Scottish Books Events: February 2023

Paisley Book Festival takes place from 16-19 Feb. It’s the fourth iteration of the festival, and this year’s theme is Remake and Rebel – so expect a plethora of writers who challenge social norms in their own way. Some highlights include Michael Pedersen and former-Makar Jackie Kay chatting about Pedersen’s Boy Friends (18 Feb), social commentator and writer Darren McGarvey in conversation with the festival’s writer-in-residence Kerry Hudson about his latest non-fiction offering, The Social Distance Between Us (18 Feb), and Edinburgh Makar Hannah Lavery and Leyla Josephine discussing their debut poetry collections (18 Feb). Those looking for spoken word are in luck – Kevin P. Gilday’s Anxiety Cabaret on 17 Feb combines the poetry of Sean Wai Keung and Katie Ailes with the comedy of Elaine Malcolmson and music of MilesBetter, while the next day the festival hosts Gray Crosbie, Marcas Mac an Tuairneir and Titilayo Farukuoye. Phew!

If that’s not enough, the following week Aberdeen hosts the nation’s first crime festival of the year – the formidable Granite Noir. This year’s festival has a fair few events focused on the Gothic and horror – Heather Parry and Ever Dundas will discuss the edgy, weird and wonderful (25 Feb), Angie Spoto and Carole Johnstone will explore the gothic (25 Feb) and Anna Cheung, Katalina Watt and Eliza Chan will chat about their work on 25 Feb – followed by a DJ set from Arusa Qureshi. Those after more traditional crime offerings can hear from icon Val McDermid (24 Feb), Chris Brookmyre, Denzil Meyrick and Doug Johnstone (24 Feb) and there’ll be a classic Scandi crime conversation (23 Feb).

Not to be left out, there are a couple of exciting poetry events in Edinburgh this month. World Gaelic Week will be celebrated at the Scottish Poetry Library (23 Feb), and Our Time is a Garden, a new collection of nature writing from Scottish women and non-binary writers of colour (edited by Dr Alycia Pirmohamed) will be launched at Summerhall on 3 Feb.