Authors and events for the 2022 Paisley Book Festival announced

A ghost story set in a Scottish glen, a mysterious death involving an auctioneer and the famous murder of Mary Queen of Scots’ private secretary David Rizzio are all stories which will be told at next year’s Paisley Book Festival.

The third annual festival will have the theme ‘Stories Mak Us’, inspired by 2022 being Scotland’s Year of Stories.

A line-up of 50 events will run between February 17 and 26 including workshops, author events, book launches and opportunities for both established and emerging writers to showcase their work on the international stage.

They include Oot and Aboot in Paisley, a partnership event with Lapidus Scotland that takes inspiration from the words found in Paisley to make new creative work.

Scots author James Robertson will bring his latest novel News of the Dead, a ghost story set in a Scottish glen; Louise Welsh brings the long-awaited sequel to The Cutting Room after 20 years, The Second Cut; and Denise Mina retells one of the most famous stories from Scottish history in her new book Rizzio, the tale of Private Secretary David Rizzio, who was murdered in Mary Queen of Scots’ private chambers.

Family events include a drop-in Tiny Listening Lounge in Paisley Central Library, a book launch for Ross Mackay’s new picture book and a puppet show in Gaelic to celebrate the launch of Cora – Gaisgeach nan Gràineag with Theatre Gu Leòr. There will also be a Bookie Boogie Brunch with songs and stories for all ages.

Jess Orr, associate programmer for the Paisley Book Festival said: “Bringing some of Scotland’s best writers and storytellers to Paisley for a 10-day extravaganza of events, we’re thrilled to be back this February to celebrate the stories that make us who we are, and who we’re going to be.

“Whether you’re a fully subscribed book-lover or haven’t picked up a book since school, check out the Paisley Book Festival programme this year and be part of the conversation. We’ve all got a story to tell, after all.”

Paisley’s inaugural book festival in 2020 took inspiration from the 200th anniversary of the Paisley Radicals with a programme of grassroots activism, new ideas and political conversation and that’s an undercurrent still present in this new season.

Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

Festival producer Louise Oliver added: ”We’re still Paisley Radicals at heart, so the festival’s trademark thread of edge and progressiveness will still run through the programme, but as we return in 2022, we do so with a blended approach of live and digital events, and with the hope for a better world.

“For the 2022 programme, we will contemplate, as writers and readers, the importance of community, telling your story, being present in the moment, connection and celebrating the importance of words and stories in shaping a world we can all be proud of.”

The Paisley Book Festival is supported by Future Paisley, the wide-ranging programme of events, activity and investment using Paisley’s unique and internationally-significant cultural stories to transform its future. It is delivered by Renfrewshire Leisure and funded by Renfrewshire Council.

Renfrewshire Leisure chief executive, Dr Victoria Hollows, said of the festival: “I am delighted we are launching the 2022 Paisley Book Festival, with the same energy and inspirational programming that made the first two years such a success.

“This year’s theme of Stories Mak Us, as part of Scotland’s Year of Storytelling, embodies the feeling of community that has been so prevalent throughout the pandemic.

“It’s fantastic to see this reflected in the wonderful line-up of writers involved in the 2022 festival, from headliners such as Louise Welsh and Denise Mina to local writers, poets and children’s authors.

“I am sure it will be another huge success and build Paisley Book Festival’s reputation as a festival not to be missed.”

The full programme of events can be found at paisleybookfest.com