinkers of the literature world talking to audiences and taking part in an extensive programme of public events.
As a visitor to the Edinburgh International Book Festival, you’ll experience discussion, and interactive events, and see performances, all modern twists on the literary festival vibe, alongside the more traditional events such as author readings and interview-style conversations in front of an audience.
The festival has a glowing reputation as a forum where the public can be frank in an exchange of views with experts and writers on a wide range of topics that cover social issues, ethical standpoints, and political items, as well as general literary culture trends and ideas.
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When is the Edinburgh International Book Festival?
The International Book Festival takes place in Edinburgh this year between 10th and 25th August.
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What’s the history behind the festival?
The festival has been going since 1983, with the first edition of a collection of ‘meet the author’ events, but it has since grown in size and last year there were over 700 events in the city.
In 2021 the festival relocated to Edinburgh University’s College of Art in Lauriston Place where it recreated an atmosphere of a small village, with a happy scene that has all the facilities and personnel to create a whole host of in-person and online events.
Why is the Edinburgh International Book Festival so popular?
There are a few good reasons why the festival is so popular, the main one being that it is a great chance for people who love books to discover new writers, to meet their favourite authors and to try out creative writing.
You can take part in debates, take writing classes, and meet people from all over the world. There are also quizzes and more relaxed events to bring people together to socialise as part of the wider event.
It is located in the College of Art where there is a grassy outdoor courtyard to mingle and meet others, distinctive and innovative indoor spaces and studios, and broadcasting capabilities for online events during the festival dates. Independent bookshops stock a wide range of titles, with some festival-exclusive. It’s a relaxed festival to find hidden gems and new writing talents, no matter what type of literature you enjoy.
Why is the festival good for students and young people?
One of the best things about the International Book Festival in Edinburgh is that it is the perfect place to discover new authors and even styles of writing, but also a chance to delve deeper into favourite books and genres.
There are so many ‘meet the author’ events at the festival that it is easy to see how young people are inspired. For new writers, the festival has the First Book Award, providing an excellent platform to showcase debut novels, novellas, and short story collections.
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Events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
There are so many events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival that we would be here all day if we listed them all, so instead we have broken down a few of the events taking place this year.
Writing the Wrongs of AI
Saturday 10th August 17:30-18:30
Heather Parry, Sam Riviere, Francis Bickmore, and Pip Thornton discuss the findings of a pioneering set of workshops that Thornton led at the University of Edinburgh related to Writing the Wrongs of AI. Authors, publishers, and technical and legal experts come together to talk through the possibilities and challenges of AI and how it relates to the written word and literary world.
Book Fest vs The Fringe: A Book Quiz of Epic Proportions
Wednesday 14th August 21:00-22:30
As you may be aware, there are a few big hitter festivals in Edinburgh during August (it’s a busy place). This event brings together the two worlds of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the literary world, with the ultimate festival vs festival quiz between six stars of the stage and six stars of the page in a humorous yet competitive way.
Adania Shibli: Against Forgetting
Sunday 11th August 14:15-15:15
At the EFI Courtyard Theatre, Adania Shibli talks to Esa Aldegheri about the longlisted 2021 International Booker Prize novel, Minor Detail. It is a political novel that discusses the haunting experience of the Palestinian people, dispossession and erasure, from the War of 1948 to the present day.
Stories and Scran
Monday 12th August 20:00-21:15
A popular event for the festival, and returning for a fifth year, Stories and Scran celebrates some thought-provoking and creative work from a range of writing groups and literary collectives. The Scran Academy are also returning to serve up some sweet treats to go alongside the writing side of the event.
Are you heading to Edinburgh this summer to visit? Do you already live and study there as an Edinburgh student?
We’re always looking to put together the best recommendations for things to do and events in the towns and cities where we have student accommodation, such as guides on the Edinburgh Festival or the top cafés in Edinburgh that you should visit. With that in mind, we’re always happy to hear your personal feedback and where you would recommend to people visiting Edinburgh (for the International Book Festival or any other event) or thinking of moving there for university.
