Webb and Imrie join Mcdermid and Rankin as lead guests at Aye Write
ACTRESS Celia Imrie and broadcaster Justin Webb will be among hundreds of authors taking part in a Glasgow book festival as it returns to the familiar surroundings of the city’s Mitchell Library after coronavirus forced it online.
Aye Write will be holding a live programme of events across three weekends, between May 6 and 22, while Wee Write, the book festival for children and young people, will be running between April 25 to 30, organiser Glasgow Life announced.
Festival programmer Bob Mcdevitt said it “promises to be a return full of all the bookish treats that our loyal Aye Write audience has come to expect”.
The 17th edition of Aye Write is set to feature more than 200 author talks.
Celia Imrie, the Olivier Awardwinning actress turned novelist, whose 2021 book Orphans Of The Storm was a best-seller, and BBC journalist Webb are just some of the names organisers have announced for the festival. Webb recently published his autobiography, The Gift Of A Radio: My Childhood
And Other Train Wrecks.
Orwell Prize winner Darren Mcgarvey and Scottish crime writers Val Mcdermid and Ian Rankin will also be among big names appearing.
The full programme will be revealed on March 25, when tickets for the festival go on sale.
Wee Write, which organisers said was suitable for all ages, will include Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon, a celebration of 25 years of Harry Potter magic with illustrator Jonny Duddle, and a special appearance by classic children’s favourite The Gruffalo.
Mr Mcdevitt said: “If the pandemic taught us anything, it is that we should value, perhaps above all else, the ability to exchange our experiences and stories, face-to-face, within a shared space. No technology – no matter now impressive – can replicate that.”
“This year, we are more excited than ever to invite audiences back into our city’s shared space of the unparalleled Mitchell Library to celebrate our reunion.”
Councillor David Mcdonald, chairman of Glasgow Life, said: “With our city’s libraries again welcoming people back through their doors, Aye Write and Wee Write will offer us a chance to come together again to celebrate the joy of books, through its signature mix of unusual, funny and fascinating writers and conversation.”
As part of the festival programme Damon Galgut, last year’s Booker Prize winner for The Promise, will lead the line-up of the Aye Write digital programme.