PAISLEY Book Festival has launched its rich programme of more than 50 events for its 2022 edition.
The annual festival, which includes workshops, author events and book launches, will run between February 17-26.
Both established and emerging writers will be able showcase their work on the international stage.
The programme consists of a mix of live and online events, all dedicated to literature inspired by, or written in Scotland, in line with next year’s theme, ‘Stories Mak Us’.
The theme is set to encourage discussions ranging from storytelling and Scots/Gaelic events, to thinking about how fiction has helped us through the pandemic.
READ MORE: Kevin Bridges to play six dates at Glasgow Hydro in 2022 - how to get tickets
Jess Orr, associate programmer for the festival, said: “Bringing some of Scotland's best writers and storytellers to Paisley for a ten-day extravaganza of events, we're thrilled to be back this February to celebrate the stories that make us who we are, and who we're going to be.
“Whether you're a fully subscribed book-lover or haven't picked up a book since school, check out the Paisley Book Festival programme this year and be part of the conversation. We've all got a story to tell, after all.”
Award-winning Scottish-Kenyan storyteller Mara Menzies and Orkney writer Harry Josephine Giles were appointed as guest curators to oversee strands of the programme.
Programme highlights include master of Scottish storytelling James Robertson bringing his latest novel News of the Dead, a ghost story set in a Scottish glen.
Glasgow-based novelist Louise Welsh will bring the long-awaited sequel to The Cutting Room after 20 years, The Second Cut.
Scottish crime writer Denise Mina will present her new book Rizzio, the tale of Private Secretary David Rizzio, who was murdered in Mary Queen of Scots’ private chambers.
Scottish poet Kathleen Jamie will read from her latest work and share what the first six months in the job have been like in What Maks A Makar.
Other events will see acclaimed authors take to the stage, like C. J. Cooke, Jenni Fagan, Graeme Macrae Burnet, Jacob Sam La Rose, Dorothea Smartt, Diamela Eltit, Julián Fuks, Anne Pia and Mick Kitson.
The festival will also include family events as well as workshops with the Glasgow Women’s Library, and Oot and Aboot in Paisley - a partnership event with Lapidus Scotland that takes inspiration from the words found in Paisley to make new creative work.
Paisley’s first book festival in 2020 took inspiration from the 200th anniversary of the Paisley Radicals, who took part in a week of strikes and unrest in 1820, and their influence is still present in next year’s festival
READ MORE: Glasgow Film Festival returns next year in hybrid format
Festival Producer Louise Oliver states: “We're still Paisley Radicals at heart, so the festival’s trademark thread of edge and progressiveness will still run through the programme, but as we return in 2022, we do so with a blended approach of live and digital events, and with the hope for a better world.
“For the 2022 programme, we will contemplate, as writers and readers, the importance of community, telling your story, being present in the moment, connection and celebrating the importance of words and stories in shaping a world we can all be proud of.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here