Festival Blog

Things are moving quickly with all our planning for Aye Write! 2010 and while I still can’t reveal the full line up yet I can – as promised - give you a sneak preview of some of the big names that will be attending next year’s festival, which will take place between Friday 5th March & Saturday 13th March 2010.

I am delighted that Carol Ann Duffy, the current poet laureate will attend the 2010 Aye Write! for the first time. Other confirmed names include Joanna Trollope who will be discussing her new novel, The Other Family and John Simpson, the BBC World Affairs Editor who will be examining how the British press have impacted on the delivery of news over the past 100 years and how reporting has changed over this period.

Scottish musician Edwyn Collins, lead singer of Orange Juice and solo artist will also attend Aye Write! to talk about how he has come back from the devastating brain haemorrhages which he suffered in 2005. Having to re-learn how to speak, read, write and walk he will be discussing this traumatic life-changing journey with his partner Grace Maxwell and will also play some of his music.

I am delighted and honoured to welcome this diverse range of poets, writers, journalists and musicians to Aye Write! 2010. None of the above have ever previously attended the festival so I am particularly delighted to welcome them to Glasgow’s book festival for the first time.

Tickets for all events will go on sale on Saturday 16th January 2010 when I’ll be able to tell you more about the full programme at this year’s Aye Write!. Festival themes will focus on The Future of the Media; The Future of the Left; The Future of Globalisation and will also include a major debate about the place of Scottish literature in the school curriculum.

Karen Cunningham
Director of Aye Write! Glasgow’s Book Festival

PS Don’t forget tickets for all events will be on sale from 16th January 2010.