Glasgow’s much loved and highly-anticipated book festival is back, celebrating its tenth anniversary year. Aye Write! brings you the best in local, national and international literature and has been going strong since 2005. This year the event takes place over nine days, with a whole host of authors in conversation plus much, much more.
It all kicks off on Friday April 17, and runs through until Saturday April 25. The Mitchell Library will, as always, be the captivating venue and host of the festival’s programme. This year the line-up includes writers, book fairs, book groups and knitting, as well as a plethora of workshops aimed at getting you to put pen to paper. With plenty to do and events to suit all budgets, there really is something for everyone. With so much to choose from, it’s difficult to pick the highlights but here are five you should be clearing your diary for.
ayewrite.com
Irvine Welsh: A Decent Ride, Friday April 17, 7.30pm
Despite the fact that Welsh made his literary debut back in 1993, this will be his first Aye Write!. The Edinburgh born author of bestselling books such as 'Trainspotting' and 'Ecstasy' will be in conversation with Kevin Williamson, talking us through his latest book. Set on the streets of Edinburgh, 'A Decent Ride' is the story of ‘Juice’ Terry Lawson (who readers first met in 2001's 'Glue') and will no doubt be an exciting blend of Welsh’s typical charismatic dialogue, characters and dark comedy.
ayewrite.com
Ian Rankin: Rebus in Gaelic, Sunday April 19, 4.30pm
Best-selling author Ian Rankin’s famous detective series 'Rebus' has been translated into 36 languages from around the world but in 2014 it finally made it into Scottish Gaelic. Rankin will be reading excerpts from a selection of his 'Rebus' short stories in English, with translation into Gaelic from Gillebride MacMillan (star of 'Outlander').
ayewrite.com
Caroline Criado-Perez: Do It Like a Woman, Monday April 20 7.30pm
She helped put Jane Austen on a £10 note and has continued the fight for women’s roles within the media, even when faced with sustained harassment on social media. Her Aye Write! appearance continues the campaign to have women’s voices heard. Chaired by Sue John, this event delves into the life’s of pioneering women from around the world, including the first woman to cross the Antarctic alone and the Russian punks who stood up to Putin.
ayewrite.com
Jane Hawking: The True Story Behind The Theory of Everything, Wednesday April 22, 7.30pm
The former wife of Professor Stephen Hawking will be giving insight into her extraordinary marriage with the theoretical physicist and reading excerpts from her moving memoir on their lives together. You’ve probably already seen 'The Theory of Everything', starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, but even if you haven’t, now’s your chance to hear all about their fascinating and heart breaking journey.
ayewrite.com
Lucy Ribchester & Kirsty Logan: Outstanding Debuts, Saturday April 25, 6pm
Aye Write! isn’t just about well-known authors, it’s also about showcasing our best up-and-coming talent as well. Two of Scotland’s most promising authors will be talking about their striking literary debuts. Kirsty Logan, whose debut novel 'The Gracekeepers' has just made it onto Simon Mayo’s Book Club list, and Lucy Ribchester, who won the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award for 'The Hourglass Factory', will be reading from their fantastic debuts. Not to be missed.
See more things to do in Glasgow from Time Out.