Portobello Book Festival: 4th – 6th October 2024
Tickets for all events are free and available from Portobello Library 

The programme for this year’s festival was officially launched at the library last night. Copies are now available to pick up from the library and you’ll find them in various places around Portobello too. Tickets will be available to collect in person from the library from 10am on Monday morning, 9th September.

Website: www.portobellobookfestival.com
X/Twitter: @portybookfest
Instagram: @porty.bookfest
Facebook: Portobello Book Festival

Friday 4th OCTOBER

Olga Wojtas: Meet the Author

13:00 – 14:00, Library Upstairs

Olga Wojtas, (Miss Blaine’s Prefect and the Gondola of Doom) in conversation with local book blogger Joanne Baird. Her witty crime series features Shona McMonagle, a fifty-something time-travelling librarian from Morningside Library. An entertaining afternoon is guaranteed!

Alice Thornton and her Digital Edition

14:30 – 15:30, Library Upstairs

Alice Thornton (1626-1707) wrote at least four versions of her riches-to-rags life story. Meet Portobello locals Cordelia Beattie and Suzanne Trill, part of the research team making Alice Thornton’s books digitally-accessible for the first time. From secret betrothals to disappointing breakfasts, this talk opens up the world of a 17th century family from Yorkshire. Portobello author Eleanor Thom, also part of the Thornton team, shows us how the project has inspired local writers, and you’ll even get a chance to compose your own mini-memoir based on one of Thornton’s favourite themes: the deliverance from death.

It’s Murder in Edinburgh

16:00 – 17:00, Library Upstairs

Edinburgh often features as the backdrop for the most heinous of fictional crimes. Crime writers Harry Fisher (The DI Mel Cooper series) and Val Penny (The Edinburgh Crime Mysteries) with debut novelist Chris Lerpiniere (The Beckoning Cat) talk about their work and how Edinburgh became their location of choice.

Chair: Paul Hudson

Once Upon A Gay in Edinburgh

17:30 – 18:30, Library Upstairs

A chance to find out about Edinburgh’s Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive with founders Sigrid Nielsen and Bob Orr. The archive aims to collect, conserve and celebrate queer books published before 2000 which are in danger of being lost. Sigrid and Bob are in conversation with local author Cameron Wyllie (Is There a Pigeon in My Room? My Life in Schools) whose forthcoming book is about growing up gay in 70s Edinburgh.

The Specimens: Book Launch

19:00 – 20:00, The Portobello Bookshop

Portobello-based writer Mairi Kidd’s brand new novel The Specimens takes us back to 19th-century Edinburgh and sheds light on the victims of the infamous and internationally known Burke and Hare. Mairi Kidd is in conversation with Dr Marisa Haetzman, one half of the writing duo Ambrose Parry.

Saturday 5th October

Writing Workshop: Portobello Groynes

10:00 – 13:00, Portobello Swim Centre

Led by Anna Tallach and M Louise Kelly

The groynes have been a prominent part of the Portobello promenade landscape since the early 1970s and continue to inspire creative, environmental and sporting adventures for many. Come to this writing workshop to share your creative thoughts and respond to others’ interpretations of what the groynes mean to them. Material from the workshop and beyond will be collected into a community artefact publication.

Women in Historical Fiction

10:30 – 11:30, Library Upstairs

The recent novels of Jane Anderson (The Paintress), Flora Johnston (The Paris Peacemakers) and Sue Lawrence (Lady’s Rock) put women firmly at the centre of history. Find out why these authors are so passionate about ensuring the voices of women are heard in what is sure to be a fascinating event.

Chair: Joanne Baird

Bookbug – featuring Pantosaurus

11:00am, Library Downstairs

Bookbug with Laura, featuring a reading of Pantosaurus and the Power of PANTS! With a special guest appearance from the NSPCC’s friendly dinosaur – Pantosaurus!

