CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Book Week Scotland gets ready for adventure

One Scot will find a voucher for a year's worth of books in one of this year's free Book Week Scotland books!

Book Week Scotland gets ready for adventure

Article Source: Book Week Scotland
Last Updated: 2 November 2023 11:08

Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing, has launched the line-up for Book Week Scotland 2023, which will be themed around ‘adventure’. Book Week Scotland, this year taking place on 13–19 November, is Scotland’s national annual celebration of books and reading, with events taking place in libraries and community venues across the country.

People picking up a copy of this year’s free Book Week Scotland book, Adventure, may be lucky enough to find one of seven special silver tickets, celebrating Scottish Book Trust’s 25th anniversary, tucked inside the pages. The silver tickets are redeemable for book tokens, with six worth £100 and one valid for a year’s worth of books (to a value of £500). The tickets will be sent across Scotland, so readers far and wide are in with a chance of discovering one.

The book has been published by Scottish Book Trust, featuring true stories from people across Scotland as well as exclusive contributions from Len Pennie, Summaya Usmani, current Scots Scriever Shane Strachan, Mae Diansangu, and Gaelic writers Alistair Paul and Seonaidh Charity. 70,000 copies of the book will be given out for free during Book Week Scotland through libraries and community spaces, and it will also be available to order online alongside audio and ebook formats.

The Book Week Scotland festivities will kick off with an exclusive midnight launch of Jenny Colgan’s new book, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop, at John Kay’s Shop in Edinburgh. Tickets are available to win at bookweekscotland.com.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Book Week Scotland is one of the highlights of Scotland’s literary calendars, with events for all ages and interests taking place across the nation. Despite the fact that Book Week Scotland is now operating on a shoestring budget due to repeated funding cuts, working with and through our fantastic partners across the country we have been able, even so, to offer an exciting and accessible programme of events at a local and national level. We could not do this without the support of the Scottish Library and Information Council, library services and the many other community partners we collaborate with. And this is vital, because developing a love of reading is a lifelong adventure which brings much pleasure and many benefits to the individual and the communities they live in.’

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council said: ‘Book Week Scotland is an important opportunity to bring communities together to celebrate the power of reading which is why SLIC is proud to be a partner. With a brilliant programme of events lined up in libraries across the country, there’s something for everyone. We hope people will take this opportunity to rediscover all that local libraries have to offer.’

Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland, Alan Bett, said: ‘Book Week Scotland is a highlight in Scotland’s literary and cultural calendar which continues to provide joy by connecting the reading public with Scotland’s authors and their books. Featuring some of the biggest names in our literary scene, this year’s programme showcases homegrown talent and provides the space to empower writers and readers alike, across the country and within their own communities.’

Highlights from Book Week Scotland 2023 will include:

• The Pleasures of Reading with Val McDermid at Portobello Bookshop, Edinburgh – Thursday 16 November, 7–8pm (free ticketed event)

• Alan Moore in conversation with Heather Parry (free online event) – Sunday 19 November, 3–4pm

• An exclusive story by Ambrose Parry, told over the course of the week through Scottish Book Trust’s newsletter

• Football Journeys with a Bearded Genius: Nooruddean Choudry in conversation with Daniel Gray from Nutmeg Magazine – Saturday 18 November, 7–8.30pm (free ticketed event)

Scottish Book Trust has also funded three events through its Emerging Programmers scheme for first-time book event programmers: Being Mixed @ Book Week Scotland in Waterstones Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, on Tuesday 14 November; the Working Class Writers Showcase at The Music Hall, Aberdeen, on Friday 17 November; and Angus Og’s Cartoon Ceilidh in Portree Community Library on Saturday 18 November.

The Book Week Scotland 2023 programme is now live, with more events to be added in the lead up to the week itself.

Image: Len Pennie credit Chris Scott

Sponsored Links

Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council

Latest Fife News

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS fans take the spotlight in latest K Pop documentary heading to Vue

BTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.

READ MORE
Introducing The Kithmore: St Andrews New Boutique Hotel

Introducing The Kithmore: St Andrews New Boutique Hotel

The Marram Collection today announced that the Ardgowan Hotel on Playfair Terrace, St Andrews will be renamed The Kithmore, following an extensive £7.5 million transformation.

READ MORE
A chance to play in charity pro am golf tournament with some Scottish PGA professionals

A chance to play in charity pro am golf tournament with some Scottish PGA professionals

Scotscraig Golf Club is “teeing” up a charity pro-am tournament for The Archie Foundation, that will give golfers the chance to play alongside the country’s leading professional golfers.

READ MORE
SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

SAY Award opens submissions for eligible albums

Scotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.

READ MORE
Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies Garden Centres for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

READ MORE
FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores returns on 5th and 6th July

Summerfest, the FREE family festival at Loch Lomond Shores, is back on the 5th and 6th of July with lots of things to see and do!

READ MORE
New work premiering at the East Neuk Festival

New work premiering at the East Neuk Festival

This year, to celebrate its landmark 20th anniversary, the East Neuk Festival has commissioned four new pieces of work which will premiere this week.

