Ian Rankin

Helen & Morna Mulgray Lively chat with the Edinburgh-based crime writing twins after their 2009 Book Festival event. They discuss their joint writing technique, outline the plot to their latest novel (which centres on a cat named Gorgonzola) and ask listeners to cast a… Christos Tsiolkas (2010 event) Christos Tsiolkas flew all the way to Edinburgh from his home in Australia to open the 2010 Edinburgh International Book Festival in fine literary style. In a sold-out event chaired by Steven Gale, he discussed his much talked-about best-selling novel The… Mary Costello & Han Kang (2015 Event) 'Heartbreaking' and 'packed with emotional intensity' say the reviewers about Mary Costello's stunning debut novel Acedemy Street, while Han Kang's The Vegetarian is lauded by critics as 'haunting', 'seductive' and &… Sophie Hughes & Fernanda Melchor: Another Mexico (2020 Event) Celebrated Mexican author Fernanda Melchor’s first book translated into English, Hurricane Season, has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. In a piece for Granta, the book’s translator Sophie Hughes reflected: ‘Melchor goes with her… Sebastian Barry (2017 Event) Anyone who has heard Sebastian Barry read from his work knows he’s one of the best in the business. Anyone who has read Days Without End, his impossibly tender novel set in mid-19th century America, knows that it's another great work from the Costa Book… David Campbell David Campbell describes his varied working life from English Lit teacher to BBC broadcaster to Celtic storyteller, culminating in his world travels with friend and hero "tinker" storyteller Duncan Williamson, in this lively chat during the 2009… Miranda Kaufmann with Afua Hirsch (2018 Event) It’s a common misconception that black migration to Britain began with the Windrush in 1948. But as Miranda Kaufmann demonstrates in Black Tudors, many black Africans were warmly accepted into 16th century English society. What’s perhaps most… Tom Parker Bowles The popular food critic and writer Tom Parker Bowles traveled the country meeting the weird and wonderful people and dishes which make up our culinary heritage and in this event he talks about his discoveries with his customary blend humour and wisdom… Greg Proops (2015 Event) Greg Proops is well-known for his appearances on the improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and for his hit podcast The Smartest Man in the World. Downloaded over 9 million times, it’s a weekly online radio show recorded live from different… Blake Morrison (2018 Event) The Sunday Times called him ‘One of our most sensitive and stylish writers’ and with his latest book, The Executor, it’s easy to see why. The bestselling novelist and poet Blake Morrison has created a biting portrait of male friendship…