We are delighted that the first weekend of October will see the return of Portobello Book Festival to our wonderful Portobello Library in Rosefield Avenue. Events will be on Friday 1st October, Saturday 2nd October and Sunday 3rd October. We are grateful to Edinburgh Council and Portobello Library staff for their guidance and support which has made it possible for the festival to take place.

As you would expect, things will look a little different this year. Entry in and out of the building will be carefully managed, numbers attending events will be more restricted than normal, face coverings must be worn (unless exempt) and contact details will be required for NHS Test and Protect. Following on from the successful online festival last year, some of our events will be online. Details of how to watch them will be on the website nearer the time.

Tickets can only be collected from Portobello Library in person in advance and you will be able to collect a printed programme from there soon. Tickets will be available from Monday 13th September. Due to restrictions, unlike in previous years, tickets will not be available on the door on the day. When collecting tickets, you are restricted to two per event per person. Library opening hours are Monday and Wednesday 1-5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10-5pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-2pm.

Look out over the course of today for full details of all the events, featuring local writers and readers and internationally renowned authors. As always, we feel there is a great mix of books featured and that there is something for everyone.

Entry to events is free to all, although we are always very grateful for donations to cover expenses. We are also very grateful to all our participants who give their time freely.

If there are any updates to Covid regulations which mean we need to change or cancel any events, details will be posted on the website and our social media. We’re on Facebook (Portobello Book Festival) and Twitter (@portybookfest).

Unfortunately this year, we are unable to host book signings after the events in the library. However, books by all our participating authors will be available to buy or order from our local independent bookshop The Portobello Bookshop.

You will find the bookshop at 46 Portobello High Street. Opening hours are 10am – 6pm, seven days a week. You can order books in person or by phone or online either to Click and Collect or for delivery. The phone number is 0131 629 6756.

We hope you enjoy the 2021 Portobello Book Festival!