Paisley Book Festival
The Paisley Book Festival returns in 2025 for a sixth year from Friday 25th April to Sunday 27th April, centered around the theme 'The Lives We Live'.
About Paisley Book Festival
We’re living in an age saturated with ideas about how we should live, from what to eat, how to travel, and how much time to spend online, to how to connect meaningfully with our environment, and how to react in the face of world atrocities. Speaking to writers who have big ideas about navigating the most fundamental questions we face, and who embrace the opportunities they present, Paisley Book Festival invites authors and audiences to consider The Lives We Live.
2025 marks the sixth year of the Paisley Book Festival, which has gained a reputation as a festival that foregrounds bold ideas and radical thinking, showcasing the best in Scottish writing, platforming the voices and stories of everyday people, and supporting a burgeoning community of book enthusiasts in Paisley.
Centered around the theme The Lives We Live, this year’s three-day festival - from Friday April 25 to Sunday April 27 - will delve into the competing ideas about life in today’s complicated world, tackling issues of the day and celebrating the good things that bring joy.
Showcasing a talented array of writers, poets and storytellers, the festival considers concepts such as home and identity, travel, love and work, drawing inspiration from Paisley’s rich, creative history - and celebrating the distinct personal experiences which shape superb Scottish writing and storytelling.
The festival programme is varied, with events centred around poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and memoir, including a Family Day taking place on the Saturday.
On Friday April 25, Leith legend Irvine Welsh will talk about his writing career, his passion for music and the latest instalment in his recent crime series, Resolution. This gritty, gut-punching narrative confirms Welsh’s reputation as an orator of modern life.
He will be joined on stage by widely applauded Scottish author Ewan Morrison, whose latest novel, For Emma, is a big tech thriller which leaves a father desperately searching for answers after his daughter is killed in an AI experiment.
The festival’s Life’s Fundamentals series invites authors to present their ideas about life’s big topics, such as love, work, and adventure.
In a panel on food, The Hebridean Baker, Coinneach MacLeod, returns to the festival to host a discussion about the power of the culinary world in shaping who we are. Malaysian Scottish chef of Glasgow’s award-winning restaurant GaGa, Julie Lin, will introduce her new book Sama Sama, non-fiction writer Katie Goh introduces her new book, Foreign Fruit and award-winning Highland restaurant owner Pam Brunton shares Between Two Waters, exploring how ‘destination restaurants’ can inform understanding of wider land and food culture.
Also part of the Life’s Fundamentals strand, Scottish Egyptian writer and screenwriter Rachelle Atalla will be part of a discussion asking questions about what we truly believe alongside Glasgow-based novelist Chris Kohler. Festival favourite Kirsty Logan, meanwhile, is joined by award-winning Irish writer Sean Hewitt to take an alternative look at love and the romance genre.
Glaswegian Chris McQueer will take to the stage on Saturday April 26, to discuss his debut novel, Hermit, which follows the story of a young man who hasn’t left the house in months, alongside Edinburgh Makar and author of The Cat Prince and Boyfriends, Michael Pedersen. They will be in conversation with Renfrewshire-based Scabby Queen writer Kirstin Innes.
The Writer’s Playlist series pairs writers who make music with musicians who also write books and celebrates all things literary and musical.
Stuart Murdoch, best known as lead singer-songwriter for Glasgow-formed band Belle and Sebastian, will share his debut novel, Nobody’s Empire, which tells the tale of a young musician trying to make it while living with chronic fatigue syndrome. Stuart will be joined on stage by award-winning novelist, David Keenan, who shares his passion for music through his new collection of music writings, Volcanic Tongue, in an event hosted by broadcaster Vic Galloway.
Other highlights of this strand include a conversation hosted by Nicola Meighan with folk singer-songwriter turned novelist James Yorkston and Shetland-raised writer Malachy Tallack, whose new book, That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz, is a testimony to his love of country music.
Other highlights from the weekend will include a session for fans of Shuggie Bain and The Young Team featuring Karen Campbell with her new novel depicting a young boy navigating the care system, This Bright Life, alongside author of Slum Boy, Juano Diaz, and Fife novelist Tom Newlands.
Dundee-born writer and award-winning stalwart of contemporary British fiction, A L Kennedy, showcases her new novel, Alive in the Merciful Country, set during lockdown and cutting to the heart of the brutal times we are living through.
Daily lunchtime poetry sessions feature exciting new work in Scottish poetry, whilst interactive workshops include fashion and cultural historian Casci Ritchie leading a writing workshop on clothes, and local poet Donna Matthew, who will combine poetry writing with yoga.
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.
