We officially launched the Portobello Book Festival 2013 programme on Friday and asked along some of our contributors, volunteers, authors and volunteers to help us celebrate. A big thank you to everyone who came along and enjoyed a first look at our packed programme. Here are a few pictures from the night. Complete programme is now available here!
4th – 6th October 2013: Festival Theme – 1963: the start of the modern era

This year Portobello library celebrates its Golden Jubilee so to mark this we’re making 1963: the start of the modern era the theme of the festival’s Opening Gala event. And we’d love you to be involved.
- Do you have any special connection to that year?
- Maybe that’s when you moved to Portobello?
- Is it when you got married?
- Or the year you were born?
- If you’ve got any connection you’d like to share with us, do get in touch: leave a comment below or email us portobellobookfestival@gmail.com.
Ready Steady Festival
Nearly there… The Portobello Book Festival 2012 starts tomorrow – here’s the full programme
The Portobello Book Festival starts this Friday, 5th October, and there’ll be a whole weekend of readings and chances to hear about and talk about books with people who love them as much as you do.
Our Gala Opening, “The Library at Night”, is shaping up to be a great mix of published and unpublished writers reading their own work, actors presenting material and talented musicians linking it all together. There are still a few tickets left (but not too many) so do come along. And better still, there’ll be a chance to hear about (and maybe support) the charity Book Aid International who’ll be coming to talk to us too.
And don’t forget there’s a chance to show your support for Libraries by coming to the “What are Libraries For?” event on Sunday (3.30 – 5.00). It’s chaired by MSP Kenny MacAskill, and will give you the chance to hear the views of an award winning novelist (Nicola Morgan), Edinburgh’s Schools librarian guru (Cleo Jones), knowledgeable local librarian (Heather Morrison) and a valued and informed library user (Stuart Fraser). There’ll be plenty time for your views and questions too. So come along (Portobello Library, 3.30pm, Sunday 7th Oct).
Sat 6th October: Writing Workshop
As part of the 2012 Portobello Book Festival we are running a writer’s workshop, led by a local writer, Marianne Paget.
This interactive writing workshop aims to inspire your writing by –
bringing together local writers to share experience and to exchanging tips on what when, and where to write; encouraging you to flex your writing muscles with some fun, on-the-spot exercises; examining how to give and receive feedback on writing in order to improve it, and supporting you in identifying your writing goals for the future.
Workshop is Free
Maximum 16 places.
Sign up via Portobello Library
Writing competition: The Library at night
The Library at Night – this is the theme of the opening event of the 2012
Portobello Book Festival. We are planning a rich programme of spoken word –
poetry and prose – with guest contributors from Portobello and beyond. There’ll
be music too! We’d like to hear your response (no more than 500 words please)
on what ‘the library at night’ conjures up for you, whatever age or background.
It could be fantasy, comedy, opinion or based loosely on your own experience.
Some of the responses will be chosen for ‘performance’ at the opening event –
by the author or somebody else. So, go on, have a go! You will be supporting the
Book Festival and it could be fun.
Closing date: 3rd September 2012
Hand in to : Heather at Portobello library or email to portobellobookfestival@gmail.com
Friday 5th October – Sunday 7th October 2012
This year’s Portobello Book Festival dates have been announced. The festival will run from Friday 5th October to Sunday 7th October 2012
We’re even in the Creative Scotland Festivals Guide for 2012!

The Library at Night
A theme at 2012’s festival will be the Library at Night. Here’s what inspired the idea.










