Renowned Scottish crime writers, a former first minister, a record-breaking explorer and one of the nation’s most famous newsreaders will all star at this year’s Paisley Book Festival.
Now in its seventh year, the festival has grown into a significant fixture in the national and regional literary calendar, drawing people to the town from across Scotland.
Centred around the theme Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons, the three-day event – from Friday May 15 until Sunday May 17 – will welcome leading writers, thinkers and creatives to explore who their role models are and what makes a hero. Tickets are on sale now (Friday).
Christopher Brookmyre and Doug Johnstone will celebrate their collective 50 years of publishing in a special anniversary event hosted by fellow author and ‘Fun-Loving Crime Writers’ bandmate Val McDermid at Paisley Town Hall.
Brookmyre, who will discuss the return of his rogue journalist character Jack Parlabane in his latest release, said: “I am massively looking forward to giving Jack Parlabane a hometown event at Paisley Book Festival. I’ve hugely enjoyed my previous visits, but coming here with Quite Ugly One Evening, 30 years after Paisley’s most incorrigible investigative hack made his debut, promises to be special.”
They will be on-stage with queen of Tartan Noir, Val McDermid, who also has her own event discussing Silent Bones, the latest in her Karen Pirie series.
McDermid added: “I love the audience in Paisley. They’re engaged, enthusiastic and never shy of asking the best questions. I’m looking forward to their warmth again”.
In the immediate aftermath of her 27 years as an MSP coming to a close, former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will share stories about life in the aftermath of leadership from her best-selling memoir, Frankly.
The Young Team creator Graeme Armstrong, former BBC broadcaster Sally Magnusson and Mollie Hughes – the youngest woman to climb both sides of Mount Everest – are among those who will feature in a line-up which also sees a special Paisley edition of The Book Club Scotland.
Armstrong, the Lanarkshire-raised writer who will discuss his eagerly-anticipated new release Raveheart, inspired by Scotland’s underground rave scene, said: “My first appearance at Paisley Book Festival was digital during the pandemic and it’s gone from strength to strength since.
“Its radical tradition, strong community focus, and creative daring feel ever-present as hosts, writers and readers respond to compelling and challenging themes in an increasingly turbulent and fragmentary world, such as place, home, and masculinity.
“There is always a vibrant roster of literary talent and Scottish icons included, and I’m delighted to return with my new novel Raveheart for Everyday Heroes, Everlasting Icons.”
David Keenan, the former owner of renowned Glasgow record shop Volcanic Tongue, will discuss his new novel, Boyhood, while Jenni Fagan will share her latest book The Delusions, one of Scotland’s most hotly-anticipated releases of 2026.
Ahead of Scotland’s appearance in the World Cup, The Hampden Collection Makars are hosting an event to celebrate the lost heroes of Scottish football. Julie McNeill, Gaffer of the Hampden Collection and Poet in Residence at St Mirren FC, Donna Matthew, Makar for the Scottish Women’s National Team Poetry Society, and Hugh McMillan, Makar for the Scottish Men’s National Team Collection, will bring to life untold stories and take audiences down memory lane.
The varied festival programme will also feature a Neurodiversity Writers’ Salon, providing a space for an open and inclusive conversation around neurodiversity in relation to writing and publishing, hosted by author of These Mortal Bodies Elspeth Wilson and Waterstones’ Book of The Year winner for Only Here, Only Now Tom Newlands.
The Saturday line-up will also feature a special one off event – A Paisley Flyting hosted by Gubsmacked, Scotland’s funniest poetry night. Iconic Scottish poets Leyla Josephine, Iona Lee and Colin Bramwell will reimagine the courtly medieval Scottish tradition of Flyting – a poetry rap battle in all but name – which promises to be a no-holds-barred poetry punchup.
Health and the future of healthcare will be under the spotlight with Professor Devi Sridhar and Edinburgh GP and author Gavin Francis, who will challenge myths surrounding healthcare and mental health in the UK.
The Book Club Scotland: Paisley Edition will see Kirstie Buchanan and Christina Lessani, whose midweek Glasgow events have been sellout successes, bring it to Paisley for the first time, diving into the ACOTAR fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas.
Author, journalist and broadcaster Sally Magnusson, meanwhile, will take part in the Reclaiming History’s Heroines strand of the festival by celebrating her latest novel, The Shapeshifter’s Daughter, which brings to life the Norse tale of Hel.
Sturgeon will close the festival at Paisley Town Hall on the Sunday.
Paisley Book Festival 2026, which also includes an extensive schools programme and a busy family fun day with free events on Saturday May 16, is supported by Creative Scotland.
Tickets are available now, with access to many events on a ‘pay what you can’ basis as part of work by festival organisers OneRen to ensure accessibility to the arts and culture in Renfrewshire. Events will take place at Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Central Library.
OneRen chair, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, said: “We are delighted to announce another fantastic line-up for Paisley Book Festival.
“The strength and breadth of this year’s programme reflects the reputation the festival now holds among writers, artists and audiences.
“We’re inviting audiences to explore what heroism means – from iconic public figures to everyday people whose courage, creativity and resilience helps shape our communities. The programme celebrates established literary voices while championing bold new talent, creating space for powerful conversations about history, nature, language, identity and belonging.
“The festival is also a celebration of Paisley itself – its stories, culture and future. Through arts and cultural investment, we are not only honouring the town’s rich heritage, but helping to create opportunities and support our local economy. This festival is a vital part of that journey, bringing people together and showcasing the transformative power of words.”
Full details about the Paisley Book Festival line-up – including booking information – are available at www.paisleybookfestival.com.
