Aye Write 2021: Shuggie Bain Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart and author Maggie O’Farrell join Scottish book festival line-up

Glasgow-born author Douglas Stuart, who won the 2020 Booker Prize for his debut novel Shuggie Bain, is among those appearing at a book festival which is moving online this year.

The Aye Write festival, usually held at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow in March, was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and postponed this year due to the ongoing restrictions.

It will now take place online over two weekends in May and will feature more than 100 writers from Scotland and around the world.

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The line-up also includes bestselling authors Maggie O’Farrell and Kate Mosse.

Author Douglas Stuart will be appearing at this year's Aye Write festival.Author Douglas Stuart will be appearing at this year's Aye Write festival.
Author Douglas Stuart will be appearing at this year's Aye Write festival.

Other big names booked include broadcaster Andrew Marr, radio and TV presenter Nicky Campbell, musician-turned-writer Tracey Thorn, and musician Richard Thompson.

Monique Roffey, who won the 2020 Costa Book of the Year for The Mermaid Of Black Conch, also features on the programme, as do BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner and former Labour leader and the party’s shadow business secretary Ed Miliband.

Elsewhere, Lockerbie campaigner Jim Swire will be talking to broadcaster Kate Adie.

Aye Write programmer Bob McDevitt said: “Putting the festival together this year in lockdown has brought a few challenges, but the online format has also allowed us to have the most international programme I think we’ve ever had, with authors joining us from California, New York, Austin, Montreal, Brisbane, Oslo and Dublin, as well as some fantastic authors from Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“I’m especially excited by our literary prize winners – Glasgow’s very own Douglas Stuart, Monique Roffey and Maggie O’Farrell.

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“Aye Write always provides a home for stimulating conversations and this year is no exception, with a mix of well-known faces and some outstanding debut writers, many making their first ever festival appearance.”

The programme of talks and discussion panels cover issues including mental health and wellbeing, racism, women’s rights, ethical travel, data security and Scotland after the coronavirus pandemic.

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More than two-thirds of the programme will be broadcast live on a pay per view digital platform, with audiences able to ask questions and engage in the talks.

The festival will take place over the weekends of May 14-16 and May 21-23.

The full programme will be available on the Aye Write website from April 29, with tickets on sale from that day too.

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