Born in Kyle: A Love Letter tae an Ayrshire Childhood

12:00 – 13:00, Library Upstairs

Like Burns, Billy Kay, one of the most important folk in the Scots language revival, is a lad that was born in Kyle. His latest book Born in Kyle – A Love Letter tae an Ayrshire Childhood celebrates working-class life and the Scots language culture he grew up with in the Irvine Valley in the 1950s and 60s. This session will be conducted in Scots.

Billy Kay is yin of the maist important folk in the Scots language revival. Through radio, telly, plays, creative scrieving and his influential Scots The Mither Tongue, Kay’s work is shiftin negative (coorse?) perceptions aw Scots. Born in Kyle is a humourous luve letter tae wirkin class life in wee toun Scotland. In vivid Scots scrieivng, Kay brings characters he grew up wi in his ain native Galston, Ayrshire tae life. This session will be conducted aw in Scots.

Chair: Alistair Heather

Stories from Scotland

13:30 – 14:30, Library Upstairs

Bringing together three authors who are giving us insights into the historic tales, places, and illustrations that make up part of the fascinating story of Scotland. Walter Stephen delves into his book Twelve Great Scots and Their Roots, whilst Graeme Johncock presents Scotland’s Stories, Historic Tales for Incredible Places and Andrew Redmond Barr discusses his Atlas of Scotland – History of a Nation.

Chair: Bill Jameson

Don Roberto: The Adventure of Being Cunninghame Graham

15:00 – 16:00, Library Upstairs

Jamie Jauncey presents a vivid biography of his amazing great great uncle, Robert Cunninghame Graham, aka Don Roberto, who co-founded the Scottish Labour Party with Keir Hardie before becoming the founding president of the Scottish National Party. Don Roberto was an expert horseman, adventurer and campaigner who advocated abolishing the House of Lords and introducing an 8-hour day for miners.

Chair: Pat Kelly

Wellbeing – Too much information?

16:30 – 17:30, Library Upstairs

There is more information than ever on how we can support our personal wellness and sometimes it can be difficult to find what’s right for us. Wellbeing practitioners Gin Lalli (How to Empty your Stress Bucket) and Dr Laura Wyness (Eating Well for Menopause) discuss their communication strategies and how best to get the information you need.

Chair: Paul Hudson

I Must Go Down To The Seas Again

18:00 – 19:30, Library Downstairs

Three distinctive voices on the lure of the sea: Ian Stephen (Boatlines: Scottish craft of sea, coast and canal), Alec Martin (A to Z Guide for Rowing an Ocean, digital app for first-time skippers) and Alasdair Findlay (Paddle Scotland: The best places to go with paddle board, kayak or canoe).

Chair: Andrés Leslie

Sunday 6th October

Mediterranean Passion

10:00 – 11:00, Library Upstairs

Anne Pia lovingly shares the culture of la cucina povera/slow food/simplicity and tradition in Magnaccioni. The intertwining of memoir and myth poses challenging questions in Victoria Whitworth’s Dust and Pomegranates: How Greece Changed Me Forever. Join these vibrant women in what we are sure will be an illuminating conversation.

Chair: Catherine Simpson

Getting Creative, Ending Stigma

10:00 – 11:00, Library Downstairs

Neil Renton and Mark Fleming met at Scottish Action for Mental Health’s The Changing Room, a programme promoting mental wellbeing, pioneered at Hibs FC. They discuss how their shared love of creative writing and music inspired them to collaborate on Heids Up, an uplifting anthology of personal reflection and short stories.

Chair: Matty Fairnie

Animal Fairm

11:30 – 12:30, Library Upstairs

Thomas Clark has translated George Orwell’s celebrated allegorical satire, originally published in 1945, into Scots. He is in conversation with Alistair Heather, writer and broadcaster, about the relevance and resonance of this iconic fable in Scotland and the wider world today. This session will be conducted in Scots.