Paisley Book Festival 2025 is supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Renfrewshire, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Renfrewshire? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Paisley Town Hall or Paisley Book Festival
The Paisley Halloween Market
Part market, part monster mash... The Paisley Halloween Market at Paisley Town Hall on Saturday 25th October promises thrills, chills, and unbeatable vintage shopping!
READ MORE
Legend - The Music Of Bob Marley
Legend, the music of Bob Marley is an unforgettable evening celebrating this musical icon in one fantastic stage show extravaganza! Catch it at Paisley Town Hall on Thursday 30th October!
READ MORE
Horror Con Scotland - The Halloween Edition
Horror Con Scotland, The Halloween Edition, is descending on Paisley Town Hall for a weekend of spooky fun!
READ MORE
National Theatre Live: Mrs. Warren’s Profession
Filmed live from the West End, Mrs. Warren's Profession reunites Imelda Staunton with director Dominic Cooke, exploring the clash between morality and independence, traditions and progress.
READ MORE
Karen Dunbar
Chewin' The Fat star Karen Dunbar is back with her brand new 2025 Scottish Tour, don't miss her live at Paisley Town Hall on Thursday 20th November!
READ MORE
Live at the Town Hall: Nina Conti and Friends
Get ready for a night of world-class laughs as Live at the Town Hall returns with a stellar comedy line-up on Saturday 22nd November featuring the sensational Nina Conti!
READ MORE
Flash Bang Wallop: A Celebration of Musical Theatre
For the first time, Acquire's 65-strong choir will be joined by their 50-piece orchestra in a joyful celebration of musical theatre at Paisley Town Hall!
READ MORE
National Theatre Live: The Fifth Step
Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play The Fifth Step.
READ MORE
Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Get ready for a night of bagpipes with attitude as the Red Hot Chilli Pipers bring their electrifying live show to Paisley Town Hall on December 29th!
READ MORE
The Bluebells - CANCELLED
LNP are delighted to announce The Bluebells are coming to Paisley Town Hall on Friday 19th December for an extra special Christmas show and it's going to be a party!
READ MORE
Go Your Own Way - The Fleetwood Mac Legacy
Go Your Own Way is the spellbinding show featuring the music from the legendary multiple Grammy Award Winning Fleetwood Mac, don't miss it at Paisley Town Hall on Saturday 20th December
READ MORE
Craig Charles Funk & Soul
Craig Charles is bringing a special edition of his Funk & Soul Club to Paisley Town Hall on Saturday 27th December with special guests The Cuban Brothers and local legends, Shaka Loves You!
READ MORE
Festive Family Ceilidh
The much-loved festive ceilidh returns to Paisley Town Hall once again on Sunday 28th December with Clamjamfrie providing the musical entertainment!
READ MORE
G4 Christmas
Gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as G4 bring glad tidings of great joy this festive season to Paisley Town Hall, with the return of their ;G4 Christmas' tour.
READ MORE
The Legends of American Country Show
Europe's number one country music tribute show, The Legends of American Country, comes to Paisley Town Hall for a fantastic night of toe tapping Country classics!
READ MORE
Club 80’s Live!
Whether you were workin' as a waitress in a cocktail bar or just a city boy, let Club 80's take your hand back to the happiest days of your life when it comes to Paisley Town Hall!
READ MORE
An Evening with Jeff Stelling
Paisley Town Hall hosts an exclusive evening of football nostalgia, fun and entertainment with Sky Sports legend Jeff Stelling anchor man of Sky Sports Gillette Soccer Saturday for over 30 years!
READ MORE
Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons
Jason Manford is back with a new live show, A Manford All Seasons! Don't miss him live at Paisley Town Hall on Friday 6th March!
READ MORE
An Intimate Acoustic Evening with Wet Wet Wet
An Intimate Acoustic Evening with Wet Wet Wet will see the band perform a full set of reworked Wet Wet Wet classics, with the odd story and anecdote from their history thrown in for good measure!
READ MORE
Stuart Mitchell & Friends: On The Road
The one liners have been sharpened, the quick replies are flowing fast and this time – he's bringing his pals... don't miss Stuart Mitchell & Friends at Paisley Town Hall!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Renfrewshire Bookbug Sessions
Free, fun and fantastic! Renfrewshire Libraries run several interactive song, rhyme and story Bookbug sessions throughout the week!
READ MORE
The Witches Of Renfrewshire - Book Launch & Talk
Join Brian Hannan, author of The Witches Of Renfrewshire as he launches the book with a special event at Skirlies Cafe on Wednesday 29th October.
READ MORE
An Evening with Sally Magnusson in Conversation with Laura Maxwell
Sally Magnusson will be discussing her newest novel, The Shapeshifter's Daughter, in conversation with BBC Scotland's Laura Maxwell at the Carrick Centre in Houston on Saturday 22nd November.
READ MOREFind other events in Renfrewshire
Sponsored Links