Books: Unbound

The Book Festival is famous for its ambience – the relaxing atmosphere of Charlotte Square Gardens, the chance to mix with some of the world’s most famous authors and its bookshop. Yet it often misses out on much of the vibrant atmosphere associated with the wider world of the Edinburgh festivals, with the vast majority of its flagship events selling out weeks before August has even begun. Comparatively early finishing times—events tend to finish no later than 10pm—mean that those looking for the fuller festival experience are forced to look towards Bristo Square, the Pleasance and the Grassmarket.

Unbound is part of an effort to tackle this, allowing more people to participate in the festival’s unique atmosphere. Running throughout the Book Festival, authors will explore new ways of presenting their work and engaging with an audience in Charlotte Square’s bar area, the High Park Spiegeltent. And in an effort to offer more people the chance to attend events, tickets are free and will only be released on the morning of each event.

Home grown talents are among the high profile events appearing this year – perhaps an indication of the desire of Scottish authors and festival favourites to expand the festival's appeal to a wider audience. Christopher Brookmyre—one of Scotland’s favourite satirists and author of the series that brought us investigative journalist Jack Parlabane—will be appearing with musician Billy Franks to perform the songs that influenced his novels. Likewise, A L Kennedy, best known for her literary skills but also a regular at The Stand and a previous performer at the Fringe, will be bringing her comedy to the programme. Alan Bissett and Ian Macpherson also introduce their aptly titled DiScOmBoBuLaTe—a favourite on the Glasgow scene—throwing a fusion of literature and comedy into the melting pot.

Roland Gulliver, the Book Festival's programme manager, says that the new project is designed to bring a new dimension to the festival, describing it as “a collection of nights bringing together authors, poets and musicians to play, perform and read to you, to inspire and amuse you, maybe to make you feel a little uncomfortable.”

As well as those high-profile names gracing Unbound, there will be a chance to hear some of Scotland’s emerging talents. The not-so-imaginatively named Dragon’s Pen will see a panel of judges from the country's literary circles judge the work of an array of new authors from creative writing schools. Year of Open Doors will similarly give new writers the chance to read the chapters they contributed to a book of the same name.

“Live events like these are appearing everywhere from New York to London to Glasgow to Edinburgh,” says Gulliver. “It is where new talent is being discovered and well-known faces get to play a little after hours.”

Whether or not Unbound will bring a plethora of new late-night revelers to the Book Festival is yet to be seen, but the opportunity to give more people the opportunity to feel the Book Festival’s atmosphere is one step along the road to increased accessibility.