Thomas Clark has translatit George Orwell’s celebratit allegorical satire, originally published in 1945, intae Scots. He is in conversation wi Alistair Heather, scriever and broadcaister, aboot the relevance and resonance aw this iconic fable in Scotland and the braider world the day. This session will be conducted aw in Scots.

Family Fortunes

11:30 – 12:30, Library Downstairs

Zoë Strachan (Catch the Moments as They Fly) and Allan Radcliffe (The Old Haunts) are in conversation to explore their latest books which deal with families and relationships and being haunted by the past. They talk about the ways in which grief and class impact on relationships and how the past informs relationships in the present.

Wild Places, Wild Encounters

13:00 – 14:00, Library Upstairs

No one can doubt the benefits of connecting with nature. In his book Wild Places, Wild Encounters, Dr Glen Cousquer, naturalist, educator and lecturer in Conservation Medicine and One Health at the University of Edinburgh, talks about ways to relate to and appreciate the local nature that surrounds us in our cities and wild places. In conversation with Rona Gray.

Blue Balls – Men’s Mental Health Art Mag

13:00 – 14:00, Library Downstairs

A discussion with members of Edinburgh Blue Balls Graham Gilhooley, Marc Millar and Graham Williams about their forthcoming art magazine. The publication, Blue Balls, is packed full of powerful stories, photography and mental health resources. Normalising conversations around mental health is central to both the magazine and the group itself.

Chair: Allan MacRaild

Safe Spaces: Writing from Nature

14:30 – 15:30, Library Upstairs

Join poet Alycia Pirmohamed (Another Way to Split Water) and writer Claire Urquhart, co-founder of Open Book – a charity that uses stories and poems as a way of connecting people via reading and creative writing groups across Scotland – as they talk about developing safe spaces in their roles as writers and in encouraging others to write and to enjoy books. They explore the role played by nature, ritual and physical environment as both inspiration for their writing and as a way of nurturing their own, and others’, creativity.

The Book of Doors

14:30 – 15:30, Library Downstairs

Gareth Brown introduces his debut novel The Book of Doors. Released in February, the fantasy thriller became an instant Sunday Times bestseller. Encompassing love, loss, magic, adventure and, above all, a deep affection for books, his novel is an inventive and exciting tale.

Chair: Kerry Harper

Living with Long-Term Conditions

16:00 – 17:00, Library Upstairs

Morven-May MacCallum shares her experience of finding comfort and purpose when living with Lyme disease. Morven-May’s Finding Joy is an inspirational book which addresses the challenges of living with a long term condition and how writing provides a creative way to help herself and others. This event is in memory of Audrey Birt, author of The Journey to Better Times.

Chair: Dr Marti Balaam

On Your Bike!

16:00 – 17:00, Library Downstairs

Saddle up for an exciting ride with keen cyclist and prolific non-fiction writer Colin Salter (Remarkable Bicycle Rides) as he discusses cycle adventuring with Alan Brown (Overlander), former Chair of The Bike Station, urban ambler, bikepacker and enthusiastic advocate of the bicycle for well-being and landscape investigation.

Chair: Jude Nixon

Britain in Fragments?

17:30 – 18:30, Library Downstairs

Satnam Virdee, Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow and co-author (with Brendan McGeever) of Britain in Fragments: Why Things are Falling Apart in conversation with former SNP MP Tommy Sheppard.

VENUES

PORTOBELLO LIBRARY

14 Rosefield Avenue, EH15 1AU

THE PORTOBELLO BOOKSHOP

46 Portobello High Street, EH15 1DA

https://theportobellobookshop.com

PORTOBELLO SWIM CENTRE

57 The Promenade, EH15 2BS

PORTOBELLO BOOK FESTIVAL is organised by a group of local book enthusiasts in collaboration with Portobello Library. Tickets are free and contributors are not paid. The festival is entirely dependent on donations to meet basic running costs. Books by contributing authors and chairs can be purchased from The Portobello Bookshop’s pop-up bookstall in the library over the course of the weekend.