10am – Despite a couple of Internet-related problems I got mytickets for all the events and workshops I wanted to attend this year.
Here’s my list of 22 events, which includes 16 author events, 2 seminars, 2 workshops, 1 political event and the official opening event. My bookings mean there will only be 4 days out for the entire festival that I won’t actually be in Charlotte Square. And of course, these may change if more are added during the course of the next couple of months. It’s going to be a busy August!
Sat 9th
25th Anniversary Opening Event – Ian Rankin in conversation with a mystery political guest.
Alex James (Author Event) – ex-Blur bassist and Brit Rock legend turned novelist.
How to Make a Publisher Say Yes! (Seminar) – advice seminar on everything from preparing manuscripts to what publishers actually want.
Sun 10th
Self-Publishing: Vanity or Sanity? (Workshop) – workshop on the whole process from ISBN purchasing to marketing (hoping to improve on my chapbook publishing methods).
Val McDermid (Author Event) – awesome crime writer who is excellent fun to listen to. I saw her last year, hence why I didn’t want to miss her this time round.
Mon 11th
A L Kennedy (Author Event) – fiction writer of notable fame. Never read or heard her before but her reputation is well known.
Tue 12th
Steven Berkoff (Author Event) – if you don’t know who he is you must be dead.
Wed 13th
Writing Crime Fiction (Workshop) – all about writing crime– will be invaluable to me and my own career.
Thu 14th
Alan Johnston (Author Event) – BBC journalist kidnapped in Gaza by militants and held for 114 days – should be a fascinating event.
Ian Rankin (Author Event) – the big man talking about life after Rebus.
Mon 18th
Mark Billingham (Author Event) – hilarious stand-up comedian turned crime writer. His books are fantastic and he will be talking about his new book, In The Dark.
Trends in Publishing (Seminar)- talk about the advances and trends in Scottish publishing.
Tue 19th
Alex Salmond (Politics) – the Scottish First Minister talks about Scottish independence and nationalism. Being the open minded writer that I am, I thought I’d give him at least one shot to try and change my mind.
Alexander McCall Smith (Author Event) – awesome Scottish novelist.
Thu 21st
Irvine Welsh (Author Event) – can’t wait to see him talk again; should be as fascinating as it will be funny as he talks about his new book, Crime.
Ian Rankin (Author Event) – more from Edinburgh’s favourite.
Sat 23rd
Margaret Atwood (Author Event) – I wanted to see her last year but she was sold out, so I’m delighted to have got a ticket for this.
Janice Galloway (Author Event) – a superb Scottish writer who I’ve seen a few times now and never fails to disappoint.
Sun 24th
Salman Rushdie (Author Event) – simply a must-see author. To be in his presence and hear him speak will be an honour.
Will Self (Author Event) – not a huge fan of this guys media persona, which is why I want to hear him talk – see if he changes my TV-formed opinion because I think he’s a great writer regardless.
Mon 25th
Sean Connery & Murray Grigor (Author Event) – what can you say? Sean Connery at the book festival and I got a ticket!!
Kate Adie (Author Event) – I missed her twice now so I’m delighted to have bagged a brief to hear her talk about her fascinating life.
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