READ MORE
Sixty artists open their studios to public for Largo Arts Week

Sixty artists open their studios to public for Largo Arts Week

Sixty artists open their studios to public as summer festival kicks off in Fife’s “Robinson Crusoe” village of Lower Largo.

READ MORE
Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

Earlybird tickets drive buzz for 2026 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show

The biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!

READ MORE
July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

July events at Dobbies Garden Centres

Check out July at Dobbies with it's Little Seedlings Club on rainforests and Grow How on pest control and healthy gardens!

READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland calls for public stories for national wellbeing exhibition

Historic Environment Scotland is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.

READ MORE
Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 adds two new categories and voting deadline extended!

Scotland's hospitality industry and customers have spoken, and the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 has listened!

READ MORE
25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway

Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.

READ MORE
Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland

Tickets are on sale for an exclusive Superman screening at Vue venues in Scotland, with fans in for an extra special treat to take home.

READ MORE
Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

Acclaimed debut Only Here, Only Now from Tom Newlands chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month in Scotland

The paperback edition of Only Here, Only Now by Tom Newlands has just been released - and is already making waves.

READ MORE
Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Funding Boost for Charities at Scottish Building Society AGM

Scottish Building Society marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing funding to support eight local charities and good causes across the country.

READ MORE
Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Classic car enthusiasts set to visit Loch Lomond Shores

Visitors are invited to come along and get up-close to some amazing cars, set against the beautiful backdrop of Loch Lomond, as part of a great day out.

READ MORE
Paws, play and heritage on parade

Paws, play and heritage on parade

Bark by popular demand, the Gordon Setter Parade returns on Saturday 5th July as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, held at the stunning Scone Palace.

READ MORE
Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party

Dobbies hosts brand new Fairy Garden Tea Party

Dobbies Garden Centres are inviting families across the UK along to its stores on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of June to spend a magical afternoon filled with fun activities and good food.

READ MORE
Jazz artist Euan Stevenson to close eclectic weekend of live gigs at East Neuk Festival

Jazz artist Euan Stevenson to close eclectic weekend of live gigs at East Neuk Festival

Scottish pianist, composer and arranger Euan Stevenson returns to East Neuk Festival next month for an afternoon performance of jazz classics.

READ MORE
How to train your Dad in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler

How to train your Dad in 4DX Cineworld enlists Gerard Butler

Cineworld is launching a brand new 4DX Father's Day gift experience, containing two 4DX tickets and ponchos, perfect for experiencing the new live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" film.

READ MORE
Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies

Summer of Roses: Free gardening workshop at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a free Rose-themed Grow How workshop this June, sharing top tips for caring for this beloved flowering plant.

READ MORE
Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Cheers to 30 years: Scottish Bar and Pub Awards celebrate with public voting now open

Scotland's longest-running hospitality awards turn 30 - and they want you to have your say!

READ MORE
Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!

Loch Lomond Unplugged is coming this weekend!

Loch Lomond Unplugged, our FREE showcase of talented buskers and singer/songwriters, is this weekend and we’re super excited to welcome great acts from across Scotland and beyond!

READ MORE
Dig into summer fun at Dobbies

Dig into summer fun at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place across the country this June.

READ MORE
Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland

Aldi to gift year supply of free beer to biggest beer lover in Scotland

Aldi Scotland is on the hunt for the nation's biggest beer lover, as it revamps its popular Best Home Bar Competition by expanding the criteria.

READ MORE
Milestone year for Refugee Festival Scotland

Milestone year for Refugee Festival Scotland

Refugee Festival Scotland has officially unveiled the programme for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, running from 13 – 22 June.

READ MORE
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary

Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary

Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.

READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes

Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes

Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.

READ MORE
Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK

Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK

IRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Link
ATG
Hostelworld

Sponsored Links

Open Pass Scotland
Renfrewshire Council
Link
ATG
Hostelworld

Popular Events

The Notwitches: Meet the Author & Illustrator
On 23rd August, Waterstones St Andrews will welcome Gary Panton and Dotty Sutton to take over our childrens' department! Join us for this free event filled with fun, drawing, chats and crafts!
Ben Fogle: Wild
Ben Fogle's theatre show WILD brings to life on stage, stories and tales of hope, possibility and positivity! Don't miss him live at The Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline on Monday 2nd March!
Foraged and Found: Making Natural Art Materials
Lucy and Edward of Old Mill Arts will guide you through various skills and processes involved in making your own high quality, nature based art materials on this four day-long workshop at Forgan Arts.
Burntisland Fairground
Burntisland Fairground returns this summer! Situated on the links just yards from a Blue Flag beach, this traditional funfair provides all you need for a great family day out!
Gama Present: All Shook Up
Presented by Gama, All Shook Up is a lively jukebox musical inspired by the songs of Elvis Presley. Catch it at Rothes Halls in October!

Popular Listings

Adam Smith Theatre Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline Carnegie Hall Corn Exchange Cupar Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy Lochgelly Centre PJ Molloys Rothes Halls Teasses Estate The Byre Theatre St Andrews