NO PLACE FOR A WOMAN

Sara Sheridan and Alex Nye talk about their recent historical novels’ exploration of women overturning expectations of their gender, in 19th century Antarctica, The Ice Maiden, and at the court of Mary Stuart, For My Sins. 

Chair: Sheila Averbuch

Sunday 7th October 11.00am-12.00noon                         LIBRARY DOWNSTAIRS 

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.

1001 OLIVE TREES: TALES OF RESISTANCE

This is the title of a book by San Ghanny (We shall sing in Arabic), a Scottish choir sharing songs and stories from their visits to Palestine, celebrating the strength, dignity and non-violent resistance of people living under Occupation.

Sunday 7th October 11.00am-12.00noon                                               LIBRARY UPSTAIRS

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.

Saturday 6th October, 8-10pm at The Dalriada on Portobello Prom

After a busy day enjoying listening to the many authors taking part in the festival, why not round off Saturday by showing off your literary knowledge at a book quiz at the Dalriada on the prom? No tickets are required and it costs just £1 per person to enter. The quiz begins at 8pm and will run until approximately 10pm. It’s a good idea to get along early though as the quiz is very popular and once it’s full, it’s full!

WAS THIS IN THE PLAN?

Stephanie Nimmo‘s inspiring and uplifting book chronicles life with her daughter Daisy, who was born with a rare genetic condition. While caring for Daisy, her husband Andy became terminally ill. Stephanie now campaigns to give a voice to families facing similar challenges. She talks about her experiences and how to survive and thrive when life doesn’t go to plan.

Chair: Lisa Hardie

Saturday 6th October, 4.00-5.00pm                      PORTOBELLO BAPTIST CHURCH HALL

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.

DON’T PANIC

When the world holds real dangers for children, does reacting with moral panic lead to further harm? Playwright Frances Poet, writer of ‘Gut’, performed by the Traverse Theatre Company in association with National Theatre of Scotland, and Viv Cree, Professor of Social Work Studies at the University of Edinburgh, talk about how they explore this question in their work. 

Chair: Susan Elsley

Saturday 6th October 3.30-4.30pm                                                        LIBRARY UPSTAIRS

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.

REAL WOMEN: UNHEARD STORIES

This session brings into focus the realities of life for women from ethnic minorities who are caught up in domestic abuse, and on those who endeavour to help them. Co-editors Peter E. Ross and Shakti Women’s Aid’s Anila Mirza along with one of the book’s contributors discuss issues arising from the book.

Chair: Peter E. Ross

Saturday 6th October 2.30-4.00pm                       PORTOBELLO BAPTIST CHURCH CAFÉ

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.

ASCENT TO GREATNESS

Erlend Clouston, literary executor and family friend of the inspirational nature writer Nan Shepherd, takes a sideways look at the life and literary career of the woman who wrote The Living Mountain and whose image currently decorates the RBS £5 note.

Chair: Rona Gray

Saturday 6th October 2.30-3.30pm                     PORTOBELLO BAPTIST CHURCH HALL 

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.

Chick Lit or Women’s Fiction – What’s In a Name?

Jen Mouat, author of The Bookshop of New Beginnings, and Jenny Harper, author of the Heartlands series, read from their novels and discuss the importance of fiction genres, book titles and covers.

What does a book cover tell potential readers, and why do certain titles appeal?

Chair: Joanne Baird 

Saturday 6th October, 2.00-3.00pm                                                      LIBRARY UPSTAIRS

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.

WORLD POETRY

Steve Harvey hosts a discussion with three poets from across the globe. Stuart A. Paterson from Scotland, Marjorie Lotfi Gill an Iranian American and Lynn Davidson from New Zealand read from their work and discuss the universal appeal of poetry and the challenges of translation.

Saturday 6th October, 1.00-2.00pm PORTOBELLO BAPTIST CHURCH HALL

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.

SHORT BUT SWEET

Join short story writers Elle Turner, Jane Tulloch and Rosemary Gemmell as they chat about the art of creating short but perfectly formed tales. Is it easier or harder than writing a novel? How do you create an effective story in a shorter form? Come along for some tips and to hear them read from their work.

Chair: Lynsey May

Saturday 6th October, 12.30-1.30pm                                                  LIBRARY UPSTAIRS

Tickets for all Portobello Book Festival events are free and can be picked up from Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue.