Tickets are on sale for Aye Write, Glasgow's book festival, which will take place from 19 to 28 May 2023.
The much-loved celebration of books and literature makes its highly anticipated return this year with a packed and dynamic programme.
More than 120 events will showcase a broad range of both established and emerging writing talent. These will feature lively discussion and debate involving 175 authors from Scotland and around the world.
Aye Write is produced by Glasgow Life, the charity which delivers culture and sport to enhance mental, physical and economic wellbeing, and is funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Glasgow Life Chair, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “Aye Write is always a much-anticipated highlight in the city’s cultural calendar. This year’s festival will bring together a wonderful array of home-grown and international writing talent for a series of dynamic discussions and activities, so audiences from Glasgow and further afield can look forward to a superb celebration of writing and books and a really memorable event.”
Some of the most familiar names included in the extensive, varied line-up of writers at Aye Write this year are Alistair Campbell, Ruby Wax, Val McDermid, Liz Lochhead, Janey Godley, Cameron McNeish, Josie Long in conversation with Frankie Boyle, Robin Ince, Aasmah Mir, Chris Brookmyre, Darren McGarvey, Polly Toynbee, and Sally Magnusson.
A range of current topics and cultural themes underpins the extensive programme, with content focusing on subjects as diverse as the cost-of-living crisis, the war in Ukraine, health and wellbeing, the environment and climate crisis, today’s political environment in the UK, sport, and the criminal justice system.
Other key influences for festival events include music (with events featuring Stuart Cosgrove, Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai, Rick Buckler of The Jam, and We Could Send Letters – based around the book ‘Hungry Beat’ about Scottish independent pop, and featuring live music from a band comprising members of Aztec Camera, Orange Juice and Teenage Fanclub); as well as Scottish writing and voices (with authors such as Alan Parks, Robbie Morrison, Alex Gray, Caro Ramsay, Peter Ross and Sara Sheridan).
Aye Write continues to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are amplified in this year’s festival and looks forward to hosting Leila Aboulela, Franscesca Soobande, Derek Owusu, and Colin Grant among others.
‘The Books That Made Me’ series also returns to the festival this year, with Scotland’s National Librarian Amina Shah and publishing powerhouse Lennie Goodings.
Aye Write will also look ahead to exciting debut talent in its ‘Ones To Watch’ events. These will shine the spotlight on writers including Ryan Love, Lynsey May, Denise Saul, Mark Pajak, Chris Carse Wilson, and Wiz Wharton.
In addition to entertaining book-loving audiences with events exploring written work, the festival is also designed to support authors’ development. The programme’s ‘Getting Creative’ events offer beginners’ classes giving guidance on structure, plot, character and dialogue in novels. More experienced writers can also take advantage of masterclasses on writing style and different genres, and hear insights from a panel of publishing industry experts. There will also be two masterclasses to support individuals interested in submitting creative work for this year’s Kavya Prize.
Aye Write Festival Programmer, Bob McDevitt, said: “The extensive line-up of great authors we’ve secured for this year’s Aye Write means we have a fantastic range of events to entertain, enlighten and inspire audiences from near and far.
“If that wasn’t exciting enough, we’ve also a series of excellent Aye Write Pop Up Events planned. In the run-up to the festival, on 25 April, we’ve Elizabeth Day lined up and in the coming months our Pop Up Events will feature names including former Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton, Ambrose Parry, Rob Rinder and Michael Palin.
“We also have Wee Write to look forward to this summer. It takes place from 3 to 9 June, so watch out for full details of a host of fun family events and activities.”
Creative Scotland Head of Literature and Publishing, Alan Bett, said: “Aye Write once more brings a strong and diverse list of writers to Glasgow. Alongside the many recognised names, book festivals also play a key role in introducing new writers to the reading public.
“It’s wonderful to see exciting Scottish debut fiction in this year’s programme, with highly anticipated works from Lynsey May and Chris Carse Wilson. Another important strand is the continuation of the Kavya Prize, aiming to celebrate new writing by Scotland’s ethnically diverse communities, with Aye Write programming masterclasses for writers interested in submitting work.”
Full details of Aye Write’s programme, and links to book event tickets, can be found here.
Aye Write presale tickets go live today, Wednesday 12 April, for subscribers to the festival’s database and general ticket sales open tomorrow, Thursday 13 April.
Background
Aye Write is indebted to Creative Scotland for its continued funding support of the festival, and is grateful to its sponsors: The National Library of Scotland, The Open University in Scotland and Waterstones.
Glasgow Life is a charity working for the benefit of the people of Glasgow. We believe everyone deserves a great Glasgow life and we find innovative ways to make this happen across the city’s diverse communities.
Our programmes, experiences and events range from grassroots community activities to large-scale cultural, artistic and sporting events which present Glasgow on an international stage. Our work is designed to promote inclusion, happiness and health, as well as support the city’s visitor economy, in order to enhance Glasgow’s mental, physical and economic wellbeing.
For more information, visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow Creative Scotland on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
Media contacts
Gordon Boag, Marketing & Communications Business Partner - Glasgow Life
T: 0141 287 6418 | M: 07825 904 240
Email: [email protected]